Lyle Jay Brothers, 87, of Lyons, Kansas, passed away March 31, 2023, at Hospital District #1 of Rice County, Lyons. He was born March 7, 1936, in Saxman, Kansas, the son of Jay M. and Sylvia M. Engelland Brothers. Lyle was a lifetime Rice County resident. He graduated from Lyons High School with the class of 1954.
On October 31, 1954, Lyle was united in marriage with Patricia Ruth “Pat” Swenson in Lyons. Together they raised four children; Mike Brothers and wife JoAnn of Lyons, KS, Karen Malone and husband Brad of Manhattan, KS, Susan Tobias and husband Curtis of Lyons, KS, and Tricia Brothers of Newton, KS. He was blessed with nine grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren.
Immediate family includes; two sisters-in-law, Kathryn (Swenson) Wilson and husband Fred of Traverse City, MI, and Telva Swenson of Kansas City, KS; and many nieces, nephews as well as extended family.
Lyle was a farmer, dairyman, and past owner of Hutchinson Livestock. He was a member of the First Christian Church, Lyons, where he served as a trustee. He was a former trustee and treasurer of the former Saxman Presbyterian Church. Lyle was active in both civic and community organizations such as the Royal Masonic Lodge #192, Lyons, Wichita Scottish Rite as a 33rd Degree Mason, Meridian Shriners, and Order of the Eastern Star Queen Esther Chapter #32. He served on the Board of Directors for Camp Wa-Ja-To and was past President of Rice County Farm Bureau.
Lyle enjoyed collecting toy tractors, wood carving, RC cars, and model railroad trains. Lyle also enjoyed spending winters with many close friends at Fun-N-Sun in San Benito, Texas.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Patricia Brothers; infant brother, Lurton Brothers; and sister, Joleen Ottlinger.
Funeral service was Friday, April 7, 2023, at the First Christian Church, Lyons, with Pastor Nickia Larson and Rev. Jim Anderson officiating. Burial was at the Sterling Community Cemetery, Sterling.
Memorials may be given to Camp Wa-Ja-To, or the Rice Community Healthcare Foundation (for the Swing Bed Unit) in care of Birzer Funeral Home, Lyons.