Lyle D. Sittler

Lyle Dean Sittler, 74, of rural Martell passed away January 29, 2017 surrounded by family. Lyle was born October 24, 1942 in Lincoln to Harvey Clifford and Vera Adelaide (Wissenburg) Sittler. He married Alice Lauritzen on June 13, 1965 in Weeping Water, Nebraska. Lyle grew up on the farm his family homesteaded in 1873. Lyle was a neighborhood legend for his strength and work ethic, two traits that would only grow stronger throughout his life. Lyle attended School District 130 where he spent his 8th grade year being instructed by his older sister Ruthelen. He attended high school in Crete where he served as school president as a senior, acted in plays, sang in the school choir and played in the band. He held the school record for shot put for many years to follow, played catcher on the legion baseball team and played basketball. Lyle excelled at football and was offered a scholarship to play for the University of Nebraska after his graduation in 1960. Lyle was inducted into the Crete High School Hall of Fame in 2013. Lyle would go on to play center for the Huskers and received All Big 8 Honors, Honorable Mention All American honors and later in life be inducted into the Nebraska Football Hall of Fame in 1999. Lyle was most proud of serving as co-captain and the lifelong friendships he made. Lyle served as president of the N Club and was a member of the University of Nebraska Glee Club and Sigma Chi Fraternity. Despite all of his accolades on the field his biggest award during his time at the University was meeting Alice. They married soon after Lyle received his degree in education and following a honeymoon trip to the All-American Game, settled first in Lawrence, Kansas where Lyle was a Biology and Physical Education teacher, assistant football coach and helped to start the wrestling program. Lyle and Alice moved back to the family farm after Lyle accepted a teaching and coaching position at Lincoln East Jr-Sr High. Lyle would teach 7th grade social studies/English block from 1969-1980. Lyle was famously known for leading the students in an effort to construct a replica of a dam to demonstrate the needs and impact of both people and the environment. Lyle served as assistant offensive line and defensive line coach winning a state title in 1975. He also was assistant wrestling coach winning a state title in 1971. Along with his involvement in coaching, he also was a wrestling referee and gymnastics judge. Lyle returned to farming full time in 1980; an occupation he and Alice would work tirelessly at through his retirement in 2011, but Lyle was never fully retired from farming. Lyle leaves an unending legacy of conservation of the land and water he cared for so deeply. While Lyle did not do conservation work for accolades, he and Alice received multiple local, state and national awards for their innovative practices and ethic. Lyle was extremely proud that their legacy with the farm is now carried on in his image by the next generation in both work, passion and love. Lyle’s legacy extends into two other of his strong passions—community and faith. Lyle served on the Crete School Board, Lancaster County Extension Board and as an advisor in the Nebraska Junior Polled Hereford Association for a number of years. He was very active in the Grace United Methodist Church in Crete through singing in the choir, leading the youth group and tending the flower garden outside the church with Alice. Lyle spent hours in the garden and was a world champion peanut butter fudge maker. Lyle loved listening to and singing music and was always interested in learning more about people and places. He loved spending time with his family and his many friends. If anyone needed help, Lyle was the first to arrive to help anyone and would work until the job was done or the problem was solved. Lyle always had a smile that would light up the world and laugh to share with anyone around. His very presence provided such an impact on those he loved—which were so many. Lyle exemplified what it means to live life well and have a life well lived. Lyle is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Alice, daughter Kristen Eggerling (Todd), daughter Jana, daughter Meghan (Molly Murphy), sister Ruthelen, grandchildren Dylan and Levi Hafer, and Barrett and Lauren Eggerling. Lyle is also survived by countless friends as Lyle welcomed all into his life with open arms. Lyle is preceded in death by his parents. A celebration of life is planned for 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 11, 2017 at Grace United Methodist Church in Crete. Family will also greet his many friends from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, February 10, 2017 at Grace United Methodist Church. The family will be wearing Husker red in honor of Lyle and encourages all to honor him in that manner if they desire. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the family for future designation. Contributions can be sent to the family or Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home 6800 S.14th Street, Lincoln.