Lyle E. Johnson

Lyle E. Johnson, age 72, of Willmar, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, July 3.

Lyle was born on June 11, 1953, in Des Moines, Iowa, the son of Dan Jr. and Doris (Crews) Johnson. He grew up in Des Moines, graduated from Saydel High School in 1971 and from Drake University in 1975, with a BS degree in Business Administration. In June 1977, his family purchased the Branchwater Bar in DeSoto, where he met Patricia “Diane” Farrow. On December 5, 1977, they were united in marriage.

In December 1978, they moved to Phoenix, AZ for 18 years. He held various jobs starting first at Unidynamics Phoenix, Inc. in Goodyear, AZ as Contract Administrator to City Auditor for the City of Phoenix and Glendale. In 1991, he then became the first MIS Director for the City of Peoria, implementing the first automated data processing systems and interface for the Building Safety, Police, and Public Works departments. At Imperial Litho/Graphics, Inc. he was Information Systems Manager and then Director of Information Systems for New West Eyeworks in Tempe, AZ.

In October 1995, he moved to Carson City, NV where he was employed as Information Systems Manager for Incline Village General Improvement District and Corporate MIS Manager for Boomtown, Inc. in Verdi, NV. In May 1997, he went east to work for the gun manufacturer Beretta USA in Accokeek, MD as Chief Information Officer. In July 2000, he ventured south to Chattanooga, TN to work for Chattem, Inc. where he remained for 14 years before moving to Willmar, MN in 2014. In 2016, he retired from West Central Inc.

Lyle always liked a challenge and would tackle every task he endeavored until he had it resolved, whether it be for his employer, his personal life, or assisting others with their inquiries. If Lyle couldn’t fix it, he would find out WHY. He was in great demand by his various employers because he had a Business Administration degree with AS/400 mainframe experience. A rarity in the computer field! He enjoyed hunting, target shooting with his crossbow, driving sporty cars, traveling, trading in the stock market and being an avid fan of NASCAR and FOX News.

He is survived by his loving wife, Diane of Willmar, her niece Amber (Jeremy) Hugeback, his sister-in-law Nancy Johnson, his nieces Lori(Mike) Fowler, Kelly (Billy) Conrad, Brandi(Josh) Lieberman and his nephews Brook (Betsy) Hansen and Dan (Danelle) Johnson plus brother-in-laws Al (Linda) Farrow, Perry Farrow, and Brad (Sherri) Farrow, and sister-in-laws Sharon Rennie, Leslie Farrow, and Cae Farrow, besides several other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three siblings: Ron, Carol Ann and Fred; his nephew, Joe Johnson, his in-laws Bob and Bev Farrow plus brother-in-laws Andy, Greg, and Tony Farrow.

At his request, there will be no services. He will be interred at Oakland Cemetery in DeSoto, Iowa. Arrangements are entrusted to Peterson Brothers Funeral Home. www.petersonbrothers.com