Lyle Dean Ummel, 85, passed away on June 10, 2021, at Rhode Island Suites in Ransom, Kansas. He was born on July 31, 1935, in Ransom, Kansas, the son of Lloyd and Mildred (Green) Ummel.
Lyle graduated from Ransom High School in 1954 and soon after enlisted in the U.S. Army for two years where he was assigned to the U.S. Army Support Command, Europe and stationed in Luxemburg and France.
After discharge from the Army, Lyle enrolled at Fort Hays State College for a semester and tried out for the football team and made the roster.
Through mutual friends at Fort Hays State, Lyle met his future wife, Mary Lou Downing, who was working on her teaching certification. On July 3rd, 1959, they were married in the front entrance of the Methodist Church Minister’s house in Sharon Springs, Kansas as they eloped to Colorado in order to escape a high society wedding in Pratt, Kansas, much to the dismay of Mary Lou’s mother.
Lyle was always a hard worker and worked many jobs in order to support his growing family. In the 1960’s to the mid 70’s, Lyle helped farm for Bill and Mary Horchem, trimmed trees, mowed lawns, finished drywall, worked for the Ness County Road and Bridge Department and served as the Night Marshall and City Clerk for the City of Ransom. In the late 1970’s Lyle went to work for Clear Creek, Inc and NCRA where he retired after 20 years.
Some of his most enjoyable activities in his life were taking his family on vacations and watching his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren grow. He led a very active life during retirement, traveling with Mary Lou to spend time with family and friends. Many times, it was trip to Colorado to fish or learn to ski in the snow, or Arizona just to get away from the Western Kansas winters. Lyle loved life, loved to laugh, and make other people laugh.
Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Mary Lou of Ransom; a daughter, Kelle Schniepp of Ransom; son’s Mark (Michelle) Ummel of rural Burlingame, Kansas and Jeb Ummel of Overland Park, Kansas; 4 grandchildren, Garrett, Kelsee, Jenna and Harrison; 6 great grandchildren, Brayden, Jordis, Adalyn, Audrina, Hailey, and Dawn. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Robert and Ronald, and son, Mitchell.
Memorial service will be on Saturday, June 26, 2021, 10:00 A.M., at the United Methodist Church, Ransom, Kansas with inurnment in the Ransom Cemetery. Friends may call at Fitzgerald Funeral Home on Friday, June 25, 2021, from 9:00 A.M. – 8:00 P.M. with the family present from 5:00 P.M. – 7:00 P.M.
Memorial contributions may be given to the Ransom VFW Post No. 7972 or Rhode Island Suites.