Lyle Krusemark

We are heartbroken to announce Lyle Kenneth Krusemark, age 86 of Elbow Lake has lost his battle with Parkinson’s Disease. He passed away on Saturday, November 22, 2025, at the Barrett Care Center.

Lyle was born in Alexandria on June 26, 1939, to Clarence & Agnes (Getz) Krusemark. He grew up on a farm with four brothers, never a day without mischievous behavior from one of them. Lyle was baptized and confirmed at Lands Lutheran Church. He attended country school & graduated from Hoffman High School in 1957. He went on to Augsburg College, where he graduated in 1961 with degrees in Biology & Speech.

Lyle married Janice Nohre on December 31, 1961, at First Lutheran Church in Elbow Lake. They moved to Mable, Minnesota where he started his first teaching position. In 1963 he was offered a teaching position in Elbow Lake & so they moved back to their hometown area. Lyle continued teaching for 35 years.

Janice passed away in 1992 & Lyle married Deborah Swenson-Christenson in 1993.

Lyle was dedicated to his community, serving on several committees at United Lutheran Church, Elbow Lake City Council, Elbow Lake Fire Department and as an EMT. In retirement he actively served on the Grant County Museum Board and on the Ness Cemetery Ass’n. While not teaching in the summers, he did house construction & remodeling.

Lyle’s greatest joys were found outdoors with his family, especially deer hunting with his sons, pheasant hunting in North Dakota with his brother Greg & cousins, and duck hunting at the Mill Pond. He also made a trip to Alaska commercial halibut fishing. Upon reaching shore from that 7 day ocean experience, he did kneel down & kiss the ground. Lyle could be found fishing new ice on Pomme de Terre every early winter with his side-kick Buzzie.

Above all, Lyle loved to take his grandchildren fishing & hunting, and attending their many school events. He & Deb enjoyed traveling to many states, Canada, Thailand & Norway over the years. They also attended Lyle’s favorite Minnesota Twins Spring Training games in Florida.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Janice, brothers Ronald, Greg and Thomas (infancy).

Lyle is survived by his wife of 32 years, Deb; his sons, Thomas (Kari) of Elbow Lake, Joel (Alisa) of Alexandria and step-children, Barry (Maria) Christenson of Bethel Park, PA and Lisa (David) Dybdal of Morris; his eight treasured grandchildren: Hope (Tanner) Schmidt, Abby (Connor) Hegarty, Brock and Brady Krusemark, Danny & Marissa Christenson, and Deven & Shelby Dybdal; his two precious great-grandchildren: Tucker & Teagan Schmidt. He is also survived by his brothers: Jerry (Deb) and Bob (Bev), sister-in-law Joan Krusemark; and numerous other relatives.

Lyle’s legacy of love, dedication & service will live on through his loved ones and the many lives he touched.

Our family would like to thank the entire staff at Barrett Care Center and Vivie Hospice for their compassionate care and family support.

In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to: Ness Cemetery, or Grant County Museum

 A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 PM Thursday, December 4, 2025, at the United Lutheran Church in Elbow Lake. Visitation will begin at 12:30PM.

Inurnment at Ness Cemetery, Elbow Lake.

Arrangements by Erickson-Smith Funeral Home in Elbow Lake.