November 8, 1943 – September 20, 2017 Lyle L. Visser passed away with his family by his side on September 20, 2017 at Wilson N Jones Hospital in Sherman, TX from complications of Alzheimer’s. He was born in Ada, Minnesota on November 8, 1943 to Paul and Bethel (Lenz) Visser.
Lyle was raised on a dairy farm and participated in all activities from an early age related to general farm work including showing prize-winning Holstein cattle, doing field work and many other tasks. He graduated from Ada High School and went on to earn a B.S. from Moorhead State College and finally a Masters in Social Work from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, MI. He married his high school sweetheart on June 3, 1967. They shared a love of horses, a commitment to faith, family and professions that were people-oriented.
He worked in multiple settings over the years including Director of Longmont Mental Health, a branch of Boulder County (Colorado) Mental Health and Five Count y Mental Health located in Braham, MN. He also worked in the Mora, MN Medical Clinic and ended his professional career working as the senior high school social worker in Mora – his favorite job of all. Lyle especially enjoyed interacting with youth. There was no greater advocate for the health and well-being of all children plus a sincere enjoyment for all things “kid” related. He embraced all activities that his boys participated in with a passion and loved nothing better than cheering them on during athletic events. He also enjoyed fishing, spending time at the Visser cabin and hunting pheasants or the elusive buck each fall. Lyle served several terms on the Mora school board and was chairman multiple years. He was active in the community of Mora, serving on many committees and boards. After retirement, Lyle and Sondra moved to rural Whitesboro, Texas. They enjoyed helping raise horses with their son and daughter-in-law and attend shows put on by the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA). They frequently returned to Minnesota to see family and long-time friends plus enjoy the cooler weather. Lyle was a man of strength, commitment and integrity, he was also known for his joking and teasing. While we are sad to say good-by, we are glad that his spirit is now free.
Lyle is survived by his wife, Sondra Visser of Whitesboro, TX; two sons, Tyler Visser of Ada, MN and Josh Visser and wife, Carri of Whitesboro, TX; three grandsons, Tristan, Zachary and Noah; two sisters, Janis Lee and husband, Kevin and Charlene Baker and husband, David all of Ada, MN; several nieces, nephews and in-laws.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Bethel Visser and a sister, Paula Evans.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, September 25, 2017 at First United Methodist Church Whitesboro with Rev. Adam Spore officiating. A Family visitation will be held at the church at 10:00 a.m. one hour prior to the funeral service. Services are under the direction of Meador Funeral Home of Whitesboro. http://videos.lifetributes.com/834751