Lyle A. Skiles

Lyle A. Skiles was born on February 20, 1931, about 5 miles northwest of the original township of Republican City, Nebraska, in Harlan County. His parents Harold & Rosa Skiles (Bauerle) were a hardworking farm family in the Huntley/Naponee area. Lyle was baptized and confirmed in St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in 1945. He and his brother Dale attended the one-room Salem Country school after which he graduated with honors from Huntley High School in 1948. 

The two brothers farmed together until 1950. Dryland farming was difficult and driven with the purchase of a 1948 Farmall H tractor. Upon his marriage to his lifelong love Ruth Elaine Bowers, the newlyweds rented some irrigated land southwest of Naponee where they nourished their crops & animals with fresh water from the newly erected Harlan County Dam. Elaine & Lyle were married in January 1955 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Oxford, Nebraska. Lyle swept Elaine out of Furnas County within six months of dating in his ‘52 Studebaker.

Lyle served in the Nebraska National Guard from 1951-1958, commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant. Meanwhile he was also working at the Blank Motor Company selling implements that he would continue to use on the farm. Moving from the farm in 1960 brought a change of vocation when Lyle became the Franklin County Assessor. Lyle transitioned into a career with the State Tax Commissioners Department in Lincoln where he worked for nine years before returning to Franklin to start their real estate appraisal business. Elaine was Lyle’s assistant in the office as Lyle covered over twenty different counties assisting assessors and their county boards with appraisal business. In 2000, Lyle retired and enjoyed the next twenty four years with Elaine square dancing, gardening, painting, woodworking, hunting, camping and traveling to visit their expanding family. They enjoyed playing cards with friends, family, and those who would stop by for a visit. They were especially fond of the friendships made through the Naponee card club. From the late 1950’s thru the 1980’s Lyle influenced and shared in the raising of numerous growing families with his unconditional love and through the power of his Christian faith. 

Lyle was preceded in death by  parents, Harold & Rosa Skiles (Bauerle), dear wife Elaine, brother Dale Skiles & sister-in-law Maxine, brothers-in-law Rolland & Lloyd Bowers, sister-in-law Carolyn Bowers & step brother-in-law Selby Meier, several cousins, aunts & uncles, church & community friends.

Married for 68 years, Lyle & Elaine created many wonderful memories. His laugh, warmth and welcome will be missed by many including children, Teri Jelken (Dennis) of Macon, NE, Marcia Schriner (friend Gordon Eckhart) of Inavale, NE, Anita O’Neill (Kevin) of Gretna, NE, & Blaine Skiles (Kathy) of Beatrice, NE; sister-in-law Violet Bowers, sister-in-law Wanda Watson (Ed), step sister-in-law Donna Meier. Grandchildren, Bryan Jelken (Megan); Kim Haussermann (Jason); Jeff Schriner (Hilary); Jenny Schriner; Sally Harris (Caleb); Lacey Hajny (Jarrod); Matt Schriner (Dara); Keely Tatro; Kyle O’Neill (Courtney); Kelsy O’Neill, Evan Skiles (Dena); Mathew Skiles, Alysa Chesnut (Alex); Andy Skiles, Markuz Skiles. Great-grandchildren, Agustus Schriner (Rylee); Tiffani Jackson, David Jelken (special friend Dakota); Logan Jelken, Barett   Haussermann (special friend Halle); Johanna Haussermann, Brandon Schriner (special friend Kylie); Natalie Schriner, Gabriel Schriner, Colton Harris (special friend Addy); Colby Harris (Shelby); Cali Harris, Wyatt Hajny, Josie Hajny, Monte Hajny, Luke Schriner, Jenna Schriner, Kinsly Schriner, McKinley Skiles, Sophie Skiles, Mia Skiles & Beckett O’Neill. Great great grandchildren, Weston Schriner, Newt Schriner, Sam Schriner, Alikaid Jelken, Casey Jo Harris, many nieces and nephews. 

Funeral Services will be Friday, May 24, 2024, at 10:30 a.m., at the Grace Lutheran Church in Franklin, with Pastor David Hutson officiating. Burial with Military Honors will follow at Greenwood Cemetery, Franklin. 

Visitation will be Thursday, May 23, from 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm, with the family greeting friends from 5:30 – 7:30, at Hutchins Funeral Home in Franklin. 

Memorials are requested to the Grace Lutheran Church and may be sent to Hutchins Funeral Home, 1402 M Street, Franklin, Nebraska, 68939.

Hutchins Funeral Home for Franklin has been entrusted with arrangements for the Skiles family.