Lyle Pawlowski went to his heavenly home on May 16, 2025, at the age of 90. Funeral services will be 10 a.m., Thursday, May 22, 2025, at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Wessington Springs. Burial with military honors will follow at Prospect Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m., Wednesday, also at the church.
He was born on November 18, 1934, in Woonsocket, South Dakota, the second of four children to Paul and Ann (Detlefs) Pawlowski. Lyle was baptized on December 16, 1934, and confirmed in Christ on May 30, 1948, alongside his older brother, Kenieth, at Zion Lutheran Church in Lane, SD.
He attended Meyer Country School, Lane, and later graduated from Woonsocket High School. From 1955 to 1957, Lyle proudly served in the United States Army, stationed in Hawaii, and then continued in the National Guard in Wessington Springs for two more years.
While cruising around Wessington Springs with friends, a chance meeting led Lyle to the love of his life, Lenora Roduner. When asking her hand in marriage she took the ring and didn’t say yes until they were married on June 1, 1958. Together, they began farming south of Lane before purchasing their family farm in Buffalo County in 1963.
Lyle and Lenora worked side-by-side raising beef cattle, dairy cows, sheep, and a variety of other animals while raising their family. Lyle was deeply committed to his community, serving in many roles including: Elder and Sunday School Superintendent at Zion Lutheran Church in Wessington Springs, member of the Soil Conservation Board, founding member of the Mid-Dakota Rural Water Board, board member of Central Electric, Buffalo County Commissioner, Highway Superintendent, volunteer with the Buffalo County Fire Department, 4-H leader and softball coach, and later, member of the Wessington Springs Senior Citizens Board. He and Lenora also enjoyed dancing with the Spurs & Slippers Dance Club over the years and later on as campground hosts at West Bend State Park.
Despite his full schedule, Lyle always made time for his children. The importance of having family meals, saying prayers before meals and bed. He taught them how to shoot a gun, cast a fishing line, and swing a bat—coaching each of them through 4-H softball. Lyle loved the outdoors, especially hunting and fishing. He was known for his patience, helpful tips, and for using his trusty pencil to retrieve a swallowed fishhook. The Pawlowski home was a favorite stop for pheasant hunters from all over the country.
Lyle especially loved farming and ranching with his son, Lee. Harvest season was his favorite, and in fall 2024—near his 90th birthday—he made it known he wanted to run the combine one more time. After combining corn on the family farm, he stepped down and gave one final directive to Lee: “Get it done.”
Lyle is survived by his children: Lola (Paul) Twedt, Lisa (Jack) Davis, Lee (Tina) Pawlowski, and Lori (JJ) Lafferty; ten grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and his siblings: Kenieth Pawlowski, Valetta (Joe) Fee, and Glen (Cindi) Pawlowski, sisters-in-law Arlena Hauck, Luella Teveldal and Leona Glaser, and a special niece, Luanne Thompson. He is also survived by many extended family members and friends.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 65 years, Lenora; his parents; sisterin- law, Betty Pawlowski; brothers-in-law Leonard Teveldal, Alfred Hauck, and Lu Glaser; and brothers-inlaw and their spouses, Ray & Doris Roduner and Melvin & Evelyn Roduner.
Lyle often told his children how blessed he felt by God. His life was guided by faith, family, and friendship. Even in his final days, he was thankful for his caregivers and never let his candy dish sit empty. Lyle could talk to anyone—and no matter who he met, he’d leave them with a smile and his signature farewell: “I wish you all the best.”
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorials be directed to the Wessington Springs Senior Center or Zion Lutheran Church in Wessington Springs.
For those unable to attend in person, the funeral will be livestreamed Thursday on the church’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ oursaviorsws Arrangements are with Basham Funeral Service.
