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Lyle Raymond Bjornestad was doing what he loved when he was called home to be with God on Oct. 17, 2022. He was born on March 15, 1954, to Raymond Nore Bjornestad and Vera Jean Jones in Powell, Wyoming.
He graduated from Cody High School in 1972, and went to work in the oil field for many different companies. In 1975, he married the love of his life, Nita Luann Suffield. To this marriage three children were born: Keely Jean, Curtis Raymond, and Karlyn Kathrine. After oil field job transfers had taken the family to Casper and then to Gillette, Lyle and Nita decided in 1984 it was time to return to Powell and finish raising the family.
Lyle went back to school, and when he finished, he took a job as a research associate with the University of Wyoming Research Center and went on to become farm manager as the years went on.
In 2003, Lyle cashed in his life savings to fund his dream of farming. He invited his son Curtis and his son-in-law John Brence to join in the family farm dream. He worked hard and made dreams come true. When asked why he started farming so late in his life, his response was, “I’m gonna give ‘er hell,” and that’s what he did. His love for family and farming was evident in everything he did and said. Grandkids were a top priority after he had gotten his kids married off, and he was blessed with eight grandchildren. Lyle tried his best to make all his grandkids’ school or sporting events. His grandkids were his pride and joy, and they always brought a smile to his face.
He was a true family man.
Lyle was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Vera Jean; stepfather William Gallogly; sisters Sonja (Bjornestad) Servo, Rita (Bjornestad) Lee, and Bernice Bjornestad.
He is survived by his loving wife Nita; daughters Keely (Justin) Hays of Billings, Karlyn (John) Brence of Powell, son Curtis (Erin) Bjornestad of Elko, Nevada; and his grandchildren, Cooper and Lillie Hays, Emma, Kathryn, Charlee, and Baylee Brence, and Kaci and Cael Kysar; along with brothers Howard, Brent, and Russ Bjornestad, and sister Marquita Graves.
Services for Lyle Bjornestad will be Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022, at the Park County Fairgrounds at 10 a.m. Luncheon to follow at the Elks Lodge in Powell.
