Michael "Mike" Larry Lyes

Michael "Mike" Larry Lyes, age 76, of Duluth Minnesota passed away on Monday, November 2, 2026 after a long and courageous battle with lung cancer and COPD. Mike was born on January 15, 1950 to Harry and Bernice Lyes. He was raised on the family farm in Atkinson Minnesota along with one brother and four sisters.

Mike attended Barnum School until 10th grade and graduated from Esko Minnesota after a move. He continued his education at DVTI in Duluth and then enlisted in the United States Navy. He served for four years from 1969-1973. Mike was a Vietnam era100% disabled veteran. When he returned home he continued on with multiple schooling accomplishments, and various employments which led up to his 34 years of work at WLSSD. His work ethic and determination to continually learn led the path toward becoming an excellent computer technician programmer.

Mike was a man of many talents; his sharp mind could fix anything. He loved to keep busy and always kept up his curiosity for learning new things. His story telling and jokes were legendary and he certainly enjoyed visiting with anyone, any place, any time. Number one in his life was his family and his “bonus” family. They meant everything to him. Mike was easy going and dealt with every circumstance with a “matter of fact” way.

After his retirement he enjoyed going out for lunch to keep his social life intact, especially spending quality time at Cloquet’s Heather’s Café. He claimed the owner and waitresses always tried to keep him on the straight and narrow “say please and thank you and put your dirty silverware on the plate when you are done”.

After his first wife Sharon passed away he found love again and married Cindy on June 5, 2004, gaining his “bonus” family of Cindy’s children and grandchildren. Together they enjoy 5 children, 15 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren, not to mention a few grand pups also.

Mike is preceded in death by his first wife, Sharon (Hallback) Lyes; parents, Harry and Bernice Lyes; siblings, Leland Lyes and Judy Niesen. He is survived by his loving wife, Cindy; daughters, Tammi (Jeff) Aldrin, Stacy (Chad) Stuber; bonus children, Sara-Precious (Louis) Meglen, Carrie (Kevin) Alajoki, and Andrew (Lyndsay) Beck; grandchildren, Taylor, Kelsey, Zoey, Travis, Ryanne, Nathan, Kenzie, Jackson, Emilee, Abby, Jadin, Eleanor, Olivia, and Julianna; five great – grandchildren; sisters, Jessie (Leroy dec.) Gramstrup, Joann Wells, and Janet (Bill) Kasparak.

Cindy and family would like to thank Oncologist, Dr. Roberto Fernandez, for his excellent insight and knowledge; all of Mike’s hospice team for their support and guidance, Cass, we love you; his social worker, Nichole; Chaplin, Tanya; and Ryan for his compassion and dignity as we all said goodbye. We would also like to thank Mike’s other care team members who we were very privileged to meet.

A visitation will be held on Friday, November 13, 2026 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. with a celebration of life starting at 2:00 p.m. at Atkins Northland Funeral Home. Refreshments to be served throughout the service. Arrangements entrusted to Atkins - Northland Funeral Home, 801 14th Street, Cloquet, Minnesota. To sign the guest book and leave an online tribute, please visit www.atkinsnorthlandfuneralhome.com.