Lyle Ray Laartz

Lyle Ray Laartz, aged 85, passed away October 21, 2025, at South Shore Hospital, Sun City Center, FL with family by his side. He had survived a diagnosis of gastric cancer for two years but not the effects of radiation and kidney disease. Lyle was born in Anita, Iowa on August 15, 1940. He attended a rural country school through 8th grade and graduated from Anita High School in 1958. On the family farm, he learned the value of hard work throughout high school and college. He graduated in 1962 from Iowa State University with a Civil Engineering degree. In 1961 he married his high school sweetheart, Karen Hamann, and began a life together in Ames, Clear Lake and Charles City IA before retiring to Lake of the Ozarks, MO and Sun City Center, FL.

He was very proud of the accomplishments of his three children, six grandchildren, and four great grandchildren. He served two Northern Iowa counties as County Engineer overseeing the construction of roads and bridges, and snow removal for 39 years.  He was named Iowa County Engineer of the year and served as president of the organization. He was a lifelong member of the Elks Lodge and Masonic Lodge. He served two years as Exalted Ruler of the Charles City Elks Lodge, 18 years as HOA president at Lake of the Ozarks, and was a former driver for the Good Samaritan organization in Sun City Center. He was active in the United Methodist churches serving on various committees and enjoyed participating in the contemporary music program. Lyle enjoyed entertaining friends at the Hillbilly Open Golf Tournament at the Lake. He was an actor in several comedy plays at the Sunrise Beach Little Theatre, Sunrise Beach, MO. He was a voracious reader having an extensive collection of books which he donated to the local library when he moved to Florida full time. He lovingly made doll furniture for his granddaughters’ enjoyment, and countless others including donations to families at Christmas time. He was captain of the ship over the years to the enjoyment of many with the boat rides, water skiing lessons and inner tubing. Lyle quickly made friends wherever he went and was often surrounded by friendly faces.

Lyle is survived by his wife Karen of 64 years; sons Brian (Brenda) (Longmont, CO) and Brent (Tampa, FL), and daughter Amy (Fort Collins, CO); grandchildren Brooke (Shane) Ewing, Brianna (Luke) Lahman, Jaeda and Jackson Dean, Porter and Emily Laartz; and four great grandchildren Addison, Ori, Rhory and Maya; sister-in-law Sharon Ticknor; several nieces and nephews; and his lazyboy buddy always by his side, Bella, a 10 lb. Shipoo.   He was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Myrtle Laartz; sisters, Yvonne Voss and Marlene Hess; brothers-in laws, Keith Ticknor, Raymond Voss, and Charles Hess, and two nephews and a niece.    

The family is especially thankful to the Sun City Center Emergency Squad for their support and transportation to and from the dialysis center three days a week.  Also, very thankful to all the doctors and nurses.