Lyle Albert Thele, 88, of Fort Madison, IA, and formerly of Colorado, passed away at 6:40 a.m. on Thursday, September 24, 2026, at The Kensington in Fort Madison. He was born on November 11, 1937, in Burlington, IA, to Albert Anthony & Garnet Adella Hopson Thele. He lived on a farm until after graduation from Denmark High School in May of 1956. He entered the U.S. Army in December of 1956 and served with the Army Airborne at Fort Campbell, KY. He reenlisted in 1959 and was sent to Korea for 13 months, then Germany for 3 years and back to Korea. He was discharged in August of 1965 and lived in Colorado for 53 years until moving to Fort Madison. He married Dorothy M. Stratton in December of 1970. She preceded him in death on May 17, 2023.
Lyle is survived by 2 daughters, Mae (David) Knight of Mexico and Sharon (Mark) McGriff of Burlington, IA; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren, including grandchildren Emily and Jackson of Colorado; and 1 brother, Carl “Butch” Thele of South Carolina. He is also survived by a special nephew, Rick Thele, his wife, Christina, and their children.
During his time back in Iowa, Lyle was blessed to have the love, care, and support of Rick, Christina, and their children, who welcomed him back to Iowa in 2023. They opened their home, their hearts, and their lives to Lyle and made sure he was cared for, supported, and never alone. Their willingness to be there for him during this chapter of his life meant more than words can express. The love they gave Lyle and the memories they shared with him will forever be a special part of his life and a lasting reminder of the importance of family. Their kindness, compassion, and devotion to Lyle will be deeply cherished and remembered. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; 1 brother, Gerald Thele; and 1 sister, Marilyn Rockel.
A private family burial will be held in the spring of 2027 at Resthaven Memory Gardens in Fort Collins, CO. King-Lynk Funeral Home & Crematory is in care of the arrangements. Online condolences to the Thele family may be left at the King-Lynk Funeral Home & Crematory website: www.kinglynk.com.
