Lyle Olhausen, 85, of Spirit Lake, formerly of Estes Park, Co, and Sutherland, passed away on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at Accura Healthcare of Spirit Lake.
Per his wishes, there will be no formal services. Burial will take place at a later date in the Sutherland Cemetery in Sutherland, IA. Arrangements are under the direction of the Robinson Funeral Home in Spirit Lake, IA. Online condolences may be left at www.spiritlakefuneralhome.com
Lyle Eugene Olhausen, the son of Everett and Mona (Gillespie) Olhausen, was born on November 2, 1940, in Hartley, IA. He spent the first few years of his childhood in California, where his family moved specifically to work at Douglas Aircraft in support of the war effort during WWII. Lyle’s family returned in 1945 to Sutherland, IA, where he attended Sutherland Community Schools and graduated in 1959. He enrolled at USD in the fall of 1959 and also helped out at the Olhausen Service Station. He entered the Air Force in February 1962, which took him to San Antonio, TX, as well as Biloxi, MS. He enrolled in a technical training course for radio & radar maintenance specialists.
On June 30, 1962, he married the love of his life, Linda Hoger, in Paullina. They later were stationed in Topeka, KS, as well as France for 3 months at the end of his service. He was discharged from the Air Force on 1/28/1966, after a 4-year enlistment.
Lyle and Linda moved to Sioux City, IA, where Lyle enrolled in Morningside College and began working at Security National Bank while a student. He graduated with a Business Administration degree in 1969 and settled into a banking career at Security National Bank.
In the early 1980s, they moved to Estes Park, CO, where they owned and operated The Brass Tree, as well as an additional store, Excalibur. He had a special talent of carving things out of wood and made and sold multiple pieces out of his store. They loved the Rocky Mountains and their log cabin, and Lyle especially enjoyed hunting elk with his brother-in-law. Lyle and Linda shared the love of cocker spaniels and had several as part of their family over the years.
They moved back to Iowa and settled in Spirit Lake in 2006, following his wife’s illness. They made a home there and he lovingly cared for his wife for many years, until her passing in 2011. He enjoyed riding his bicycle, caring for his dogs, and also kept himself busy with a paper route.
Lyle entered Accura Healthcare in July 2023 and was well cared for and loved.
Lyle was preceded in death by his wife; parents; 3 brothers and their wives: Keith and Norma Olhausen, Bob and Ardine Olhausen, Jim and Monique Olhausen, Marlene Olhausen; two nephews and one niece.
Left to cherish his memory are two sisters-in-law, Sandy Dau, and Anita Shutt, both of Spirit Lake; 8 nieces and nephews, as well as other relatives and friends.