Lyle E. Goodspeed

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Goodspeed, Lyle E. Lyle Elmer Goodspeed was 89 when he passed away February 24th. He died peacefully in his home, surrounded by a room full of loving family. He was in home-hospice struggling with a weakening heart, and the grief of losing his second wife. Lyle was born in Big Falls in 1930 and grew up in Bemidji, before moving to Minneapolis his senior year and graduating from Central High School. An only child, Lyle learned to connect with people, and made lasting and dear friends wherever he went. The phrase with his yearbook photo was, "Like gravity, he has the power of attraction." But it was Lyle who found himself attracted--to a woman at Honeywell where he worked in quality control. He fell in love and married Edith Erickson--"Edie from Effie." They had three boys he loved dearly, and 39 wonderful years together, before Edith died in 1991. Eleven years later, Lyle married another sweetheart: Mary Margo Merchant. Blessed to find yet another woman who would put up with him, they were married for 17 years, until Mary's passing last Thanksgiving. Growing up in the north woods, Lyle was often at his best while hunting and fishing with family and friends: Canada, Michigan, Wyoming--and all points in between. Golf also took a hold. An 80's shooter in his day, Lyle described himself as "avid, but average" and he was a member of the Columbia Men's Club for 40 years. What he enjoyed the most was the time spent with friends on the course during the round, and on his or someone else's patio or deck afterwards--and almost always with his longtime pals, Veryl and Jerry. When snow covered the courses, Lyle turned to snowmobiling up at Nickerson, and his favorite part may have been all the time spent fixing sleds with Harlan and George. He also did his share of snowbirding in FL, TX and AZ, first with Edith, and later with Mary. Good at almost everything he tried, he bowled in the Courthouse League and at Elsie's, and even rolled a 300 game! He also became quite a cook, and loved to rustle up food for company. But, a person's got to work too, and after 12 years at Honeywell, it was almost 27 years with the Minneapolis Police Department. He enjoyed every day, all assignments and his partners. As a Lieutenant, his stops included vice, narcotics, burglary, homicide, organized crime and the license unit. He served Uncle Sam for 21 years in the Navy, Army and Army National Guard. Policing was put on pause when, at the age of 38, he spent 1968 and 1969 on active duty. He spent a year in Vietnam in the Central Highlands. He retired as a Major. Lyle enjoyed giving "advice" to his extended family, and using his own experiences to help guide them through life's journey. He developed so many, many dear friends over the years. The relationships were so close that the line between family and friends was often non-existent. Today there are countless tears, but soon, the laughter, stories and memories will dry them. His faith grew over his final years, and he was looking forward to joining his loved ones in heaven. And Lyle got his wish, saying, "I'm going to a better place." Lyle was preceded in death by his mother, Avis Warner Goodspeed and his dad, Rolland Goodspeed. He is survived by sons, Steven (Barb) Goodspeed, Gregg (Trudi) Goodspeed, and Brian Goodspeed; stepson, William (Debbie) Merchant; grandchildren, Mary, Rachel, Jessica, Ethan, Luke, Kristen, Joshua, Rebekah, Ruthann, Benjamin, Elizabeth, Hannah, Brianna, Rachel and Lindsay; and fourteen great-grandchildren. Lyle also leaves behind many other dear, dear friends--who were really more like family. Lyle and his family would like to thank the skilled and caring staff with the Minneapolis Heart Institute, and the Allina Hospice program. Memorial service at KOZLAK-RADULOVICH BLAINE CHAPEL (107th Ave. NE & Hwy. 65) Monday, March 9, 12 PM, with visitation two hours prior. Any memorials can be directed to the Salvation Army, as Lyle remembered fondly attending their summer camps as a kid. kozlakradulovich.com "A Celebration of Life" 763-783-1100

Published on March 1, 2020