Lyle Richard Wesen passed away peacefully at his home in Bow on December 28, 2023. Lyle was born to Carl and Helen (Bailey) Wesen on April 29, 1931 in Mount Vernon, WA. He attended Edison Elementary and Burlington-Edison High School, graduating in 1949. After graduating, Lyle studied mechanical engineering at WSU, and served in the Air Force. Lyle's father passed away suddenly in 1952 and Lyle returned home to operate the family farm so his two younger brothers could finish high school and attend college.

Lyle married the love of his life, Merri Lou Shepler from Burlington in 1954. Lyle was a proud third generation dairy farmer and lifelong resident of Bow. They had five sons and Lyle was proud they all graduated from college and returned to the family farm.  As a devoted father he was involved with his sons in 4-H and Scouting, and was a big supporter of his son's and grandchildren's sporting events.

Lyle was always willing to lend a helping hand to neighbors and friends. He was an active member of the Allen United Methodist Church and served the Skagit community as a Dike and Drainage District Commissioner, the Blanchard-Edison Water Association Board, the United General Hospital Board, the Burlington-Edison School District Facilities Committee, the Skagit County Agriculture Advisory Board and the Skagit Soil Conservation District Board. He was one of five founding farmers of the KF Edison Growers (pea set).

Lyle served the dairy industry as a member and president of both the DHIA (Dairy Herd Improvement Association) and Holstein Association locally as well as statewide. For 20 years, Lyle was on the Darigold and Northwest Dairy Association boards. He served on the national board of NMPF (National Milk Producers Federation) and was later named as an Honorary Director for Life. He received the Holstein Master Breeder Award and was inducted into the Purebred Dairy Cattle Association Hall of Fame. The Wesen family was named Skagit County Dairy Family of the Year in 1974 and was grand parade marshal for the 2019 Burlington Berry Dairy Days Parade.

Lyle's interests included skiing, both snow and water, and he enjoyed an annual winter ski trip to Mount Baker with his family. He continued to ski until he was 85. Lyle loved playing cribbage with his sons and teaching his grandchildren the game. Summers on Samish Island included boating, crabbing, Sunday dinners with family, cribbage, croquet and photography. Lyle never retired, continuing to plant fields and serve as crop advisor to his five sons.

Lyle is survived by his wife of 69 years, MerriLou, sons Rich (Shaun), Ron (Jan), David, Dean (Dani), and Mark (Barbara). He is also survived by 8 grandchildren, Chad (Sami), Jesse (Kendra), Chris (Alayna), Michelle, Miranda, Drew (Alison), Mitchell (Olivia), Dylan and 4 great grandchildren. He is survived by his brother Bob (Wendy), sisters-in-law Vickie Wesen and Theresa Shepler, and numerous nieces and nephews and extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents Carl and Helen, brothers Don and Lee (Gail), granddaughter Lisa, and brother-in-law Jack Shepler (Judy) and (Carol).

Graveside services will be held Tuesday, January 23, 2024 at 1:00 pm at the Bow Cemetery with the memorial service at the Allen United Methodist Church, 16775 Allen West Rd, Bow WA at 2:00 pm. Remembrances can be made to the Allen United Methodist Church or Hospice of the Northwest. The family would like to thank Hospice of the Northwest and Seven Sisters Home Care for the wonderful care they gave to Lyle.