Lyle H. Vannatta age 83, of Mitchell died Sunday, March 27, 2016 at Avera Queen of Peace Hospital. Funeral services will be 11:00 AM Thursday, March 31, 2016 at the Will Funeral Chapel. Visitation will be one hour prior to the services at the funeral home. Burial will be in the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan, ND on Thursday, June 16, 2016.

Lyle Vannatta, son of Henry and Eva (Heintz) Vannatta, was born May 22, 1932 in Anamoose, ND. He graduated from the 8th grade in Bremen, ND and started working for the Great Northern Railroad at the age of 16. Lyle entered the US Army and served as a corporal in the Korean War from 1951 to 1953.

Upon his honorable discharge from the US Army, Lyle continued working with the railroad. Lyle worked in the tradition of his father, who worked for the Great Northern Railroad for 42 years. Lyle worked for the Great Northern Railroad and Burlington Northern Railroad for 44 years as a signal maintainer until his retirement.

He was a member of the Eagles Club, the Elks Club, a lifetime member of the VFW and the American Legion in which he held the position of Sergeant of Arms. Lyle continued his military tradition by honoring fallen vets by attending veteran's funerals in full military dress.

Lyle enjoyed riding motorcycles, racing snowmobiles, water skiing and helping with the wheat harvest on his sister's farm every summer during his vacation. He always had time to take his children camping, fishing and on many trips. Lyle was married to Ruth Vannatta for 32 years and enjoyed his time fishing, camping and traveling with his wife.

Grateful for sharing his life are his wife Ruthie Vannatta of Mitchell, SD; daughters Brenda (Lynn) Harrington of Sioux Falls, SD and Beth (Russell) Odegard of Madison, SD; sons Brian (Michelle) Vannatta of Kissimmee, FL and Bruce Vannatta of Schertz, TX; 12 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren; two sisters Linda of MN and Vi of ND; two brothers Vernon and Julius of CA.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Bernice; his former wife, Theresa; and two grandchildren, Mathew and Tarrah.