Lyle Gordon Elton began his life’s journey on May 8, 1944, in St. Paul, Minnesota. Lyle was born the son of Arthur Elton and Irene Elton (White) . He spent his early years in St. Paul and later went to live with his Grandparents – Charlie and Ella White - in Sisseton, South Dakota. He was an enrolled member of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate (Sioux tribe). Lyle was in a loving relationship with God and knew the way to Him through Jesus Christ when he died on
January 16, 2018, in Chandler, Arizona.
After graduating from Sisseton High School, he earned a Bachelor’s degree in education and a Master’s degree in education administration at Northern State University in Aberdeen, South Dakota.
Lyle met Phyllis (Wagner), his wife of 54 years, at Northern State where they both attended college, and they were married in Sisseton.
Lyle’s career in education took him to many States working in Universities, Federal programs, and State programs, His final position was with the Bureau of Indian Affairs where he spent 9 years as the Principal of Shonto Boarding School, Navajo Reservation, near Page, Arizona. Lyle’s career brought him to the Southwest in 1975, first to Albuquerque, New Mexico. He fell in love with the region and happily committed to spending the rest of his life with his family in the Southwest, enjoying the sunshine and accompanying lifestyle.
Lyle dedicated his life to education and enjoyed encouraging and teaching young people. Working with youth began in high school during summer recreation programs, continued into college and various cyouth activities and then as Activities Director at the Aberdeen Recreation Center. Lyle was an athlete in his younger years, playing basketball, football, baseball and participating in track, Later in life, he and his family played tennis together. He loved watching sports, too, and was a basketball and baseball coach when he was a teacher and principal in Columbia, South Dakota.
Lyle enjoyed fast cars and riding motorcycles, and even briefly raced Go-Carts. His Ford and Oldsmobile took him into college and then he bought a maroonTornado. He loved his ’76 Chevy Corvette Stingray, ’79 1/2 280 ZX, yellow custom ’32 Ford Coupe, yellow custom ’71 Chevy pickup, and his IROC Camaros. In addition, he was a Buddy Holly fan and liked listening to music from that era.
His family enjoyed hearing the many stories of times gone by and appreciated his keen sense of humor. He told about helping Grandpa White with his work at the local cemetery and about the fishing trips to nearby lakes. Grandma would fry up the fresh catch right there and they would all enjoy the food together... even the snapping turtles that were caught and eaten. He attended the Sisseton Native American Assembly of God Church with his Grandparents and family members, and they would travel to tent revival meetings in the summer. We wish he were still with us to share more and more memories...forever.
After retirement, Lyle had many years to spend with his family whom he adored.
Lyle will remain forever in the hearts of his loving wife, Phyllis Elton, his sons, Michael Elton and Dustin Elton, his daughter, Natalie Elton, his only grandson, Jaron Elton, his daughter-in-law, Jennifer Bancroft Elton, and his dear friend, Harrison Bancroft, as well as with the many friends and relatives he treasured.
Rest in Peace, Lyle, with Your Heavenly Father. You are loved and missed.
