Gordon Lyrek of Watkins died Monday, Feb. 27, 2023, at St. Cloud Hospital surrounded by his family. He was 72.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 14, at the Church of St. Nicholas in rural Watkins. Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Monday, March 13, at Ertl Funeral Home in Watkins with a prayer service at 5 p.m. Interment will be in the St. Nicholas Cemetery.
Gordon E. Lyrek was born July 26, 1950, in Watertown, Minn., to Edward and Gertrude (Remer) Lyrek. He grew up on the family farm, and graduated from St. Mary’s Catholic High School in Waverly in 1969. Gordon was united in marriage to Suzan Steinleitner on April 19, 1975, in Waverly. He worked in fiberglass manufacturing, and later went back to his farming roots; he milked dows for 30 years in Montrose, Eden Valley, and Watkins. Family was important to Gordy. He was a good friend and mentor to his siblings over the years, and he cared for his mother in Montrose. He was a member of the Church of St. Nicholas. He enjoyed fishing, playing cards, traveling, taking trips to the casino, farm talk with his friends, driving around his neighborhood, and watching the crops grow.
Gordon was preceded in death by his parents, and siblings Lawrence, David, Catherine, and Jeffrey.
He is survived by his wife Sue of Watkins; children Dave (and Carrie) Lyrek of Watkins, Lisa (and Jeramy) Bizzell of Colorado, Brian (and Heidi) Lyrek of Kimball, and Lynn (and Kris) Charette of Watkins; grandchildren Amaya, Danielle, Tyler, Carter, Sam, Bryce, Megan, Ella, Brielle, Brody, Hailey, and Kenzie; siblings Geri (and Larry) Lyrek of St. Louis, Mo., Mary (and Chad) Mikalunas of New York, Chris Shaar of Montrose, Edward Lyrek Jr. of Montrose, and Robert Lyrek of Montrose; and sister-in-law Judy.