Lyle F. Hird

Born on July 28, 1929 in Cuba City, WI to Wilbur E Hird and Genevieve McKenna Hird.  Died in Madison, Wisconsin on January 19, 2024.  

Lyle attended UW-Platteville until he was drafted into the US Army.   He served in Korea during the Korean War.  When he returned from military service, he married Carol Steiger in 1953 in Potosi, Wisconsin.  They moved to Madison where he continued his college studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  Lyle completed his BS degree in Civil Engineering graduating Magna cum Laude.  He was a lifelong supporter of UW sports, with a particular love of Badger football and basketball.  He and Carol had football and basketball season tickets for over 50 years.   They traveled to numerous Wisconsin football bowl games with highlights being two Rose Bowls in Pasadena, California.  

Lyle had a thirty + years career with Strand Associates Consulting Engineers in Madison, rising to President and sole owner in 1970.  His work on engineering projects took him all over Wisconsin and surrounding states with impact on many communities.  He was a member of multiple professional and technical societies related to engineering.   He retired in 1984.   

He was a longtime member of St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church in Madison and St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church in Naples, Florida.  

Lyle was a lifelong, avid golfer.   He was a member of Nakoma Golf Club in Madison, for over 50 years including a term as President of the club.   Upon retirement, Lyle and Carol spent winters in Naples, Florida at Bear’s Paw Country Club.   Lyle loved playing golf (especially if a bet was involved) and recorded two holes-in-one over the years as well as shooting his age when he was 85 years old.  For 50 years, their lake cottage on Silver Lake in Wautoma, Wisconsin provided summer fun for family and friends. He enjoyed traveling in the US with annual trips to Las Vegas.  Over their 70 years of marriage, he and Carol went on many overseas trips to Europe, Asia and the Caribbean.   

He was predeceased by his parents Wilbur and Genevieve, sisters Paula Bogaski, Rosemary Gille,  Carol Heivilin and brothers Joseph Hird and Charles Hird.   Lyle is survived by his wife Carol, daughters Ellen Hird (Ken Kohl), Jane Mortell (Paul) and sons Steve (Sue), Roger (Mary) and Mark (Mary Kay) and brother-in-law, Fred Heivilin.  He has twelve grandchildren – Stephanie White (Lyle), Michelle Kohn (Ben), Scott Hird (Liz), Carolyn Mortell (Jason Levine), Jackson Mortell (fiancée Terri Pous), Vanessa Hird (Lukas Pitzl), Katherine Frederickson (Ben), Joe Hird, Jack Hird, Bob Hird (Maria), Dan Hird and Chris Hird.  He also has five great-grandchildren - Leo, Max and Ella Kohn and Hannah and Harper White.  

A Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday, May 28, 2024 at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Madison.  There will be a visitation at 10 a.m. followed by the funeral mass at 11 a.m.  Contributions in Lyle’s name may be made to Edgewood High School, Madison, Wisconsin edgewoodhs.org/support/make_a_donation or Agrace Hospice, Madison, Wisconsin.  www.agrace.org/donate A luncheon will follow at Nakoma Golf Club.

Special thanks to Agrace Hospice, All Saints Assisted Living and Oakwood Village Skilled Nursing facilities for their compassionate care.