Lyle White

TAMA-Lyle Francis White, 93, of Tama, passed away Saturday, January 17, 2026 at Birkwood Village in Toledo with his family at his side under the care of Iowa River Hospice. A Memorial Service will be held Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at 11:00 AM at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Tama with Pastor Warren Riley officiating with Military Honors. Interment will follow at Haven Cemetery in rural Tama. Visitation will be held Wednesday, January 21, 2026 from 10:00-11:00 AM prior to the service at the church.

Lyle was born on January 25, 1932, in Grinnell, Iowa, the son of David and Nelle (Lanning) White.

He attended one room rural school houses from 1st grade through 8th grade, in Poweshiek and Jasper counties, south of Grinnell. Lyle graduated from Grinnell High School.

Lyle served his country in the U.S. Army from 1952-1954 as Corporal in the Korean War.

Lyle and Barbara R. Ingebritson met at Pilgrim Heights in rural Montour while skating and on April 10, 1955 they were married in Dunbar, Iowa. Lyle started farming in 1956, on a farm SE of Grinnell. In 1961, they moved to Tama County and continued to farm. Along with row crop farming, he raised cattle and sold around 1,000 head of hogs per year. Lyle retired in 1994. They celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary in April of 2025.

Lyle was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Tama. He was also a member of American Legion in Tama and Tama County Farm Bureau.

Lyle enjoyed hunting, traveling, and taking photos. As of 2011, he had made 35 trips over 35 years to South Dakota to hunt prairie dogs with family, friends and 10 grandsons. He also traveled to Alaska, Europe, Norway, Italy with relatives, an African camping safari, China, and Hong Kong. He enjoyed Blue Grass music and attended many events in his travels.

One of his favorite sayings was “Life is good at the cabin.” A cabin he had constructed in the early 80’s with help from family, friends, and contractors. Lyle had said not many had lived as good and long life as he had. His last purchase in life was a Tesla electric car. When he first heard about them, he told Barb he wanted one and he eventually bought one.

When Lyle’s health faltered, he would tell the family that he was glad mom was listening to the wedding vows, “for better or worse.” He always had a sense of humor and enjoyed playing tricks on family and friends.

Survivors his wife, Barbara; four children, Linda Bisher-Troy (Charlie) of Dubuque, Keith (Debbie) White of Mesa, AZ, Brian (Vilay) White of Tama, and Diane (Chris) Bearden of Tama; sixteen grandchildren; twenty-three great grandchildren; one great-great grandchild and counting.

Preceding him in death were his parents; a son, Daryl Lee White; granddaughter, Sonya Jo White; and brothers, Dale, Myron, and Norman White; and sister, Vivian Graham.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to St. Paul Lutheran Church in Tama or Iowa River Hospice.

Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home, Tama-Toledo, is assisting the family with arrangements.