Lyle Hoeft

Lyle F. Hoeft, of Waukesha, died on Friday, October 10, 2008 at Linden Grove Health Care Center in Waukesha at the age of 87.  He was born on March 10, 1921, in Waukesha, the son of Fred and Dela (Wrede) Hoeft.  After attending Hadfield Elementary School, Lyle attended Waukesha High School where he was editor of the Cardinal Star Newspaper.  During his high school years, he enjoyed working at Pfeiler Pharmacy and the Park Theater.  Lyle earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy from Carroll College in 1943, and was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity.  On December 18, 1943, Lyle married his high school sweetheart, Emma Louise “Emmylou” Pfeiler, at St. Matthias Episcopal Church in Waukesha.  She preceded him in death on September 3, 1969. As a Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps, Lyle proudly served his country during WWII as part of the 1st and 2nd Marine Division, Sixth Amphibian Tractor Battalion and saw action on Saipan, Okinawa, and Pelileu.  Lyle was employed at National Advertising, Bostrom Corp., Investors Diversified Services, and Sears in Waukesha and then at Brookfield Square until retirement.  He was elected Alderman for the City of Waukesha in 1946 at the age of 25 and served for a total of 9 years over the next 19-year period, finally retiring from public service in 1965.  He enjoyed acting, and performed in many plays with the Waukesha Civic Theatre where he was a past president, as well as performing with the Sunset Playhouse in Elm Grove.  He also volunteered as a tour guide at Old World Wisconsin. Lyle was a loving husband and father who worked hard throughout his life.  He had a great sense of humor, and was a fine actor.  He enjoyed reading books, particularly Civil War history.  Lyle also enjoyed his weekly dinner-and-a-movie nights with Doris, cooking, and watching sports, especially the Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Brewers, Wisconsin Badgers, and Boise State Broncos.  Lyle will be sadly missed by his brother, Milo Hoeft; his children:  Steve Hoeft, Mike (Virginia) Hoeft, Linda Gurr, Jeff (Deborah) Hoeft, and Wendy (James) Koeppl; grandchildren:  Erik Buth, Zachary (Andrea) Buth, Casey Hoeft, Emmylou (Tim) Wilson, Andrew Hoeft, John Hoeft, Matthew (Sharon) Waskowiak, Doug Hoeft, Brian Hoeft, Kevin Hoeft, Jameson Koeppl, Daniel Koeppl, Dustin Koeppl, and Jacob Koeppl; as well as 6 great-grandchildren.  He is also survived by longtime companion, Doris Harrison.  Visitation will be held on Tuesday, October 14, 2008 from 4:00 until 7:00PM at Randle-Dable Funeral Home, 1110 S. Grand Ave., Waukesha, WI, with the funeral service at 7:00PM at the funeral home. Burial will be Wednesday in Prairie Home Cemetery.  Memorials may be made in Lyle’s name to the Waukesha Civic Theatre, 264 W. Main St., Waukesha, WI 53186.  For further information, please call Randle-Dable Funeral, Cremation and Preplanning Services at (262) 547-4035, or go to www.waukeshafunerals.com for directions or to leave an on-line tribute. “On the whole, I’d rather be in Philadelphia.”  W.C. Fields   We will miss you Dad, Brother, Grandpa, Friend.