Lyle , age 73, passed away (went to play cards in Heaven) on August 25, 2009 in the Prince George Hospital. Lyle was born in Nipawin Sk. on May 14, 1936. He was the youngest of 6 children. He spent his childhood in Aylsham Sk. He worked as a bank teller in various towns in Alta and Sask. At the age of 21 fate took him to Beechy Sk. where he met and fell in love with his life partner Kathleen Berdan. With several more moves and an expanding family they settled in Wolseley Sk. Lyle’s new career as a Hospital Administrator allowed the family the opportunity to set down roots for 13 years and will always be known as the “Craven’s Home” town. Another career change as Village Clerk, moved the family to Burns Lake, B.C. for 4 years before moving on to Didsbury Ab. and another career change to Development Officer for the County of Mountain View. This is where Lyle and Kathy would call home for 31 years until Lyle’s passing.
All through the years Lyle was very active in sports, both as an athlete and as a coach leading to his induction into the “Saskatchewan Amateur Sports Hall of Fame” in 2005. Curling filled his retirement years and the job of ice maker at the Didsbury Curling Club was his dream job. Lyle was also an avid fisherman and spent many hours on the lakes of Northern B.C.
Lyle is predeceased by his brothers, Stewart and Elmer and sister Bernice.
He is survived by his loving wife Kathleen, sons, Dean, Terry (Lynn), Jim (Lynette), and Dallas (Teri) and daughter Pat Martin(Kerry) and also Geraldine Craven, grandchildren, Trevor (Trischa), Chad, Brian (Aura), Shaun, Aaron (Alisha), Jenna, Carly (Dan), Delayne, Justin, Brad, Evan and great grandchild Noah, brother Merle (Beulah) and sister Helen Righi (Earl) and many nieces and nephews.
A celebration of Lyle’s life will be held at the Didsbury Curling Club on Sept 5, 2009 at 1 p.m. To be followed by sharing of memories. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.