Lyle Mensch, 82
Lyle Mensch was born June 7, 1942 on a farm near Freeman, S.D., to Philip and Ada (Janzig) Mensch. He died Saturday, May 24, 2025 at St. Michael’s Hospital in Tyndall, S.D., surrounded by his family.
Lyle attended Avon High School and graduated in 1960. He attended the School of Mines and Technology in Rapid City for a year and then came back to Avon to start growing flowers for his mother’s flowershop. He continued to expand the family greenhouse business for the next 64 years. He grew bedding plants, vegetables, trees and shrubs, cut flowers, and even tried hydroponic tomatoes in the cold of South Dakota. The family business became a wholesale greenhouse in the early 1990s to sell plants in South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana, Minnesota, Iowa, and Nebraska. Everywhere Lyle went, he made lifelong friends through his business, travels, sports, and hunting.
Lyle married Fran Dertien on Oct. 20, 1963. His children include Kimberly Mensch and husband Kent Holder of Platte Woods, Mo.; Kate Mensch and husband Mark Tuniewicz of Ensenada, Mexico; Kris and Mark Cahoy of Avon; and Korey Mensch of Avon. Lyle saw his grandkids, Haden, Erica, and Mya every day of their lives to give support and his sage advice, whether they wanted it or not.
Lyle had many adventures in life. He traveled worldwide to hike, ride bike, and tour any garden or greenhouse on the way. He wintered in Panama for several years and traveled to Europe and Egypt as part of his bucket list. He loved hunting and fishing with his many dogs. He loved Pirate football and the SDSU Jackrabbits. He served in the State Legislature in the 70s and he served as a school board member and a church elder.
On Sept. 5, 1999 Lyle was remarried to Loila Hunking in Sioux Falls, S.D. He gained a stepson and his family; Jeff and the late Debra Hunking, and grandkids Amanda and Trent.
Lyle is survived by his wife, his children, his grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and many, many friends.
Lyle was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers, LeRoy and Lavern Mensch, and sisters Lorriane Wipf and Lois Simek.
A celebration of life memorial service will be held Saturday, June 7 at 3 p.m. at the shipping greenhouse, located on Ash Street in Avon. Please bring a lawn chair for your comfort. Immediately following the service will be time to share stories of Lyle with family and friends. There will be food and music the rest of the afternoon and into the evening so friends and family can come and go as they please. Stop in and share a story of Lyle.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be sent to South Dakota Public Broadcasting.
Memorials can be mailed to:
Friends of SDPB
PO BOX 5000
Sioux Falls, SD 57117
Or gifts can be made online, please include the name of the individual the memorial is honoring. http://sdpb.org/memorial
