Thompsonville, MI - Lyle D. Hansen passed away on May 26, 2026. He was born December 1, 1935 in Benzonia,

Michigan to Arthur and Irma Hansen. He grew up on the banks of the Betsie River and his love

of the outdoors distracted him from school based on his teachers' comments on his elementary

school report cards. In spite of that, he graduated from Central Michigan University with a

teaching degree and taught at Bellaire Public Schools for decades until he retired and then was

a substitute teacher for area schools for several years. He loved teaching and telling stories

about the kids he taught over the years. With summers off, he was also very entrepreneurial

and over the course of his life had a beekeeping business, did canoe tours down area rivers, sold

real estate and log home packages, and did nature photography.

Lyle was an avid fisherman and hunter and was fortunate enough to live on the Betsie River for

most of his life. He and his wife Barbara were both talented photographers and travelled

America hiking and taking pictures. Another favorite pastime was taking motorcycle trips on his

BMW bikes, and he loved his dogs. He had dogs of one kind or another throughout his life and

they went most everywhere with him.

Regardless of life's trials and tribulations, Lyle always seemed to roll with it and was gracious

right up to the end. He was kind and considerate and generous with his time. It was obvious

that he was raised with a bunch of sisters because he was so patient and generally very

charming. His wife Barb was the love of his life and they did everything together. They met

hiking along the river and he proposed in the lobby of a mall in Grand Rapids a few months

later.

Lyle is survived by his sisters Dorothy Probst, Marjory Erickson, and Gladys Hansen; nephew

Peter Pezet, nieces Barbara Robbins, Katherine Probst, Mary Schmees, Julie (Rob) Lull, Carrie

(Jason) Allesandro, Andrea (Steve) Hinman, Amy (Michael) Alexander and Susan Boyd;

stepdaughter Elaine Shirley;his bestie Carol Urbanus and his devoted little dog Tony.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Irma Hansen, his wife Barbara, his brother

Ralph Hansen, his sister Phyllis Pezet and nephew Terry Pezet.

Memorials may be directed to Benzie County Animal Shelter, 543 S. Michigan Ave, Beulah, MI

49617.

Heartfelt thanks to the staff at The Homesteader in Benzonia and Maria, Matt and Nicole of

Munson Hospice for their kindness and the exceptional care given to Lyle during his stay.

Cremation has taken place and Lyle will be laid to rest in the Thompsonville Cemetery. A private

celebration of his life will be held at a later date.