Lyle Eugene Muilenburg was born on July 22, 1937, in Menlo, Iowa, the son of Adrian Henry and Emma Helen (Reighard) Muilenburg. He spent his youth in the Melvin, Iowa area where he received his early education through the Baker Township country school system. After graduating from Melvin High School in 1955, he proudly served his country with the United States Army from 1955 through 1958, spending 13 months in Korea.

    On December 20, 1955, Lyle was united in marriage to Barbara Louise Knock of Melvin, at the American Lutheran Church in Melvin. At the time, Lyle was employed with Graves Construction based in that town. Eventually, they moved to the family farm northeast of Melvin, living and working there for 30 years before retiring and moving to Hartley, Iowa.

    Lyle had been a member of the American Lutheran Church in Melvin where he served on the church council. He enjoyed his time on the Rural Electric Cooperative board for 17 years as well as the Lyon and Osceola county boards for 10 years. He was also an active member of the Melvin American Legion.

    Playing cards, square dancing, putting puzzles together, woodworking and reading were some of Lyles favorite pastimes, but nothing could beat just spending time with his family.

    On Friday, October 31, 2025, Lyle passed from this life as a result of multiple health issues, most notably, dementia. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers: David and Gary Muilenburg; sister, Marilyn (Cliff) McCarty; brother-in-law, Robert (Norma) Knock; and grandson, Jeffrey Duncan.

    Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Barb of Hartley, Iowa; children: Deb (Mike) Wilson of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Dave (Becky) Muilenburg of Sanborn, Iowa and Emily Berryman of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; grandchildren: Paige Duncan (Eric Bernier) of Sanborn, Iowa, Ben Wilson of Sioux Falls, South Dakota and Grant (Ali) Muilenburg of Spencer, Iowa; great-grandchildren: Reese and Clark Muilenburg also of Spencer, Iowa; other relatives and many friends.