Lyle "Doc" Klein

LYLE “DOC” WAYNE KLEIN, born on June 15, 1924, died peacefully on Jan. 29, 2021, at the age of 96 in his home in Tyler, Minnesota, surrounded by family.

Doc was preceded in death by his son, Jon in 1964, his wife, Pauli in 1990, and his second wife, Jo Ann Kruse in 2019. He is survived by his children, Joanie (Jim) Peterson and James Klein; grandchildren, Emily (Marc) Peterson Boone, Luke (Melissa) Peterson, and Grace (Ryan) Johnson; and great-grandchildren, Elle, Eli, Anthony, Henry, Crosby, Archie, and Grant; and step-children, Chris (John) Sumerfelt, Glenn Kruse, and Jody (Dale) Anderson.

Doc served in the Army Veterinary Corps in Kansas City, Missouri, where he met his love Pauli at a dance. At first Pauli wouldn’t accept his invitation to dance because the music was too fast—but when a slow song, “Stardust,” began playing, she finally caved. Doc and Pauli were married in Bethany, MO, and moved to Minnesota to start their family. Everyone was welcome at Doc and Pauli’s house—they enjoyed raising their children in Tyler, visiting with friends and family at the lake, and hosted many foreign exchange students throughout the years. He became known to most as “Doc,” a name that better suited him as the town veterinarian. Doc spent his career as a small and large animal vet in several communities in southern Minnesota, later owning practices in both Tyler and Nicollet. Doc volunteered his time after his retirement in 1986, as a vet at the Minnesota State Fair and in Redwood Falls.

Doc was a member of the Danebod Lutheran Church, McKinley Masonic Lodge of Minnesota, Shriners Zurah Temple, American Legion AC Hansen Post #195, and Tyler Kiwanis Club. He also served on the Tyler City Council and Lake Benton Lake Association Board. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening, golfing, winemaking, and helping his neighbors and community. Ever the adventurer, he rode his motorcycle to the Arctic Circle when he turned 70 and enjoyed traveling with JoAnn in their later years. For as long as he could, he joined friends in town for a daily coffee. He even played golf on his 95th birthday.

He was hard-working, loyal, caring, curious and a true scientist all his life. He is now serving as a teacher in the afterlife, as he donated his body to the University of Minnesota Anatomy Bequest Program. When asked by his granddaughter what animal he would like to be—he quickly answered, “an owl.” His quiet wisdom will be missed.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking memorials be directed to the Tracy Area Animal Rescue.

You wandered down the lane and far away. Leaving me a song that will not die. Love is now the Stardust of yesterday—the music of the years gone by.