In the still and quiet on the morning of October 30 at 2:15 AM, Lyle Dean Wilquet loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and uncle left his earthly body to meet his Heavenly Father. Lyle was born on his grandparent’s farm in Casco, Wisconsin on July 25, 1935 to Ida M. (Beaurain) Wilquet and George F. Wilquet.
Lyle married the love of his life, Darleen Ann Loehlein, on July 7, 1956, at St. Philip The Apostle Church in Green Bay. Together they had four children and made a loving home for them. Lyle was a devoted father, always finding ways to be a part of his children’s lives. He would be found helping them with their schoolwork, playing board games on Christmas vacations, taking them sledding on snowy winter days, or spending time up north with them at their trailer fishing and roasting wieners over an open fire. He was there for every track meet, football, basketball game, or scouting event that his children were involved in. As his children grew up and had their own families, he became a doting grandfather. He found so much joy in spending time with his grandkids at his beloved trailer, attending their school sporting events, and traveling to visit them when they moved off to college or new homes. Most recently, he became a great-grandfather and beamed with pride and joy in his great-granddaughters’ presence. They brought great joy to his life. Lyle attended SS Peter and Paul Elementary School and Catholic Central High School where he made lifelong friends. Lyle was an extremely hard-working man. As a teen he was a pinsetter in a local bowling alley and worked at an area-canning factory. He spent his adult years working as a draftsman supervisor for the Wisconsin Department of Transportation until his retirement while doing side jobs at Rentmeester Oil, Schenkleburg Architecture, and a floral shop delivering flowers over the holidays. He also lived his life in service to others. He once ran for city alderman. Even though he was defeated, he continued to stay involved in politics by communicating frequently to area politicians and attending meetings. For a time he was a member of the Brown County Board of Mental Health. Volunteering was in his blood. When he was needed he was there for Convoy of Hope, searched for a missing community member, helped build the Pamperin Park playground, supported seniors at Parkview Manor during their weekly BINGO, sponsored children through the CFCA for the last 25 years, and donated multiple gallons of blood to the Red Cross. Being a man of great faith Sunday mornings were spent attending mass. His daily prayer life was also important as he had a Rosary in just about every room in his home. A Rosary could even be found hanging from his exercise bike and in his car. Much of his time was given to his church. He ushered, helped found and sat on his church’s Social Justice and Human Concerns committee, chaired and volunteered for his church’s summer picnics, provided rides for those in need, cooked at pancake and porky breakfasts, and taught religious education. He made sure he had time for himself, too. He loved to fish in the summer and fall, and deer hunt in November. He participated in the Bellin Run and Cellcom 5K events. He even placed third in his division for the Cellcom 5K. After the kids were all grown, Lyle and Darleen enjoyed drives throughout Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula enjoying the fare at local cafes, the sights of this beautiful area, and many casino stops along their way. Lyle will be remembered as a man of faith, loving husband, generous and loving father, doting grandfather and great-grandfather, loving uncle, faithful friend, good neighbor, and a generous and good kind man to those in need.
Lyle is survived by his beloved wife, Darleen Loehlein Wilquet; his two daughters and their husbands, Amy and David Swette and Wendy and Jim Zill, his two sons and their wives, Tom and Lori Wilquet, Paul and Mary Wilquet; his grandchildren, Amber and Jacob Swette, Josh Zill, Ben Zill and his wife Lisha, Jenna and Conner Wilquet,; his great-granddaughters, Gerti and Wynne Zill; his sister-in-law Sandy Wilquet, his nephew and nieces David Wilquet, Denise Lundy, and Tracy Wilquet, special family members Johnny Warpinski and Feuy and Pha Yang and their four children, and numerous other extended family members.
Lyle was preceded in death by his parents Ida and George Wilquet; and his younger brother, Wayne Wilquet.
Lyle was extremely grateful for the care he received from his cardiologist Dr. Matthias Fuchs, Katie Hampton APNP, the Pacemaker Clinic staff, and all the kind and caring nurses at Cardiology Associates that provided him the support he needed to stay healthy and strong for 21 additional years of life following his heart surgery on May 14, 1999. A special thank you to Unity Hospice for the compassionate care they provided Lyle as he lived his final two weeks here on Earth. “Perhaps the stars in the sky are loved ones letting us know they are near, guiding us through the night.” Dad, we will seek out your wisdom and take comfort in your love as we look to the sky each night!
Due to the increase in COVID-19 cases in our community, the funeral services for Lyle will be held privately at St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church. Proko-Wall Funeral Home is assisting the family. The funeral service will be livestreamed and can be viewed by going to Proko-Wall Funeral Home’s Facebook page. On-line condolences may be given at www.prokowall.com. Lyle’s full obituary is available for viewing on Proko-Wall Funeral Home’s website.