Lyle Vig

Lyle N. Vig, the son of Axle and Mary (Larson) Vig was born on December 1, 1942 in Williams County, Grenora, North Dakota. He died at home at the age of 81 years on Sunday, January 28, 2024 in rural Rugby, North Dakota.

Lyle was raised in rural Pierce County, where he attended school. In April of 1965, he was drafted into the U.S. Army, served during the Vietnam War as a radio operator and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal. He was honorably discharged in October of 1966. On August 30, 1971, he was united in marriage to Betty Jean Forbes in Deadwood, South Dakota. The couple was blessed with a son, Chuck Lyle, born on March 14, 1972 in Dillon, Montana. While living in Montana, Lyle worked for the Anderson Ranch taking care of 500 head of cattle. He really enjoyed the life they had, especially the cattle drives as well as flyfishing on the rivers and streams. It wasn’t too often that you didn’t see Lyle on a horse, they were a part of him. Lyle had such a vivid sense when it came to animal husbandry. He could unroll an entire bale of hay with just a pitchfork. He enjoyed pitching hay to the cows and horses.

As much as they enjoyed Montana, the family moved to Dodge, North Dakota, where he started working for a large ranch/feedlot, then later worked on the Oil Rigs. The summer of 1981, the family moved to the homestead in Dewey Township, Berwick, North Dakota, where he did ranching and cattle shares with Art Zurcher. Right before Christmas of that year, they were blessed with their daughter, Kerri Jean, born on December 23, 1981 in Rugby. Lyle and Betty later dissolved their marriage and he continued to live in the Rugby area. For a number of years, he ranched for the Hageness family by Sand Lake. In the early 1990’s, he moved southeast of Rugby and worked alongside Sharon Voeller at her ranch until the present time. He dedicated his life to the horses and he wouldn’t of had it any other way. He lived his life simple and free. He was a unique, wise and good man. He enjoyed reading, breaking horses and country music from the 50’s and 60’s, with Johnny Cash, being his favorite. He loved his family, touched the hearts of many people and will never be forgotten as one of the last true cowboys.

Lyle is survived by his children, Chuck Lyle Vig of Rugby and Kerri Jean Tessmann of Rugby; nieces, nephews; other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Clyde, Morris, Edward and Merlin; sisters, Verna Larson and Caroline Arstein and other relatives.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 6, 2024 at the Anderson Funeral Home in Rugby with burial in the spring in the Marker Lutheran Cemetery, rural Rugby. Rev. Gary Dorn, officiating.

Military Honors Accorded by: The Clarence Larson American Legion Post #23 Honor & Color Guard, Rugby, North Dakota and The North Dakota Funeral Honors Detail