Kyle Rodney DeKam, 45, of Owatonna, went to heaven on Tuesday, July 31, 2012 at the Methodist Hospital in Rochester, peacefully ending a two year battle with cancer. He spent his final moments surrounded by his loving wife, and three sons at his bedside. He was born October 5, 1966 in Pipestone, Minnesota the son of Rodney and LaJean (Raschke) DeKam. He was baptized on November 6, 1966 and confirmed in April of 1981 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Pipestone. He graduated from Pipestone High School with the class of 1985. Kyle attended Gustavus Adolphus College and graduated in 1989 with a degree in elementary education. Kyle was employed by the Owatonna Public Schools for 24 years. He taught fifth grade, sixth grade, and was principal at Wilson Elementary and the Owatonna Junior High School. Kyle had a special connection with students, colleagues, and parents that made them feel welcomed and understood. Kyle also coached at the high school, junior high, and elementary levels. He will be remembered for the positive impact he had on the lives of many, many, Owatonna students. On October 17, 1992, he married Jodie (Mullen) DeKam at Trinity Lutheran Church in Owatonna. Together they raised three amazing boys, Noah (16), Ethan (14), and Carson (11). Kyle took so much pride in his children, celebrating and encouraging their individual talents and strengths. He loved to travel and gave his family many opportunities to do so together. Kyle was a loving husband, devoted father, and made family commitments a priority. His boys loved to shoot hoops on the driveway, play catch, fish, and simply converse and laugh with him, among many memories. He also enjoyed his dog, Bono, affectionately named after his favorite musician. Kyle believed in always making professional decisions that were not only best for kids, but made sure everyone was involved. He loved to plan with colleagues, and did so with rigor, humor, integrity, and fairness. He loved to support community events that would benefit others. He shared his talents in organizations such as, Little Theater of Owatonna, Trinity Lutheran Church, Young Life, and benefit events. His legacy was cut short when he was diagnosed with Non Hodgkins Lymphoma in September of 2010. After a two year battle, in which he will always be remembered as a very strong person, who committed to his fighting spirit and never gave in. This message will always be honored by his family. He is survived by his wife, Jodie, and sons, Noah, Ethan, and Carson; father and mother, Rodney and LaJean DeKam, and father-in-law and mother-in-law, Michael and Diane Mullen; sisters, Karla (DeKam) Lubben, and Shelli (and Jeremy) Mann; sisters-in-law, Ann (and Travis) Kolinski, Erin (and Jon) Kruger, Shelly (and Chris) Laliberte, and Missy Mullen; 16 nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his grandparents. Visitation will be at Michaelson Funeral Home on Friday, August 3, 2012 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM and at Trinity Lutheran Church on Saturday from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM . Funeral services will be held Saturday, August 4, 2012 at 1:00 PM at Trinity Lutheran Church with The Reverend Dean Smith officiating. Interment will be in the Forest Hill Cemetery in Owatonna. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Trinity Lutheran Church Camperships, Owatonna Music Boosters, or Little Theatre of Owatonna. Visitation: 08/03/2012 16:00 08/03/2012 20:00 Service: and one hour prior to the service at the church 08/04/2012 13:00