Lyle Fremont Parrish, 90, of Owatonna, Minnesota, died Monday, March 17, 2014 at Homestead Hospice in Owatonna where he had resided the past 12 months following a stroke and a long battle with Parkinson''s disease. Lyle Fremont Parrish was born in Waseca, Minnesota on February 1, 1924 to the late Eugene and Katherine (O''Neil) Parrish. He attended Waseca High School through ninth grade, and then he began farming with his father until being drafted into the Navy. From March of 1945 to July of 1946, he served in the South Pacific during World War II. After discharge from service, he attended Agriculture School under the G. I. Bill of Rights and started farming with his father. On June 26, 1949, he married the love of his life, Delores Ardella (Johnson) Parrish at the Methodist Church in Ellendale, Minnesota. Lyle and Delores loved to travel and took trips to all fifty states, Canada, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Iceland, Australia, New Zealand, and the Fiji Islands. In his retirement, Lyle enjoyed spending time with family, reading, playing cards, and tending his flower gardens. Not only did he have a real love and passion for farming, animals, and the great outdoors, he was also an advocate for environmental preservation and soil conservation. He and his wife farmed for 42 years before retiring in 1991. During this time, he served and held the following public offices: President of the Deerfield Farm Bureau, Director for Deerfield-Clinton Falls Township Farm Bureau, Clerk of School District 78-92, Meriden Creamery Board of Directors, Associated Milk Producers Incorporated Board of Directors, Supervisor on the Steele County Soil and Water Conservation District Board, Director on the Meriden Livestock Shipping Board, President of the Steele County Corn Growers Association, Central Co-op Association Board of Directors, and an 1988-1989 Exchangite of the Year for the Exchange Club of Steele County. In his retirement, he was so proud of finally earning his General Education Diploma (G.E.D.) when he was seventy years old. Lyle was an active member of Owatonna United Methodist Church and was instrumental in organizing and starting a Methodist Men''s Group and a weekly Prayer Breakfast Group. Lyle served as President of the Methodist Men''s Group for several years. Lyle leaves his wife, Delores, of 64 years, and their four children: Arlen (Marilyn) Parrish, of Cedar Falls, Iowa; Pamela (Larry) Schleusner, of Rochester, Minnesota; Keith (Julia) Parrish, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; and John Parrish, of Owatonna, Minnesota. He is also survived by six grandchildren: Nathaniel (Alison) Parrish, of Waterloo, Iowa; Jonathan Parrish, of Shaw AFB, South Carolina; Jesse Schleusner, of Minneapolis, Minnesota; Krista (Michael) Zarling, of Rochester, Minnesota; Brian Schleusner, of Rochester, Minnesota; and Isaac Parrish, of Hutchinson, Minnesota; three great grandchildren: Caitlin, Ireland, and Felicity; and two sister-in-laws: Frieda Parrish and Mavis Parrish Lyle was preceded in death by his parents, Eugene and Katherine; his two brothers, Randall Parrish and Eugene Parrish; a sister, Ferne Thursdale; two nephews, Jerral Parrish and Wayne Thursdale; a niece, Sharon Reed; and a brother-in-law, Daniel Thursdale. Visitation will be held Friday, March 21, 2014 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., at the Michaelson Funeral Home in Owatonna, and one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday, March 22, 2014. A celebration of Lyle''s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 22 at Owatonna United Methodist Church in Owatonna, with the Rev. Loren Olson officiating. Burial will follow at the Blooming Grove Cemetery. Memorials are preferred to the Owatonna United Methodist Church, Homestead Hospice House in Owatonna, the Parkinson''s Disease Foundation, or organization of choice. Visitation: 03/21/2014 16:00 03/21/2014 19:00 Service: and one hour prior to the service at the church 03/22/2014 11:00