Lyle Lunde, age 97 of Bottineau, died Saturday, August 29, 2020 at the North Dakota Veteran's Home in Lisbon.  His funeral will be held on Thursday, September 3, 2020 at 10:00 am at the First Lutheran Church in Bottineau.  Visitation will be Wednesday from 1:00 pm until 7:00 pm at then Nero Funeral Home in Bottineau.  Burial will be at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery in Mandan.

Lyle Duane Lunde, son of Nils and Betzi Lunde, was born on December 22, 1922 in Esmond, North Dakota and raised in Silva, North Dakota.

At the age of sixteen, from 1938-1939, he joined the Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC), followed by enlisting in the U.S. Navy from 1941-1946. During World War II, Lunde served on the U.S.S. Wichita, which earned 13 battle stars. He traveled the world during his time in the Navy and visited several countries. His ship even provided guard during the Newfoundland meeting between the Big Three – President Franklin D. Roosevelt, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Russia's Stalin.

On December 23, 1950, he married Merle Lysne in Silva, North Dakota. They resided in Rugby, ND for four years and then moved to Bottineau, ND, where they raised three daughters.

Lunde served in Rugby as a police officer from 1952-1956. He then went on to become a North Dakota Highway Patrol Officer from 1956-1966 and served as Bottineau County Sherriff from 1966-1987. Lunde was very proud to serve the county of Bottineau and made many lifelong friends throughout his time as Sheriff.

During his retirement years, Lunde enjoyed spending time with his fellow veterans at the local VFW Hall, being involved in his church, and making stained glass art and woodworking.

Lyle loved spending time with his five granddaughters as they took frequent road trips together. He had three more girls join his family as great granddaughters and was immensely proud of his girls in his family. Lyle's family, immediate and extended, were his constant pride and joy.

Merle passed away in April 2004. After her passing, Lyle continued to reside at their home in Bottineau until recently when he moved to the North Dakota Veteran's Home in Lisbon. Lyle passed peacefully on Saturday, August 29th, with his daughters by his side.

Lyle is survived by his three daughters, Teri and her husband Jeff Doggett, Kristi Sandberg, and Tami and her husband Dean Milbrath. He has five grandchildren, Jenna (Travis) Nelson, Calli Doggett (fiancé Daniel Kraak), Stephanie (Jesse) Kittleson, Heather Milbrath (fiancé Matthew Drader), and Cassie Sandberg, three great granddaughters, Sienna, Hailey and Kynlee Nelson, two sisters, Lauretta Long and Cleo Allgood, and five sisters-in-law, Stella Lunde, Audrey Needham, Marion Nevland, Karen Krebsbach, and Thelma Lysne.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Merle, and infant son, his parents, his son-in-law, Steven Sandberg, his brothers Nuell, Orville, Adolph, and Alvin, his sisters Pearl Burkhartsmeier, Betty Svendsen, Mary Ann Schreiman, Violet Lunde and several brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law and nephews.

Arrangements were with Nero Funeral Home in Bottineau.  Friends may sign the online register book at www.nerofuneralhome.net.