Alton Wilder, 85, of Lyle, Minn., a member of the “Greatest Generation,” passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2010, after a tough and courageous battle with cancer.
Alton was born Feb. 7, 1925, in Minneapolis, the son of Irving and Lillian (Corrigan) Wilder. He was raised on the family farm. Alton attended Otranto School until his senior year when he transferred to and graduated from Lyle High School. He then attended Iowa State University until entering the United States Army in February of 1943. Alton served as a member of the 11th Airborne Division in the Pacific Theater. Alton married Virginia Pless on Feb. 8, 1948 at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Austin. He farmed until 1983 when Alton co-founded Iowa Cattle Marketing and served as its manager until 2000 and then as their cattle broker until he retired at the age of 83. Alton also served on the Lyle School Board from 1958 to 1961. Alton enjoyed reading, storytelling, history and current events, gardening, traveling, sports, but mostly his family and friends. Alton was a very persuasive and compassionate person and would help others achieve almost anything. During the past months that compassion was reciprocated by the First Responders of Lyle, Gold Cross Ambulance Service and physicians:  David Schrodt, Walter Bate, Mark Haganman, the staff at Mitchell County Regional Health Center, Floyd County Memorial Hospital and Chautauqua Guest Homes.
Alton is survived by his two daughters, Nancy (Jack) Banda of Wildomar, Calif., Roxanne Wilder of Eagan, Minn.; a son, Kevin ( Mari ) Wilder of Kirkland, Wash.; four grandchildren, Ryan, Aaron, Cole and Lauren; two great-grandchildren, Madison and Adam; close friend and companion, Gladys “Glady” Siems of Charles City; two sisters, Amy (Chuck) Fischer of Eagan, Minn., Marian Jones of Lacey, Wash.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, a sister and an infant sister.               .
A funeral service in celebration of Alton’s life will be held at  11 a.m., Monday, March 1, 2010, at the Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home in Osage with Pastor Debra Lincoln of Jordan River and Colwell U.C.C. officiating. There will be a time of fellowship following the service at the American Legion Post in Osage. Interment will be at the Woodbury Cemetery, rural Lyle, Minn. at 2 p.m. Monday. Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m., Sunday at the Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home in Osage.
Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home of Osage, Iowa is in charge of arrangements.
Information available and condolences accepted at www.champion-bucheitfuneralhome.com.