Lyle Underwood, 91 years old, passed away on February 16, 2026 at Stormont-Vail Trauma Center in Topeka. He was born in Clyde, KS on August 30 1934, the son of Berkley & Rena May (Lillie) Underwood. Lyle grew up in the Clay Center community and attended schools here.
He set pins at the bowling alley by hand that was underneath the Idle Hour. He also worked for Butch’s Market for several years delivering ice by hand to the businesses in town. Later he joined the Navy at the young age of 17. He was on active duty for four years and spent the next four years in the reserves. When his active service was over, he lived with his grandfather in the Denver, Colorado area where he was a pie baker. He also attended meat cutting school and worked in the meat department at Safeway for a number of years. Soon after he returned to Clay Center and became a member of the St. Paul Lutheran Church where he served as offering steward, usher, and head usher. Through Lutheran Social Services, he was able to adopt Brad & Kristy. He worked various jobs, but he spent 32 years of his life working at Hutchinson Manufacturing. He felt blessed to be able to retire at 60 years of age and loved working around the house and pastures. He enjoyed being outdoors, especially hunting and fishing in his earlier years. Lyle married his sweetheart, Linda, on November 23, 1979 and was blessed to spend 46 years together.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, parents, two brothers, Duane & Pat, and grandson, Taylor Lawson.
Survivors include:
Wife, Linda Underwood
Son, Brad Underwood
Daughter, Kristy Estabine & Husband Jean Stepson — Thad Laflin & Wife Shannon
10 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren
Funeral Services: Friday, February 27, 2026 at 10:30 AM at the St Paul’s Lutheran Church in Clay Center , KS
Burial: Greenwood Cemetery, Clay Center, Kansas
Visitation: Thursday, February 26, 2026 from 5-7 PM at Neill-Schwensen-Rook Funeral Home
Memorials: Memorial contributions can be made to the St. Paul Lutheran Church and left in care of the funeral home
Online condolences may be made at www.nsrfh.com
