May 5, 1925  -  August 14, 1998

Burt County Board of Supervisors lost its most senior member Friday, August 14, 1998 with the death of chairman Lyle Farrens, 73 of Decatur

Farrens, who had served on the board since 1976, remained active in county government up until his death.  He had attended the August 10 meeting of the county planning commission and presided over the county board's regular Tuesday, August 11, session prior to entering an Omaha hospital for surgery last week.  He had been ill in recent months.

Services were Tuesday, August 18, at Decatur City Auditorium.

Lyle Ellis Farrens was born May 5, 1925, on a farm near Martin, SD to Roy E. and Sarah Marie (Schroder) Farrens.  He attended Farrens School District 11 on the Missouri River bottom southeast of Decatur, from kindergarten through 8th grade.  He was a 1942 Decatur High School graduate.

Farrens worked for various farmers prior to his marriage to Lelah B. Drummond July 1, 1944 , at Tekamah.  They lived and farmed on the bottom southeast of Decatur for five years.  In January 1951, they moved to a farm on the hill overlooking Decatur and the Missouri River.

Farrens was a county and community leader.  In addition to the county board, he also served as an ASC County Committeeman, on the Decatur Township Board, Decatur School Board and as president of Decatur Rural Fire Department.  He was a member of Decatur United Methodist Church, where he served on the church board and was a master of Masonic Star Ridge Lodge no 88.

Farrens loved the land and he loved all sports, said family members.  He was active on a bowling league and played baseball on the Decatur Town Team for 15 years.  He also coached Little League Baseball for many years.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Lelah, on December 27, 1997; brother Kenneth; daughter, Pat; and grandson, David.

Survivors include his daughters and sons-in-law, Mary and Lou Jones, Littleton, CO, and Jean and Jim Morgan, Decatur; son and daughter-in-law, Lyle "Skip" and Karma Farrens, Decatur; brothers, Eldon and Merle, both of Decatur, and Lynn, Sunnyville, CA; Clara Schroder Ehlers of Blair, who made her home with the Farrens family for many years; nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

The Rev. Judith Clark Wharton officiated Tuesday's service.  Dona Beard was organist and Rodney Baker, vocalist.

Casket bearers were Jeff Culwell, Brett Winningham, Randy Morgan, Michele Quick, DeDe Price, Jade Culwell and Sarah, Serina, Miranda and Rachel Farrens.

Burial was at Hillcrest Cemetery in Decatur.