Obituary: Lyle W. Mangin

Lyle W. Mangin, age 87, longtime Town of Franklin resident, died peacefully early Saturday morning, November 18, 2023 at St. Vincent Hospital in Green Bay with his family at his side.

Lyle was born in Green Bay on March 9, 1936 to Paul D. and Olive (Kiel) Mangin. He attended school in Maple Grove and graduated from Reedsville High School in 1954. He then served his country for two years as a member of the U.S. Army. On June 21, 1958 he was united in marriage to Rosemary Smits at St. Mary's Catholic Church in DePere. They were blessed with nine children and 65 years of marriage.

Lyle and Rosemary farmed for many years of their married life on the Mangin Homestead which began in 1892. He also worked at the Manitowoc Company Shipyards and later at Gruetts Manufacturing of Potter, retiring in 1999. Lyle had many hobbies which kept him busy. Each spring Lyle enjoyed preparing and tending to his garden. He spent many hours making sure it was bountiful so he could share with others. He enjoyed baking pies, canning, and making his famous peanut butter balls at Christmas time. At the age of 73 he took up riding a three-wheel bicycle often taking rides with his neighbor Bob. Lyle was the official watchman over the cattle his grandson Josh had grazing on the family land. Lyle and Rosemary were always on the go visiting others, going out to eat, dancing, trying the Shake of Day at the Marsh Inn to check if Lyle’s Irish luck was still on his side.

Lyle has been a longtime member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Maple Grove and most recently Holy Family Parish, Brillion. He and his wife Rosemary celebrated their faith in weekly prayer groups in their home and Adoration of the Blessed Virgin at St. Mary's Church, Chilton for 25 years. They further grew and shared their faith in the communities of KOINONIA and TEC. He was a longtime member of the Reedsville AMVETS and the Reedsville Knights of Columbus. Most important to Lyle was spending time with his wife and family. He enjoyed watching his family grow not only in number but in connection and faith.

Lyle is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Rosemary; his children: Patti (Jim) Rathsack, David (Bev) Mangin, William “Bill” Mangin, Norbert (the late Sandy) Mangin, Theresa “Tess” (Eric) Ketelsen, Rosemarie “Rea” (Dan) Orzechowski, Sandy (John) Murphy, and Virginia “Ginny” (Jason) Monfils; 21 grandchildren: Patrick (Ashley) Rathsack, Bridget Rathsack (fiancé William (BG) TenBrink), Nicole (Shane) Stehula, Joshua (Alyssa) Mangin, Michelle (Maverick) Klotz, Rachel (Eli) Keifenheim, Luke Mangin (special friend Aly Durham), Brandon (Jenny) Mangin Justin (Samantha) Mangin, Lauren (Bryce) Sanor, Kieran Ketelsen (special friend Katie Erkau), Natalie Ketelsen, Anne (Seamus) Orzechowski-Scannell, Karen Orzechowski (fiancé Jackson Carney), Eric (Catherine) Orzechowski, Grace Orzechowski, Sarah Orzechowski, John Murphy, Clara Murphy, Jack Monfils, Hazel Monfils; 25 great grandchildren: Myla, Levi, Ashton, Bryer, Henry, Lucy, Adeline, Isabelle, Lillian, Joseph, Theodore, Cathrine, Charlotte, Cullen, Blake, Corbin, Caroline, Everett, Becket, Langston, Jameson, Zoe, Riley, Marie, Casimir, and baby Mangin due in March. He is further survived by one sister, Marlene Rohan; and sisters-in-law: Rita Mangin, Alice Mangin, Florence Heim, Laverne Heezen, Junella Smits, Rita Smits and Hazel Smits, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his infant son, Donald Paul; daughter-in-law, Sandy Lee Mangin; his parents, Paul D. and Olive Mangin; siblings: LaVerne (Kenneth) Hennessey, Daniel (Margaret) Mangin, Darryl Mangin, Gale Mangin, and Roger Mangin; one brother-in-law, Donald Rohan; godson, Patrick Mangin; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Peter and Hattie Smits; and in-laws: Harold Smits, Roland (Gen) Smits, Ervin Heim, Merlin Smits, Henry Heezen, Roger Smits, and Edward (Lynn) Smits.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, November 27 at Holy Family Parish, 1100 W. Ryan Street, Brillion. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Rev. Dave Pleier, with burial to follow in St. Patrick's Cemetery, Maple Grove. Military graveside rites will be accorded by members of Reedsville Amvets Post #1032.

The family will greet relatives and friends at Holy Family Parish, Sunday, November 26th from 3:00 until 7:00 p.m. A parish prayer service led by Deacon Greg VanThiel will conclude the evening at 7:00 o'clock. Visitation will continue at the church Monday morning from 9:00 until 10:15 a.m. For those unable to attend, a live-stream of the mass will be available on the Holy Family Facebook page.

Online condolences may be sent to the Mangin family by visiting www.dejamartin.com. Memorials may be made to Peter's Pantry or the donor's choice.

The family would like to thank the staff at Woodside Manor for their loving care and support. Special thanks also to the medical staff at St. Vincent Hospital for the compassionate care and kindness extended.

Deja & Martin Funeral Chapels of Two Rivers is assisting the Mangin family with funeral arrangements.