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Lyle Vaughn Schjodt, born on February 23, 1950, in Omaha, Nebraska to Harald Schjodt and Rhoda (Iversen) Schjodt passed peacefully to heaven on June 26, 2020 from a long-term autoimmune liver disease. Lyle was baptized and confirmed at First Lutheran Church in Blair, Nebraska. He graduated from Blair High School in 1968 and married his high school sweetheart, Kay (Peterson) Schjodt, on September 18, 1971. Together they raised two daughters, Ande and Michelle, on their farmstead northwest of Blair.

Lyle attended Dana College for 2 years. He served for 6 years in the Army Reserves and was honorably discharged. Lyle was a lifelong agricultural producer, starting with his father in high school and making a wonderful life for his family farming corn, soybeans and alfalfa, and raising beef cattle and hogs. Lyle took great pride in his work and was known for the quality of cattle he produced. He was fortunate to work side by side with his teammate and wife, Kay, for much of his life.

Lyle's steady, gentle character and integrity made him a respected leader in the many ways he served his community. Lyle was an elected member of the Blair School Board, where he served for 24 years, 15 as President. He was a recipient of the Blair Community Schools Foundation Distinguished Service Award. Lyle served on the Washington County Planning Commission, Blair School Foundation, as President of the First Lutheran Church Council and on many additional church committees and boards. He served on the Washington County 4-H council, led the Sutherland Boosters 4-H club and was a member of the Washington County Livestock Feeders.

Lyle is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Kay; daughters Ande (Schjodt) Carlson and son-in-law Kevin Carlson of Sioux Falls, South Dakota and Michelle Schjodt and Bryon Schwankl of Minneapolis, Minnesota; grandchildren, Mikayla, Zac and Kyan Carlson; mother, Rhoda Schjodt; and sisters Sondra (Mark) Buell, KayLynne (Mark) Dickinson, Sharla (Paul) Gosker and Sharie (Doug) Jenson; many nieces and nephews, family, and friends.

Lyle was preceded in death by his father, Harald Schjodt; brother, Alan Schjodt; and parents-in-law, Bob and Arlene Peterson.

A private ceremony will be held, and a streamed event via Campbell Aman Funeral Home Facebook page will be made available at approximately 7pm on Tuesday, June 30th, 2020. A recording of the service will be available at a later time on Lyle's tribute page at campbellaman.com.

In lieu of flowers, please consider directing a memorial to the Blair Community Schools Foundation, American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association, Inc. or First Lutheran Church.

#2-Longtime, current Blair school board member dies By Leeanna Ellis Jun 27, 2020

A longtime and current member of the Blair Community Schools Board of Education has died.

Lyle Schjodt passed away Friday from a long-term autoimmune liver disease. He was 70.

Schjodt served on the BCS board for 24 years, 15 as president. His current term was set to end in December. He was not seeking re-election.

“It's good to bring some new people on the board to give them a chance to participate and serve,” he told the Pilot-Tribune in February on his decision not to run again.

Schjodt completed his fourth term on the board in 2008. He was appointed to fill the remaining six months of Dr. John Renelt's term in 2010 and later sought re-election in 2012 and 2016.

“I really appreciate the support from the community,” Schjodt said. “I think I've served my term well, I hope.”

Schjodt received the Blair Community Schools Foundation Distinguished Service Award in 2008.

“Words can not express my appreciation for his service to our children, school district and community. Lyle was like a father figure to so many. His care for every student has become our mission,” Supt. Randy Gilson said. “We will miss Lyle's expertise, compassion, patience and most of all his steady hand. He has been our rock through the most difficult times always knowing the right words to guide us. I will remember Lyle for the example he set and for the wisdom, support, friendship and love he provided all of us.”

The lifelong farmer was also currently serving on the Washington County Planning Commission. He had also served on the Blair School Foundation, president of the First Lutheran Church Council, the Washington County 4-H Council, led the Sutherland Boosters 4-H Club and was a member of the Washington County Livestock Feeders.

Schjodt is survived by his wife, Kay; daughers, Ande (Schjodt) Carlson and son-in-law Kevin Carlson of Sioux Falls, S.D., and Michelle Schjodt and Bryon Schwanki of Minneapolis, Minn.; grandchildren, Mikayla, Zac and Kyan Carlson; mother, Rhoda Schjodt; and sisters, Sondra (Mark) Buell, KayLynne (Mark) Dickinson, Sharla (Paul) Gosker and Sharie (Doug) Jenson; many nieces and nephews, family and friends.

#3-Published in the Enterprise July 3, 2020

'It will be a great loss to the community'
By Leeanna Ellis

Lyle Schjodt will be remembered for his dedication to Blair Community Schools, Washington County and his community, according to friends and family.

Schjodt, who served on the BCS Board of Education for 24 years — 15 as president — and was a member of the Washington County Planning Commission, died June 26 from a long-term autoimmune liver disease. He was 70.

Serving his community was a lifetime passion for Schjodt, his daughter Andie Carlson said.

“He had a strong sense of civic duty. This was just what you do for your community, like the doing the right thing ideal,” she said. “He always felt that if he was able to serve, then he will be a servant. I think that just lasted throughout his lifetime.”

BCS board members recognized Schjodt on Monday during a previously scheduled special board meeting.

“It will be a great loss to the community,” board member Kari Loseke said. “I think his work will always be respected.”

Loseke, who succeeded Schjodt as board president, said Schjodt served with integrity and care.

“His sage advice, common sense, empathy and steady hand will be greatly missed,” she said.

Loseke knew Schjodt long before she was elected to the board. He was her 4-H club leader when she was just 10 years old and served as a mentor to her.

“He's always been someone I learned from,” she said.

When she made the decision to run for school board, Schjodt was one of her supporters, she said.

“When I first ran for school board, he came into my office and took out his wallet and gave me a $50 bill and he said, 'Go buy some campaign signs.' He was the type of person who was always paying it forward and helping,” she said. “The whole time I served on school board with him, he was always somebody you could call and ask his opinion and he always would give you a common sense answer and a compassionate answer.”

Former BCS Supt. Rex Pfeil said Schjodt's passing left him with “a heavy heart” knowing the commitment Schjodt had to the school district and its students.

“He had a knack for getting to the heart of an issue by calmly and tactfully questioning and posing ideas that helped others focus,” Pfeil said. “He jokingly told me once that it was his way of 'getting them to think like me.' His steadiness and calm nature created confidence and many times, it was his composed resolve that helped me keep a stable outlook and attitude in the face of uncertainty or turmoil.”

Current BCS Supt. Randy Gilson agreed.

“We will miss Lyle's expertise, compassion, patience and most of all his steady hand,” he said. “He has been our rock through the most difficult times, always knowing the right words to guide us. I will remember Lyle for the example he set and for the wisdom, support, friendship and love he provided all of us.”

As a member of the Washington County Planning Commission, Schjodt, a lifelong farmer, served as a voice for livestock producers.

“He wanted to make sure that there was opportunities for young people to raise livestock in Washington County without getting pushed out,” said Gary Lambrecht, who chairs the commission.

Lambrecht and Schjodt sat side by side at those monthly meetings for about seven years and he often helped Lambrecht.

“He always sat on my right side and he'd just give me little hints all the time,” Lambrecht said.

Lambrecht asked Schjodt if he would be interested in serving as chairman.

“You make the people laugh,” he told Lambrecht. “You keep doing it.”

Lambrecht noted the number of lives Schjodt touched during his tenure on the school board.

“He truly loved the community,” he said.

Schjodt often served as a voice of reason for the boards he served on.

“Lyle always seemed to have the right words to share when discussions became a little bit heated and for this I think is one of the reasons he was so greatly respected,” Loseke said. “He could speak off the cuff, it seemed, so easily.”

While he had his own opinion, Schjodt was compassionate in delivering his thoughts, Loseke said.

“Dad was a good leader because he listened respectfully to all opinions and he looked for commonalities to bring people together to make the best decision for the school or the county,” Carlson said. “He was always levelheaded. We always teased him, he always looked for a logical solution rather than making an emotional decision. That really defined how he served, how he fathered and how he farmed.”

Schjodt is survived by his wife, Kay; daughers, Ande (Schjodt) Carlson and son-in-law Kevin Carlson of Sioux Falls, S.D., and Michelle Schjodt and Bryon Schwanki of Minneapolis, Minn.; grandchildren, Mikayla, Zac and Kyan Carlson; mother, Rhoda Schjodt; and sisters, Sondra (Mark) Buell, KayLynne (Mark) Dickinson, Sharla (Paul) Gosker and Sharie (Doug) Jenson; many nieces and nephews, family and friends.

#4-Schjodt was a faithful servant

Staff Jul 3, 2020

On Monday, the Blair Community Schools Board of Education met for the first time without one of its longtime, dedicated members.

Lyle Schjodt, who had served as a member of the school board for 24 years — 15 as president — died June 26 from a long-term autoimmune liver disease. He was 70.

Board members recognized Lyle for his exemplary service to the Blair school district.

“I can't imagine anyone who has ever been more dedicated, compassionate or led with such integrity as Lyle,” Board President Kari Loseke said.

Schjodt was the steady hand the district needed during uncertain and difficult times. He saw the district through failed and passed school bond issues, construction projects, funding cuts, the selection of new superintendents and the closure and later sale of a school building.

“Providing good public education for kids is one of the most important jobs a community has,” Schjodt told the Enterprise in 2012 after returning to the board following a two-year absence. “Representing the community’s interest is what the board is all about.”

Schjodt extended his service to more than just the school district. He served for several years on the Washington County Planning Commission, the Blair School Foundation, president of the First Lutheran Church Council, the Washington County 4-H Council, led the Sutherland Boosters 4-H Club and was a member of the Washington County Livestock Feeders.

Serving his community was a lifetime passion, according to his family.

Schjodt was a good leader and a voice of reason. He was always looking out for the best interest of the school district, the county and the community. His passing leaves a void in the community. He was a voice for his constituents, an ardent supporter of Blair schools and a faithful servant. He will be missed.

#5 Funeral leaflet

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In Loving Memory of Lyle V. Schjodt

Born February 23, 1950 Omaha, Nebraska ~ Entered Into Rest June 26, 2020 Omaha, Nebraska

Memorial Service 7 pm Tuesday, June 30, 2020. Officiating: Pastor Scott Frederickson, PhD. Musical Selections: “Amazing Grace”, “Lift High The Cross”, “God Bless the USA”.

Scriptures: John 3:16, 23rd Psalm, 2nd Chronicles 15:7, 1st Peter 4:10

Reflections from the Family, Delivered by Kevin Carlson

“Close the Gate (for Dad)”—read by Michelle Schjodt

Photo Tribute by Mikayla, Zac, and Kyan

Close the Gate—by Nancy Kraayenhof

For this one farmer the worries are over, lie down and rest your head,
Your time has been and struggles enough, put the tractor in the shed.

Years were not easy, many downright hard, but your faith in God transcended,
Put away your tools and sleep in peace. The fences have all been mended.

You raised a fine family, worked the land well, and always followed the Son,
Hang up your shovel inside the barn; your work here on earth is done.

A faith few possess led your journey through life, often a jagged and stony way,
The sun is setting, the cattle are all bedded, and here now is the end of your day.

Your love of God’s soil has passed on to your kin; the stories flow like fine wine,
Wash off your work boots in the puddle left by the blessed rain one final time.

You always believed the good Lord would provide and He always had somehow,
Take off your gloves and put them down, no more sweat and worry for you now.

Your labor is done, your home now in heaven; no more must you wait,
Your legacy lives on, your love of the land, and we will close the gate.

~~~ Obituaries and funeral leaflet courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings and leaflets on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.~~~

Find a Grave Memorial #211867564