Francis Kemp 'Joe' Lytle

Francis Kemp “Joe” Lytle was as born December 1, 1950 in Ames, Iowa to C. F. “Bud” Lytle & Doris Berglund Lytle. He was raised in Iowa & Colorado. After many years of struggling with depression he took his life on May 29. We who loved him so dearly hope & pray he finally has found peace. During his lifetime he worked a variety of jobs; working on a shrimp boat, building microwave towers & wind generators and managing a recycling plant in Denver. He moved to Bozeman in 2001. He worked at Bare’s Stove & Spa, Joe’s Parkway & Van’s IGA. Toward the end of his life he had a handy man business. During his time in Denver Joe enjoyed many diverse and interesting friendships along with the camaraderie at the Lakewood Arid Club. We loved Joe's wit and laugh. He was a voracious reader with such a clever, charming personality. Joe was a very funny and entertaining guy with a great sense of humor. He was always cracking jokes and making unusual observations on the world around us. He enjoyed challenging anyone and everyone to a good game of cribbage, which he usually won. To the younger cousins in the family he was a bit of a mythic figure. To them Joe was this ruggedly handsome, brash-talking, wicked smart figure … and a ski god. During his downhill skiing days everyone compared him with Roger Staub, the Swiss Olympic skier. That is the Joe we will miss and when we think about those times he will bring smiles to our faces. Survivors include his parents, Bud Lytle of Canyon Ferry, Doris Lytle of Lakewood, Co.; sisters, Kathi Lytle Bare of Bozeman & Barb Wendel of Reno, Nevada; nephews Chad (Teri) Wright of Helena & Chris & Cory Wendel of Nevada; great niece & nephew Haley & Spencer Wright of Helena and a large extended family. A celebration of his life will be announced at a later date at Canyon Ferry. Joe’s final gift to life was the donation of his corneas & tissues through Sight Life (ww.sightlife.org) & Life Net Health Northwest (www.lifenethealth.org) in partnership with Bozeman Deaconess Hospital Foundation (www.bozemandeaconess.com). Over 40 people will benefit from this generous gift. Memorials can be made to the groups mentioned above.