Lyle Edward Mckenna

Lyle “Flip” Edward McKenna was born a democrat to Robert and Rose McKenna in 1927 in Great Falls, MT. His early life was spent in Geyser, Montana on the McKenna Brother Ranch before moving to Bozeman, where he graduated high school as a star basketball player. He went on to play basketball for Montana State College and then in 1945, joined the navy. When he returned to Bozeman in 1947 he owned “The Burger Inn”, soon to become the famous Bozeman icon, “Manny’s”. During this time, he married the love of his life, Helen Patricia “Pat” Marley at Holy Rosary Catholic Church. They were married for fifty years and had six children, five of whom are still alive. After selling The Burger Inn, Lyle and Pat moved back to the family ranch in Geyser. In 1955 he became an insurance adjuster for Montana Farmers Union. In 1958 he started his own insurance and real estate agency, which became McKenna Agency. He ran this business for the whole of his career in Lewistown, and his son Tom and granddaughter Meghan still own this business today. Flip was always involved in his Church and community. He was a member of St. Leo's parish, a life member of the Knights of Columbus as well as a 4th degree knight. He was a member of the Elks and the Eagles and a past member of the Lions. He served 2 terms on the Montana Board of Realty Regulation and served on the Central Montana Hospital Board.





Flip remained a cowboy all his life who disguised himself as a real estate and insurance salesman. He rode horses, helped with brandings, and hunted. The central Montana elk population suffered at his hand. He also loved camping, fishing, boating and skiing, and inspired his friends and family to love the outdoors and the great state of Montana through his own passion.



Flip was a hard worker, but he and Pat loved to enjoy life. They opened their hearts and home to anyone who needed a place to stay, whether it be for dinner or the whole summer. They bought a boat for their family and Flip could be found every summer weekend pulling dozens of water skiers, beer in hand, on the rugged central Montana lakes, where the best beauty to be seen was the smile across his face and the glee of the skier behind him.



Flip inspired a love of life through outdoorsmanship, activity, games, and healthy competition. He adored his kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids.



It can be said of Flip that he lived life fully until the end, cracking jokes, even as he said his final goodbyes.



He is preceded in death by his infant son Kenneth; parents, Rose and Robert; his siblings Helen Proctor, Don McKenna, Frank McKenna, and Ann-Therese McKenna; and his beloved wife Pat. He is survived by his siblings Bea McCarthy and Maurice and Terri McKenna and beloved in-laws Liz and Wes Swingle. He is also survived by by his five children Marinell (Mark) Burnham, Michael (Kathy) McKenna, Thomas (Candy) McKenna, Sheila (Paul) Thomsen, and Sydney McKenna. He is also survived by his grandchildren Ryan, Bryson, Erin, Lindsey, Meghan, Sarah, Jada, Tyler, Marley, Robert, Kalli, Laura, Courtney, and Dylan; and twenty great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews and several dear friends. He will be greatly missed.



Our family would like to thank the excellent staff and caregivers at Highgate Senior Living, Hospice of Southwest Montana, and Mary Beth Siewart for their devotion to Lyle in his last days.



In lieu of flowers please donate to help support Lyle’s great-grandson Kollin McKenna. Please make checks payable to “Kollin McKenna Fund”.



A vigil will be held in Lewistown on February 26th at 7pm and the funeral will take place on February 27th at 11am. Both will be held at St. Leo’s Catholic Church.



Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.dahlcares.com