Lyle Woodward Roberts, 92, of Austin, Minnesota, died Monday, Dec. 28, 2015, at St. Mark’s Lutheran Home in Austin.

He was born Oct. 9, 1923, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the son of Edwin “Ted” Woodward and Sadie Viola (Hedstrom) Roberts.  Following his graduation from St. Louis Park High School, Lyle enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, serving his country for 20 years. As a pilot during WWII, he flew a B-17 bomber in Germany and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in 1945. He took great pride in his military service. On Jan. 15, 1944, Lyle was united in marriage to Audrey C. Larson in Temple, Texas. The couple raised three daughters.

Upon retirement from the Air Force in 1963, he was elected as assistant to the president of the Texas Louisiana Synod. In 1965, Lyle returned to Minneapolis, working as a business administrator at Mount Olivet Lutheran Church in Edina and Calvary Lutheran Church in Golden Valley. Lyle and Audrey then moved to Austin, where he served as administrator for St. Mark’s Lutheran Home. In 1977, he accepted a position as the business administrator for Bethany Lutheran Home in Waupaca, Wisconsin. He retired and returned to Austin in 1985. In his spare time, Lyle enjoyed rebuilding Cushman scooters and Crosley automobiles. He was extremely proud of the Sonerai II airplane he personally built and flew in the early 80’s. He was a lifetime member of the Cushman Scooter and Crosley Auto clubs.

Lyle is survived by his wife Audrey Roberts of Austin; his daughters: Lori Sue (Jim) Staley of Austin, Beth Audrey Roberts of Phoenix, Arizona; his son-in-law Allan Moran of Mound, Minnesota; eight grandchildren: Kyle (Erin) Moran, Colin Moran, Wyatt (Jeni) Staley, Elyse Staley, Audria (Matt) Abney, Chris (Gretchen) Connelly, Eric Connelly, Kelsey Connelly, and seven great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents Edwin and Sadie Roberts; and his daughter Linda Anne Moran in 2011.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 9, 2016, at the Worlein Funeral Home Chapel in Austin. Military honors by American Legion Post 91 and VFW. Post 1216 will follow the service. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Interment will be in the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery, Preston, Minnesota, at a later date. Worlein Funeral Home of Austin is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.