Lyle D. Kreps

Lyle Dean Kreps passed peacefully into the arms of the Lord on Thursday, February 13 surrounded by family. He was born in Fulton County, Illinois on July 7, 1942 to Ernest and Mildred Kreps. He, along with his five sisters, were raised on a farm outside of Bushnell, Illinois where he learned the value of hard work and that he hated the taste of milk – which he never again drank once he left the farm. He attended Bardolph High School and graduated valedictorian in a class of twelve in 1960. One of them was Sharon Kay Wells, whom he married August 28, 1964. He attended Western Illinois University and was a charter member of the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity, in which he remained active throughout his life. He earned his Masters of Ag Economics from the University of Purdue. After receiving an offer to become Director of Marketing for the Iowa Department of Agriculture, he moved to Des Moines, IA in 1966. Lyle moved his family, which now included sons, Brian and Jason to the small town of Johnston, Iowa in 1973. When daughter, Jennifer was born later that year, Lyle posted a large banner across the house reading, ‘At Last… Sugar & Spice!’ Lyle touched many, many lives in many, many, different ways. He never met a stranger and loved talking to people, often striking up conversations with a joke or using his infectious sense of humor. Deeply involved in his community he sat on many boards of directors including ChildServe/Convelescent Home for Children, Children & Families of Iowa, and Blank Park Zoo. He was an active member of the Johnston Lions Club, serving on its board, as President, and, as Fundraising Chairman, raised the money required to build the current Lions Club facility. He was Executive Director of the Johnston Chamber of Commerce for several years until 2004. In 1989, he was named the Johnston Chamber of Commerce ‘Citizen of the Year’. Professionally, he started Diversified Management Associates, Ltd. which operated successful businesses in the fields of real estate, agribusiness, travel, research, association management, event management, hospitality, and concessions, but is most well known as Ad Sales Director at Meredith’s Successful Farming magazine, the Executive Director of the Greater Des Moines Ruan Grand Prix from 1990-1992. At the Iowa State Fair, Lyle was the owner & operator of Stockman’s Inn since 1973, where in 50 years he never missed a day. He loved sports cars and auto racing. He owned a collection of 1960’s British cars and raced an Austin Healy ‘Bugeye’ Sprite on road racing tracks throughout the Midwest for many years. He was President of the International Motor Contest Association, was a member of the Iowa British Car Club, served as President of the Des Moines Valley Region of the Sports Car Club of America, participated in multiple Motor-Ioway driving tours of the State of Iowa, and helped to begin the Central Iowa Mini Club. He was a man of faith and led people to the Lord through the example he set in the everyday living of his life, the many mission groups that he led around the world included Caracas, Venezuela, Belize, Russia and Panama. He was instrumental introducing faith into the workplace by facilitating a Marketplace Ministries branch into the Des Moines area, and he would gladly share his testimony to anyone open to receiving it. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Mildred Kreps and sisters, Shirley Caspall and Opal Davies. He is survived by his wife, Sharon; sisters, Lucy Elrick, Gloria (Fred) Caspall, Joyce (Fred) Andrews; sons, Brian (Chris) Kreps, Jason (Shellie) Kreps; daughter, Jennifer (Dan) LaGrange; grandchildren, Reece Elrod, Paige Kueper (fiancée Tanner Vermaas), Callie Kreps, Haley Kreps, Dylan Kreps, Ethan Kueper, Faith Kreps, Grace Kreps, Addison Kueper, Daniel LaGrange, Emmie LaGrange and several nieces and nephews. Visitation will be 4-7 PM Tuesday, February 18, 2025 at Reach Church 2725 Merle Hay Road in Des Moines. Funeral Service will be 11 AM Wednesday, February 19, 2025 at the church. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Alzheimer Association, Iowa Chapter. 225 N. Michigan Ave Floor 17 Chicago, IL 60601 Live streaming will begin at 10:55 AM Wednesday, February 19th on Dyamond Memorial Facebook Page Floral deliveries may be made to Reach Church on Tuesday.

Lyle D. Kreps

July 7, 1942 - February 13, 2025