Lyle Quentin Goskesen Obituary March 5, 2026 | Austin, Minnesota
Lyle Q. Goskesen, age 73, passed away at his home in Lilydale, Minnesota, on May 11th, 2026.
Born on March 22, 1953, in Austin, Minnesota, Lyle was the son of Quentin and Bernice Goskesen. From an early age, he had a deep fascination with how things worked, especially automobiles. This hands-on curiosity grew into a lifelong passion for mechanics, aviation, and creative invention.
As a teenager, Lyle began working on cars, then progressed to designing and flying radio-controlled airplanes. His love for flight took him even higher. He earned his private pilot’s license and went on to rebuild and fly a Piper Tri-Pacer. Lyle was known for his skill and creativity in his home machine shop, where he designed and built a variety of tools and aviation parts, including tow bars for Astro jet aircraft. He was truly a jack of all trades, admired for his ingenuity and problem-solving abilities.
Lyle spent 26 dedicated years working as an aircraft technician on Hormel Foods’ corporate jets in Austin. After retiring, he had planned to use his machine shop to help others and continue his creative work. Sadly, Parkinson’s disease altered that path. Even in the face of this difficult disease, Lyle remained steadfast, courageous, and faithful. His enduring strength and unwavering belief in God sustained him throughout his journey.
In addition to his mechanical talents, Lyle had a deep love for music. He enjoyed playing his guitars and had a remarkable ear for both guitar and piano. His playful sense of humor was a treasured part of who he was, often bringing smiles to those around him. Yet above all his passions and pursuits, the greatest joy in Lyle’s life came when he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior at age 44. His faith became the cornerstone of his life, and he was never ashamed to share the good news of the gospel.
Lyle is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Laraine; his daughters, Kristy Rooney of Austin, MN, and Tracy (Bryan) Lair of St. Paul, MN; his beloved grandchildren, Zachariah and Katelyn Rooney, Emma, Ava, Elsie, and Owen Lair; sisters, Karen Bell of Albert Lea, MN, and Nada (Daryl) Kilgore of Tucson, AZ; brother, Roger (Peggy) Goskesen of Hartland, MN; brothers-in-law, Roger (Carol) Hansen of Austin, MN, Marvin (Marva) Hansen of Leesburg, FL.
Lyle was preceded in death by his parents, Quentin and Bernice Goskesen; sister, Ann Cook; brother, Dayle Goskesen.
Lyle will be remembered for his inventive spirit, his quiet strength, and his deep love for his family. His legacy lives on in the lives he touched and the many things he built with his own two hands.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, May 15th at Clasen-Jordan Mortuary with the Reverend Bryan Lair and the Reverend Mark Goossen officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Interment will be in Grandview Cemetery.
