Lyle E. Yost

Lyle E. Yost, 99, died Thursday (April 5, 2012), at the Schowalter Villa, in Hesston.

Lyle was born on March 5, 1913, in the home northwest of Hesston, Kansas. His parents were Joseph and Edith Alma (Hensley) Yost.

Lyle attended Goshen College in Goshen, IN where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Economics in 1937 and his Bachelor’s Degree in Teaching in 1942.

On July 31, 1938 he married Erma Martin. Lyle and Erma spent most of their lifetime in the Hesston area. In 1943, they moved to the family farm where his grandfather and father had lived, just north of Hesston. Upon his retirement, Lyle moved into the city of Hesston.

Lyle had many designations, awards and recoginitions, but his greatest accomplishment was being the designer and inventor of the 1947 unloading auger, the catalyst for the development of Hesston Manufacturing, Hesston Corporation which in now known as AGCO. His lifetime achievements were astounding and admired, 1964- Wildlife Society, Distinguished Conservation Citation; 1966-1967, Hesston Chamber of Commerce, 1st President;1969, National Agriculture Adverstising & Marketing Association, Farm Marketing Man of the Year; 1969-1971, Appointed by Sec. of Commerce, Washington D.C., Regional Export Expansion Council; 1971, Farm & Industrial Equipment Institute FIEI, President; 1972, Topeka Capital Journal, Kansan of Achievement in Business Award; 1972, Received Official Seal of Wichita, Best of Agricultural Award; 1972, KS Association of Commerce & Industry, Promotion of Kansas; 1972, Newton Chamber of Commerce, 25 years of Community Service; August 1973, Fortune Magazine, featured article-“A Farmer’s Fertile Ground”; November 15, 1973, Forbes Magazine, Featured Article-“Farm Boy Makes Good”; 1974, Native Sons & Daughters of Kansas (states’ most coveted honor), Kansan of the Year;1975, Alpha Kappa Psi National Business Honor Society, Honorary Member; 1975, Kansas State University, Outstanding Service in Field of Agriculture; 1978, FFA Foundation, Executive Sponsor; 1980, Bank IV, 25 years as a Board Member; 1980, Jr. Angus Breeders of America, Outstanding Support to Jr. Angus Breeder; 1980, Hesston Bank, 15 years on Board of Directors Service Award;1980, Future Farmers of America FFA, Honorary State Farmer; 1982, Kansas Vocational Association, Supporting Higher Vocational Education;1983, National Industrial Clubs of America, Development of Industrial Youth; 1983-1991, Hesston College, Presidents Advisory Council Chairman; 1961, Mennonite Economic Development Association MEDA, Honorary Membership; 1987, Farm & Industrial Equipment Institute FIEI, Honorary Membership; 1987, Published a book, Factory on the Plains;1989, FIEI, Chairman Board of Directors; 1993, EMI, FIEI, Special Industry contributions and recognitions; 2006, Kansas Business Hall of Fame, admitted to Hall of Fame as Business Leader.

He also served as Director with the following instituions and corporations; Bank IV, Hesston State Bank, Kansas Gas & Electric, Kansas Council on World Affairs, Management Research Development Institute, American Forage & Grassland Council, Gideons International, Kansas Development Credit Corporation, FIEI, Advisory Council for the Kansas Center for Regional Progress, Governer’s Committee for Parnters in Progress, State Rural Development Advisory Council, Kansas Calvalry, Hertzler Foundation, Prince of Peace Chapel/Aspen, Wesley Hospital Foundation.

Lyle was also featured in over 100 magazines including: Forbes, Farm Journal, Agri Marketing, Wall Street Journal, Preogressive Farmer, Mennonite Weekly Review, High Plains Journal, Business Week, Christian Science Monitor, Dow Digest, Flying Farmer, Capper’s Weekly, Farm & Country, Wichita Business Journal, and Implement and Tractor.

He had many hobbies and interests, and was an avid golfer. He played on golf courses around the world including St. Andrews. With his love for the sport, he was instrumental in developing the Hesston Golf Park.

Preceding him in death was his wife, Erma M. Yost, June 3, 2003, sister, Zella Yost King, February 13, 2012, companion, Edith Yoder, July 28, 2011, daughter, Necia Ann Jost, April 1941 and grandchild, Elizabeth Ann Yost, August 29, 2006.

Survivors include 3 sons, Byron and wife Beth Yost, Castle Rock, CO, Winston and wife Cheryl Yost, Larkspur, CO, and Cameron and wife Miriam Yost, Colorado Springs, CO; One daughter, Susan Yost and husband CW Crumm, Hesston, KS; grandchildren , Jon Yost, Boise, ID, Joseph Yost, Colorado Springs, CO, Jenna Yost Galvan, Colorado Springs, CO, Alicia Yost, Colorado Springs, CO, Teresa Yost, Colorado Springs, CO; Four great-grandchildren

Visitation will be Tuesday (April 10, 2012) from 1:00P.M to 9:00 P.M. at Broadway Colonial Funeral Home, Newton, Kansas. The family will greet from 5:00-8:00 P.M. with a Men’s Quartet performing at 7:00 P.M.

Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 P.M., Wednesday (April 11, 2012) at the Hesston Mennonite Church, Hesston, Kansas

Inurnment will be held at Eastlawn Cemetery, Zimmerdale, Kansas.

Memorial funds have been established with the Aspen Chapel and the Rocky Mountain Mennonite Camp, in care of the funeral home at 120 E. Broadway,