Funeral Services will be 10:30 AM, Monday, March 24, 2014, at the United Methodist Church in Manning where friends may call from 3 PM to 6 PM on Sunday, March 23, 2014. Interment will be at a later date. Pastor Angie Loomis will officiate the service. Janet Myer will be the organist and Ken Maynard will sing "How Great Thou Art." The Congregational Hymn is "Hymn of Promise."

Lyle Raymond, son of Melvin and Luella (Moderow) Gross, was born February 23, 1932, in Durbin, North Dakota. He graduated from Casselton High School in 1949 and served in the Air National Guard from 1951 to 1954.

On June 9, 1957, Lyle was united in marriage with Harriett Brown at Sac City, Iowa. Three children were born to this union. Lyle and Harriett made their home on the Adams Ranch near Odebolt from 1957 to 1962, where Lyle worked as a beef cattle herdsman. In 1962, they moved to Lewisburg, West Virginia, where Lyle worked as a herdsman for Morlunda Farms. In 1964, they moved to Manning, Iowa, to work for Wiese and Sons Herefords. Lyle has groomed and shown many Hereford champions in cattle shows all over the United States and won many awards, including Herdsman Medal of Honor at the International Livestock Show in Chicago in 1963, Top Beef Herdsman at the Iowa State Fair in 1968 and Hereford Herdsman of the Year at the National Western Livestock Show in Denver in 1977. He retired in 1997, but continued many jobs. Lyle managed three apartment complexes, did lawn work and snow removal, and helped out at Independent Repair.

Lyle was an active member of the United Methodist Church where he served as a certified lay speaker, mentored with Kid's Hope, was a district representative for Heifer Project International and was the first recipient of the Good Steward Award. He also volunteered his time as a Board member for Habitat for Humanity, the Manning Housing Corporation, and Farm Bureau. He served as President of the Lion's Club and was a leader for 4-H and Cub Scouts.

In his "spare" time, Lyle enjoyed bicycling, reading, being a handyman, and doing woodworking with barn boards. Lyle and Harriet enjoyed traveling to visit family in Texas, taking bus trips and playing cards.

Lyle is survived by his wife Harriett Gross of Manning; a daughter Lori and husband Ken Maynard of Waterloo; two sons: Randy Gross and wife Pam of Baytown, Texas; Kyle Gross of Olney, Texas; three grandchildren: Michael Gross; Jennifer and husband Darian Peacemaker; and Joey Gross and wife Tina; two great-granddaughters: Hailey and Alyssa Peacemaker; three sisters: Donna Perhus of Sulphur, Oklahoma; Carol Nye of Sulphur, Oklahoma; and Bonnie Portwood of Apple Valley, Minnesota; a brother Bob Gross and wife Susan of Fargo, North Dakota; a sister-in-law Nancy Gross of Superior, Wisconsin; a brother-in-law Richard Brown of Sac City; and by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother Kenneth Gross; and three brothers-in-law: Cleon Nye, Larry Portwood and Ernie Perhus.

The Johnson and Woodhouse Funeral Home in Manning was in charge of the arrangements.