KARL A. DYRE
January 16, 1932 – April 29, 2011

Karl A. Dyre, age 79 a long time resident of Park Rapids, MN and long time owner/operator of the Evergreen Lodge Resort on Big Sand Lake passed away unexpectedly while working at the resort on Friday. April 29, 2011.
Karl was born on January 16, 1932 in Greenwood, Wisconsin to Oscar and Nelda (Hoehne) Dyre. His family moved to Detroit Lakes, MN in the 1940’s where Karl graduated from the Detroit Lakes Public High School with the Class of 1950. He attended the Moorhead State Teacher’s College where he earned his bachelors of science degree in December of 1954. Karl was united in marriage to Karen “Kay” Kludt in Detroit Lakes on December 28, 1954. This union was blessed with two sons: Daniel and Jon. On January 16, 1955, Karl entered the United States Army where he proudly served his country until his honorable discharge in December of 1956. Karl accepted a teaching position with the Park Rapids Public High School in September of 1957. For 26 years, he taught social studies and history and also coached men’s track, leading the team to it’s first state tournament in 1958. In the fall of 1957, Karl also purchased the Evergreen Lodge Resort where he dedicated himself to continually building up and improving the resort over the next 54 years of his life. In fact at the time of his death, Karl and son, Dan were in the process of planting 1000 more trees on the resort property and remodeling one of his cabins. Karl was also active in his community. He was involved with local resort associations and the Park Rapids Chamber of Commerce where he had served as chairman of the tourism division several times. Karl also served as a Lake Emma Township Supervisor for many years and still served as mediator for the annual township meeting. As a member of the Park Rapids Rotary, Karl had served as President and often brought in programs focusing on tourism and resorting. Karl had been honored by Rotary by being named a prestigious Paul Harris Fellow. In 1974, Karl earned his private pilots license and owned several planes in partnership with other individuals including his son, Dan in his passion for flying. Karl took early retirement from his teaching career in 1983. He was a long time member of the Calvary Lutheran Church in Park Rapids.
Karl will be lovingly remembered by his wife for the past 56 years, Karen J.”Kay” Dyre; his two sons: Daniel Dyre of Park Rapids and Jon (Mary) Dyre of Billings, MT; three precious grandchildren: Lillian, Emma and George Dyre; his brother, Keith (Peg) Dyre of Bella Vista, Arkansas as well as other relatives and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents: Oscar and Nelda Dyre.
Funeral services will be held 1:30 PM Thursday, May 5, 2011 at the Calvary Lutheran Church in Park Rapids with the Reverend Steven Norby officiating. The organist will be Roz Pederson and the vocalists, Bill and Jan Lundsten. The casket bearers will be friends: Bob Schissel, Jim Weinzierl, Carl Nippert, Jim Nippert, Lee Zaczkowski and Jon Schupp. The honorary casket bearers will be Karl’s grandchildren: Lillian Dyre, Emma Dyre and George Dyre. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 PM Wednesday, May 4, 2011 at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids and for one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday. Military honors will be provided by the Star of the North Marine Corps League of Park Rapids. A luncheon will be hosted by the Calvary Lutheran Church for all to attend following the funeral service. Memorials are preferred to the St. Joseph’s Hospital in Park Rapids or the Park Rapids Rotary.