Ann Marie Huemann-Lyle

Ann Marie Huemann-Lyle, 70, of Austin, Minnesota, passed away Friday, August 16, 2024, at Mayo Clinic Health System Austin. Ann was born to Larry and Margaret (Faas) Huemann on April 16, 1954, in Osage, Iowa. She attended Visitation School in Stacyville, Iowa and graduated from St. Ansgar High School in St. Ansgar, Iowa in 1972. Ann Marie continued her education at Loras College and graduated in 1975, having studied German and receiving her teaching certification. Her career in education included teaching positions at Kuemper High School in Carroll, Iowa and her hometown of Stacyville, Iowa, including her youngest siblings, Paul and Paula, as her students. Ann Marie also served as principal at St. Joseph Sinsinawa School in Hazel Green, Wisconsin. She later returned to Loras College to complete her master's degree in Community Counseling. Her career shifted to work as a psychotherapist with most of her years at Mayo Clinic Health System: Austin, Minnesota from which she retired.

Ann Marie loved traveling, all things German and meeting new people. This was perhaps shaped by her experience as a foreign exchange student to Germany while in high school. She later returned to study in Vienna, Austria and enjoyed exploring many countries in Europe. She was an educator at heart and a lifelong learner. She delighted in returning school papers she had kept to former students after many years and was a supporter of libraries. Ann enjoyed the unusual hobby of reading newspapers from places across the globe and would ask friends traveling to bring her a newspaper. Ironically, obituaries were of special interest to Ann Marie, and she would comment about life stories and what interesting details were included in the obituary for a person she may or may not have personally known, as well as speculating on whether the author was the subject.

Her love of traveling led her to meet the love of her life, Vernal Lyle, while on a trip to Jamaica with a friend. Subsequently, Ann Marie and Vernal were married Dec. 30, 1989, at St. Ann’s, Ocho Rios, Jamaica after traveling with a suitcase loaded with cans of SPAM as requested by the priest who performed the ceremony. They returned to visit friends and family in Jamaica over the years. Ann Marie and Vernal enjoyed visiting casinos and cheering for their Minnesota Twins. In her last week, she and Vernal were able to be together - watching a Twins game together one last time in the hospital.

Ann Marie is survived by her husband of 34 years, Vernal Lyle of Austin, Minnesota; siblings, Deb Miller of Waterloo, Iowa, Mark (Deanna) Huemann of Stacyville, Iowa, Gloria Evanoff of Mason City, Iowa, Sandra (Michael) Kelly of Vinton, Iowa, Mike (Darlene) Huemann of Osage, Iowa, Paul (Kym) Huemann of Mexico, Missouri and Paula (Scott) Thome of Waterloo, Iowa; and aunt, Marlene Mauer of Waverly, Iowa. In addition, stepdaughter Jacinth Gordon of Austin, Minnesota; and stepsons, Marshal Wilmot of Florida and Nigel McCarthy of Jamaica. Also surviving step-grandchildren, Sebastian (Lauren) Williams of Blooming Prairie, Minnesota, Trishana Gordon and Aidan Gordon also of Austin, Minnesota along with two step-great-grandchildren. Ann Marie leaves many friends and family near and far, foremost among them the extended Tom and Mary Schwartz family of Dubuque and Waterloo, Iowa.

Ann Marie was preceded in death by her parents, Larry and Margaret Huemann; brothers-in-law, Larry Miller and Tom Evanoff; stepson, Jason Fullerton; and her dear friend, Ron Riniker.

A Celebration of Life gathering will take place from 1:00-4:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 20, 2024, at Izaak Walton Cabin (located in Todd Park), 2198 14th St. NE., Austin, MN 55912.

Memorials for Ann Marie may be directed to the Stacyville Public Library (106 No. Broad Street, Stacyville, IA 50476) or the Alzheimer's Association (alz.org). 

Worlein-Hoff Funeral Homes are assisting the family with arrangements.