G.L. Lyle Furniture and Undertaking, successor of the earliest business of its kind in Rice Lake and northwestern Wisconsin, was in operation between 1911 and 1952. G.L. Lyle purchased the C.E. Holtz Furniture and Undertaking firm in 1911, after completing an embalmers course in Milwaukee. Lyle sold fine quality furniture and wallpaper in addition to operating the undertaking business, but the records indicate that the latter business was far more lucrative. Mrs. Lyle and a male helper assisted with the furniture store, while Lyle traveled throughout the area to perform funerals. In 1952 the Lyles sold the store, undertaking business, and the property.
Lyle was born December 18, 1876, on a farm in Glendale township, Monroe County. He and Edith Treleven of Omro, Wisconsin, were married June 12, 1912. The couple had no children. After ten years of retirement, Lyle died December 28, 1963, at the age of 87, and his wife died at 93 on September 3, 1965.
