Paul A. Lyga

Any man can be a father, but it takes someone special to be a Dad.” Anne Geddes

Our Dad, Paul Lyga of La Crosse, made the peaceful transition to eternal life on Sunday, February 16th 2025 in the presence of family members and with the support of the caring staff at Hillview Health Care Center, who cared for our Dad for the past five and a half years. Paul took the hand of his bride and our mother, Patricia, who had been patiently waiting for him since her unexpected passing almost three years ago. Also, welcoming Paul were all four of his siblings, Pat, Ellen, Kate and Mike, as well as his parents. Our Dad, Paul Lyga, was the last of his immediate family to make this journey. He was 93 years old. 

Paul was born to Dr. Paul and Katheryne Lyga on September 24, 1931 in La Crosse, WI. His father, Grandpa Doc was a dentist, and his mother, Grandma Doc, was a teacher. Dad attended Blessed Sacrament School, Aquinas High School, La Crosse State College for pre-dental studies and eventually Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois as he followed his dad and his Uncle George Lyga into dentistry. His schooling at State College was delayed by his enlistment in the Army in 1951, where he served three years, two of which were in Europe. He was honorably discharged in 1954, attaining the rank of corporal. He then completed his pre-dental studies in La Crosse, followed by his admission to the Northwestern School of Dentistry, where he received his Doctorate of Dentistry Degree in June of 1960. 

While in dental school, Paul and his life-long love, Patricia, became engaged. Dad had said that when he met her for the first time, he knew he was going to marry her. They exchanged vows in August of 1957 at Holy Trinity Church in La Crosse, which began an incredible 64-year marriage. His best man was his younger brother Michael, whose bride, and our Aunt Peg, has now assumed the mantle of Matriarch for our family. 

Paul was still in dental school, and his bride was a newly minted teacher, graduating from the same college as Paul did in La Crosse. After the wedding, Mom relocated to Evanston where she began teaching 5th grade while Dad completed his studies. They were blessed with their first son, Paul III (Tony), while in the Chicago area. Over the years, six more would join Tony. 

Upon graduation from dental school, Dr. Paul Lyga Jr, with wife and young son in tow, moved to Melrose, WI, to begin his dental practice, eventually relocating to La Crosse, WI to take over his father’s practice in the State Bank building downtown, when Grandpa Doc retired. 

Some things you may not know about Dad. He was a 135-pound, southpaw Golden Gloves boxer when he was a teenager. He rode an Indian motorcycle—which was more than a little edgy back then. His love for his wife and children was followed by his passion for the outdoors, duck hunting in the fall in his flatbottom boat on the Mississippi with his beloved dogs, then using that same boat in the spring and summer for fishing and occasionally pulling his kids around on water skis. 

Dad was the chairman of the La Crosse District Dental Society (an extremely proud moment for his father), a long-term member of the local chapter of Ducks Unlimited, a charter member of the River Rats (think of a Wisconsin version of the Rat Pack), and a stalwart competitor in area Field Trials, where he would compete his dogs in retrieving events. He was also a tenured usher at Blessed Sacrament Church and even found some time to compete in boats races at Pettibone with his brother. During his dental practice, his wife joined him as his office manager and patient liaison, the first face patients would see during their appointments. 

Dad’s love for Mom and the support he gave his children, along with so many personal sacrifices he made for us, were remarkable. Mom and Dad were an inseparable couple who provided countless experiences to, and led many adventures for, their children. Their love and caring for their family were deep. 

The way Dad humbly and selflessly led his life served as an example and a benchmark to which his children would aspire. He was one of those individuals who let his actions speak louder than his words. His greatest legacy, along with his bride, is the strong bond and the love that was nurtured by both of them and continues today between his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. 

Our Dad’s gift to this world are his seven children, Tony (Karen), Tom (Jessica), Jane Lyga Jones (Kenny), Sam (Michelle), Nancy Flottmeyer (Bob), Patty English (Mike), and Amy Lyga Moe (Steve), in addition to seventeen grandchildren and five great grandchildren. 

Dad’s funeral mass will be celebrated at Blessed Sacrament Church, 130 Losey Blvd South, La Crosse, WI at 11:00am on Monday, February 24th. Father Billy Dodge will officiate, followed by the burial, for immediate family members, in the Catholic Cemetery. Family and friends are welcome to a visitation that will be held in hallway adjacent to the main church (use the east entrance off Losey Blvd) from 9:00am until just prior to the funeral mass, which starts at 11:00am. Lunch will immediately follow the funeral and will be located in the Parish Hall. The family will join you after their visit to the gravesite. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials would be greatly appreciated in Paul’s name, made out to the Hillview Health Care Center in La Crosse. 

“I’ll be seeing you in all the old, familiar places…that this heart of mine embraces…I’ll find you in the morning sun and when the night is new. I’ll be looking at the moon, but I’ll be seeing you.” Sammy Fain & Irving Kahal, as sung by Tony Bennett