Lyle R. Kackman

Lyle R. Kackman died at his home on Jan. 12, 2017.

Lyle was born at home in Lidgerwood, North Dakota on June 5, 1934 to Pearl and Raymond Kackman. He graduated from Wahpeton High School in Wahpeton, North Dakota in 1952. He served his country in the US Army from 1953-1955 in the 51st Armored Infantry Battalion. On the GI Bill, he graduated from North Dakota State School of Science with a printing degree. His first job was in Williston, North Dakota where he met his future bride, Darlene. They married on Nov. 2, 1957. In 1958, the couple ventured to Alaska for a job at the Anchorage Daily News.

They settled in Anchorage, where they built a house and started a family. In true Alaska style, they once traded a dog for 160 acres of land in Willow and homesteaded for a year. In 1976 they picked up the family and moved to Palmer, Alaska, where Lyle built another house. Lyle was a printer, a truck driver, a state fair laborer, and worked at Matanuska Maid in Palmer.

He was most famous for being the “chicken man.” He turned his passion for birds into a thriving business called Kackman’s Hatchery. Seen in his yard, besides his grandchildren, were chickens, ducks, peacocks, guinea hens, pheasants, and geese--but no ostrich; Darlene drew a line. He shared his love of poultry with the community by judging at local 4-H events and the fair, educating youth in the classroom, and providing hatching chicks at Easter Sunrise Service each year.

Lyle is survived by his children: Vanessa Blouch (Roger), Leithi Dreyer (Tim), Kip Kackman (Wan), and Kevin Kackman (Erica); eight grandchildren: Aubry, Brittany, Kenden, Ryan, Cole, Rylee, Alex, and Lisa; two great-grandchildren; and two sisters: Renee Hollins and Carol Ehrens.

Lyle was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, and four beloved children: Kyle, Leitha, Kendell and an infant daughter. Funeral services will be held January 20, 2017 at 11 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran church in Palmer with a reception held after the service.