Lyle Sainsbury

Lyle “Papa” Sainsbury, Camp Crook, SD.
Funeral Service for Lyle Sainsbury of Camp Crook, SD was held at 11:00 am, Friday, November 7, 2025, at the Camp Crook Area Community Center, Camp Crook. Burial took place in the Fairview Cemetery, west of Camp Crook following the service.
Lyle passed away, Monday, November 3, 2025, at Belle Estates Assisted Living Center, Belle Fourche, SD.
Lyle O’Neil Sainsbury was born on July 1, 1946, in Reno, NV to Marjorie and Farris O’Neil Sainsbury. Following close behind was his brother Don, a year later. The Sainsbury’s moved around a lot because O’Neil was a salesman. They lived in various places including Great Falls, MT; Holbrook, AZ; Phoenix, AZ; and then settled in Las Vegs, NV. Don’s favorite memory of his broth is fishing with their dad at Horseshoe Dam outside of Phoenix. They would catch big bass, bring them home and cook them up for dinner. The family got a colored television when Lyle was 11 and he was able to watch cartoons and the Dodgers. His love of sports started early, playing baseball after school and football and wrestling in high school. Lyle spent much of his childhood and teenage years in Phoenix and his junior year was spent in Las Vegas, skipping his senior year to join the US Air Force. It was during this time that he met the love of his life, Sandra Bernice Baier. The couple were married on July 23, 1966, at Stewart Air Force Base in Newbury, NY. In 1969, they moved back to Camp Crook and raised their two daughters, Nancy and Michelle. After moving to Camp Crook, Lyle and Sandi purchased the Corner Bar and operated it off and on for 36 years. Lyle also worked for Koch Exploration, MDU, and later the Harding County School running the kitchen and a catering business with Nancy. “Papa”, as he was known to many Harding County kids, loved to cook for everyone, especially at the school. Nothing made him happier than getting to visit with students and staff while he was serving them lunch!
Throughout his years in Camp Crook, Lyle played on the Harding County/Carter County Softball team as well as the ‘Family’ Softball team, winning several tournaments throughout the years. He was also an avid bowler, spent a lot of time fishing with friends and family, and he loved to golf.
Beginning in 1989, Lyle and Sandi took over raising their oldest grandson, Forest, and would soon spend their time traveling to every sport event he was active in and be his biggest fans. He was a fan of the Steelers, the Dodgers, whatever team his grandkids were playing for or coaching for and above all the Harding County Ranchers. He was active in his community, serving on the Harding County Fair Board for over 25 years, was a lifetime member of the Camp Crook Roping Club, the Harding County Booster Club, was a Harding County Commissioner, an EMT and was instrumental in establishing the sewer system through Camp Crook. Lyle will be remembered for always having a positive outlook on life, giving the biggest hugs, looking forward to family gatherings, and never missing a chance to watch his loved ones compete in sports. He loved his family deeply and cherished being “Papa’.
Lyle is survived by his wife Sandi of 59 years; daughters Nancy (Wayne) Johnson, Michelle (BJ) Padden, both of Buffalo, SD; grandchildren, Forest (Lindsey) Sainsbury, Belle Fourche, SD; Devan (Darnell) Douglas, Dickinson, ND; Steven (Nicole) Koch, Albuquerque, NM; Clayton (Breann) Koch, Spearfish, SD; Brayden, Kamry & Kalla Padden, Buffalo, SD; greatgrandchildren, Sloan, Seger, Siena, Syler, Dylan & Dracen; brother, Don (Patti) Sainsbury, Belle Fourche, SD; siblings-in-law, Shirley Fusilier, Buchanan Dam, TX; Rita Baier, Spearfish, SD; Charlene (Ron) Rosencranz, Hammond, MT; Judy Reising, Batavia, OH; Mark (Jill) Baier, Spearfish, SD; & Kay Baier, Buffalo, SD.
Lyle was preceded in death by his parents, Marjorie and Farris O’Neil Sainsbury; father-in-law and mother-in-law Darrell (Lanky) and Carolyn (Sandy) Rayman.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the CCACC or Fairview Cemetery in Camp Crook.
Stevensons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.