Lyle Lamers, founder of Green Bay, Wis.-based Lamers Bus Lines, which provides student and charter transportation in Wisconsin and Florida, died Dec. 30 of natural-born causes at his home. He was 97.
Lamers founded the company in September 1944 with his first wife Ellen, who passed away in 1972. As a family-operated and owned business, Lamers Bus Lines’ first school district client became the Grant School District, which turned into West De Pere School District in 1948. In 1980, the company expanded its services to transport charters anywhere in the Continental United States.
Today, Lamers Bus Lines serves 33 school districts in Wisconsin. Its services are offered in 29 locations throughout Wisconsin, and one location in Florida, according to the company’s website.
When Lamers first started his business, he used a 1936 red, white and blue Carry-All bus. Aside from being the founder, he drove the school bus until age 72. He also was a member of the Wisconsin School Bus Association for many years, and served with the Lawrence Fire Department for 33 years.
Lamers remarried in 1973 and had four children. In recent years, his two sons, Allen and Kevin, and their children had taken over the company’s operations in order to allow Lamers to enjoy his hobbies and participate in community service programs.
He is survived by his second wife, Helen, his four children, four stepchildren, 25 grandchildren, 39 great-grandchildren and three great great grandchildren, along with seven siblings. Visitation was scheduled for Jan. 4 at 9 a.m. local time at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Family in De Pere. The family requested donations be made to the Lamers Memorial Fund, which benefits local charities and schools.
