Lyle Raffety, 91

Longtime Coeur d’Alene resident Lyle Raffety passed away April 19 in Liberty Lake. He lived one month longer than his wife, Mary Raffety, who passed away March 19. Together, they were quite a pair.

Lyle was born near Miles City, Mont., in 1934. His mother, Rachel, a widow with three children, married Lyle's father, Eldon, in 1932. They had six more children together. The family moved from Montana to the Lewiston/Clarkston valley when Lyle was small, and many days of his youth were spent exploring the Snake River and foothills around Asotin. 

At the age of 16, in 1951, Lyle enlisted in the United States Air Force, thanks to a little creative help from his mother and a local priest regarding his birth year. Although this was during the Korean War, Lyle was not sent overseas. Instead, he was stationed in Salina, Kan., where he performed engine and mechanical work on B-29 bombers, work that likely contributed to hearing problems later in life.

After completing his Air Force service in 1955, Lyle embarked on an unconventional career path for the time. As family legend has it, he walked past a hair salon and was captivated by the idea of creating stylish hair designs for women. Whether it was the women or the hairstyles that caught his interest remains unclear. Regardless, he used the GI Bill to attend cosmetology school.

Following moderate success in the hair business and after two earlier marriages, Lyle met and married Mary Raffety in 1966. Their partnership lasted over 60 years. Together, they raised two children, enjoyed an active social life and built a thriving business. Lyle’s Salon and School of Hair Design operated in Coeur d’Alene for many years, combining Mary’s business acumen with Lyle’s creativity, talent and engaging personality.

Lyle had a lifelong love of the outdoors, embracing activities in every season — including kayaking, canoeing, camping, skiing, ice skating and hiking. He was an avid fisherman, spending countless days with family on area lakes and rivers in pursuit of kokanee and rainbow trout. 

A natural athlete, he combined swimming, cycling and distance running, competing successfully in biathlons, triathlons and a variety of single-sport endurance events throughout the region. His impressive collection of medals and awards reflected both his dedication and athleticism. A strong swimmer from his early days on the Snake River, a passion that lasted a lifetime, Lyle later became a longtime member of the Sanders Beach Swim Team.

Lyle is survived by his two children from his marriage to Mary, Julie Gehlen and Michael Raffety; three stepchildren: Pete Dunlop (Laura Renner), Nancy Fairweather (Jim) and Elizabeth Dunlop (Ryan Thompson); and five grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary, as well as his parents and eight siblings.

No funeral services are planned, though a celebration of life may be held this summer. Donations in Lyle’s memory may be made to the Kootenai Humane Society or the Spokane Symphony.