Honorary Trustee Audrey Lyke passes away at age 87

Ripon College Honorary Life Trustee Audrey Lyke passed away Wednesday, August 23, at the age of 87.

Audrey and her late husband, Doug, owned and operated the Ripon Commonwealth Press and founded Ripon Printers, which is now one of the largest printing and graphic services companies in North America. Throughout their life, they were actively engaged and generous contributors to the growth and development of the Ripon community, and loyal supporters of Ripon College.

Audrey served as a Trustee of the College from 1988 to 2007, and became an Honorary Life Trustee in 2008. She was a strong supporter of Ripon College, giving generously to the Annual Fund, endowment, Friends of Lane Library, and Ripon College Athletics. The new indoor track in the Willmore Center will be named the Doug and Audrey Lyke Memorial Track in honor of her and her late husband.

President Paul Ranslow stands with 2001 Honorary Degree Recipients Audrey Lyke and Doug Lyke at Fall Matriculation Convocation

In 2001, Doug and Audrey were recognized with an honorary degree for their unwavering and generous commitment to Ripon College. “Audrey and Doug Lyke are real treasures for the city of Ripon and for Ripon College,” said Former Ripon College President Paul Ranslow as he presented the degrees. “They take their responsibilities and commitments seriously while avoiding taking themselves too seriously.”

In 1994, the couple received the College’s Founders’ Day Award, which is presented annually to an individual, couple, group or organization in the greater Ripon community who exemplifies the ideals of the founders of Ripon College. Receiving the award for the couple, Doug told the crowd, “This is such a surprise. We talk about the College often and agree that it is a very special place. Our support of the College is number one with us.”

Audrey was a pillar of the Ripon community for many years and founded the annual Dickens of a Christmas event held each December. Today, Ripon College welcomes prospective students and their parents to this special event as a way of introducing them to the College and the local community.

Visitation for Audrey will be held Friday, Aug. 25, from 4 – 7 p.m. at Butzin-Marchant Funeral Home, 515 Mayparty Dr., Ripon, WI 54971 and also on Saturday, Aug. 26, at the First Congregational Church of Ripon, 220 Ransom St., Ripon, WI 54971, from 1 p.m. until the service at 2 p.m.

Please visit www.butzinmarchant.com to send personal online condolences.