Alan Lay Obituary

Alan spent his early life in rural McLean County, IL as the third of seven children in the Melvin and Louise Lay family. He proved himself as a child survivor many times, experiencing numerous broken bones and stitches.

His half-feral survivor tendencies would protect him until his body encountered invasive pancreatic adenocarcinoma from which there is virtually no escape. He made a call notifying his family of his condition and a week later he was gone.

Some would say Alan had a distressing sense of curiosity. As a child he was constantly curious as to why he was told "no" or not to do something, and then would proceed to discover consequences of doing the forbidden anyway. His lifelong curiosity led him to develop mechanical, electronic, and even engineering skills later in life. What some saw as barricades Alan perceived as opportunities.

The Lay family moved to El Paso, IL, where Alan started his formal education while finishing it in Cadott, WI living with his uncle Art and aunt Vesta Buetow, serving as their surrogate son on their dairy farm.

Alan's curiosity finally led him to become an independent entrepreneur when he started US Blade & Chain. His mechanical and engineer skills in addition to his self-designed marketing expertise made him and his business a common name in the heavy equipment and snow removal industry throughout the Upper Midwest.

Alan is survived by his life partner, Patsy Walters Sewald, who for 20 years was able to lovingly support and endure his curiosities and business strategies; and Alan's daughter, Julie Steiner (Brian) and three grandchildren Andrew, Colton and Kathryn, who reside in Minnesota. Also surviving are siblings, Jerry (Wanda) Lay, Linda (Jack) Pfister, Debra Lay (Georgia Russell), Dennis Lay, all from Illinois, and Sheila Lay (Vinny McGarry), Colorado. There are also numerous Lay and West cousins surviving.

Alan was preceded in death by his parents, Paul Melvin Lay and Louise M. Lay; and younger brother, Dirk Lay.

A celebration of life will be held from 10 a.m. until 12 noon on Saturday, March 29 at Stokes, Prock & Mundt Funeral Chapel, 535 S. Hillcrest Parkway, Altoona. A eulogy will start at 11 a.m.

Cremation Society of Wisconsin, Altoona is assisting the family. Online condolences may be shared at cremationsociety-wi.com.