John grew up in East Grand Forks, Minnesota. He was part of the 1968 graduating class at East Grand Folks High School. Linda was raised in Fargo and Minot, North Dakota. She graduated in the top 5% of her class at Minot High School in 1968. Both went on to attend the University of North Dakota where they met and later married in 1972.

They graduated college in 1974 and moved to La Crosse for John’s First Bank training program. John and Linda started to grow their family in 1978 with the birth of their first son, Eric. Their second son, Adam, was born in 1980, and then they had their daughter, Jill, in 1982.

In 1991, Linda graduated from UW-La Crosse with a Masters of School Psychology degree. She spent several years working in schools as a teacher and school psychologist. Over the years, John held a variety of leadership positions within various companies. Currently John and Linda are pursuing their own personal business endeavors in the Coulee Region

Together, John and Linda have been very active members in their community. Besides the Boys and Girls Club, they have also contributed and volunteered with many other local nonprofits. Through their years of service, John and Linda have been recognized for their commitment to their community receiving the Red Kettle Award (Salvation Army), Outstanding Philanthropists Award from AFP, Riverfest Commodore and First Mate, Iverson Freking Ecumenical Recognition Award, Saint John XXIII Award, Pathfinders Award, Ted Griffin Award, and Living United Award, just to name a few.

As a family, the Lyches are always there for each other and together, they give back to their community. They have been blessed with the ability to travel the world together creating lasting memories. In addition to their children and their spouses, they have nine grandchildren whom they adore. 

The Boys and Girls Club is grateful for all the time and efforts John and Linda have contributed to the Club. They have truly helped make our community a better place to live and have positively impacted the lives of thousands of youth in our community.