For nearly 30 years, Top Hat Lanes in Milbank has been owned by a Hoeke. That isn’t about to change anytime soon.
Lyle and Laurie Hoeke are selling Top Hat Lanes to Lyle’s brother, Scott, along with Dan Sorenson and Darwin and Christine Knaus.
Lyle and Laurie purchased the bowling alley in 1987 from the Spors Brothers. Over the course of their time, they have upgraded the alley to have underground ball returns, automatic scoring, replaced the roof and added new carpeting as well as a small casino.
Lyle and Laurie will begin a new adventure in their lives as they depart from Milbank and move to Belle Vista, Arkansas, within the next week.
Laurie also retired from her position at United Hardware after over 34 years.
“We will miss our friends, family, the kids and the community, but are excited to start a new phase of our life,” expressed Lyle. “My dad, Cliff, died when he was 61 years old. I’m nearing that time in my life and want to explore and do some other things while we still can. It will be an adventure.”
Belle Vista is a 55 and older retirement community located in the Springfield Plateau of the Ozark Mountains. Lyle describes the city as just 4-5 miles wide and 14 miles long. The couple will reside near the center of the city with Laurie’s brother and sister-in-law on one end and her sister and brother-in-law on the other end. “With our kids grown and away from Milbank, we really don’t have anything keeping us here anymore,” said Laurie. “We are looking forward to the adventure.”
Lyle and Laurie are avid sports fans and look forward to enjoying the Arkansas Razorbacks with their wide variety of athletic activities. They will most enjoy baseball, track and fast-pitch softball. The couple will continue to spend time with their children, Matt, Brendon, Erin and Taylor. Matt and wife, Amanda, and Brendon and wife, Emma, all live in Omaha while Erin and husband, Tom, and Taylor all reside in Sioux Falls. “When we aren’t visiting the kids, there will always be something else to do. There are so many events and activities in our area as well as lakes, the mountains and sporting events. I think we will buy kayaks. We will continue to bowl and golf. We are just really excited and ready for a new adventure.”
Staff Writer
