Shirley Lyons

SHIRLEY SUSAN (EIKE) LYONS

Manchester

Shirley Susan (Eike) Lyons, 62, of Manchester, passed away Sunday, July 16, 2017, at St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids after a courageous battle with cancer. Visitation: 2 to 7 p.m. Friday, July 21, at St. Mary Catholic Church, Manchester, with a Scripture service beginning at 2 p.m. Funeral Mass: 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 22, at the church with visitation one hour before Mass with the Rev. John Kramer officiating. Burial: St. Mary Catholic Cemetery, Manchester.

Shirley was born June 1, 1955, the daughter of LaVerne and Agnes (Egloff) Eike, in Manchester, Iowa. When she was little, she spent many days with her cousins. They were together many Sundays. She attended St. Mary's School through eighth grade, graduating from West Delaware High School in 1974. On Sept. 10, 1977, Shirley married the love of her life, Dennis Lyons, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Manchester. The greatest joy of her life was when they adopted their son, Caleb, in 1998. She loved watching him grow and become an outstanding young man. Shirley lived all but two years of her life in the same home.

In the 1980s, she loved being with friends and attended many fun weddings of family and friends. She started working at the Delaware County Conservation in 1988. She loved working there until her retirement in November 2016. In the 1990s, they started country dancing and made many new friends. Shirley and Dennis enjoyed parading antique tractors all over northeast Iowa, along with her parents.

They purchased a 1967 Chevy Camaro in 2005, attending many car shows, meeting many more wonderful people. They also purchased a camper and met even more wonderful people. Shirley loved taking pictures to record her memories over the years. Shirley and Dennis were avid Hawkeye fans, having season tickets to Iowa football. Shirley was active in many community events. She was a 4-H leader and decorated the booth for the Prairie livestock. One of her proudest moments was when Caleb and Blake Deutmeyer's educational presentation went to the State Fair and received the highest honor. She helped organize the KC Banquet and also taught organ lessons for many years.

During the last year, when she felt well, Shirley colored many pictures in adult coloring books friends brought for her. Her last few months, she loved watching the birds at the feeders and the bird bath outside their living room window.

Shirley loved attending the graduations and weddings of their many nieces and nephews. She was the godmother of Jody Lahr, Carly Steere and Tucker Lyons.

Shirley is survived by her husband, Dennis; son, Caleb; mother-in-law, Mildred Lyons; brothers and sisters-in-law, Diane (Larry) Geisler, Maria (Rusty) Hanson, Gloria (Len) Swestka, Stanly Lyons, Nancy (Gary) Sacquitne, Scott Lyons, Becky (Clarence) Winkler, Doug (Lynette) Lyons, David (Nancy) Lyons and Brian (Val) Lyons; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, LaVerne and Agnes Eike; and father-in-law, Lester Lyons.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society or the Delaware County Loan Closet.

Please share a memory of Shirley at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.