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Lyness, Lester Louis
Lester Louis Lyness, 72, of rural Ryan, died Friday, Nov. 30, 2012, following a lengthy illness at his residence near Ryan.
He was born Sept. 5, 1940, in Independence, Iowa, the son of Lloyd and Nellie (McGraw) Lyness. Lester was raised and educated in the Ryan area, graduating from Manchester High School in 1958. He served honorably in the United States Army from August 1963 until May 1965. On Dec. 4, 1982, Lester was united in marriage to Rae Ellen Ryan. Together they lived on the family farm near Ryan, where Lester farmed and also drove truck.
Lester was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church and the Ryan American Legion. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends. Lester never knew a stranger.
Survivors include his wife, Rae Ellen Lyness of Ryan; one son, Andy Lyness of Ryan; one daughter, Carmen (Luke) Gronewold of Cedar Rapids; one granddaughter, RaeLynn Gronewold; three siblings, Mary Jean (Ross) Davis of Cedar Rapids, Richard (Margaret) Lyness of Rio Vista, Texas, and Jerry (Patty) Lyness of Ryan; sister-in-law, Beth Lyness of Ryan; brothers-and-sisters-in-law, Bev and Mick Burke of Walker, Tom Ryan of Manchester, Sandy and Al Miller of Clarence, Linda and Tom Scherbring of Manchester and Jean and John Avis of Cedar Rapids; and many nieces and nephews.
Lester was preceded in death by his parents; and four siblings, twin brother Leslie Lyness, Lloyd Jr., Nadine Lyness and Maureen “Stormy” Hall.
Memorial Mass of Resurrection: 10:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 3, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Ryan, by the Rev. Richard Gaul. Visitation: 2 to 8 p.m. Sunday at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Ryan, with a 1:45 p.m. rosary, and also one hour before the service Monday at the church. Inurnment, with military rites: Calvary Cemetery, Ryan.
Instead of flowers, memorials may be directed to Hospice of Comfort.
Online condolences may be left with www.leonard-mullerfh.com
Leonard-Muller Funeral Home & Crematory of Manchester is assisting the family with arrangements.
Published Dec. 2, 2012 in The Gazette
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