Lyons, Elaine Ellen

Elaine Ellen Lyons, 83, of Marion, Iowa, a former resident of Jacksonville Beach, Fla., died Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012, at St. Luke's Hospital, Cedar Rapids. Services: 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 20, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Marion, by the Rev. Gregory Williamson. The family will greet friends one hour before the service at the church on Monday. Burial: Oak Shade Cemetery, Marion. Arrangements by Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Marion.

Survivors include her children, Lynne (Mark) Truax of Marion, Bruce (Nancy) Smith of Marion and Joel (Sally) Smith of Troy Mills; six grandchildren, Jason (Jenny) Smith of Walker, Jarod (Jaclyn) Smith of Walford, Jacob Smith of New York City, Nicole (Dan) Studt of Marion, Megan (Bryan) Knatz of Marion and Michael Truax of Marion; nine great-grandchildren, Ian, Sidney, Leah, Brandon, Joshua, Jillian, Ashton, Jack and Nathan; one brother, Harlan; and one sister, Janet.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, Lowell Smith; and second husband, Fred Lyons.

Elaine was born July 19, 1928, in Waverly, Iowa, the daughter of Edward and Leota (Clausing) Platte. She was the original owner and operator of the Century House in Monticello.

Elaine was active in politics and was a delegate for the National Convention for Ronald Reagan, on the State Judicial Nominating Committee, a former chairman for both the Jones County Republican Women and the Jones County Republican Central Committee, and chairman for the Eastern Iowa Campaign for Governor Branstad's previous governorship. She was also a founding member of the Jacksonville Beach, Fla., Lutherans for Life. Elaine had a passion for sports and bridge.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family in Elaine's memory.

Please sign the online guest book for Elaine at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.

Published Feb. 17, 2012 in The Gazette