LYON, Helen V. (1923-2008)
LYON
Posted By: Von Mings Stachon (email)
Date: 8/19/2010 at 17:35:16
January 15, 2009, Traer Star-Clipper
TRAER - Helen V. Lyon, 85, died Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2008 at Sunrise Hill Care Center in Traer from an extended illness. Friends may call after 10 a.m. on Saturday, Jan 17, 2009 at the Christ United Methodist Church Worship Center in Toledo, IA. A family directed memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. with burial at a later date in Crystal Cemetery, rural Toledo.
Helen Virginia McElroy Lyon was born Feb. 13, 1923, in Ottumwa, Iowa, daughter of Robert Owen and Adda Catherine Cain McElroy. With her sisters, Jean Elizabeth and Mary Catherine, she grew up in rural Ottumwa.
Helen boarded in town in order to attend Ottumwa High School, graduating in 1941 and being the only girl ever elected to a student government position. She attended Iowa State University for one year and remained a loyal Cyclone. She is remembered on the Plaza of Heroines at Catt Hall, ISU.
On Aug. 10, 1943, she married Russell "Bud" Lyon at Lake Forest, IL. Bud was in the Navy, and they moved to various locations with his assignments. When Bud's Navy duty was over, they moved to rural toledo/Traer where they farmed.
Helen and Bud have four children, Linda (Mark) Podhajsky, Waverly, Virginia Koon, Ames, Robert (Kathy), Ames, and Larry (Karen) of Franklin, Wisc. They have nine grandchildren: Matthew (Jen) Podhajsky of Palmyra, PA, Tricia Podhajsky of Waverly, Jeff (Annemarie) Koon of Livonia, Mich, Courtney Abbott of Grimes, Susannah (Anthony) Hartman of McKinney, TX, Robert Lyon of Ames, Jennifer Lyon of Denver, CO, Jessica Lyon and Justin Lyon of Kenosha, Wisc. There are seven great-grandchildren.
Helen was active in 4-H, dairy promotion, Iowa Dairy Council, Iowa Jersey Cattle Club, Order of the Eastern Star and Rainbow for Girls, Sweet Adelines, Red Cross, First Presbyterian and First Methodist churches, Iowa Valley Community College Board of Trustees, receiving many awards for recognitions for her work.
Tama Obituaries maintained by Constance McDaniel Hall.
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