Funeral services for Dorothy E. Lyon, age 97, of Rapid City, SD, formerly of Meadow, SD will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, October 17, 2011 at the First Presbyterian Church in Bison, SD. Pastor Florence Hoff will officiate with burial at the Greenhill Cemetery in Lemmon, SD.


Special music will be provided by Joyce Aukland, pianist and the "First Presbyterian Church Choir".


Serving as active casketbearers are David Lyon, Cherrie Dyck, Ron Lyon, Don Lyon, Stephanie Baker, Tiffany Stanton, Robin Dyck and Rex Lyon. All of Dorothy's friends are honorary casketbearers.


Dorothy Evelyn Murphy was born March 15, 1914 to Richard & Selma (Petersen) Murphy in Lemmon, ND. She was the oldest of 4 children. She was raised in the Cash community and attended school at the sod school building near Cash, SD. She went to Bison, SD for high school where she stayed with a family and did housekeeping for her room and board. She graduated from Bison High School in 1932. After graduation, Dorothy worked for a local family who lived near Coal Springs, caring for their children and keeping the home.


Dorothy was united in marriage to Darrell Lyon on Dec. 31, 1935 in Bison. To this union in 1937, they were blessed with a son, Eugene. Dorothy and Darrell lived on the ranch in Perkins County for their entire 69 ½ years of marriage. Dorothy continued to live on the ranch after Darrell's death in 2005, until health reasons in 2007, when she moved closer to her family in Rapid City. Her home at the Victorian Assisted Living Center in Rapid City was definitely "home" to her. She was loved and cared for by the wonderful staff at the facility and will be missed by all especially when it's Bingo time, as she was known as their "Bingo Queen".


Dorothy was always very active in her community with the American Cancer Society where she was an officer on the local level for years. She was a great supporter of the Horse-A-Thon and the Relay for Life. Dorothy's church was a very important part of her life & she was active in the ladies circle for many years. She and Darrell helped to construct the Presbyterian Church in Meadow, SD along with numerous other families in the area in the early 1950"s. At the Perkins County 4-H Fair, one could always find Dorothy registering and judging entries.


Family was the most important part of Dorothy's life. Whether it was making fried chicken for the grandchildren visits, or sewing a wedding dress for her only granddaughter or attending the weddings in the families, or just enjoying their visits--each knew how important they were in Dorothy's life. Her hobbies included crocheting, reading, and playing bingo. She was loved by all and will be missed- but we know that she is a beautiful angel in heaven.


Gene & Bonita had the honor of sharing the journey to eternal life with Dorothy as she passed on to be with her Savior, Jesus Christ, last Monday, October 10, 2011.


Grateful for having shared in her life are her son and daughter-in-law, Eugene and Bonita Lyon, Rapid City, SD; four grandchildren, David (Debbie) Lyon, Hudson, SD, Cherrie (John) Dyck, Piedmont, SD, Ron (Kristi) Lyon, Piedmont, SD and Don (Ann) Lyon, Whitewood, SD; eight great-grandchildren; one great-great grandson; two step great-grandchildren; five step great-great grandchildren; one niece, Kathie Duxbury, Rapid City, SD; and two nephews, Willaim (Peggy) Hickam, Placerville, CA and Doug (Leslie) Parker, in Colorado.


Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Darrell Lyon; two brothers; one sister; and one daughter-in-law, Carla Mae.

Visitation with the family present will be on Sunday, October 16, 2011 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Evanson-Jensen Funeral Home in Lemmon and one hour prior to the services at the church on Monday.


A memorial has been established.