Kenneth E. Lyon

Sioux City, IA – Kenneth E. “Ken” Lyon, 93, died Friday, June 21, 2024, at Holy Spirit Retirement Community in Sioux City, IA.

A visitation will be 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm Thursday, June 27, 2024, at Christy-Smith Funeral Homes, Larkin Chapel, 2320 Outer Drive North.

Kenneth Eugene Lyon, the son of Fay and Irene (Carrabine) Lyon was born July 10, 1930, in Sioux City, IA. He graduated from Trinity High School in 1948 and later in life, Sioux Empire College.

On May 19, 1952, Ken was united in marriage with Marilynn Pierce at Dow Air Force Base, Bangor, ME, while on active duty with 174th Iowa Air National Guard. He was a member of the 185th Air National Guard for 39 years and was an Air Technician for 33 years. Ken was on active duty during both the Korean and Vietnam wars.

Ken enjoyed hunting ducks, boating, and fishing on the Missouri River for 77 years. This included a 1000-mile boat trip down the Missouri and then up the Mississippi River in 1965. He enjoyed time at the trailer on the river and sharing After Action reports with other duck hunters after downing a few at the Sportmen’s Steakhouse. Ken also loved to fly and had a private pilot’s license.

Ken was a member of the NRA and an instructor for rifle, pistol, and shotgun. He was also a Hunter Safety Instructor. Ken was a member of the American Legion Post 662 in Sergeant Bluff, IA and the Iowa Gun Owners Association. Ken was even a 10-gallon blood donor. 

Ken is survived by a daughter, Dianne (Bill) Sports of Sioux Falls, SD; sons, Mark (Nicky) Lyon of Spink, SD and Patrick “Pat” (Tina Renken) Lyon of Sioux City; grandchildren, Tessa (Kelly) Shank, Dave (Mindi) McFarlane, Mary (Bryan) Fox, Bryan (Cathy) Shoultz; hunting partner, Joe Lyon; 8 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Mary Lyon of Ocala, FL. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Msgr. Gerald Lyon.

The family would like to thank Holy Spirit Retirement Community and St. Croix Hospice for all of their wonderful help.