Arla Lyon, age 92, of Decorah, Iowa, died on Saturday, April 20, 2013, at the Winneshiek Medical Center in Decorah, Iowa.
Funeral services were April 23, 2013, at the Washington Prairie Lutheran Church, 1725 Washington Prairie Road, Decorah, with Rev. Mark Kvale presiding. Burial was in the church cemetery.
The family suggests memorials to the Washington Prairie Lutheran Church Cemetery, 1725 Washington Prairie Road, Decorah, IA 52101.
Arla Jeanette (Erickson) Lyon, daughter of Ingebret and Christine (Knapstad) Erickson, was born September 20, 1920, in Winneshiek County, Iowa. She was baptized on October 31, 1920, and confirmed on June 3, 1934, at the Washington Prairie Lutheran Church. She attended Frankville rural school where her older sister, Dorothy (Erickson) Hagen, was her teacher. She graduated from Decorah High School in 1938. Arla worked in Decorah and met Earl Lyon in the café of the Springer Hotel. She was united in marriage to Earl Allen Lyon on July 25, 1942 in Washington, D.C. The couple moved numerous times to communities in eastern Iowa, settling in the Decorah area in 1958, where they lived until their deaths. Arla enjoyed rosemaling, hardenger, knitting, making Norwegian wedding cakes, krumkaka, rosettes and lefse. As a member of the Washington Prairie Lutheran Church; she was an active circle member and officer of the ladies organizations.
Arla is survived by her three children: SHERRY (LYON) OAKLAND ’65 (Chaplain James), Lennox, S.D.; Roberta (LYON) Murray ‘86, Decorah, Iowa; and Edward (Becky) Lyon, Decorah, Iowa. Ten grandchildren: Carren (Brian) Hanson, Sioux Falls, S.D., Hons (Melody) Oakland, Sioux Falls, S.D., Jared (fiancé Rebekah) Oakland, Wessington Springs, S.D., JoyAnna Oakland, Baytown, Tex., Michael Murray, Decorah, Iowa, Becky Quam, Decorah, Iowa, Timothy (Molly) Murray, Cedar Falls, Iowa, Robert Murray ’03 (Courtney), Plymouth, Minn., Toby (fiancé Jennifer) Emery, Thermopolis, Wyo., and Jesse (Megan) Lyon, Decorah, Iowa. Great grandchildren: Emily Hanson, Sioux Falls, S.D., Jaela Pearson and Timothy Martin, Baytown, Tex., George and Ella Roberts-Oakland, Sioux Falls, S.D., Hudson, Kendal and Olivia Quam, Decorah, Iowa,Step great-grandchildren: Willam and Walker Zey, Cedar Falls, Iowa. along with many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.
Arla was preceded in death by her parents: Ingebret and Christine (Knapstad) Erickson. Her husband: Earl Lyon on September 21, 2004. One great grandson: Lars Henry Roberts-Oakland. Six siblings and their spouses: Eloise (Clyde) Seiler, Dorothy (Bernard) Hagen, Edwin (Charlotte) Erickson, Gertrude (Arthur) Solheim, Lyle (Irene) Erickson and Donald (Ruby) Erickson. Earl’s brother: Russell (Helen) Lyon.
