Gerald “Gerry” “Ger” J. Lyons, was born to this world in Dubuque, Iowa, on December 12, 1941 and began his young life at the Lyons family farm in Bernard.  He was born to eternal life on November 26, 2023, at the age of 81 surrounded by his family and wife of 58 years, Kathleen “Kathy” M. (Kemerer) Lyons.

Visitation will be from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, December 1, 2023, at Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Road where a wake service will be at 2:45p.m.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 2, 2023, at St. Joseph Key West Church with Fr. Martin Obeng officiating. Family and friends may gather after 9:00 a.m. Saturday at the church until the time of mass. Burial will follow at Assumption Cemetery, Sylvia Switch in Zwingle.

While Ger’s life was rooted on the farm, the importance of education in his life began when he first attended Sweeney School in Bernard. He attended Maquoketa School for two years and was in the last graduating class from St. Columbkille’s High School in 1959.  He went on to attend Loras College, graduating in 1963 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. Ger went on to law school at the University of Iowa Law School to become an attorney. He studied in Iowa City for six months and decided to take a different path. He then got his teaching certificate from Loras College and became an educator, his true calling. He began teaching at St. Columbkille’s and then at Washington Junior High where he retired after 33 years of teaching Social Studies and Talented and Gifted courses. During his time at Washington, “Mr. Lyons” started the toy model club, established enduring professional relationships with his colleagues, and, most importantly, shared his passion for our common history and government with thousands of young people.

While teaching was important to Ger, he was not shy of hard work and lived life to the fullest.  After high school, Ger started working at Roling Construction company pouring concrete. He continued working there part-time for 20 years.  In 1978, Ger and his young family started on a new “adventure” when they moved to their 80-acre farm, and he began the process of rebuilding the farmhouse. By then, he and Kathy had five children, all of whom survive him: Mike (Darla) Lyons, Al (Diane) Lyons, Amy (Dave) Herrig; Sara (Rich) Lyons, and Sue (Rodney) Hess Carroll.

Ger collected and restored classic cars with an affinity for Fords and Mercury’s and was working on a 1941 Ford Pickup Truck when he passed.  He was a perfectionist in the garage and the quality of his work was unsurpassed.  A longtime member of the J.I. Case Collectors’ Association, Ger collected Case Tractors and memorabilia.  This past summer, he got to see his 195g Case 300 in the hometown Bernard parade.

Ger loved all things relating to history, politics, and current events. An avid reader, he could consume hundreds of pages in one sitting at an astounding rate. He also collected stamps, marbles, and Mason Jars. In the winter, he and Kathy were known to be puzzle builders and most often found together watching a classic movie, side-by-side in their loveseat.

In retirement, Ger committed himself to these pursuits and religious reverences.  Until just this summer, he served as the groundskeeper for the Catholic Cemetery at the former Assumption Church at Sylvia Switch in Zwingle.  Christmas was a cherished time for Ger as well as St. Patrick’s Day, another joyous time to share his Irish heritage with friends and family in celebration.

Ger’s retirement also allowed him to share his abundant love with his Grandchildren: Madeline (Jesse) Overman, Mason Lyons, Tyler Lyons, Trent Lyons, Kayla Miller, Logan Miller, Tori Miller, Hayden (Maecee) Herrig, Holly (Adam) Ewing, Catherine Repp and Zachary Hess.  “Gramps”, as he was known to this exclusive club, was known to arrange outings to see the latest Star Wars movie, to visit the bookstore where he’d “back the book haul,” and organize an outing to purchase pet supplies and donate them to the Humane Society.  He was very proud of his grandkids and the legacy he imparted upon them will live on long into the future.

Gerry was a gentle and loving person.  He had a fondness for animals of all kinds, but especially a weakness for his dogs: “The Archies”.

Gerry is also survived by three brothers Jack (Helen) Lyons, Ray (Sandy) Lyons, Joe (Barb) Lyons, his bro “Buff” Dave Boffeli, and a sister, Linda (Bill) Mullinex. Two sisters-in-law Carol (Joe) Murguia, Helen (Kerry) Reisen, and a brother-in-law, Ray Kemerer Jr., many nieces and nephews, and his Ford V-8 friend, Tony Hughes, and lifelong friend Dick Kleis.

He was preceded in death by his parents James and Marion Lyons, his siblings Ann Lammer, Sherriff Bob Lyons, and Jane Boffeli, siblings-in-law and several nieces and nephews.

The family is most grateful for the excellent care Ger received at St. Luke’s in Cedar Rapids. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be offered to Hospice of Dubuque or the Dubuque Humane Society.