Obituary of Kathleen Lyons

View Video Tribute Kathleen Annette Ely was born November 24, 1949 in Colorado Springs, CO to Billie Naomi (Essex) and Ralph Heath Ely. She died after a sudden illness on November 24, 2006. The second of five children, Kathleen spent her youth in Limon, attending and graduating from Limon High School in 1967. A member of the marching band, Kathy played the French horn and often joked that her hat was special ordered, due to the large Ely head. The family attended the First Baptist Church, where Kathy became a confirmed member at the age of accountability. After graduation, she attended Denver Technical College where she obtained a laboratory and x-ray technician license. She moved to Hugo and began work at Lincoln Community Hospital for many years. It was here that she developed many of her lifelong friendships. During this time she met Gerry Lyons, who asked her to go on the first of their many drives. Kathy and Gerry were married on December 20, 1977 at the Candlelight Wedding Chapel, in Las Vegas, NE. They traveled extensively with Gerry’s job, making homes in motel rooms coast to coast, finally settling down in Winnemucca, Nevada with their first and only child, Paula Heather, born January 2, 1982. The family welcomed Michael Brian, Gerry’s son for summers and college breaks. For 12 years, Kathy worked for the United States Postal Service in Winnemucca. She often said that she never felt safer than when she pulled into the driveway to their home. In 1995, the family moved back to Hugo. Kathy enjoyed reconnecting with old friends and family. On May 16, 2000, Kathy’s life long love, Gerry died suddenly. She began to work again at Lincoln Community Hospital. While she was working, she began taking classes to receive her Licensed Practical Nurse from Pickens Tech, Aurora, where she graduated on January 14, 2004. She wanted to expand her education further, which led her to the Craig campus of Colorado Northwestern Community College. She worked hard and diligently graduating meeting all academic requirements to become a Registered Nurse and earned a 4.0 grade-point-average on May 5, 2006. Kathy also became a member of the academic sorority Phi Theta Kappa. On May 16, 2006, Kathy became a proud grandmother to Brandon Lyons Nall. She spent much of her time telling co-workers, patients, family members and friends about her grandson. His every move was talked about and gloated over. Kathy will be remembered by those who knew her as a kind, patient, and hard working woman. But those that loved her will remember her sense of humor, her love of learning, her avid affection for books, and her all encompassing love for her family. Her husband, Gerry; father, Ralph and stepson Michael preceded Kathy in death. Kathy is survived by her daughter Paula and son-in-law Alan Nall, Haxtun; her mother, Naomi Ely, Limon; sisters Janet (Darrell) Garvin, OK, and Mary Nelson, Tenn; brothers; Walt (Joyce), Ill, and Jody (Hope), OK and her grandson Brandon Nall, also from Haxtun. A memorial service for Kathy will be held on Wednesday, November 29, 2006 at the Hugo United Methodist Church at 10:30 A.M. Reverend Olga Hard officiated. Her ashes along with Gerry’s will be spread in Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho at a later date. Memorials may be made in Kathleen’s name to Morgan Community College.