Elvina Mae Lyons Obituary (1932

Elvina "Nana" Mae Lyons, a longtime resident of Onalaska, Washington, passed away in peace surrounded by her loving sons, Jan. 14, 2016 at Tacoma General Hospital. Born June 20, 1932 in Alma Center, Wisconsin to parents, Archie and Florence Galster. Nana would move with her family to Mossyrock, Washington in 1944. She graduated high school in 1951, a cheerleader at Mossyrock High, where she made many lifelong friends with whom she greatly enjoyed spending time throughout her life. In 1952, she married Robert "Bob" Lyons and eventually settled in Onalaska, Washington, where they raised their family. Alongside her work as mother and homemaker she was, over the years, employed as a field supervisor at Anderson's Berry Farm in Mossyrock, a cook and waitress at a local cafe in Onalaska and in 1984, she went to work for the Onalaska School District as head cook, until her retirement in 1997. A woman of many talents, Nana rarely wavered from a challenge. She was a self-taught seamstress of great skill, who designed and tailored countless outfits for herself, her family and community members. She was an avid cook, baker and canner, performing all manner of home repairs, a longtime member of Chehalis bowling leagues and the Presbyterian Church of Onalaska, a woman of deep, Christian faith. In her later years, she spent much of her time doing crossword puzzles, knitting, and cheering on the Seattle Mariners... just about the only thing that would break up the endless string of John Wayne movies on her TV. To her grandchildren she was something akin to a magician, fashioning dinosaurs out of Play-doh, rolling dice and shuffling cards, keeping their bellies delighted with treats from the candy cupboard, her bottomless pockets and active kitchen, hot pre-game meals before she took her place at the top of the bleachers to cheer on the purple and gold, grandmotherly smiles from the school lunch line, road trips to the mountains and her favorite, the beach, where she taught them to clam dig and beachcomb for treasures. Nana was a woman who cherished her family above all else. Even after the ravages of age slowed her down you would never leave her house without a satisfied belly and a heartfelt hug. Nana was preceded in death by her parents; and brothers, Duane, Robert (Bob) and Roman Galster. She is survived by her siblings, Dennis Galster (wife, Sally) of Napavine, Washington and Jerry Galster of Germany; sons, Steve Lyons (partner, Mary Bane) of Kennewick, Washington, Kelly Lyons of Onalaska, Washington and Ted Lyons (partner, Sandy) of Tacoma, Washington; grandchildren, Allison Lyons-Much (husband, Andrew) of Joseph, Oregon, Dustin Lyons (partner, Tera), of Ashland, Oregon, Mark Lyons (wife, Rotem) of Talent, Oregon, Daniel Lyons of Phoenix, Arizona and Tyler Lyons of Seattle, Washington; two great-grandchildren; and many nephews and nieces. As a child, Nana dreamed of being a dancer. It was perhaps her most cherished pastime. For many years preceding her passing, due to a stroke, she was no longer able to dance. It is her time again to waltz, shuffle and swing, just as her loving and grieving family remember her. A celebration of life will be held at the Onalaska Community Presbyterian Church, 288 Carlisle Ave. Onalaska, WA 98570, Feb. 6, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Onalaska Scholarship Fund.