Donna Dee Price Lyons was born July 28, 1925, in Clay Center, KS, to Charles and Eda (Bock) Price. She was the baby sister to her brother, Merle, her sister, Vivian (Suze), and some say she was quite the "brat." During the war, when Donna was in the 11th grade, they moved to Huntington Park, CA. Donna worked at Sears and her and her parents moved back to Sturgis in 1946.

Donna was a telephone operator until she married Tom Lyons January 18, 1948, at Belle Fourche, SD. Together, they started Lyons Oil Company and the Newell Gas Company. Donna was Tom's "personal assistant" while raising five children and assisting Tom with their passion of antique car restoration. Donna's hobbies included bowling playing bass guitar, which she took up at tender age of 63, and living and loving life with her family. Every Labor Day was a celebration! Lots of hard work went into preparing for that day. Later on, they also began and hosted the Newell Fiddle contest.

On Donna's 80th birthday, July 2005, her children and grandchildren hosted a party for her at Rafter J Resort in the Black Hills. Family members were decked out in white "Lyons Pride" t-shirts while Donna Diva wore a hot pink t-shirt with a big "80" on the back. Her blue eyes sparkled when she laughed, and she laughed a lot. Once, when asked about her life and any adverse daysshe replied, "I don't believe I ever had a bad day."

Donna passed away peacefully May 25, 2008, at her home in Spearfish, SD.

Missing her are daughters, Lynn Dee (Les) Justice, Belle Fourche, SD, Casey (John) McKenzie, McLeansboro, IL, Mari Lue (Drew) Robinson, Bastrop, TX, Charlie (Ken) Benedick, Highlands Ranch, CO, and son, Thomas Joseph, Jr. (Pam) Lyons, Magnolia, TX.

Celebrating her life are her grandchildren, Lisa Kudlock, Tobi Morris, Cori Hubbard, Chad Beene, Deedra Watts, Meagan Ford, Marc McKenzie, Jarrod McKenzie, Lynelle Keil, Nikki Kay, Taylor Robinson, Valerie Koop, Brian Nelson, and Lindsay Nelson. Also, Donna's Angels, her great-grandchildren; Brandon, Colton, Carter, Michala, Hayden, Kaydee, Cheyenne, Chuckie, Hayden, Emmy Lue, Reagan, Ryleigh, Abbie, Caeden, Christian, Alycia, Riain, and one baby blessing soon to arrive. She was admired, loved and will be missed by numerous nieces and nephews and special friend, Dale Hardy.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Tom; an infant son, John; her special sister-in-law and friend, Betty Varland; and sister-in-law, Rena Webb.

WE HAVE BEEN SO BLESSED THANK YOU, MOM.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, May 30, 2008, at 10:00 a.m. at Kinkade Funeral Chapel with Rev. Denzel Nonhof officiating. Inurnment will follow at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.

A memorial has been established to Hospice of the Northern Hills.