Denece Marr Lyon was born on 26. Oct. 1906 at Hyde Park, Cache County, Utah. She was the daughter of
George Lyon and
Sarah Alice Woolf. Denece Marr Lyon was baptized on 6. Feb. 1915. She married
John Nelson Knudsen, son of
Andrew Knudsen and
Mary Olive Nelson, on 27. Nov. 1929 at Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, Utah. Denece Marr Lyon died on 25. Jan. 1989 at Reno, Washoe County, Nevada, at age 82. She was buried on 28. Jan. 1989 at Reno, Washoe County, Nevada. Her ship was oh, so tempest tossed
But she kept sailing on.
Past coral reefs and pounding
Waves, relentless 'till the dawn.
She's reached a placid sea at last
Where gentle breezes blow
And now she's found the blissful shores
where trees and flowers grow.
And there upon the pure white sand
Her loved ones, gone before
Have met her with their arms out stretched
Her ship is tossed, no more.
Gladys H. Jamieson
We are here today to honor the memory of Denece Lyon Knudsen, who was
born October 26, 1906, in Hyude Park, Utah. she was nurtured in a large
and loving family of Morman pioneer stock. Her parents, Alice and George
Lyon, had eleven children, five of them are still living. Denece died on
Wednesday, January 25, 1989, at the age of 82.
Had polio winter of 1944 in Twin Falls, Id.In Hospital for 13 Months.In Twin
Falls for about two weeks.
She has left this world a better place because of her presence here. Denece always loved school. After her graduation from Metropolis High School, she attended the University of Utah and became a teacher. she taught in one-room schools in Elko County and later at Metropolis. She was skillful and successful, whether teaching first grade reading or beginning algebra.
She was a loyal and loving partner to her husband, John, whom she married
in 1929. their 45-year marriage was one of trust co-operation and true love.
She was thoughtful, caring and supportive to her daughter, Jane, and also to her four grandchildren: Robert, William, Marijane, and Katherine. She cherished her five great-grandchildren: Jon, Jennifer, Benjamin, Ryne and Megan Denece.
She delighted in their accomplishments and never failed to give hope and
encouragement in times of trouble. She was generous to them with gifts, time and attention. She patiently played games or turned the end of a jump rope. She taught them to read or write or make Valentines or cookies. She could tell wonderful stories and instilled a love of books and learning. She fixed bountiful Thanksgiving feasts and arranged joyous Christmases.
Her beloved home on Strawberry Lane, which she planned herself, was decorated with care and taste. She had an active mind. She read, learned calligraphy, stitchery, and played the organ.
But her greatest accomplishment was overcoming polio at the age of 37.
She was hopitalized for two years, and she was never able to walk again.
Through it all, she never gave in to despair, nor felt sorry for herself,
or was heard to ask, "why me?". Her character and determination, plus the
loving help of her husband and sisters, enabled her to regain a normal life .
She was able to keep her own house, care for her family, and even run a
telephone answering service and tutoring business at her home.
She kept busy and cheerful. Even after her husband died thirteen years
ago, she was determined to maintain her independence. With the help of
her kind neighbors and her sisters, she lived by herself in her own home
until two years ago.
She always found joy and beauty in nature and the changing of the
seasons. She planned sumptuous picnics and relished family outings to Lake
Tahoe and the Sierras.
Her true memorial is already written in our hearts.
We should remember her quiet courage and fortitude in the face of paralysis, and then face our own challenges as bravely. We should recall her serenity and good cheer in the face of loss and illhealth and try to behave likewise.
We should, as she did, learn to make the best of whatever comes. In following her example, her spirit will live on forever.
Nickname "Denie."