Gerald LaVerne Lyness

Gerald LaVerne Lyness, 74, of Ryan, passed away on Saturday, December 22, 2018, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota. He was born on February 8, 1944, in Independence, the son of Lloyd Thomas and Mary Ellen “Nellie” (McGraw) Lyness. Jerry was a 1962 graduate of West Delaware High School.

On November 23, 1968, Jerry was united in marriage to Patricia “Patty” Ryan at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Ryan. Four children were born to this union. Jerry did body and fender work for Andrews Auto in Cedar Rapids, was a carpenter at Lynch in Manchester, and worked as a car salesman for J.M. Jones in Manchester. He also owned Lyness Auto for 15 years and drove bus for West Delaware Community School District for 13 years, until retiring in 2009.

Jerry enjoyed working on cars. He loved spending time with his family, especially attending his grandchildren’s activities. Jerry and Patty have been long-time members of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Ryan.

Survivors include his wife of 50 years, Patty of Ryan; his four children, Polly (John) Monaghan of Manchester, Jeff (Cindy) Lyness of Manchester, Renee (Chad) Levi of Cedar Rapids, and Sharri (Jim) Wenger of Masonville; 16 grandchildren; a sister, Mary Jean (Ross) Davis of Cedar Rapids; and sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Margaret Lyness of Cleburne, Texas, Beth Lyness of Ryan, Rae Ellen Lyness of Ryan, Jean (John) Avis of Cedar Rapids, Linda (Tom) Scherbring of Manchester, Sandy (Al) Miller of Clarence, Tommy Ryan of Manchester, and Bev (Mick) Burke of Walker.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents; his parents-in-law, Bill and Avis Ryan; sisters, Maureen Hall and Nadine Lyness; four brothers, Richard Lyness, Lloyd Lyness Jr., Leslie Lyness, and Lester Lyness; and two brothers-in-law, Dan Avis and Dennis Ryan. 

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