Donald Joseph Lyness

Donald Joseph Lyness, 79, of Manchester, passed away on Sunday, October 13, 2019, at the Regional Medical Center in Manchester.  He was born on July 18, 1940, in Cedar Rapids, the son of Donald W. and Bernice (Callan) Lyness. Don was raised and educated in Ryan and graduated from St. Patrick High School in 1958.  He then attended and graduated from Loras College in Dubuque.  Don then attended the University of Northern Iowa and earned his Master’s Degree in counseling.

On August 8, 1964, Don was united in marriage to RoseAnn Bruggeman at St. John Catholic Church in Delhi. Four children were born to this union. Don began his teaching career at West Delaware High School as a Spanish Teacher and then later became a guidance counselor at West Delaware Junior High. He then worked as a guidance counselor at North Linn High School until returning to West Delaware High school as a guidance counselor in 1994. Don retired from West Delaware in 2003. For many years, they lived on the Lyness family farm near Ryan. Don and RoseAnn enjoyed farming together. They moved to Manchester in 1994.

Don was currently a member of St. Mary Catholic Church and also belonged to the Knights of Columbus.  He was an active member of the Manchester Lions Club.  Don loved and enjoyed spending time with his family.

Survivors include his wife of 55 years, RoseAnn Lyness of Manchester; four children, Lori (Mike) Cole of Manchester, Lisa (Tim) Steenhoek of Ankeny, Greg (Amanda) Lyness of Des Moines, and Sara (Randy) Reifel of Carmel, Indiana; nine grandchildren, Molly, Hannah, and Kyle Cole, Jacob, Morgan, and Marissa Steenhoek, Lydia Lyness, and Amelia and Nora Reifel; his two sisters, Kathy Wolfe of Ryan and Luci (Jeff) White of Independence; and several nieces and nephews.

Don was preceded in death by his parents; one sister in infancy, Susan Lyness; and a brother-in-law, Jerry Wolfe.

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