Richard Lyons

Lifelong resident of North Mankato Richard (Dick) Lyons, 90, passed away peacefully at home with his family at his side on March 18th 2026.  Dick was born on March 27th 1935 to Ben and Hattie (Trembley) Lyons.  He was the youngest of 13 children.  He attended Holy Rosary Elementary School and graduated from West High School in 1953.  On June 19th 1954 he married the love of his life Sheila L Sass at St. John's Catholic Church in Mankato.   

Dick served with the Minnesota State Guard in 1951; The National Guard in 1952 -1953 and the United States Air Force from 1954 through 1957.  He served a year in South Korea during the The Korean Conflict.  Following his military career, he worked 25 years for Wonder Bread and Hostess Cakes. In 1988 he partnered and co-owned a popular bar/restaurant “The Still” in Old Town Mankato where there was plenty of “giggle juice” and made many lifelong good friends and memories. Dick was proud to be a member of the North Mankato Volunteer Fire Department for 25 yrs. and a charter member of Morson-Ario VFW # 950. 

Dicks’ extensive softball playing career began in 1950 while playing with many of his brothers in the Mankato City League.  In 1953, Dick was one of eight members of the Circle Inn team that made the All-Star team of Mankato.  From 1958 to 1971, Dick managed five different Mankato area softball teams.  In 1973 his Players Lounge team won the Class AA State fast pitch title; a first time achievement by a Mankato team.  From 1979 to 1988, Dick coached the Minnesota power house Mankato Happy Chef fast pitch softball team.  As the 3rd. base Coach, he served as “traffic cop” for one of the top 20 teams in the nation.  In 1992 he was inducted into the Minnesota Softball Hall of Fame. 

Dick also had a lifelong passion for the game of Ice Hockey and was a staunch supporter of all levels of hockey in Mankato/North Mankato throughout his life.  He has served as one of the pioneers in the rich history of North Mankato Hockey and was proud to “drop the puck” at the Mankato East/West game on Hockey Day Minnesota.  

Dick is survived by his wife Sheila and eight children: Donna (Steve) Rondorf of Algoma, Wi, Robert (Bob) of Bloomington, MN, Nancy (Paul) Railsback of Minneapolis, MN, Mary (Albert) Weller of North Mankato, MN, Peter of Mankato, MN, Jane and special friend (Greg) of Mankato, Jack (Kathy) Lyons of Mankato, MN, and Barb (Todd) Mettler of North Mankato, MN as well as 14 grandchildren and 9 going on 10 great grandchildren. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, 7 brothers and 5 sisters. 

Visitation will be held at Woodland Hills Funeral Home on Friday March 27th (Dicks 91st birthday) From 3 to 6pm.  Funeral services will be held on Saturday March 28th at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in North Mankato at 2:00 pm with Father Paul van de Crommert officiating. Visitation will be 1 hour prior to the service. 

Special thanks to Ecumen Hospice and VFW Care Planning. 

 In lieu of flowers, persons wishing to remember Dick are encouraged to contribute to MAHA or any youth sport of their choice in his name.