A. Kenneth "Ken" Lyon

It is with saddened hearts we share the passing of our dad, Ken Lyon at the Douglas Campbell Lodge in Portage la Prairie, MB in the early morning hours of December 19th 2018.

Dad was a life-long resident of Portage, the son of Archie and Madge Lyon. In 1954 he married the love of his life Lois Kolke, and they were blessed with three daughters. After completing high school at Portage Collegiate Institute, Dad attended General Motors School in Flint, Michigan, where he made some lifelong friends. After graduation he returned to Portage to help his dad with his GM dealership. In the early 1960’s, he partnered with Fraser Cuthbert, hence Cuthbert Lyon Ltd. was formed. Dad continued to sell real estate until age 74, retiring in 2006.

We certainly learned a great work ethic from Dad, as it was difficult to convince him to take holiday time. However, if a family vacation consisted of time at Lake of the Woods, he would be more than ready and willing. He loved boating and fishing. He also spent time searching for the prime fishing location to catch that big pickerel! The love of Lake life was evident throughout his life, and passed on to his daughters and their families. Dad was an avid duck hunter and enjoyed the camaraderie at the High Bluff Country Club and Portage Country Club as a member.

Dad received his pilot’s license when he was in his early twenties, was a member of the Portage Flying Club and also involved with Air Cadets. He purchased his own plane and love to perform aerobatics. He was young and very adventurous then and throughout his life.

The family spent many summer vacations in St. Paul, Minnesota with Audrey and Art Christensen and cousins. Memories We Cherish. Dad and Mom had several exciting vacations. They spent time in England, Australia, and the Southern USA.

Dad had many friends and business acquaintances. Dad could always be seen out and about in Portage, chatting with anyone and everyone he ran into. He had a very cheerful disposition and loved to have a good laugh. Dad and Mom enjoyed many Sunday afternoon drives into the country with good friends Bill and Karen Devine. They would always end up at Lorne and Cynthia Jordan’s, lifelong friends for happy hour and telling tall tales. LOTS OF LAUGHS!!

Dad had a great interest in golf and was a member of the Portage Golf Club. In his retirement, he enjoyed a good game of golf with the fellas. On any given day, he could be found having a game of crib and sharing some stories with his special lifelong friend Doug Brown.

Dad had a great life, the best wife (Lois) a man could have, and three wonderful daughters “my girls” (we can say that because we are writing this!)

Sadly in the past several years he suffered from increasingly acute dementia. The family wants to thank the caregivers and staff at the Douglas Campbell Lodge, and his medical professionals for their unfailing care of Dad.

Left to cherish his memory are his daughters Susan Johnson, Sally (Murray) Adamson and Linda (Kelly) Coubrough; Quinn (Andrea) Johnson, Dane (Miranda) Johnson, Vaughn (Andrea) Johnson, Katie (David) Leahul, David (Perry) Adamson, Carol (Rob) Lampard, Jill Coubrough (Shea Robinson) and Scott Coubrough; great-grandchildren Sidney, Henry, Olivia, Rylee, Madalyn, Sam, Calvin and Oliver; sisters-in-law Audrey Christensen, Elaine Bollman and Evelyn Kolke, as well as his nieces and nephews.

Ken was predeceased by his wife Lois (1999), an infant son, son-in-law Bob Johnson (2017), sister Phyllis Timmerman, brothers-in-law Ronald Kolke, Cecil Bollman, Bill Timmerman and Art Christensen, niece Joanne Timmerman and nephew Warren Kolke.

A private family graveside service will be held at Hillside Cemetery. Friends are invited to join Ken’s family in the Trimble Room at McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel for a time of fellowship on Friday, December 21, 2018 at 10:30 a.m.

If friends so desire, donations in memory of Ken may be made to the Community Foundation of Portage & District, 206 Saskatchewan Ave East, Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 0K9.

A tree will be planted in memory and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel.  204-857-4021 www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com