RONALD M. LYON

Funeral services for Ronald M. Lyon were held on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at Trinity Evangelical Free Church in Holdrege, NE, with Pastor Murray Jones officiating. Interment at Prairie Home Cemetery in Holdrege.

Ronald Milburn Lyon, 84, of Holdrege, Nebraska, passed away surrounded by his loved ones on March 17, 2026, at Select Specialty Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska, after an unexpected battle with pulmonary fibrosis. Ron was born on January 17, 1942, in Holdrege, to Milburn and Leona (Carlson) Lyon. He grew up in Phelps County on a homestead six miles north of Holdrege. His great-grandparents were Swedish sodhouse settlers of Phelps County, a heritage he respected all his life. He was the eldest of three sons, with younger brothers Wayne and Leon, and was raised in a loving family grounded in faith, values, and laughter.

His youth was largely spent helping on the family farm. He treasured the memories of working alongside his father and helping his maternal grandfather with his orchard and chicken house south of Holdrege. He remembered life before the farm had electricity and the many changes brought about by its arrival. He was active in 4-H and FFA, earning champion and high-placing honors in livestock, and was featured in the Omaha World-Herald for an entrepreneurial 4-H project where he raised turkeys for profit. Ron developed an early love for riding horses, which he carried all his life. His family enjoyed annual vacations to the Nebraska State Fair, a tradition he continued, attending nearly every Nebraska State Fair during his lifetime. He attended R-6 rural school and graduated from Holdrege High School in 1960.

Ron attended both Trinity and Holcomb Evangelical Free churches in Phelps County. He began his relationship with Christ at a young age. However, he made a personal commitment to accept Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior while watching a Billy Graham Crusade in his early twenties.

Ron served in the Air National Guard from 1964 to 1968, achieving the rank of Sergeant; he transferred to the Army National Guard in 1968 and was honorably discharged in 1970.

In 1969, Ron was introduced to the love of his life, Juanita Marie Eby, by her brother, Newt. On March 6, 1970, they were united in marriage at the Sweetheart Chapel in Loveland, Colorado, with his brother Wayne and Wayne’s wife, Janet, as witnesses. They made their home on a farmstead on the outskirts of Holdrege. There, they raised their three daughters, Michelle, Christine, and Angela.

Ron was a devoted father; the highlight of his day was the time he spent with his children.

His daughters remember countless hours playing and helping outdoors, riding horses, caring for bucket calves and newborn colts, and moving cattle, often on the coldest days of the year. Ron cherished the relationships his children shared with their grandparents and extended family, and looked forward to their frequent gatherings. The family faithfully attended Trinity Evangelical Free Church, where they enjoyed and supported its many activities and ministries.

Ron enjoyed dancing with his “lucky lady” to western swing, classic country, and jazz music.

He took her dancing on their first date and continued this tradition throughout their marriage. His children and grandchildren remember dance lessons in the living room and celebrating Ron and Nita’s anniversaries at the Pla-Mor Ballroom in Lincoln, Nebraska.

In 1972, his parents relocated their farm to Furnas County, where Ron spent the next 54 years continuing the operation, including many years working with his brother. Ron later purchased land on Spring Creek, east of Oxford.

He raised registered Polled Herefords and Texas Longhorns. Over the years, he developed close friendships with neighbors in Furnas County. He enjoyed taking time to visit and lending a helping hand.

He took pride in his cow/ calf operation, which he managed until the end of his days. He was most at peace walking among his cattle at Spring Creek.

In addition to farming and ranching, Ron served as an office manager for the Holdrege Sale Barn and worked as a bookkeeper for local feedlots.

He was especially proud to have worked for Rodney Waller Feedlot for over 45 years. Ron and Nita owned and operated The Lyon’s Den, a card and gift store in Holdrege in the 1980s, and he later served as Harlan County Weed Superintendent.

He also enjoyed supporting youth in agriculture through his volunteer work in 4-H and FFA.

Ron had a gift for seeing God’s hand in nature. Whether managing his land for wildlife or feeding the birds and squirrels in his backyard, he found joy in being a good steward of creation. His love of nature extended to the Rocky Mountains, where he and Nita shared many memorable times with Wayne and Janet and their families.

Ron was a loving grandfather and great-grandfather. He faithfully attended his grandchildren’s many activities and celebrations. His grandchildren will remember him for his humor and dependability. Holidays were especially meaningful to him, as they brought family together.

Ron never met a stranger and took genuine interest in other people’s lives. He had a lifelong love of learning and a deep respect for history. He was an avid reader and spent much of his free time with books and magazines. He often gathered his family to watch PBS documentaries and Sunday night Nature programs, almost always with a bowl of popcorn. This love of learning was something he instilled in his children and grandchildren.

Ron also enjoyed watching Nebraska athletics, especially volleyball, with his family.

Ron treasured time spent with his greatgrandsons, Wesley and Wyatt Temple, being an active part of their lives brought joy and fulfillment to his latter years.

Six months before his passing, he was thrilled to welcome his greatgranddaughter, Vivian Christine Kilpatrick, who so reminded him of holding his own baby girls.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Wayne, and sister-in-law, Janet (Malm), of Fort Collins, Colorado; his brother, Leon, of Stamford, Nebraska; his granddaughter, Jessica Hinz, of Kearney, Nebraska; and many cherished friends and family members.

Ron is survived by his wife of 56 years, Juanita; daughter Michelle Hinz of Kearney; daughter Christine Butz and her husband Bill of Red Oak, Iowa; and daughter Angela Temple of Holdrege.

Seven grandchildren: Alec Hinz of Kearney; Lauren Kilpatrick (Butz) and her husband Kevin of Omaha; Zachary Temple and his wife Kailee (Pohlson) of Holdrege; Natalynn Ellis (Butz) and her husband Devin of Omaha; Elizabeth Hinz of Phoenix, Arizona; Caitlyn Butz of Omaha; Anna Butz of Red Oak; Three greatgrandchildren: Wesley Temple, Wyatt Temple, and Vivian Kilpatrick; sister-in-law Becky Lyon, wife of Leon Lyon; and a host of loving friends and relatives.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www. nelsonbauerfh.com.

Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of arrangements.