Teresa Marie Lyons, 93, of Spearfish SD, formerly of Newell, SD, passed away on Thursday, August 8, 2013.

Teresa was born on October 3, 1919 to Simon Anthony and Elizabeth Ballmes of Parkston, SD. She attended country grade schools in Sulphur and Stoneville, SD and graduated from St. Martin's Academy in Sturgis, SD.

She married Robert Lyons on October 13, 1939 at Bear Butte Catholic Church. Together they had eight children; Karen, Vernon, Coralee, Eileen, Randy, Royce, Carmen and Beth. Family and friends were her whole life, and she was a life-long homemaker, dedicated wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She remembered all of their special occasions with a greeting card and letter-often mailing many letters each week.

Her treasured garden was lovingly tended, and she often brought flowers to adorn the altar at St. Mary's church. She also enjoyed sharing garden and flower know-how with family and friends. She loved playing cards and board games, solving mind benders, quilting, watching ballgames, singing and dancing, reading, shopping and visiting with family and friends. She had an open door and always knew how to stretch a meal "for just one more."

She was a member of St. Mary's Star of the Sea Catholic Church in Newell, SD for over 60 years. As a member of St. Mary's Altar Society, she served as president and held several leadership positions, taught Wednesday School Released Time and belonged to a prayer group.

She and her husband, Bob, belonged to the Elbow Swingers Square Dance Club, and later she joined the Newell Bridge Club. She volunteered as a dance partner at Ft. Meade Veterans Administration Hospital.

She cooked many years at the Hiwayman Café, and nine years as a secretary in the Newell school system in both the elementary and high school.

Her last years were spent living with daughters, Beth Mathis and Coralee Meyer, in Spearfish. Teresa was dearly loved by her family and friends, who came to visit her often, and she will be greatly missed.

She is survived by her children: Karen (Wilfrid) Gapp of Mayville, ND; Vernon (Viola) of Spearfish, SD; Coralee Meyer of Remer, MN; Eileen (Tom) Hegg of McIntosh, MN; Randy of Bozeman, MT; Royce of Belle Fourche, SD; Carmen (Tom) Rentzios of Denver, CO; Beth Mathis of Spearfish, SD; 31 grandchildren, 63 great grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren; sister, Marie Ness of Clackamas, OR; brother, O'Dean Ballmes of Ft. Walton Beach, FL; sister-in-law, Verna Lyons of Miller, SD and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert, and all of his ten siblings and their spouses, except Verna; her parents, Anthony and Elizabeth Ballmes; brother-in-law, Earl Ness; sister-in-law, Beni Ballmes; sons-in-law, Eugene Meyer and Doug Cohn; and granddaughter, Jennifer Meyer.

Visitation will be from 2-5 P.M. on Friday, August 16, 2013 at Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapel in Spearfish. Vigil service will be at 7:00 P.M. on Friday, August 16, 2013, at Saint Joseph's Catholic Church in Spearfish. Mass of Christian burial will be at 10:00 A.M. Saturday, August 17, 2013 at the church with burial to follow at Newell Cemetery. Memorials can be directed to St. Mary's Star of the Sea Catholic Church in Newell.