June 16, 1955 — October 23, 2026______________________________________
Shari Lyon, 71, passed away October 23, 2026 at the place she loved most—her family's ranch east of Meadow.
A gathering of family and friends will be Friday, October 30, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Evanson-Jensen Funeral Home in Lemmon. Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 31 at 11:00 a.m. at Calvary Lutheran Church in Lemmon. A luncheon will follow at the church, with burial afterward at Meadow Gallaway Cemetery. Family and friends are then invited to gather at Indian Creek Lutheran Church, located at the junction of Highways 20 and 73, for fellowship and dinner.
Shari was born June 16, 1955 in Lemmon to Beulis and Grace (Smebakken) Baumeister. She spent her early childhood in Lemmon before her family moved to Burke in 1961 and returned to Lemmon in 1970.
Shari graduated from Lemmon High School in 1973, where she was a standout track athlete and active in band and choir. With college in mind, she had her future mapped out—or so she thought. Enter Ralph Lyon, a larger-than-life cowboy with a wild streak and a determination to win this small-town sweetheart's heart. After a whirlwind six-week courtship, Shari traded her college plans for a degree in ranch life, marrying Ralph on March 9, 1974. Her education began immediately when she discovered that calving season was a rancher's idea of a romantic honeymoon.
What began as a crash course in ranch life became a way of life Shari grew to love. She worked alongside Ralph through every season, embraced his adventures, survived a few wild ideas, and mastered the art of knowing when to let her cowboy run and when to pull back on the reins. Even after 52 years, they never seemed to outgrow being newlyweds.
If marrying her cowboy was Shari's greatest adventure, becoming a mother was her greatest joy. She and Ralph welcomed daughter Tobi in December 1976, celebrating Christmas and a blizzard from the hospital. They welcomed son Jade in August 1979.
Of all the titles Shari held, none was more eagerly awaited than “Grandma” She often said, "You can decide when to become a parent, but not a grandparent." At 65, her dream came true. Though she had only six precious years with Waycie and Rye, she poured a lifetime of love into every moment.
Shari's kitchen was where some of her greatest magic happened. Summers at her grandparents' bakery sparked a lifelong love and talent for baking. Her legendary pies, bread, and cinnamon rolls were second to none. Her dining room table was a gathering place for good food, lively conversation, and laughter.
Shari created beautiful quilts for family, friends, and charities, giving others something made with her own hands to wrap around them. She took equal pride in her yard and flowers, even when the summer heat and grasshoppers had other plans. Ralph often joked that Shari would mow the entire “North 40” if he didn't remind her where the lawn ended and the hayfield began.
If Hallmark ever needed an ambassador, Shari would have been its finest. She remembered birthdays, anniversaries, and special occasions for more people than most could track, carefully choosing the perfect card and adding heartfelt words of her own.
A woman of deep faith and a devoted member of Indian Creek Lutheran Church, Shari lived her beliefs through quiet acts of kindness, compassion, and service. No matter what burdens she carried, she always made room in her heart to carry someone else's.
Shari is survived by her husband of 52 years, Ralph; daughter, Tobi Lyon of Rapid City; son Jade (Bryna) Lyon of Meadow and Arvada, WY; grandchildren Waycie and Rye; her brothers, Jason (Annette) Baumeister and Kelly (Jodi) Baumeister; brothers-inlaw, Jim (Joan) Lyon, Irving Jordan, and Norman (Sue) Lyon; sisters-inlaw, Bobbie Lyon and Barbara (Tony) Lorenz; and a small army of nieces, nephews, and extended family members, too numerous to name.
She was preceded in death by her parents; parents-in-law, N. F. ‘Red’ and Margaret (Tidball) Lyon; sistersin- law Laska (Mike) Schoenfelder and LuAnne Jordan; brother-in-law, Vivan Lyon; and nephews Cody Lyon and Kevin Jordan.
In lieu of flowers, carry Shari's kindness forward. A thoughtful gesture, a heartfelt note, or a simple reminder that someone matters would mean more to her than words could express.
(Ralph Lyon’s address is 14050 208th Ave., Meadow, SD 57644-6713)