Delores Elenor "Babe" Lyons

Delores Elenor Lyons passed away at the age of 101 on September 17, 2026, at Majestic Pines in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. “Babe” as she liked to be called was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who was known to be an excellent cook and baker. She was famous for her “caramel rolls, tea rings and breads”. Her love of dancing started young and continued into adulthood. She was an avid reader and one of her favorite pastimes was spent reading books. She loved visiting with family and friends and was quite a conversationalist. She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Grand Rapids, Minnesota.

Babe was born on December 28, 1924, in Cando, North Dakota to Alfred and Elsie (Carlson) Bergdahl. She grew up on a farm near Cando and graduated from Cando High School. As a young woman she enjoyed dancing around the Cando area at the local dances.

Babe married James “Jim” Lyons on January 26, 1947. Jim was the love of her life and together they celebrated 63 years of marriage. In 1953 they moved to Grand Rapids, Minnesota where they raised their family. Babe and Jim enjoyed camping and spending time with their 5 daughters and 10 grandchildren. Babe worked for Grand Rapids Independent School District 318 as a cook for 25 years before retiring in 1992.

Babe was a voracious reader and passed the love of books on to her children and grandchildren. She loved to be in the kitchen and had many signature dishes, but she excelled at baking. Some of the family favorites were cinnamon rolls, sugar cookies and the annual holiday tea ring made with cardamon. Whenever somebody stopped by to visit, she always had coffee and something sweet at the ready. When interviewed for her 60th wedding anniversary celebration she said, “be happy and take one day at a time.” She also said she hoped to be remembered for her cinnamon rolls.

She was a quiet but strong and fierce woman. Babe cared for the girls alone while Jim was called away to serve overseas in both World War II and the Korean War. She never spoke about politics or religion or anything else controversial, but she was quick to make small talk and became instant friends with anybody. Above all she loved Jim, her family and her five girls. Over the years, when asked what she valued most she always said my family, “I am thankful for having a loving, wonderful family who I know will always be here for me if I need them, also my good health, and friends.”

She was preceded in death by her husband James W. Lyons Jr.; parents Alfred and Elsie Bergdahl; siblings Floyd, Joyce, Veora, Raymond, and Marlene; sons-in-law Neil Welman and Major Greig.

Babe is survived by her daughters LaRayne Welman of Littleton, CO, Kathleen (Michael) Selmser of Grand Rapids, MN, Marcia Greig of Grand Rapids, MN, Janice (Marvin) Meyer of Rockford, MN, and Joanne (Michael) Walter of Granby, CT; 10 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren, and 3 great-great grandchildren; many loving nieces and nephews and their families.

Visitation will be Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at 10:00 AM at Zion Lutheran Church, Grand Rapids, MN with a funeral service to follow at 11:00 AM. Reverend Vicki Taylor will officiate. Interment will be at Itasca-Calvary Cemetery, Grand Rapids, MN.