Donald John Lyden

Donald John Lyden Jr., 86, of La Crosse, Wisconsin, devoted husband and loving father, died on Wednesday, October 15, 2014, surrounded by his family and friends at Gundersen Health System, La Crosse.
Don was born in La Crosse on March 4, 1928 to Donald and Louise (Dialler) Lyden. He graduated from La Crosse Central High School in 1946 and served in the Wisconsin National Guard where he earned the highest awards for excellent marksmanship.
Don married the love of his life, Mary Ann Weimar, on September 12, 1959, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in La Crosse. An accomplished dancer, he and Mary spent countless hours on the dance floor with their friends. Another favorite pastime was watching the Green Bay Packers, of which he was a lifelong fan.
Donald’s first calling was music. While in school he pursued the study of cello with Leigh Elder, who urged him to continue his studies at the conservatory level. He also played the tuba and while still in high school, by virtue of his excellent musicianship, began playing in the La Crosse City Band, where he continued to play for many years.
Although serious and passionate about his music, his commitment to family led him to work for and ultimately own the family business, Lyden Brothers Tractor and Implement Sales and Service. His reputation for excellent repair work was widespread in the area. Donald and his wife, Mary, continued the business into its hundredth year.
Donald was a deeply caring and loving man who loved his God and his family more than anything else. He loved his children and grandchildren unconditionally and it always brought him great joy to be with them. He was a truly kind, thoughtful, generous and gracious man, always willing to help others and never forgetting to thank others when they helped him.
Donald is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Mary, their seven children; Randolph, of La Crosse, Robert (LeeAnn), of La Crosse, Kathleen (Michael) Mans, of Sussex, Maria (Jamie) Boado, of Holmen, Donald III, of Lake Mills, Deanna (Peter) O’Neil, of Elkhart, Indiana, Paul of Minneapolis, his seven grandchildren, Megan, and Michelle Lyden, Matthew Mans, AJ Boado and Joseph and Francis O’Neil. Don is further survived by his two siblings, James (Mary Lou), of Onalaska, Gerald, of Onalaska and by many other relatives and friends.
Don was preceded in death by his parents and by a granddaughter, Anna Boado.
The family would like to extend a sincere thank you to the doctor and nurses in the renal department and to the doctor and nursing staff on the sixth floor for their kind and compassionate care of Donald.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, October 21 at the Cathedral of St. Joseph the Workman, 530 Main Street, La Crosse. Msgr. Charles Stoetzel will officiate. Entombment will follow the mass in St. Joseph Mausoleum, Catholic Cemetery, La Crosse. Friends may call on the family on Monday, at the Schumacher-Kish Funeral and Cremation Services of La Crosse, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., where a rosary will be recited at 4:00 p.m. Visitation will also be at the church on Tuesday beginning at 9:30 a.m.
Memorials may be made to either the Cathedral of St. Joseph the Workman or to the charity of the donor’s choice in memory of Don.