Lucile Pauline Tryon

Lucile Pauline Tryon, the daughter of Elmer and Jessie (Wilson) McBride, was born on September 8, 1913, in Defiance, Iowa. She grew up in Defiance and graduated from Defiance High School in 1929. After attending Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls, Iowa, for a year, she taught country school in Shelby County for nine years. On June 2, 1940, Lucile married James Riley Tryon at the church parsonage in Defiance. The couple farmed in rural Defiance until 1981. They lived on the farm until 1967, when they moved into Defiance. From 1971-76, Lucile and James owned and operated a drive-in restaurant in Defiance. James died on February 21, 1985, in Harlan, Iowa. Lucile continued living their Defiance home until December, 1999, when she moved to the Elm Crest Retirement Community in Harlan. In September, 2003, she became a resident of the Colonial Manor in Anita, Iowa.

Lucile was a member of the Defiance United Methodist Church in Defiance, Iowa. She was also a member of the Shelby County Extension Council for many years. She was active in the 4-H program, the Harlan Area Christian Women’s Club, and she had served as a Union Township Cemetery board member. In 1999, Lucile was honored as Defiance Citizen of the Year. She enjoyed spending time doing cross-stitch projects and reading.

Lucile P. Tryon died on Thursday, September 16, 2004, at the Colonial Manor in Anita, Iowa, at the age of 91 years and 8 days.

Preceding Lucile in death were her parents; her husband, James R. Tryon; and one sister, LaVerne Meyers. Survivors include one son, Jim Tryon of Aurora, Colorado; two daughters, Pat Papenheim of Des Moines, Iowa, and Luella (James) Bartelson of Anita, Iowa; seven grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held on Monday, September 20, 2004, at the Defiance United Methodist Church in Defiance, Iowa, with Rev. Keith Pals and Pastor Walter Bernard officiating. Paulette Rasmussen served as the organist, and Bill and Louise Ahrenholtz were the vocalists. Casket bearers were Mark Tryon, Brian Bartelson, Terry Densmore, Ronald Tryon, Robert Tryon, Dick Tryon, and Jim Hulsebus. Burial was in the Union Township Cemetery in Defiance, Iowa. The Burmeister-Johannsen Funeral Home in Harlan was in charge of the arrangements.