Claudia Lyons

A service honoring Claudia’s life will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 28, at the Tompkins Celebration Center at Friendship Haven. Family interment services will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will greet friends from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. on Wednesday at the Tompkins Celebration Center. Arrangements have been entrusted to Gunderson Funeral Home & Cremation Services.

Claudia Jane Arnold, the daughter of Burt and Dorothy (Blair) Arnold, was born April 16, 1940, in Fort Dodge and she attended Fort Dodge Public Schools. Claudia married Dick Johnson, (Uncle Dick), in June of 1971. They lived in Rochester until moving to Great Falls, Montana, in the fall of 1971, and eventually moved back to Fort Dodge. They divorced in 1993. Claudia accepted a string teaching position with Burlington public schools. In Burlington, she met Darwin Lyons and they were married on August 8, 1998. After graduating from the Fort Dodge Schools she attended Drake University. She graduated with a degree in music. After graduation she was able to use her degree to share her love of music by teaching others to play stringed instruments. She taught in various school districts including Owatonna, MN, Ft. Dodge, Great Falls, MT and in Burlington, IA. In addition to teaching in schools, she taught students individually and in groups out of her home. Claudia adopted the Suzuki method for teaching students at a young age. This approach to music education aims to foster a love of music and develop a child’s musical potential in a fun and supportive learning environment. She was very passionate and committed to supporting young learners in their journey to being musicians.

Claudia has a strong history of participating in many music groups and events including but not limited to The Fort Dodge Symphony Orchestra, a guest violinist with the Des Moines Symphony, Iowa All-State Orchestra, Southeast Iowa Symphony Orchestra, Knox-Galesburg Symphony, and often played at 1st Presbyterian church in Fort Dodge and her church in Burlington.

She is survived by the following nieces and nephew: Laura Cochlin, Joel Lee (wife Liz), Janelle Swanson, Linnea Vargas, great nieces and nephews, and stepchildren. Claudia was preceded in death by her parents; beloved sister, Joanne Lee and brother-in-law, Larry Lee; and husband, Darwin Lyons.

Claudia will be remembered for her vibrant personality, her dedication to creating quality string programs, her love of family, her students, and her dogs.