Molly Zellaha Lyons Blankenship was born Dec. 5, 1912 in Jackson County, MN., the daughter of John and Emma (Rout) Zellaha. She attended country schools in Jackson County and at age 11, moved with her family to Spirit Lake, IA where she attended Spirit Lake Community Schools.

Around 1930, Molly married Harry Lyons. After his passing in 1959, Molly married Lowell Blankenship.

Molly was a wonderful cook and was well known for her cookies and candies, especially around the holidays. Molly worked for decades cleaning homes, businesses and summer cottages in the Lakes Area. She also was a foreman for many summers, running a corn tasseling crew. It has been said Molly could not turn down a request for help and she was always there to lend a hand until her health started to fail in the mid 80’s.

Molly passed away on December 9, 2006 at Hilltop Care Center in Spirit Lake, Iowa at ninety-four years of age.

Molly was preceeded in death by her husbands, Robert Lyons and Lowell Blankenship; parents, John and Emma Zellaha; three sisters and one brother; two daughters and one son. Molly leaves to mourn her passing many grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Molly will be laid to rest at Lakeview Cemetery in Spirit Lake, Iowa.