Courtney Cathleen (Lyon) Larson

Courtney Cathleen (Lyon) Larson passed away at age 42 on Feb. 14, 2020, three weeks after being diagnosed with an aggressive glioblastoma multiforme brain tumor.

Courtney was born on May 6, 1977 in Marshalltown, IA, the firstborn child of Bob and Kathy Lyon of rural Traer, and Ames, IA. She graduated from South Tama HS in 1995, and attended Iowa State University, graduating in 1999 with a BS degree in Sports Management. She was a proud member of Pi Beta Phi sorority, a lifelong Cyclone fanatic, member of the Cyclone Club and Lifetime Member of the ISU Alumni Assoc. She would never pass up an opportunity to see a game at Hilton or Jack Trice Stadium. Courtney was introduced to Jacob Larson during a Cyclones tailgate, the two hit it off, and Courtney found her new tailgating partner. It was only fitting that the couple became engaged during a tailgate and married on Aug 31, 2012 on the eve of football season. The newlyweds celebrated by enjoying their first game as a married couple with family and friends the very next day!

Courtney and Jake would make their home in Grimes, IA. It was here they welcomed the greatest joys in their lives. The couple was blessed with two daughters, Lily Kathleen in 2014 and Scarlett Rebecca in 2017. While Courtney loved shoes, sushi, shopping, the Cyclones, and Jake (most of the time!), she loved nothing more than her daughters. Courtney would always say her greatest achievement in life was becoming a mother to her sweet little girls. She loved snuggling with them on the couch or taking the girls in their wagon up to the little ice cream shoppe for a treat.

Courtney worked as an Underwriter in the field of Lawyer’s Professional Liability in the Des Moines area before taking a promotion as an Underwriting Manager for Hanover Group, Hartford, CT. They allowed Courtney to work remotely but she always felt connected to her coworkers across the country.

Courtney will be greatly missed by husband Jake and daughters Lily and Scarlett, parents Bob and Kathy Lyon, sister Susannah (Anthony) Hartman, niece and nephew Grace and Tyler, of Crestwood, KY, and brother, Robert II (Bobby) of Ames. She will also be missed by Jake’s parents Mark and Becky Larson, Irwin, IA, sisters-in-law  Katie (Brad) Hill, Sawyer and Hunter, Story  City, IA, and Maggie (Kyle) Kading, Kaleb, Mailey, and Luke, San Diego, CA, and many aunts, uncles, cousins and a multitude of friends, who loved her dearly.   

A Celebration of Courtney’s Life will be held when COVID-19 allows in the Sukup End Zone Club, Jack Trice Stadium, Iowa State University, Ames, IA.