Denise Downs Lysne

Denise Marcel (Downs) Lysne, 63, passed away on June 25, 2023, at Banner Health in Mesa, Arizona.

Dee was born in Devils Lake, ND, on November 26th, 1959, to Ronald and Margaret Ann (Howatt) Downs. She grew up on the family farm near Wales, ND, and attended school in Langdon. After graduation, Dee attended Joseph’s School of Hair Design in Grand Forks and obtained her cosmetology license. She made her home in Devils Lake, ND, where she started a hair salon, “A Cut Above”, and later owned “Dee’z Do’s”. She worked all her life as a hair stylist and made many lifelong friends along the way.

In October of 1983, Dee was married to Rick Lysne, and they welcomed two children, Catlan and Carley. Dee kept busy raising her family and instilled that family and hard work were most important. Dee had an infectious laugh, a caring personality, and a huge “green thumb”. She spent her summers planting and maintaining beautiful flowers. She also enjoyed spending the summer at the lake, boating, and water skiing. In the winter, she made many memories skiing in Montana with family.

In 2015, Dee retired from the hair salon and a year later made her home in Arizona. She was fortunate enough to spend much of the winter months with her mom, Margaret. She looked forward to coming back to ND in the summer to visit her five grandchildren, who loved her so much.

She is survived by her mother, Margaret Ann Downs, of Langdon; son Catlan (Danae) Lysne of Devils Lake; daughter Carley (Justin) McCarthy of Devils Lake; sister Cindy (Terry) Domres of Minot; sister Wanda (Tom) Hogness of Ottertail, MN; brother Andy (Nancy) Downs of Langdon; grandchildren: Emmalynn McCarthy, Lauren McCarthy, Landan Lysne, Rickelle Lysne, Wyatt Lysne; and many nieces and nephews.  She is preceded in death by her father, Ronald Downs.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, July 24, 2023, at Brooks Funeral Home in Langdon, ND.