Obituaries

Jan 4, 2025

Teresa M. "Terry" Watson- Byron, MN

Teresa Marie Watson, 68, of Byron, MN, died peacefully in her home on Saturday, January 4, 2025.

Terry was born June 3, 1956, in Rochester, MN. She married Scott Watson at the Byron United Methodist Church on January 26, 1974. They welcomed two daughters, Tanna and Billie Jean.

Dec 3, 2024

Russell Leigh Wright, age 83, of Byron, MN, died on Tuesday December 3, 2024 at his home after a long struggle with Parkinson's  disease.  Russ was born on Christmas Eve, December 24, 1940 to Dale and Nora on the family farm near Sebeka, MN.  The oldest of eight children, he learned his love for hard work and farming.  He was...

Nov 28, 2024

Michael P. Coe, 72, of Rochester, formerly of Byron, MN, passed away on Thursday, November 28, 2024, at Samaritan Bethany in Rochester.

Michael was born on January 4, 1952, in Rochester, MN, to George and Alvina (Raygor) Coe. He was a 1970 graduate of Byron High School, where he played baseball and developed a love for sports...

Nov 21, 2024

Janet M. Kittley, 97, of Kasson, formerly of Rochester, MN, passed away on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024, at The Mayo Clinic Methodist Campus.

Janet (Jan) was born on August 23, 1927, in Rochester, NY, to Melville and Helen (Stein) Mackay. After graduating from Clinton High School in Clinton, NY, she attended McGill University in Montreal, Canada, and...

Oct 31, 2024

Joan Skare, age 82, of Byron, MN, passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at her home, surrounded by family. She was born on May 24, 1942, in Odebolt, IA, to Kermit and Doris (Hanson) Johnson, Joan was a vibrant spirit whose love for music and kindness to others touched the lives of many.

A proud...

Oct 21, 2024

Anita Louise Nelsen, age 78, of Byron, MN, passed away peacefully on October 21, 2024, at Fairview Care Center in Dodge Center, MN. She was born on July 18, 1946, in Rochester, MN, to Lawrence and Arlene (Petersen) Larsen.

Anita graduated from Byron High School and dedicated her career to accounting, working for Midwest Fuels until her...

Sep 26, 2024

Loren Roger Wheeler, 80, of rural Byron, passed away peacefully at the Mayo Clinic, St. Marys campus on Thursday, September 26, 2024, with family near.

Loren was born in Mitchell County, Iowa, at home on the family farm on January 5, 1944 to Clyde and R. Dolores Wheeler of McIntire, Iowa. Loren proudly served in the US...

Aug 24, 2024

Joseph Stanley Mathias, 88, of Byron, passed away Saturday, August 24, 2024, at The Mayo Clinic, St. Marys campus.

Joe was born December 8, 1935 in Wabasha, MN to Louis and Margaret (Koemel) Mathias. He attended Wabasha schools and then proudly served in the US Army. On October 19, 1963, Joe married Mary Jo Traufler in Chatfield,...

Aug 11, 2024

May 22, 1926 – August 11, 2024

Ruth Odys Brooks passed away peacefully surrounded by family on August 11, 2024. She was born on May 22nd, 1926 to Olga and Clarence Jetson and grew up in Spring Grove, MN alongside her siblings.

In 1946, Ruth obtained her Elementary Teaching Certificate from Winona State Teachers College....

Jul 12, 2024

Keven Paul Newton passed away Friday, July 12, 2024, at his home. Keven was born on June 8th, 1949, in Grand Rapids, Minnesota to Clyde and Glenice Newton. Keven graduated from Faribault high school in 1967. Shortly after graduation he entered the Marine Corp where he served for 2 years with the India Company 37 in Vietnam.  There he...

Jul 10, 2024

Diana Mae Leonhardt, 85, of Byron MN was called by her heavenly father and died on July 10, 2024 at Mayo Clinic Hospital in Rochester, MN.

Diana was born on March 6, 1939 in Winona, MN to Carl and Velma Clardy. She graduated from Winona High School and married James Leonhardt on July 11, 1959. She and...

Jul 6, 2024

Lawrence (Larry) Eugene King passed away peacefully on July 6, 2024, at the age of 86 in Rochester, MN. He was born on March 26, 1938, to Albert and Margaret (Maggie) King of Racine, MN, and was the oldest of 5 children, Albert Dale , Marlys Anderson, Darrol King , and Carol Aswegan .

Larry attended grade...

Jun 29, 2024

Patricia May Christenson passed away on June 29th, 2024 at Fairview Care Center in Dodge Center, MN. Patty was born in 1938 to Norman and Leala (Searles) Larsen in Byron, Minnesota, and graduated from Byron High School and Minnesota School of Business.

In her early years, she worked at IBM and served on a rural school board....

Apr 27, 2024

James "Jim" Gronvold was born on November 18, 1952, to Harvey & Lenora Gronvold. He spent his youth on the farm in rural Byron. Jim graduated high school in 1971 from Byron Consolidated Schools. In 1973, Jim graduated from St Paul College in Culinary Arts; he worked for Rochester Schools until his retirement in May of 2019.

...

Apr 23, 2024

Dennis Earl Kleinwort, 75, of Byron, MN, died Tuesday, April 23, 2024, of natural causes at his home.

Dennis was born January 17, 1949, in Stewartville, MN, to Earl and Caroline (Neumann) Kleinwort. He graduated from Byron High School in 1967, and after graduation, hauled milk for the Rock Dell Creamery. On September 20, 1969, he married...

Apr 4, 2024

Lewis Newman, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and musician, passed away on April 4, 2024, at the age of 78. Born on May 29, 1945, to Mabel Curler and Charles F. Newman, Lewis was raised in Fall Creek, WI.

After graduating from Fall Creek High School in 1963, Lewis embarked on a journey of service, joining the United...

Feb 9, 2024

James R. Smith,91, of Byron/Rochester, MN died February 9, 2024 at Cottagewood, Rochester, MN.

Jim was born October 20, 1932, in Rock Dell, MN to Noal and Olga (Thorson) Smith. When he was 2 yrs. old, the family moved to the family farm in Salem township where he lived until he was 89 years old. On August...

Feb 8, 2024

Janice Rathlisberger, age 68, of Byron, MN, went to meet her maker on February 8, 2024, at Fairview Care Center in Dodge Center.

Janice was born July 17, 1955 in Hastings, MN to Donald and Doris (Miller) Fiedler. She graduated from Park High School in Cottage Grove in 1973. She married Russell Rathlisberger on July 14, 1973...

Jan 14, 2024

Charles E. (Chuck) Glarner, 94, of Kasson, MN, died Sunday, January 14, 2024, at Mayo Clinic Hospital Methodist Campus.

Charles was born April 14, 1929, in Mantorville, MN to Virgil and Aletha (Steele) Glarner. He went to rural school in Milton Township for elementary education and graduated from Mantorville High School in 1947.

He attended...

Dec 31, 2023

Clayton Ralph Carstensen, 93, of Crosby, MN (formerly of Kasson, MN) passed away on December 31, 2023 at Twin Ports Care Center in Superior, Wisconsin.

Clayton was born on December 14, 1930 in Dodge Center, MN to Nels and Effie (Holt) Carstensen. Clayton served in the US Army from September 1950 to 1953 as a Sergeant in...