Wilfred Guy Byer

Wilfred Byer, age 94, of Tyler, Minnesota, died on Tuesday, January 10, 2023, at the Sanford Canby Medical Center in Canby, Minnesota. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, January 18, 2023, at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Marshall, Minnesota. Interment will follow in the Calvary Catholic Cemetery, also in Marshall. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 17, 2023, at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Marshall. The evening concludes with a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. followed by a Rosary. Visitation will then continue, at the church on Wednesday, from 9:30 a.m. until the time of his service at 10:30 a.m.

Wilfred Guy Byer was born on October 1, 1928, in Goodwin, Deuel County, South Dakota. He was the son of Joseph and Gertrude (Kraus) Byer. The family eventually moved to the Saint Leo, Minnesota, area and then began farming in various locations in Lincoln and Lyon counties. Wilfred attended school through the 7th grade before assisting his folks on the family farm now located West of Lynd, Minnesota.

On November 8, 1950, Wilfred was united in marriage to Betty Unger at St. Eloi Catholic Church in Ghent, Minnesota. The couple moved around a few times and farmed various locations prior to settling near Arco, Minnesota, and were long-time members of St. Dionysius Catholic Church in Tyler, Minnesota. Wilfred and Betty worked side-by-side in the fields and barns. They devoted their lives to the family business while the couple had four children, all of them raised on the farm: Philip, Geraldine, Jerome, and Linda. They spent over 68 years of marriage together prior to Betty's passing nearly three years ago, to the day.

Wilfred's hobbies included fixing up and restoring antique tractors with his son Philip and assisting friends and neighbors with their tractor needs. He enjoyed doing carpentry, electrical work, plumbing, and any other projects that were needed around the area. He helped organize the Southwest Minnesota Plowboys Club and could often be seen with his tractors at parades and threshing shows over the years. In fact, two plowing shows were hosted on the current Byer farm. When not spending time caring for his land and animals, Wilfred was often found visiting with others.

Wilfred Byer died peacefully on Tuesday, January 10, 2023, at the Sanford Canby Medical Center. He had reached the age of 94 years, 3 months, and 9 days. Blessed and eternal be his memory.

Wilfred is survived by his 4 children, Philip Byer of Tyler, Geraldine “Gerri” (Joe) Citterman of Chanhassen, Jerome Byer (Wanda Thomas) of Arco, Linda (Greg) Goodmund of Russell; 9 grandchildren, Stacy Dresser of Aurora, CO, Kristin (Nate) Riess of Blaine, Jennifer (Josh) Moen of Oak Grove, Michelle Citterman (Roger Martineau) of Chanhassen, Jason Byer of Arco, Lisa (Mark) Pederson of Hendricks, Darcy (Aaron) Beek of Balaton, Terry (Kenzie) Goodmund of Balaton, Casey (Nick) Heitkamp of Sioux Falls, SD; 16 great-grandchildren, Brianna Dresser, Hunter Dresser, Niklas Dresser, Charlie Dresser, Sienna Moen, Zoe Moen, Logan Riess, Emma Riess, Colton Byer, Easton Pederson, Brielle Pederson, Everly Pederson, Alexa Goodmund, Stella Goodmund, Austin Goodmund, Henry Heitkamp; other relatives and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Byer; parents, Joe and Gertrude Byer; sisters, Rosella DeSmet, Ann Kesteloot; step-brothers, Clem Byer, Edward Byer; step-sisters, Pauline Raschke, Bertha Falk; and daughter-in-law, Carol Byer.