Charles Willis Byer

Funeral services celebrating the life of Charles W. Byer, age 94, of Norwood Young America were held on Monday, March 6, 2006 at 11:00 AM at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Norwood Young America. Officiating was the Rev. Scott Gustafson. The organist was Arthur Fuchs and the soloist was Lawrence Biermann who sang “How Great Thou Art”. The congregational hymns were “Just As I Am”, “Amazing Grace” and “What A Friend We Have In Jesus”. Serving as casket bearers were grandsons: Ron “Gus Wischnack Jr., Tony Wischnack, Tim Wischnack, Peter Kroells, John Kroells, Andy Shimota, Rick Shimota and Jeff Olson. Visitation was held on Sunday evening at the Paul-McBride Funeral Chapel in Norwood Young America. Interment was in the Church Cemetery.

Charles Willis Byer was born on May 12, 1911 to Isaac and Cleo (Bolyard) Byer in Egeland, Towner County, North Dakota. His family were members of the Church of the Brethren. About at the age of 13, he was baptized in the Schoolcraft River in Hubbard County, near Guthrie, Minnesota. He attended elementary school at Egeland, North Dakota, and at the Wildwood Country School in Hubbard County.

On April 6, 1933, Charles was united in marriage to Mabel Wentzlaff. They were married by Rev. R.W. Rottmann at St. Paul’s Lutheran Parsonage in Green Isle, MN. On December 11, 1933, Charles was received into the Lutheran Church (Missouri Synod) by confirmation by Rev. R.W. Rottmann. The couple lived in Green Isle, Bemidji, Arlington and Carver. In the early years of their marriage, Charles worked as a farm hand, cut & sold firewood, and sheared sheep. In 1945, they bought a farm in Henderson Township, west of Henderson, Minnesota, and farmed until 1956 when the family moved to Norwood. In 1957, Charles started with the Wm. Mueller Construction company in Hamburg and worked there until his retirement. During his employment, he drove a gravel truck, plowed snow in the wintertime, was a mechanic & in the later years operated the stump chipper. Charles and Mabel shared 69 years of marriage before Mabel passed away in November 2002. He was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Norwood young America since 1957.

Everyone that knew Charles knew of his love for fishing, especially ice fishing & spearing. He also enjoyed reading, playing cards, and playing Solitaire on the computer. On Thursday, March 2, 2006 Charles Byer passed away at his home. He is preceded in death by his wife; parents; two grandchildren: Randy Byer and Julie Byer; two great-grandchildren: Jamie Joe Shankey and Chastidy Maruska.

Charles is survived by his seven children: Ervin Byer (Caroline) of St. Paul Park, Irma Nelson of Fort Ripley, Melvin Byer (LaVonne) of Norwood Young America, Dorothy Brockhoff (Earl) of Arlington, Geraldine Wischnack (Ronald) of Norwood Young America, JoAnn Kroells (Robert) of Norwood Young America, and Sharon Shimota (Charles) of Arlington; twenty-one grandchildren: Rhonda Gerlach (Ron), Jean Schwope (Mike), Tammy Schultz, Jeff Olson, Mike Olson (Patty), Penney Beutz, Chris Shankey (Brian), Becky Martens (Cliff), Debra Panning (Alan), Sandra Herrmann (Lorn), Joan Thomes (Paul), Ron “Gus” Wischnack Jr. (Julie), Terry Lehrke (Todd), Tony Wischnack (Kara), Tim Wischnack (Julie), Melissa Barthel (Doug), Peter Kroells (Sarah), John Kroells, Randi Shimota, Andy Shimota, Rick Shimota; 33 great-grandchildren and 12 great great-grandchildren; 3 brothers: Burnell Byer, Howard Byer (June), John Byer; 5 sisters: Addie Posz, Wanda Johnson (Ken), Ida May Eller (Neil), Bernice Reff (Jack), and Milly Adams; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Marvin Wentzlaff (Verona), Elmer Wentzlaff (Bernice, Luella Dahlke (Victor), Leora Stock, Alice Donnay (Ivan), Marian Wendorf, Pearl Schauer (Bernard); and long time fishing partner: Marvin Richter; as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Arrangements were with the Paul-McBride Funeral Chapel in Norwood Young America.