James Francis Byron

 JAMES FRANCIS BYRON, 103-year-old resident of Waseca, passed away at his home on Wednesday, January 22, 2025. 

Born on October 17, 1921, in St. Mary Township, Waseca County, he was the son of William E. and Elmira (Conway) Byron. Jim was baptized and confirmed at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in St. Mary Township. He began his education at the Gallagher country school and graduated from Sacred Heart Catholic School in 1938. He furthered his studies at the School of Agriculture in St. Paul and the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. He wrestled and lettered at both the Agricultural School and the University of Minnesota (1943) and was a lifelong member of the Gopher M Club. 

On August 30, 1950, Jim married Rita Marie Jewison at the Church of St. Ann in Janesville. Together they made their home on their farm in St. Mary Township and raised 11 children. Jim and Rita enjoyed 68 years of marriage until Rita’s passing on July 24, 2019. A lifelong farmer, Jim raised various crops and livestock. He especially enjoyed his registered Black Angus Cattle, and passed on his passion for farming to his children. 

Jim’s quick Irish wit, wisdom and humor, love of lifelong learning, and genuine interest in everyone he met sustained him throughout his life and final days. He was a charter member of the Bells of St. Mary’s 4-H Club and the Irish American Club of Southern Minnesota, being crowned Mr. and Mrs. Emerald Isle with his wife in 1998. He enjoyed his trips to Ireland. He was involved with Farmers Union, HOPE (Help Our People Endure) during the farm crisis and Make Today Count, a cancer family support group. Jim enjoyed driving ponies and refurbishing buggies and harnesses. He continued to drive and ride horses into his 90s. He loved to drive the gator into the pasture to check the cows and the fence line as recently as this fall. 

Jim is survived by his children: Tom (Patty) Byron of Ellendale, Helen (Juan) Valencia of Waseca, Jim (Brenda) Byron of Waseca, Karen (Tom) Pathoulas of Mantorville, Rita (Roger) Liddell of Eau Claire, WI, Dr. David (Lisa) Byron of Hutchinson, Chris Byron of Waseca, Donna (Dr. Jeff) Alto of Mankato, Martha (James) Buntrock of Rochester, and Joe Byron of Hutchinson; brother, Paul Byron, many grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. 

He is preceded in death by his wife, son, Daniel, siblings: Mildred Marple, George (Mary Jane) Byron, Helen (Raymond) Curran, Sister Colleen Byron OSF, Bill (Mary Ann) Byron; brothers and sisters-in-law, Mayone Byron, Ellen (Joe) Tetzloff, Elaine (Frank) Sheeran, Faye (Art) Groh, and Grace (Rudy) Kopischke; brothers-in-law: Artie (Rita) Jewison, Bill (Anita) Jewison, Fr. Harry Jewison, Joe (Rose) Jewison. 

Visitation will be from 4:00 – 7:00 pm on Friday, January 31, 2025, followed by a prayer service beginning at 7:00 pm, at the State Street Chapel of Dennis-Steffel-Omtvedt Funeral Home in Waseca. Visitation will continue for one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. 

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 am on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Waseca. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery.

Memorials are preferred to Sacred Heart Catholic School or to the Sisters of St. Francis at Assisi Heights in Rochester.