Richard Leo Byer

Richard Byer, age 86 of Perham, MN, passed away unexpectedly Sunday, November 26, 2023 on his way to town to buy vegetable oil, a missing ingredient he needed to bake a cake.

Richard Leo Byer was born in Frazee, MN on June 19, 1937, the son of Anton and Cecillia (Joachim) Byer. After high school, Richard worked as a hired-hand, helping on local farms. He also spent some time working at a turkey plant before enlisting in the Army. Soon after being honorably discharged from the Army, Richard starting driving truck for Land O'Lakes in 1964. This began a lifelong career as a truck driver. He went on to receive The Million Mile Award for safe driving and eventually retired from the road in 2003.

While attending singles dances, Richard met Dorothy. Together they loved polka dancing and were married October 2, 1993. Dorothy was the love of Richard's life and they worked well together to raise their blended family. Dorothy passed away June 12, 2023 and some who know Richard well may say he died of a broken heart.

Richard will be remembered for his love of polka music and dancing with Dorothy. He also loved to cut and split wood and go fishing with his sons. He was an active member of St. John's Lutheran Church helping with the cemetery by cutting grass and leveling and raising older monuments. Richard could fix most anything. He may have not used textbook instructions, but when he was finished, it worked!

Surviving Richard are his children Mark (Cindy) Byer of Frazee, Dean (Carrie) Byer of Pengilly, MN, Brian Byer of Fargo, ND, Gerald Byer of Nevis, MN, Kevin (Christy) Byer of Osage, MN, Lynn Zacher of Aberdeen, SD, Thomas Wikman of Hibbing, MN, Karen (Greg) Swanson of Fargo, Kerry (Charles) Stewart of Vancouver, WA, Bradley Wikman of Brainerd, MN, and Sarah (Aaron) Wendt of Boise, ID; 27 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; his brother Joseph Byer; and his sisters Evanell Christianson, Bernice Muscarello, Florence Jensen, and Delores Manning.

Preceding Richard in death were his parents; his wife Dorothy; his son Darwin Byer; and his siblings Harold Byer, Irene Byer, Alberta Moore, and Leonard Byer.

Visitation will be 5:00-7:30 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 7:00 on Friday, December 1 at Schoeneberger Funeral & Cremation Service in Perham. Visitation will resume from 10:00-11:00 a.m. followed by the Memorial Service at 11:00 on Saturday, December 2 at St. John's Lutheran Church of Corliss Township. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Schoeneberger Funeral & Cremation Service, Perham, MN (218) 346-5175 www.schoenebergerfh.com