Frank A Byron

Frank A. Byron March 11, 1924 - August 29, 2013

Frank Arthur Byron, age 89, died peacefully at his home on Thursday, August 29, 2013.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, September 3, 2013, at 2:00 p.m., at the Church of The Sacred Heart in Waseca, with Father Gregory Leif officiating. Interment will be at the Calvary Cemetery in Waseca.

Visitation will take place on Monday, September 2 from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m at the McRaith Funeral Home & Crematory of Waseca and for one hour prior to service at church. A prayer service begins at 6:30 p.m. during the Monday evening visitation.

Frank, the son of Arthur T. and Marion I. (Burns) Byron, was born on March 11, 1924, in Waseca, Minnesota. He attended Sacred Heart Catholic School and graduated with the class of 1941. On September 1, 1948, Frank and Marian F. Frederick were married at the Church of The Sacred Heart in Waseca. They were blessed with nearly sixty-five years of marriage.

In 1949, Frank and Marian moved to the Byron family farm in St. Mary Township where they farmed and raised their family. When Frank''s father died in 1962 he made the transition to business owner of the Byron Farm Store in Waseca and spent almost 40 years meeting the feed and seed needs of area farmers. Frank was very active in associations that promoted farming. He served on the American Soybean Association Board of Directors during which time he participated in national meetings and was also active in the Minnesota Soybean Association. In 1982 he was awarded the "Minnesota Premier Seedsman Award" by the Minnesota Crop Improvement Association. Frank was a member of the Lion''s Club, the Board of Directors of the Waseca Savings & Loan, and the St. Mary Township Board. He was also a long-time member of the Church of The Sacred Heart, the Knights of Columbus, and the 4th degree Knights of Columbus.

He is survived by his wife, Marian of Waseca; his children, Barb Byron of Durango, CO, Nancy (Mike) McLoone of Mankato, and Mark (Karen) Byron of Waseca; his eight

grandchildren, Michael (Katie) McLoone, Katie (Jason) Marsh, Liz (Nate) Dybvig, Maggie (Tom) Dawson, Bridget McLoone, Patrick McLoone, Carrie (Jett Hitt) Byron, and Andrew Byron; his six great grandchildren; his sister, Sister Michaea Byron, OSF, of Rochester and by many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Walter Byron; and by his sister, Kathleen Bielinski.