Mary Bybee

Mary J. Bybee, 74, of Pillager, passed away Wednesday, September 13 at Essentia Health/St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Brainerd. Mary’s memorial service will be Thursday, September 28, 11 am, at Brenny Funeral Chapel in Baxter, with visitation one hour prior to the service. Inurnment will be Friday, September 29, at Minnesota State Veteran’s Cemetery near Little Falls, for immediate family.

Mary Joan Johnson was born March 23, 1943 in Benson, to Herman and Edith (Knochenmus) Johnson. She grew up and attended school in Kirkhoven and Morris, graduating from Morris High School in 1961. She moved to Minneapolis, where she worked in the credit department at Daytons. She was married to Larry Bybee on September 18, 1965, in the Army Chapel at Ft. Hood, TX. Following Larry’s Military service, the family moved to a farm near Aldrich. Mary began working at the Staples Federal Credit Union, where she was selected as Employee of the Year. Nineteen years later, she left her position as Senior Loan Officer to take a position at UltraColor, where she worked another fifteen years doing bookkeeping and billing. Besides her paid employment, Mary worked many, many volunteer hours as an active community member. She was a member of the Pillager Lion’s Club for thirty years, and received the Melvin Jones and Helen Keller awards, as well as the Lion’s President Award. She served a term on the Pillager School Board, and was a co-founder of the Husky Booster Club. She loved Husky football and volleyball, and was named Fan of the Year. Mary also enjoyed golfing and wintering in Arizona. She liked to read and loved taking pictures. She enjoyed her flower gardens and loved to bake. Her greatest pleasure came from time spent with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Mary is survived by Larry, her devoted husband and companion of 51 years; three children, Donald Bybee (Roxie Weingartz), of Mankato, Danelle Bybee, of Prescott, WI, and David “Buddy” Brown, of Pillager; nine grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and a brother, Bradley (Tammy) Johnson, of Morris. She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Herman Carl and Bruce Johnson; a sister, Connie Leuthardt; a brother-in-law, Edward Leuthardt, and a stepson, Tim Bybee. Services entrusted to Brenny Funeral and Cremation Service of Baxter, 800-824-5051, www.brenny.com.