Byron Dean Schaefer was born on November 14, 1935 in Madelia, MN to Edwin and Anna (Sosinski) Schaefer. He attended elementary school in Lewisville, MN and graduated from Truman High School. On June 18, 1961 Byron was united in marriage to Marie Kusick at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Fairmont. Byron farmed the same farm, outside Lewisville, for over fifty years. He recently retired to Mankato with his wife, Marie. Byron was a "Big Buddy? for the Lewisville, Madelia and St. James areas. He also drove pontoon for the "Let's Go Fishing? program. Byron enjoyed traveling, fishing, wood working and had the gift of gab and was a story teller. He loved spending time with his family. Byron was a member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Mankato and was a long time active member of Zion Lutheran Church, Lewisville. Byron died on Monday, March 11, 2013 at Mayo Health Systems-Mankato.
Byron is survived by his wife of 51 years, Marie of Mankato; one daughter, Janel Cassara and her husband Tom of Wilton, CT; one son, Phillip Schaefer and his wife Tammy of Renton, WA; four grandchildren, Jonathan, Kristina, Michael and Anna; one sister-in-law, Blanche Schaefer, Lewisville, MN; one brother-in-law, Les Larson, St. James, MN; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters and two brothers.