Mary Bybee

Mary J. Bybee, 74, of Pillager, passed away September 13, 2017 at Essentia Health/St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Brainerd.

Memorial services will be held Sept. 28 at 11 a.m., at the Brenny Funeral Chapel in Baxter, with visitation one hour prior to the service.

Inurnment will be held Sept. 29, at Minnesota State Veteran’s Cemetery near Little Falls for the immediate family.

Arrangements are by Brenny Funeral and Cremation Service of Baxter.

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 married 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 went to work at the Staples Federal Credit Union, for nineteen years, where she was selected as Employee of the Year.  Mary then went to work at UltraColor, for 15 years. Mary volunteer many hours for community.  She was a member of the Pillager Lion’s Club for 30 years, receiving the Melvin Jones, Helen Keller and the Lion’s President Award.  She served on the Pillager School Board, was a co-founder of the Husky Booster Club, enjoyed Husky football and volleyball and was named Fan of the Year. Mary enjoyed wintering in Arizona, golfing, reading, taking pictures, flower gardening and baking. Her greatest joy was time spent with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Mary is survived by  her husband of 51 years; two sons, Donald Bybee (Roxie Weingartz), Mankato and David “Buddy” Brown, Pillager; one daughter, Danelle Bybee, Prescott, WI, nine grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and one brother, Bradley (Tammy) Johnson,  Morris.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Herman Carl and Bruce Johnson; one sister, Connie Leuthardt; brother-in-law, Edward Leuthardt and stepson, Tim Bybee.  

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