Paul Donald Byron

Paul Donald Byron, age 99, of Waseca, died on Monday, October 13, 2025, at Oak Terrace in North Mankato.

Paul was born on March 31, 1926 to William and Elmira (Conway) Byron in the family farmhouse in St. Mary Township, Waseca County, Minnesota. He was baptized and later confirmed in the Catholic faith at St. Mary Catholic Church in St. Mary Township.

From a young age, Paul was immersed in agriculture, spending early mornings milking cows. He attended the country school in St. Mary Township and later graduated from Sacred Heart Catholic School in Waseca with the Class of 1944.

In 1945, Paul was drafted into the military and served in the United States Navy. He was stationed at Great Lakes, Chicago, and Farragut, Idaho, before receiving an honorable discharge in 1946. Upon his return home, Paul began his farming career.

On April 2, 1956, Paul was united in marriage to Mayone Miller at St. Canice Catholic Church in Kilkenny. Together, they raised nine children and shared 68 years with one another until Mayone’s passing on October 5, 2024.

More than a livelihood, farming was Paul’s primary passion and way of life. He raised cows and pigs, registered Black Angus bulls with his brother Jim, and worked tirelessly in crop farming alongside his sons. Paul spent the majority of his life tending to the family farm, continuing to drive his truck into the yard well into his nineties to lend a helping hand. He was dedicated to the land and his livestock, finding joy in every part of farm life.

Paul was a long-standing member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Waseca and a proud member of the Southern Minnesota Irish American Club. In 2006, he and Mayone were honored as Mr. and Mrs. Emerald Isle. He will be remembered for his quick wit, a keen sense of humor, and the strong example he set for his children as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather.

He is survived by his children: Vince (LeeAnn) Byron of Cave Creek, AZ; Paul Byron of Waseca; Edward (Anne) Byron of Waseca; Marie Byron of Maple Grove; Leo Byron of Waseca; Don (Jolette) Byron of Waseca; Joan (Tim) Biegert of Owatonna; and Carol (Murray) McCartan of Richfield; seventeen grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law: Donna Murphy, Ethel Kotchevar, Cathy Collins, and Christina Miller; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife, Mayone; daughter, Patricia Byron; daughter-in-law, Pamela Byron; siblings: Mildred Marple, James (Rita) Byron, George (Mary Jane) Byron, Helen (Ray) Curran, Sr. Colleen Byron, and Bill (Mary Ann) Byron; and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Sr. Janice Miller, Jack Murphy, Harry Miller, Jim Kotchevar, and Jerry Collins.

Paul’s family extends their sincerest gratitude to the care takers at Oak Terrace for the support and compassionate care they provided for Paul.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 23, 2025, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at the State Street Chapel of Dennis-Steffel-Omtvedt Funeral Homes in Waseca, followed by a parish prayer service. Visitation will continue for one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12:00 Noon on Friday, October 24, 2025, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Waseca with Fr. Glenn Frerichs officiating. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Waseca.

Memorials are preferred to Sacred Heart Endowment Fund or Sacred Heart Catholic School.