Arbutus C. Byars

Arbutus “Ardie” Byars, 91, of Wolverton, MN, died February 28, 2013, in Eventide Lutheran Home, Moorhead, MN.

Arbutus Caroline Connelly was born on March 26, 1921 to James and Amanda Kuehl Connelly at Sabin, Minnesota. She grew up north of Sabin and attended country school through the 8th grade and then attended Glyndon High School, graduating in 1940. She was employed at Herbst Department Store for 4 ½ years. In December 1948, she married George Byars of Fairdale, ND, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Moorhead, MN. They made their home in Moorhead. In February 1950, the family moved to Wolverton, MN. In her later years she worked at St. Ansgar Hospital for eighteen years before retiring in 1983.

She was preceded in death by her husband, George Byars; parents; son, Steven and daughter-in-law, Rita; granddaughter, Angela Sheilds; five brothers, Raymond, James, Norman, Willis and Roland Connelly.

Arbutus “Ardie” is survived by her son, Michael and wife Debi of Wolverton, MN; seven grandchildren, Christie Chad Erickson, Amy Ray Traut, Brandon Jamie Byars, Michael Byars, Sonja Jose Rojas and James Nina Byars; and eight great-grandchildren, Austin Erickson, Carter Erickson, Elias Traut, Keira Traut, Amanda Rojas, Alexis Rojas, and Joey Rojas and Jaina Byars.

Visitation: Sunday, March 3, 2013, from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m., Wright Funeral Home, Moorhead, MN.

Funeral: Monday, March 4, 2013, at 11:00 a.m., Faith Lutheran Church, Wolverton, MN.

Interment: Elmwood Cemetery, Sabin, MN.