Mary Jane Byron, 82, of New Richland, died on Sunday, April 29, 2007, at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10: 30 a.m. on Saturday at All Saints Catholic Church in New Richland with the Rev. Thien Nguyen officiating. Interment will be in the Calvary Cemetery in New Richland. Visitation will be held on Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. at All Saints Catholic Church in New Richland, and will continue on Saturday morning for one hour prior to services at the church. McRaith Funeral Home of Waseca is handling arrangements.

Mary Jane was born on Oct. 21, 1924, to Peter and Jane (Convey) Munsch in Wilton Township, Waseca County. She lived a rich childhood on a farm near Waldorf, loving nature, developing a deep Catholic faith, playing sports, and priding herself on her education. After graduating first in her class of 10 from Waldorf High School in 1943, she attended Mankato State College where she earned her elementary education teaching degree. Mary Jane taught first grade in both Winnebago and Claremont, and she ended her career in the New Richland Public Schools.

On Aug. 24, 1948, she was united in marriage to George William Byron at St. Mary&8217;s Catholic Church in St. Mary Township, Waseca County. The Byrons farmed and raised their family of seven children in Byron Township, Waseca County, near New Richland.

As a devoted member of All Saints Catholic Church for close to 60 years, Mary Jane served on the parish council and as a first grade religious education teacher. She was also a member of the faith study group and a leader of the Rosary Society and the Funeral Committee. Mary Jane led the gathering of historical information and data about All Saints Church for the New Richland Historical Society&8217;s Church History publication, and she was a go-to person in just about any other capacity the church called on her when help was needed. Her charity work included missions-related outreach, coordinator of the Byron Township Community Fund, and volunteering and driving for the local Meals on Wheels program. Mary Jane was an active member of the Steele-Waseca Rural Electric Association Auxiliary during the 21 years George served on the board. She also enjoyed gardening and was a clever puzzle solver and an avid card player. Mary Jane was especially known for her bridge playing acumen. She was almost always a regular member of at least two bridge clubs and she served as a willing substitute on many others. No matter how much time these pursuits occupied in her life, she always made time to attend the many activities in which her children and grandchildren participated. As a quietly but deeply religious person, Mary Jane gave strength to all around her through her prayers, her belief in the sanctity of life, her dedication to the notion that we are all God&8217;s children, and her infectious capacity for love.

She is survived by her husband, George of New Richland; by her seven children, Jane (Joe) Scheidnes of Roseville; Mary Pat (Ed) Zabinski of Grand Rapids; Dennis (Wendy) Byron of Des Moines, Iowa; George P. Byron (Bob Menchini) of Sausalito, Calif.; Bruce W. Byron of New Richland; Raymond Byron (Marcos Vedoveto) of New York, N.Y.; and Colleen Byron (Gary Rodman) of Oshkosh, Wis.; her sister, Delores Flintrop of Waseca, 13 grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Memorial donations can be made in Mary Jane&8217;s name to the New Richland Care Center Meals on Wheels Program (P. O. Box 477, New Richland, MN, 56072) or to The Nature Conservancy (www.nature.org).