Barbara Elisabeth (Syverson) Byer

Barbara E. (Syverson) Byer, age 79, of Willmar and formerly of Detroit Lakes, passed away Wednesday, August 6, at CentraCare Rice Memorial Hospital.

Visitation will begin at 12 noon followed by her celebration of life service at 1 p.m. on Friday, August 15, at Peterson Brothers Funeral Home in Willmar. Interment will be at Oak Grove Cemetery in Detroit Lakes, next to her two brothers. Arrangements are entrusted to Peterson Brothers Funeral Home. www.petersonbrothers.com

Barbara Elisabeth (Syverson) Byer was born on May 24, 1946, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Charlie and Beulah Marie (Kaar) Syverson. Barbara was the eldest of five children. Barbara attended a school for special needs children. In 1964, she moved to an adult foster home in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, where she lived until moving to Willmar in 1996. She lived at a Divine House Inc. adult foster home until her passing. Barbara worked at the Crossroad DAC from January 1997 until she retired in November 2011. 

Barbara was married twice. Her first marriage was to Raymond E. Stoltz on May 24, 1976. They were married for 11 years until his death in 1987. In June 1993, she married Harold Byer, and they lived together in the same adult foster home. They divorced in 1999. Barbara had a passion for television, with her favorite show being “The Price is Right”. She also enjoyed watching old westerns, “Gunsmoke” was her favorite. She loved shopping for crafts and making them herself. One of her most cherished hobbies was collecting Betty Boop items; her room was filled with them, and she often wore clothes featuring the character. 

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Charlie and Beulah, her two sisters, Charlotte and Elsie, and her two brothers, Edward and Donald. She is survived by her friends at the adult foster home where she lived.

 A special thank you is extended to all the staff who provided her with excellent care.