Mary Lou Beyer was born December 11, 1929, in Kragero Township, Chippewa County, to Arthur E. and Inga M. (Canton) Norby. She was baptized as an infant at Zion Lutheran Church, rural Watson. She was confirmed April 23, 1944, at Kviteseid Lutheran Church in Milan. Mary Lou graduated from Milan High School on June 5, 1947. After high school she worked at J C Penny's in Appleton. Her favorite task at the store was putting together the window displays. June 25, 1949, she was married to Orville H. Beyer at Zion Lutheran Church, rural Watson. After their marriage they lived with Orville's parents on the farm in Fairfield Township, Swift County. They raised cattle, had dairy cattle, and did grain farming for several years. After Orville's parents moved into Benson they purchased the farm and continued farming until retiring in 1986. Orville and Mary Lou were very involved with 4-H and served as leaders for many years. Mary Lou was a very easy going person. After the tragic death of their son, Michael, Orville and Mary Lou taught the family how to live with dignity while quietly carrying the burden of their loss with each other. Mary Lou enjoyed phone visiting, gardening, raising chickens, quilting, and playing the organ and accordion by ear. She was a long-time member of St. John's Lutheran Church, Moyer Township, and was very active in all aspects of church life. After moving into Benson in 1997 she became a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and was active with church activities as long as her health permitted. A highlight of Mary Lou's was driving around with the ladies from her apartment complex. She was a member of the Homemakers Club and the Appleton VFW Ladies Auxiliary. Mary Lou died on Friday morning, March 29th, 2013, at Southview Manor in Benson. She had attained 83 years, 3 months, and 18 days of age. Surviving are her two children: John Beyer of Minneapolis, and Karen (Pat) Hughes of Holloway; her sister, Lorraine Fundingsland, of Willmar; two brothers: Wallace (Joyce) Norby of Bellingham and Dale (Karen) Norby of Point Pleasant, NJ; two sisters-in-law: Verna Norby of Holloway and Phyllis Kuntz of Montana; several nieces, nephews, and other relatives. She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Orville, on June 23, 1991; her son, Michael; two sisters: Doris Hagenstad and Grace Johnson; and three brothers: Dennis Norby, Roland Norby, and Harlan Norby.
