Mary Jean Bybee

Mary Jean Bybee was brought into this world by Earl and Maedee McBryde on September 23, 1940, in Stewart, Miss. Mary stepped into eternal life with her Savior Jesus Christ on March 7, 2024, with family by her side.

Mary and her family moved from Mississippi in her teen years to Union Grove. Mary graduated Union High School, Union Grove, in 1958 and attended the College of Wisconsin Whitewater. 

She married the love of her life, Allan J. Bybee on December 30, 1961, in Racine, where they resided. They moved to La Crosse in 1964 for Allan to pursue his career in wholesale foods. The family next moved to Land O’ Lakes in 1971 to start their own business, Bybee Foods Inc., which they successfully operated for more than 20 years. In addition to this, Mary was also the owner, operator of Bybee Variety Store and Mini Mall, Bybee Vacation Rental and Bybee Tax Service, where she utilized her status as an enrolled agent with the I.R.S. 

Mary was a disciple of Jesus Christ, her Lord and Savior, which was evident in her love of others. She was a caring person who not only devoted herself to her faith and family but was also a member of many organizations including Conover Evangelical Free Church, Daughters of the American Revolution, the Republican Party, the Northwoods Patriots, Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, La Crosse Jaycettes, and the Historical Society and Frosty Snowmobile Club, both of Land O’ Lakes. 

Mary’s primary interest was spending time with her family. She had a heart for hospitality and enjoyed cooking, snowmobiling, skiing, fishing, deer hunting, camping, and canoeing. 

Mary was preceded in death by her husband Al, her parents, her big brother Bill, and son-in-law Andy. She is survived by her children, Carol Chandler Foley (Bob) of Florida, Greg (Kim) Bybee of Conover, Jerry (Laurie) Bybee of Woodruff and Teresa (Andy – deceased) Dorn of Land O’ Lakes. 

Grandchildren are Amanda (Chris) Palmer, Samantha (Thomas) Rawlins, Ben Dorn, Jud Bybee, Max Bybee, Caleb Bybee and Judah Bybee, and two great-grandchildren, Cashel, and Vaida Rawlins. 

Mary is also survived by siblings Doug (Jeri) McBryde, June (Robert) Braun, Dan McBryde, and sister-in-law Janet McBride. She is also survived by numerous in-laws, cousins, nieces and nephews, other family, and friends. 

Mary’s celebration of life will be held on Saturday, March 16, at Faith Evangelical Free Church, 9035 Blumenstein Road, Woodruff. Visitation from 9 to 11 a.m., service at 11 a.m. with a luncheon to follow. 

Arrangements by Gaffney-Busha Funeral Home, Eagle River. Online condolences may be expressed at gaffney-busha.com.