Marie Byriel

Nina Marie Byriel, the daughter of William and Nina Belle Hays Alt, was born July 26, 1919, at her parents home east of Exira, Iowa and died December 17, 2009, at the Exira Care Center at the age of 90 years, 4 months, and 21 days.
Marie attended rural schools near Exira, and then attended High School in Audubon.
On February 2, 1936, she was united in marriage to Belmont J. Byriel at the home of Belmonts parents in Audubon, Iowa. Marie and Belmont farmed in Greeley Township, purchasing their farm in 1941. They retired from farming in 1980 and moved to Audubon.
After retirement they enjoyed camping and social activities with the Audubon County Travelers. Marie also enjoyed babysitting for her grandchildren. Belmont died November 20, 1996. Marie lived in their home in Audubon until she moved to the Exira Care Center in August of 2008.
Marie was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Audubon, IA, transferring her membership from Bowman Chapel Church on February 12, 1984. She was a member of the Bowman Bible Study and a member of the United Methodist Women. She served as an assistant Soil Conservation Commissioner in Audubon County for many years and enjoyed working with the other Commissioners: Francis Ballou, Virgil Sorensen, James Friedrichsen, Curtis Petersen, Charles Hansen, Lora Anthofer and the staff
Preceding her in death, in addition to her husband Belmont, were her great-grandson Ray OReilly, her parents and brother Ray and his wife Pearl Alt, and sister Ruth and husband Leonard Kness.
Survivors include her daughters: Donna and husband Harley Rector of Norfolk, NE; Faye Fox of Turin, IA; Jo Byriel of Soldier, IA; Phyl and husband Tom Christofferson of Hamlin, IA; her grandchildren: Lance and wife Roxanne Rector of Lincoln, NE; Tim Rector and fiance Janna Groene of Norfolk, NE; Cher and husband Bret OReilly of Turin, IA; Bo and wife Mali Fox of Turin, IA; Seth and wife Ellen Christofferson of Littleton, CO; Tyson Christofferson of Glenwood, IA; Britta Christofferson and fianc Robbie Utterback of Ames, IA; and Hallie Christofferson of Hamlin, IA; her great-grandchildren: Devon Descombaz of Lincoln, NE; Rachael Brabec, Nikita and Natasha Rector, all of Norfolk, NE: Luke, Faye Marie, Sara, Sean and Liam OReilly; Scott, Cora, Jake, and Craig Fox all of Turin, IA; half-brothers: Jack Alt of Kearney, MO and Robert Alt of Audubon, IA; half sisters: Jane Jorgensen of Audubon, IA and Neoma and husband Phil Thomas of Ames, IA; half-sisters-in-law Erma Chalfant of Guthrie Center, IA; and Elaine Smith of Red Oak, IA; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Cemetery:
Interment will be in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery near Bowman Chapel in Guthrie County.

Visitation:
The family will meet friends Sunday evening from 4:00 to 6:00 P.M. at the Kessler Funeral Home in Audubon.

Service:
Funeral services will be conducted by Pastor Dwayne Ferguson on Monday, December 21, 2009 at 11:00 A.M. at the First United Methodist Church in Audubon, IA.