Alvina "Vinny" Byrne

Alvina " Vinny " Byrne, 99, a lifelong Stewartville, MN resident died on Friday(March 28, 2025) of natural causes at the Stewartville Care Center, where she had resided since 2019.

 Alvina Margaret Regier was born on July 8, 1925 in Leroy, MN to Henry and Christine (Thelen) Regier. Alvina's mother died when she was just 5 years old and she was raised by her father and her cousin Ardella. She grew up in Stewartville, attended school there and graduated from Stewartville HS in 1944. She attended the St. Mary's Nursing School in Rochester, graduating with a Registered Nursing degree and was employed at St. Mary's Hospital.  Alvina was married on May 26, 1948 at St. John's Catholic Church in Rochester to John C. Byrne Jr.  Vinny and John, who was widowed in 1946 with 4 young children,  made their home in Stewartville.  Later a son Roger was born and the whole family continued to make their home there. Vinny was a homemaker and continued her nursing career both at St. Mary's and the Stewartville Care Center until her retirement.  John was a heavy equipment operator, welder and mechanic with Leon Joyce Construction Co. in Rochester. Mr. Byrne died December 16, 1999.  Vinny was a lifelong member of St. Bernard's Catholic Church where she volunteered with its Ladies Circles. She was a longtime active member of the Stewartville American Legion Post 164 Ladies Auxiliary and participated in many of its activities from marching in parades, fundraising during Poppy season,  Memorial Day at area cemeteries, honor guard at funerals and representing the Post at civic and school activities. She enjoyed the many hours of service to her community.  Vinny enjoyed gardening and canning, horses and horseback riding,  sewing and handiwork, shooting pool with the girls at the Legion and loved time spent with her friends and family, especially her grandson, Andy.

 Alvina's family would like to thank all the staff at the Stewartville Care Center for their patient, loving care and especially to the many nurses that she so appreciated.

 Alvina is survived by her son Roger(DeeAnn) Byrne of Racine,MN and grandson - Andrew(Abigail) Byrne of Minnetonka,MN; 2 stepsons - John(Marge) Byrne of Rochester and Robert(Marge) Byrne of Conaga Park, CA; step-daughter-in-law - Sharon Byrne of Stewartville; 14 step-grandchildren and several step-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband John, an infant son, her parents, step-daughter- Joan Eibner, step-son - James "Jim" Byrne and step-son-in-law - Jerry Eibner.

 A Mass of Christian Burial for Alvina will be at 11:00 AM on Saturday( April 5, 2025) at St. Bernard's Catholic Church in Stewartville with Rev. Kevin Connolly officiating. A time of visitation for family and friends will take place 1 hr. prior to the service at the church on Saturday morning. Arrangements are with Griffin-Gray FH in Stewartville. Condolences and memories of Alvina are welcome at www.griffin-gray.com

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