Blythe Christine Wyard

BLYTHE CHRISTINE WYARD June 7th, 1918 – April 13th, 2018    Blythe Christine Wyard, age 99 of Park Rapids, MN passed away on April 13th, 2018 at Bethany Homes in Fargo, ND.    Blythe was born on June 7th, 1918 to George and Linda (Rettke) Caldwell in a sod hut on her parent’s homestead claim near McIntosh, South Dakota. As a small girl, her family moved to North Mankato, MN where Blythe began attending public school. Following her 3rd grade year, Blythe’s family moved to Des Moines, Iowa where she attended the 4th grade. In 1927, her family moved to Minneapolis where Blythe continued her schooling, graduating from Central High School in 1936. She then went on to attend the University of MN where she studied Dietetics. As a young woman, Blythe worked as a secretary for an asphalt company. On August 2nd, 1941, she was united in marriage to Don Wyard at the Hennepin Avenue Presbyterian Church. The young couple made their home in Minneapolis where Blythe devoted her life to making a warm and loving home for her family. In 1956, the Wyard family moved to Billings, Montana. After spending 14 years in Billings, the family returned to Minneapolis in 1970. In 1973, the Wyard family embarked on a new adventure. After spending all of Don’s adult life in the banking industry, Don and Blythe purchased the Lazy W Resort on the north side of Fishhook Lake north of Park Rapids and in the mid-70’s they also purchased Scotty’s Resort on the Fishhook River. Blythe worked alongside her husband in the day to day operation of both resorts until the mid-1990’s. Blythe was a woman of many interests. She was an astute bridge player and also spent a great deal of her spare time golfing on the Park Rapids area courses. Blythe was also a voracious reader. She was a long time member of the Riverside United Methodist Church in Park Rapids where she was involved with the women’s circle ministry.    Blythe will be lovingly remembered by her three children: Stephen (Carol) Wyard of Eden Prairie, MN, David (Janet) Wyard of Billings, MT, and Christine (Jeff) Cheney of West Fargo. ND; 13 beloved grandchildren; and numerous great and great great-grandchildren.    Funeral services will be held 3:00 PM Tuesday April 17th, 2018 at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home, Park Rapids, MN with the Reverend Chip Nielsen officiating.  Congregational hymn will be “Jesus Loves Me”. Special music tributes will be “In The Garden” by Alan Jackson, “How Great Thou Art” by Elvis Presley and “Streets of Laredo” by Marty Robbins. Urn bearer will be her grandson Samuel Cheney.    Blythe will be laid to rest at the Greenwood Cemetery in Park Rapids, MN alongside her husband Don who died in 2003, and oldest son Jeffrey who died in 1974. To leave online condolences or to view the video tribute please visit www.jonespearson.com