A Celebration of Life Service to honor the life and legacy of Mari Byam, age 60, of Windom, will be held Saturday, September 26th, at 10:30 AM at the American Lutheran Church in Windom. Burial will be held at Lakeview Cemetery.
A visitation for Mari will be held Friday evening, September 25th from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at the LaCanne Family Celebration of Life Center in Windom and will continue Saturday at the American Lutheran Church for one hour prior to the service.
Mari Kay (Haugen) Byam was born on October 1, 1965, in Windom, to Howard Rollin and Helen Ann (Maras) Haugen. She was baptized and confirmed at a young age and attended Windom Area High School, graduating with the class of 1984. Following high school, Mari earned an associate’s degree in accounting from Alexandria Technical College and later attended the Cosmetology Training Center in Mankato.
Mari’s first marriage, to Rick Borsgard, brought three beautiful children into her life, Karissa, Morgan and Drake. They became the center of her world and a source of endless pride and joy throughout her life. On August 21, 2004, Mari married the love of her life, Bennie Byam, at American Lutheran Church in Windom. Together, Mari and Ben built a life filled with family, laughter and countless memories.
Mari took tremendous pride in the career she built. For more than 40 years, she worked behind the chair, owning and operating Ninth Avenue Salon in Windom. She poured her heart into her work until August of 2026. For Mari, being a hairstylist was about so much more than doing hair. She built lasting relationships with her clients and had a special way of making people feel beautiful, confident and cared for. Her work reflected her determination, independence, creativity and natural ability to connect with people.
Mari took pride in herself and in the way she presented herself to the world. She enjoyed looking her best and had an eye for the little details that made her feel put together. That same attention to detail and zest for life could be seen in so many of the things she enjoyed.
Mari was full of life, full of love and possessed a tremendous strength. She had a knack for looking for the positive side of things and an incredible ability to make people feel loved and cared for. Her energy was contagious, and she truly embraced each day she was given. She found joy in the little things, loved to stay busy and was happiest when surrounded by the people she loved.
She enjoyed riding her bike and participating in RAGBRAI, bowling with her mom and teammates, Harley motorcycle trips with Ben, Synergy workouts and simply being active. She loved concerts with friends, trips with her daughters, being outdoors and watching Minnesota Vikings games. She especially loved anything that involved her grandchildren. Watching her children play sports was one of the ways she most enjoyed spending her days as a mom.
Mari was one of the most selfless people you could ever know. She found so much joy in simply being involved, being present and making memories with the people around her. Her greatest joy in life was her family. Her children and grandchildren were her world, and there was nothing she wouldn’t do for them. She was their biggest cheerleader, their greatest supporter and the proudest mom.
Mari made life brighter simply by being in it. Her laughter, energy, strength and love will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her. Her greatest legacy will forever be the love she gave her family and the countless lives she touched along the way.
On Thursday, September 17, 2026, at her home in Windom, Mari surrendered herself to the Lord, surrounded by the unwavering love of her family following a courageous battle with cancer. She was 60 years old.
Left to cherish her memory are her loving husband, Bennie Byam of Windom; children, Karissa (Bryce) Grove of Windom, Morgan (Cole) Wunschel of Spirit Lake, Iowa, and their son, Crew, and Drake (Meredith) Borsgard of Windom, and their children, Madelyn, Luke and Winnie; siblings, Michelle “Shelly” (Doug) Groenke of Buckeye, Arizona, Michael “Dodge” (Kera) Haugen of Windom, and Melissa “Missy” (Brent) Christopher of Jackson; parents-in-law, Pete (Barb) Byam of Mesa, Arizona, Georgia (Lars) Arndt of Brewster, and Eileen Kohlhof of Springfield; brother-in-law, Paul (Christine) Byam of Madeira Beach, Florida; and many nieces, nephews, relatives and dear friends.
Mari was preceded in death by her parents, Howard and Helen Haugen; and son, Bronson James Byam.
Blessed be the memory of Mari Kay Byam.
Arrangements are under the care of the LaCanne Family Celebration of Life Center. Condolences and memories of Mari may be shared online at LaCanneFuneralHome.com.
Mari K. Byam
