June 25, 1942 – October 6, 2026

Barbara “Barb” Jane Miller, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully surrounded by her three daughters on October 6, 2026, at the age of 84. She was born June 25, 1942, in Buffalo, Minnesota.   Barbara spent her career as an office manager in the automotive business, where she met the love of her life, Willis. Their story began at work and grew into a beautiful 57-year marriage. They were married on June 8, 1968, and built a life centered around faith, family, and love. Willis passed away just one year before Barbara. Her family finds comfort knowing they are together again.

Together, Barbara and Willis raised three daughters, Kelli, Jodi, and Angi, and were blessed with four grandchildren. She especially loved their home on the lake, where she enjoyed planting flowers, watching them bloom, and sitting quietly listening to the birds. Above all else, Barbara loved her family. Her greatest joy was having them together.   Barbara had a way of turning ordinary moments into family traditions. One of her favorites was baking Christmas cookies together, creating memories filled with flour, frosting, laughter, and love that her daughters and grandchildren will carry with them forever.

Barbara and Willis loved spending time together, whether it was taking road trips to the casino, enjoying years of card club with good friends, or sometimes simply sitting together watching TV. It was the everyday moments, the laughter, and the time they shared that made their life together so special.

Barbara is survived by her daughters: Kelli, Jodi (Steven), and Angi; four grandchildren: Zach (Kelsey), Jordyn, Mason, and Brooklynn; her brothers: Richard and Brad (Dawn); nieces and nephews.   She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Willis, and her parents, John and Myrel Danielson.

Celebration of Barb’s life will be held Monday, October 12, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. at St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church in Buffalo, Minnesota. Visitation will be held at the church two hours prior to the service. Memorials are preferred to St. John’s Lutheran Church in Buffalo.

She will be missed more than words can say and will be loved forever!

Carol J. Anderson, of Rockford, Minnesota, passed away on August 14, 2026, at the age of 90. She was born on June 23, 1936, to Edwin and Violet Splittstozer.

Carol was a loving spouse, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She was a caregiver to all and assisted others in time of need.

Carol was a retiree of Chrysler Corporation after a 20+ year career working in the parts distribution center in Plymouth, Minnesota. She enjoyed her time and coworkers at Chrysler Corporation and retired in early 2000 to care for her husband.

Outside of work, Carol filled her time with gardening, baking, sewing, fishing and traveling with her husband and children.

Carol was a longtime member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Hanover, Minnesota.

Carol is survived by her children, Bradley Anderson and partner Rebecca Hanson, and Larry Anderson and spouse Lisa Anderson; grandchildren, Chloe Anderson, Kayla Anderson, Margot Spangers (maiden – Anderson) and her husband Mitchell Spangers, Charles Anderson and Peter Anderson; and great-grandchildren, Beau Anderson, Roxie Spangers and Russell Spangers.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Floyd B. Anderson; brother, Arnold Splittstozer; and parents, Edwin and Violet Splittstozer.

A private memorial service and interment for immediate family members was conducted on August 19, 2026, and officiated by Reverend Luke Schmidt.

Proverbs 31:10–21; 28–29

Gary David Byer, age 85, of St. Michael passed away on Monday, October 5, 2026 at Abbott-Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis.

He was born on October 10, 1940 in Huntington, West Virginia the son of Wesley & Evalee (Mullens) Byer.

In 1964, Gary D. Byer and Audrey J. Cook were joined in holy marriage in Osseo, Minnesota.  God blessed their marriage with two sons.   Audrey passed away in 2019.

Gary was formerly employed at Target as a Data Systems Manager.

He enjoyed watching his grandchildren play sports, traveling and fishing.

Survived by his son: Brett Byer; a daughter-in-law: Stephanie Byer both of St. Michael; grandchildren: Dylan, Wesley, Ryan and Addison Byer; a brother:  James Frederick ( Jackie) Byer of South Carolina; other relatives and friends.

In addition to his wife, Gary was preceded in death by a son Bradley Byer in 2019 and by his parents.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, October 13th from 4-6 P.M. at The Peterson Chapel St. Michael-Albertville Funeral Home.

Private entombment Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery at Camp Ripley.

Online condolences may be made to www.thepetersonchapel.com

Jerome William Thomas Jr., age 58, passed away peacefully on September 30, 2026. He was born on August 16, 1968, in Warner Robins, Georgia, to Jerome William Thomas Sr. and Valory (Bronson) Thomas – Richardson.

Growing up in a military family, Jerome lived in many places throughout his childhood, including Georgia and Japan. Following in his family’s footsteps, he enlisted in the United States Air Force and proudly served his country.

Jerome held many different jobs throughout his life, most recently working as an infrastructure engineer with Allina Health. He was someone who was always working on something, whether it was fixing his boats, building, tinkering, or figuring out how to make something work. He enjoyed fishing, traveling, and attending Minnesota Vikings football games.

Those who knew Jerome will remember him for his personable nature, great sense of humor, and fun, goofy personality. He had a way of making people laugh and was someone who could easily strike up a conversation and make others feel comfortable. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all who had the opportunity to know him.

He is preceded in death by his father, Jerome Sr.; and sister, Lisa Thomas Brady.

Survived by his children, Nicole and Jerome III; mother, Valory Thomas – Richardson; sisters, Linda and Karyn; brother, Anthony; and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

Funeral service will be held Saturday, October 17, 2026 at 1:00 PM with visitation beginning one hour prior at The Peterson Chapel of Buffalo.

Arrangements have been entrusted to The Peterson Chapel of Buffalo. Online condolences for the family may be directed to www.thepetersonchapel.com

SPC Hunter Sandberg

UNITED STATES ARMY

9/13/2005 – 9/27/2026

Hunter Ryan Sandberg was born on September 13, 2005, in Wyoming, MN, and unexpectedly passed away on September 27, 2026, in Oak Grove, KY.

Hunter attended MAG Christian School during his elementary years, then Chisago Lakes Middle School, and graduated from Buffalo High School.

Hunter enjoyed ice fishing, open water fishing, semi-graciously accepting defeat in cribbage, poker, and golf. Hunter was also an amazing artist. Whether it was through drawing or woodworking, he always poured his love and time into making the creation just perfect, with his most recent being a beautiful shelf that he made for his sister when he was home on leave this summer. Above all, he cherished hanging out with family and friends. It didn’t matter if it was the annual Morley New Year’s dice game night, eating plum dumplings at his grandparent Sandberg’s house, gathering at the dinner table to dig into his dad’s 20-hour cook brisket, family game night, or just hanging out on the couch. He loved spending time with Hailey and Remy, especially venturing to the iconic nutritional center known as Taco Bell. UFC fight nights with his Ft. Campbell brothers were always sure to result in epic stories and laughs. Going to Ohio with PFC Rice and watching Ohio State take on Michigan left him feeling he had another family.  He couldn’t wait to take his second cousins to the bridge on fishing opener in hopes of catching those hefty largemouth bass. Hunter always enjoyed a round of golf, especially when he got to play with his cousins or uncles.

Hunter embraced his role as “big brother” and really went “all in” on that badge of honor, never to be taken for granted or tarnished. As their obligatory youthful sibling rivalries, spats, and world-changing arguments waned as maturity and life took their rightful place, their relationship solidified like a diamond. Unbreakable and beautiful.

To say that Hunter was determined would be an understatement. Whatever he set his mind to, he found a way to accomplish it. His greatest goal and achievement was becoming a soldier in the United States Army. Hunter enlisted in the Army in February 2025. He went to Ft. Benning, GA for basic training, and during that time received a promotion to Private First Class (PFC). He finished his time there going through Advanced Individual Training (AIT) in the Georgia summer heat.

He was assigned to Ft. Campbell, KY, where he immediately settled in and found his crew. In his off time, he would go shooting at the range, ride motorcycles, hang out at various outlets to watch UFC fight nights, or go to Texas Roadhouse to crush a steak. All the things that are “on brand” for men of that age in that environment.

Hunter’s patriotism ran deep. Anyone reading this needs to know that he poured ALL of himself into his training, his body, and his mind to ensure that he was always “good to go” and do his part to ensure sure you and your families were safe. While Hunter grew to be very kind, generous, and loving, he also had a fierce sense of protection for everyone. It didn’t matter where you lived in this world, your religious beliefs (or lack thereof), your language, your political leanings, or anything else.  What mattered was that you were a human being, and therefore worthy of being defended.

He treated his body as a weapon that was constantly being refined and honed. He took his life’s mission as incredibly seriously as you would hope a soldier would and demanded the same of his brothers at Ft. Campbell. As he built strength and mass, he also built more confidence and demanded others expect the same level of determination of themselves.

During his time at Ft. Campbell, Hunter was selected for the Soldier of the Month Board for October 2026, received his promotion to Specialist (SPC), was invited to meet Vice President Vance and was awarded one of the five challenge coins he issued that day, met Medal of Honor recipient Michael John Fitzmaurice, partook in several “interesting” training events, graduated from Air Assault School, and was one of four in the company selected to do a “Full Murph” with his Colonel and Command Sergeant Major (CSM). Look it up. There are many other things he did that left us with dislocated jaws.

Hunter was deeply loved and will be missed by his family, his friends, and his battle buddies. That bond will forever be in place and is a precious gift that all should embrace and treasure.

Hunter leaves behind his parents, Todd (Karyn) Sandberg and Heather Sandberg; his sister, Hailey; his brother, Remington; and his stepsisters, Taya Endreson and Atley Endreson. He is also survived by his grandparents, Denny and Sue Sandberg, Patrick and Carol Morley, and Nick and Gloria Bakken; his uncles, David and Shawn (Mary Ann); his aunt, Cher; his cousins, Jared, Darren, Brycen, Owen, Taden, Landen, and Calen; and his beloved niece, Paisley.

A private ceremony will be held at Ft. Snelling. A memorial service will be held on October 14, 2026 at Maranatha Assembly of God Church in Forest Lake, MN. Visitation will be at 10:00 AM with the service following at 11:00 AM.  There will be a luncheon afterwards.  We invite anyone interested to come to the memorial service, share stories, cry, and laugh. There will be time for all of it.

Hunter would be honored that, in lieu of flowers or gifts, those wishing to express their sympathy consider making a donation to Band of Brothers Outdoors to continue serving his brothers.

Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers.

This he did defend.