Louise Byers

Louise Byers, 83, of Tonkawa, Oklahoma, died on Tuesday, March 3, 2020. A Celebration of her Life was held at 1:00 p.m., Monday, March 9, 2020 at the First Presbyterian Church, Tonkawa, Oklahoma, with Reverend Phillip Erwin officiating. Services are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home, Tonkawa, OK.

Louise was born on October 20, 1936 in Altamont, Kansas, to Harold A. Walker, Sr. and Ellen Beulah Westervelt. Louise was a life-long resident of the area, moving with her family from Kansas in 1941, at the age of 5. She attended Blackwell High School before marrying Joe Eldon Byers on July 29, 1955, in Blackwell. They were married for 46 years, before his passing on February 15, 2001.

Louise and Joe owned and operated several service stations in Tonkawa. She also worked at the Chamber of Commerce. Louise retired after 27 years from Wheatheart Nutrition Center, where she was an area manager for the Ponca City, Blackwell and Tonkawa locations. After retiring, Louise enjoyed spending time with her family and friends and especially caring for, and being with, her grandchildren.

Louise was a member of the First Baptist Church in Tonkawa for many years, before joining the First Presbyterian Church. She was an avid camper and fisherman and enjoyed the outdoors. A major part of her and Joe’s life (sometimes 5 or 6 days a week) was spent with their dear friends, Claude and Marianne Pemberton. The Byers’ and Pemberton’s were so close, they children consider them step-parents and Louise greatly missed being able to see them as often as she had in the past.

Louise is survived by her daughter, Dora Osborn and her partner, Larry Ailey, of Ponca City, OK, son, Steve Byers and his wife, Tamara, of Tonkawa, OK; grandchildren, Stephanie Cariker and her husband, Cody, of Collinsville, OK, Ross Fry of Tonkawa, OK, Nicole Murray of Tonkawa, 5 great-grandchildren, sisters, Ilene Epley and her husband, George, of Texas, Shirley Hansen and her husband, Don, of Wichita, KS, and several nieces, nephews, cousins, other family members and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, father, her mother and the man who raised her, Roland Bufford, and sister, Cathy Pendleton.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The First Presbyterian Church, 109 S 4th St, Tonkawa, OK 74653 or Humanity Hospice, 1109 N Bryant Ave #100, Edmond, OK 73034. The family would like for you to leave memories of Louise at www.troutfuneralhome.com