Arlis G. Beto

After a long and courageous battle with cancer, Arlis G. Beto, 68, of Dilworth, MN, peacefully entered her eternal home with Jesus on Thursday, June 20th, 2024, with family by her side.

Arlis began her 17 years of life, or 68 (depending on how you look at it), being born a “leap day” baby, on February 29th, 1956, to Amos and Verneil (Wahouske) Beto of Detroit Lakes, MN. This rare day is just one of the unique qualities that set her apart from all the rest. 

Young at heart, she loved making people laugh which involved many, many pranks (we all know she got from her dad) and sending funny memes to family and friends. Being a daddy's girl, she also loved spending time outdoors with him catching fish (big and small), hunting for that trophy buck (that never came), getting her hands dirty while tending the garden, endless woodworking projects and enjoyed birdwatching. Arlis spent quality time in the kitchen with her “Ma,” where she quickly learned the importance of never showing up to a potluck empty handed, bringing a MN “salad” to every family function. She loved painting, crafting, reading, and playing games of all kinds (just like her mom). She loved dancing to a waltz and collecting memorabilia (as the past was important to her). Arlis never missed a Northwest Water Carnival parade, enjoying the bagpipes more than anything (Lord, help us all if they stopped playing when they got in front of us). Of all these hobbies and passions, her love for animals tops the rest.

After attending Rossman Elementary and Detroit Lakes Junior High, Arlis graduated as a Laker from DLHS in 1974. Having a love for the water, Arlis spent time living both in the Land of 10,000 Lakes and along the Upper East Coast, becoming a hardcore, dedicated New England Patriots fan. She was an advocate for mental health awareness, spending a considerable time of her adult life working for Connections in Moorhead, MN. Arlis also lovingly cared for her mother in her home who was navigating life with dementia. Arlis encouraged everyone to live their life to the fullest, take care of themselves and take care of each other.

Although eager to be free of pain and meet Jesus, Arlis was saddened to leave behind her loved ones: forever friend, Cindy Dahl; beloved pets, Sassy, Bear & Baxter; siblings, Allen (Nancy) Beto of Moorhead, MN, Vonnie Stenger of Detroit Lakes, MN, Merlin (Cathy) Beto of Walcott, ND, Mark (Rose) Beto of Glyndon, MN, and Nancy Beto of Oak Creek, WI; along with four Godchildren, Andrea, Brian, Jeremy and Stephanie; as well as many nieces and nephews. Preceding her arrival in heaven were her parents, grandparents, two sisters-in-law, one brother-in-law, one niece and one great-niece, and many cherished pets she loved throughout the years.

Arlis was known to “give the shirt off her back,” and in her final days, she continued to give as she blessed residents in the nursing home with some of her possessions, trying to spark joy everywhere she went. Even after she passed, Arlis gave back in a grand way, bequeathing and donating her body to the University of North Dakota School of Medicine & Health Services Deeded Body Program in Grand Forks, ND. 

A private service will be held for the family at a future date. If you wish to give, Arlis would have liked for any donations to be made to Hospice of the Red River Valley or 4 Luv of Dog Rescue in Moorhead, MN. 

In her memory and honor, please enjoy a cup of coffee and conversation with a loved one and spend time with your pets, in your garden or on the lake.