Funeral services will be on Saturday, March 28, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. at the Hettinger Lutheran Church with Rev. Kathleen Dettmann, officiating. Burial will be at the Hettinger Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, Mar. 27 at the Evanson Jensen Funeral Home in Hettinger with a family service to follow at 7:00 p.m.

Serving as casketbearers are Jody Skogen, Glen Markegard, Casey Carlson, Weylin Wahlstrom, Derek Skogen, and Dillon Skogen. All of Beth's friends and family are considered honorary bearers.

Beth Ellen Anfinson was born in Hettinger, ND to Albert and Enid (Cartwright) Anfinson, April 20, 1920. She attended Hettinger Public School and graduated with the class of 1938.


Beth married the love of her life Lyle Markegard, in Bison SD on November 26, 1938. They began their life together in Watertown, SD where Lyle worked for an auto body shop. After three years they returned to Bucyrus, ND and rented a farm and began farming. Over the years Lyle and Beth owned and operated many businesses including a restaurant which they named the "City Cafe" a popular place with area residents. Later they purchased a hardware store which was known as Lyle's Hardware. In the 1960's they went into the western wear business and established three stores which included Hettinger, Minot and Dickinson. They also bought the Wagon Wheel Cafe and established an electronic business. On most any given day, Beth could be found behind the counter or in her office as she was the bookkeeper for all the businesses.


Beth enjoyed riding her horse Pronto, a Tennessee Walking Horse, a gift from Lyle. She was also an avid Bridge player, where she played once a week and in tournaments. Beth joined Women Alone in Hettinger, after Lyle passed away in 1992. Beth's grandson Weylin Wahlstrom, gave Beth a small Chihuahua dog (Taffy) for company after Lyle passed away. It soon became known to everyone that knew Beth, that this was her million dollar companion.


Because of health reasons, Beth moved to Dickinson in November 1999, to live with her daughter Kay and husband (Mel) Carlson. Kay was manager of Lyle's Western Wear, and Beth went to work with her for the next two years, until the time came when it was not possible to do so. In November 2001, Beth entered St. Benedict's Health Center and made her home there until her passing.


Beth died suddenly March 20, 2009 at St. Benedict's Health Center, Dickinson of complications from Alzheimer's.

Grateful for having shared in Beth's life are her daughters, Kay (Mel) Carlson, Dickinson, ND, Carol (Peter) Wahlstrom, Minot, ND and Cindy Ham and Jay Ohm, Hettinger, ND and one son, Roy (Mary) Markegard, Hettinger; 14 grandchildren, 36 great grandchildren, 12 great-great granchildren; two sisters, Marie (Carl) Norby, Mobridge, SD and Lorene Hall, Richmond, VA; brother-in-law, Keith (Artie) Markegard, Billings, MT; 2 sisters-in-law Lois Markegard, Laurel, MT, Verna Anfinson, Phoenix, AZ; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and their families.

Beth was preceded in death by her husband, Lyle, son, Larry, her parents, grandparents and a brother, Arvel "Bud" Anfinson, four brothers-in-law, three sisters-in-law, a grandson, and one great grandson, Dustin Besler.


When asking Beth what she thought of her life, she would reply, "I thank God for my good health, my family and my friends."