Mary Alice Beaman Barsness, caring mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, went to be with the Lord on February 15, 2022, at the age of 85.
Mom was born in Belcourt, North Dakota to Jack and Emma Laverdure Beaman. Mary joined her oldest sister Jacquelyn at home and soon to join them were her sister Shirley and brother Earl. Mary attended grade school at Dooley, Belcourt and Plentywood and graduated from Columbia Falls High School in 1955.
Mom married Kenneth Edward Barsness on April 25, 1965, and to this union they had Michelle Lynn. Michelle was greeted at home by her brothers, Mitchell Barsness and Tyrone Ricker, and her sister, Peggy Lee Barsness. Mary and Kenneth operated the Hope Ranch in Poplar for a few years where they took care of many children. Mom and Dad loved the kids as their own and was an influential part to many of the children lives. Mom and Dad later divorced
Mom worked many jobs, her most memorable ones was a switchboard operator at Columbia Falls, Aberdeen, and Wolf Point. Mom retired after many years of service to NEMHS working in Environmental Services at the age of 60. Shortly after retiring, mom packed up her belongings to stay with her sister, Shirley, on St. Paul Island in the Bering Strait. Mom returned to Wolf Point after being gone a few years to be closer to her children and grandchildren.
Mom was a devoted Christian who faithfully read her Bible every day. She was a member of the Morning Star Baptist Church. One of mom’s cherished memories besides the birth of her grandchildren/great grandchildren was being able to visit Israel with her sister Shirley and being baptized in the Jordan River. Mom enjoyed spending time with family and friends. She was an avid reader and had quite the collection of Louis L’Amour books. She enjoyed word search puzzles, listening to Gospel music, putting jig saw puzzles together, watching her favorite programs and she would never turn down a game of cards. Mom was forever playing games with her grandchildren or entertaining them some way. On a beautiful, sunny day, you would find mom sitting out on the front porch enjoying the rays of sunshine. Mom you are going to be greatly missed, you were a vital part of numerous lives and was so loved by many.
Mom is preceded in death by her parents, her sister Jacquelyn Anderson, her brother Earl Beaman, stepson Mitchell Barsness son-in-law James Joes and her grandson Jayden Joe along with many other friends and relatives. Mom was surely greeted at the gates of Heaven by her loved ones that passed on.
Mom is survived by her daughter, Michelle Lynn, of Wolf Point, her son Tyrone (Deborah) Ricker, of Poplar, and her stepdaughter, Peggy Lee Miller, of Enumclaw, Washington whom she raised as her own, “adopted” daughter Ashley Camenzind of Malta; her sister Shirley Meyer of Yuma, Arizona; sister-in-law Charlis Beaman of PeEll, Washington and brother-in-law Archie Anderson of Wolf Point. Mom leaves behind six grandchildren: TJ, Tylnn, Kendra, Justin, Cameron, and Brandon and two great grandchildren: Skyler and Jayvian along with a niece and six nephews and those that called her Grandma.
A celebration of life is scheduled for 10 am on February 25, 2022, at the Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel. Cremation has taken place. Mom’s ashes will be buried with her Grandson in Wolf Point and with her parents in Columbia Falls upon her wishes at a later time.
Therefore, you too have grief now; but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.
Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel has been entrusted with arrangements. Condolences for the family may be left using the form below.