Betty Lesher

Betty Lesher, 96, of Cavalier, ND, passed away peacefully on April 1, 2024, at Lilac Homes Memory Care, Dilworth, MN. All are welcome to attend the Celebration of Life service on April 13, 2024, at 1:00 pm at the Trinity Methodist Church in Cavalier, ND. She will be laid to rest at Oaklawn Cemetery, Concrete, ND. She was a wonderful woman with a beautiful smile and was loved by all.

Beatrice (Betty) Yvonne Carlson was born on October 2, 1927, to Harry and Alpha (Olson) Carlson in Walhalla, ND upstairs at Dr. Landry’s home. She grew up and attended a one-room country school in Concrete, ND. She babysat and worked for room and board while going to High School in Cavalier, ND.  She worked in the Auditor’s office and the Register of Deeds in the Pembina County Courthouse. June 13, 1948, she married Harry Barclay Lesher Jr. at the Concrete Methodist Church. They had 4 children: Lee, Peggy, Ruth, and Tammy.

Harry and Betty lived and farmed near Concrete for nearly 50 years where they raised their children. Betty taught Sunday school, was in Ladies Aid, and played the piano at the Concrete Methodist Church. She enjoyed puzzling in the winter months. She found a creative way to dry her hair in the summer months: you knew what she was doing when she climbed on the 3-wheeler in curlers.

Betty and Harry both loved their family, friends, dancing, hosting summer parties, going to horse shows, the fair, sharing coffee and homemade goodies with family and friends. They traveled the world visiting family and friends. Betty frequently said, “Family is everything to me.”

Betty and Harry moved from the farm to Cavalier in 2000. Betty was active in Dorcas Circle and LRE at the Cavalier Methodist church. After enjoying 55 years of marriage together, her dance partner passed in August of 2003.

She is survived by her children: Lee (Gloria) Lesher, Peyton, CO; Peggy (Gary) Lepire, Walhalla, ND/Mesa, AZ; Ruth (Dan) Knoblich, Dent, MN; Tammy Lesher; grandchildren: Todd (Jess) Lesher, Scott Lesher, Tanya (Dan) Ehler, Cassandra (Tom) Kraus, Katie (Chris) Swailes, Justin Knoblich, Laura (Nathan) George, Brian Shetley; and 11 great-grandchildren.

Preceding her in death were her husband: Harry Lesher; parents: Harry and Alpha (Olson) Carlson; siblings: Alan Carlson, Don Carlson, and Doris Otto; son-in-law: Dan Shetley; and grandson: Christopher Lepire.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Faith in Action, P.O. Box 458, Cavalier, ND 58220; Oaklawn Cemetery in Concrete, ND, Jeff & Cori Harildstad, 12684 92^nd St NE, Cavalier, ND 58220; or Borg Pioneer Memorial Home, 61 Borg Dr, Mountain, ND 58262.

Special thank you to Tammy Thorlakson for caring so well for our wonderful Mom. Another special thank you to the wonderful and caring staff at Lilac Homes Memory Care. Thank you to Hospice of the Red River Valley, Borg Pioneer Memorial Home, Country Estates, and Wedgewood Manor. 

Smile from the heart as Betty did and the world will smile back at you!