Bea Werpy, age 70, of Gary, MN, died Sunday, February 2, 2020, at Essentia Hospital in Ada, MN.

Beatrice Justine Erickson was born on May 13, 1949, in Mahnomen, MN, to Johnnie and Delphine (Critt) Erickson. She grew up and attended school in Twin Valley, MN. Bea was united in marriage to Lowell Werpy on October 25, 1975, at Sundal Lutheran Church, rural Fertile, MN. The couple made their home and raised their family in the Gary community.

In 1992, Bea started working at the Shooting Star Casino in Mahnomen and through her 15 years of employment, she formed many lifelong friendships. She was commonly referred to by many of them as "Ma". Family was Bea's pride and joy and she devoted her time to Lowell, their children, and their grandchildren. Attending their many activities and being involved in their lives was genuinely her greatest enjoyment. She loved to cook and bake. Everyone in the family had a favorite that she would make for them when they would come for a visit. Bea always made sure the grandkids' birthdays were special, whether it be making the food, baking their cake, or filling up a pinata to its full capacity. She will be missed dearly by all the knew and loved her.

In her spare time, she spent many hours creating crafts for holidays and special occasions. She never seemed to run out of ideas for her next craft project and had tremendous talent in this area. Bea also enjoyed feeding and watching all the different birds that would come into the yard, as well as rabbits, turkeys, deer, and other creatures.

Lowell was the love of her life, and they were inseparable. They shared many adventures together traveling all over the country. Most of the time with no set plans...they would just get in the car and drive.  That adventurous side of Bea came out last Christmas with the family in Florida, when she decided to go parasailing and somehow talked her daughter-in-law, Lisa, into joining her.  Bea had the time of her life and came back with the biggest smile.

Bea is survived by her husband, Lowell of Gary; two sons, Mike (Thea) Narum of Woodbury, MN, Jamie (Lisa) Narum of Casselton, ND; two daughters, Kristal (Jesse) Benson of Waubun, MN, Cassie (Tony) Courtright of Maple Lake, MN; 16 grandchildren: Baylie, Cayden, Grayson, Addyson, Colton, Griffin, Emerson, and Gwendolyn Narum, Jade Allen, Jerzi, Jace, and Lawson Narum, Treyton Anderson, Chelsea Taylor and Sophia Benson; two great-grandchildren, Logan and Brea; three sisters: Joann Widme, Carol Waldo, and Dolly Ellis; three brothers-in-law: Morris Lee, Ed Georgeson, and Gene (Bonnie) Werpy;  sister-in-law, Shirley Kappes; as well as many extended family members. She was preceded in death by her parents, Johnnie and Delphine; brothers, Frank Erickson and Les Krause; sisters, Jannette Lee and Darlene Longo; her mother and father-in-law, Vera & Guy Werpy; brothers-in-law, Aldus Widme and Harvey Werpy; and sister-in-law, Joan Georgeson.

Funeral Services will be held on Friday, February 7, 2020, at 11:00 a.m. at the Anderson Family Funeral Home in Mahnomen, MN.  Visitation will take place one-hour prior to the service at the funeral home.