Elizabeth (Betty) Ann Muhonen, 94, Fargo, ND, formerly of Shelly, MN, passed away on September 14, 2024, at Elim Nursing Home in Fargo, North Dakota.

Betty, the daughter of Arnold and Gladys Grosfield, was born on June 19, 1930, in Shelly. She attended Climax High School where she met her future husband, Wallace (Wally) Muhonen. They were married on July 14, 1951, in Santa Marie, CA where Wallace was stationed with the Army. In 1953, Wallace was discharged, and they returned to Shelly.

Betty attended Business College in Fargo and worked as a bookkeeper for the Climax Credit Union for many years though she was always available to give her kids a ride home from school or sporting events.

Early on Betty was active in all things Shelly such as Ladies Auxiliary, where she was the president for many years. She was also active in the Shelly Museum and Quilting club. Though she was active in her community, her family always came first.

Betty's happy place was the church. Her faith was her rock and she made sure she passed that faith on to her children. She loved the socials and Bible study with her friends. If you wanted to find Betty, it was usually doing something for Ladies Aid, Alter Guild, or Senior Center.

Another joy was Betty's love for the Shelly softball team. She attended as many games as she could and was so very proud of (her) team's success.

After Wally died in 1998, Betty volunteered to be a foster grandmother to some of the local kids, reading to children at the elementary school. She became known as Grandma Betty to a new generation and strove to make a positive impact on their lives. She also spent a great deal of time at the Shelly Senior Citizen's Center, chatting with friends and playing cards.

As Betty got older it became harder for her to maintain living in her house in Shelly and as Betty would say quite often the worst day of her life was when she had to leave her house and the town she had lived in for nearly 90 years. She was honored as the Grand Marshall of Shelly Days in the summer of 2022, and moved into Elim Nursing Home in Fargo later that year.

Betty is survived by her four sons, Anthony, Fargo, ND, Mark (Renee), Fargo, ND, Wallace "Billy" (Mary Anne), Grand Forks, ND, and Kevin (Jennifer), West Fargo, ND; 10 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband; daughters, Elise (Tom) Huseby and Marybeth (Greg) Gunderson; granddaughter, Samantha Huseby; grandson, Luke Gunderson; brothers, Clayton and William (Billy); sisters, Glo, Dorothy, and Dolly; and her parents, Arnold and Gladys.

The Muhonen family would like to thank Elim Nursing Home and their staff for the quality care Betty received during her stay.

Betty's family will hold a memorial service at 11:00 AM, on Saturday, October 12, 2024 at the Elim Nursing Home Sanctuary in Fargo, ND. Inurnment will be in the Shelly Cemetery, Shelly, MN.

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