Bernice E. Arett

Bernice Bea Arett was born on January 27, 1929 to Russell and Gertrude Spiesz Pownell. She grew up in Fargo as the oldest of five children and graduated from Fargo Central High School in 1946. She worked at Bernie’s Records in Fargo where she met the love of her life, Arthur Arett. They were married on July 14, 1950 and lived in Moorhead where they raised their five sons.

Bea was a stay at home mom until all of her children were in school and then worked for the Fargo Moorhead Heart Health Program and for the Moorhead School District as a Bus Aide for their Special Needs Transportation Program. She also served as an election judge for many years.

Mom was very involved in the community and served on a number of committee’s and boards for the City of Moorhead, the Moorhead School District, Clay County and a number of non-profit organizations. She was particularly proud of her involvement with the League of Women Voters. She was also a life-long Democrat who was very active in local, state-wide and national politics. And, she was a member of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church for most of her life.

She is survived by her five sons; Michael Cindy, Mitchell, Brian Jann, Brad Patty and Chris; four grandchildren, Corey Trisha, Lauren Tony, Jessie Robert and Carly; three great grandchildren, Olivia, Cooper and Hunter; her three sisters, Lois, Evelyn Jerry and Phyllis and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her loving husband, Arthur, and her brother, Duane.

Her family would like to thank the staff at The Fairmont for the care she received while living there for the past three years and the staff at Sanford Health for their incredibly compassionate care at the end of her life.

Mom was an unbelievably active person throughout her life who was always concerned about the less fortunate and disadvantaged in our community. Her family takes comfort in knowing that while her community involvement has ended on earth it continues in her afterlife. And Bea would be disappointed if we didn’t close this with a reminder to get out and vote in the next election!

Visitation: Wednesday, December 2, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., with prayer service at 7 p.m., in Wright Funeral Home, Moorhead, MN.

Mass of Christian Burial: Thursday, December 3, at 11:00 a.m., in St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, Moorhead, MN.

Interment: St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery, Moorhead, MN.