Betty (Schobinger) Mickelson passed away from this Earthly life on
Saturday, April 8, 2023, at Eventide Sheyenne Crossings in West Fargo,
ND. She was 89 years old.
Betty Ann Elaine Davis was born on
August 14, 1933, in Lisbon, ND, to parents Lawrence and Lela (Suhumskie)
Davis, as the 7th of 8 children. At the age of 6 months old, her family
was traveling to the funeral of her paternal grandmother when their car
was struck, killing her father, Lawrence, and a brother, Neale.
Following the accident, her family continued to live in Lisbon for a few
years until moving to Fargo, ND. She attended school in the Fargo
Public School system.
On November 8, 1953, she married Robert
E. Schobinger in Fargo, ND. Her primary focus was that of a Mom and
housewife, caring for and raising their family of 7 children. She also
helped in providing for the family by using her seamstress skills
alongside her husband Bob in their business-B & B Upholstery.
Together, they also began selling Watkins Quality Products from their
home. Their Watkins business became very successful, turning into a
Distributorship.
They were honored at a National Award Ceremony as
the 3rd Largest Distributor in the nation for Group Sales in 1980.
Shortly after this recognition, her husband, Bob, died unexpectedly in
1981.
On April 16, 1982, she married Wallace (Wally) Toso in
Fargo, ND. In 1984, they purchased and ran Birchmere Family Resort on
Little Toad Lake near Frazee, MN. They enjoyed many summers at the
resort and began spending winters as snowbirds in the Phoenix, AZ area.
Wally passed away in 1991.
In the fall of 2009, Betty was
re-introduced to A. G. "Mike" Mickelson. The two of them had originally
met in 1949 at a rural Fargo Dance Hall and had dated for a few months
before separating. They both parted their ways, marrying others and
raising their families without knowing where the other had gone. After
60 years apart, Betty and Mike rekindled their friendship and love and
were married on November 18, 2009. They spent many winters in the Mesa,
AZ area, and summers in Fargo. Mike preceded her in death in September
2022.
Betty is survived by her children, Lee (Judy)
Schobinger, Sheldon, ND, Gail (Mounty) West, Peoria, AZ, Meri (Curtis)
Thompson, Manhattan, KS, Susan (Rick) Meyer, Hiawatha, IA, and Robbie
(Mavis) Schobinger, Oxbow, ND; 17 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren;
and numerous nieces and nephews.
Betty was preceded in death
by her parents, Lawrence & Lela; her 7 siblings, Arlo Davis,
Lorraine Scott, Dean Davis, Dale Davis (died in infancy), Neale Davis,
Bobby Davis, and Dennis McFarland; her husbands, Robert E. Schobinger,
Wallace Toso, and A. G. "Mike" Mickelson; 2 sons, Roger Evan Schobinger
and Gene Lynn Schobinger; and 1 daughter-in-law, Kathie Schobinger.
Per Betty's request, there will not be a public service of remembrance.
The family will be having a private burial ceremony on what would have
been her 90th Birthday at Sunset Memorial Gardens.