Our dear mother left us on July 1, 2024. Such a bittersweet day, but a glorious day for her as she is now free from all the unkind things aging does to a person.

Arliss Lupe Obert was born on June 21, 1932, to John M. and Esther (Breding) Van Berkom at Powers Lake, ND. Everyone always asked where the name “Lupe” originated from. Here’s the answer, found on the back of a picture, from her Uncle Dan Breding.

“To my niece, Lupe—you bear the name Lupe because I liked that name and suggested that your folks name you Lupe. As you were so cute and cuddly, just like my favorite movie star.”

Lupe grew up on the farm at Powers Lake and attended High View country school until 5th grade and graduated from Powers Lake High School in 1932. Teachers were needed then, and her dad wanted her to go to Minot State and get her teaching certificate. She taught in a country school near Powers Lake for 5 years. Her unrealized dream was to be an English teacher.

Lupe worked at the grocery store in Powers Lake, starting in the late 1970’s, and then started working at the Tioga Hospital in 1981. She was a receptionist, did payroll and helped with LTC billing. She retired from there in June 1997. She was privileged to work with her niece, Tammy Moody, and they had many laughs together.
Lupe loved to golf in Powers Lake, Stanley and Tioga and occasionally in Minot.

Lupe loved having a garden of flowers and flowerpots. Her garden at her house in Powers Lake was beautiful.
One of her other delights was singing in the Bethel Trio with June Enget and Ardyce Enget. They sang together for 30 plus years and even made a CD. Her niece, Sandra Huseby, was their pianist and they had many good times and laughs.
Lupe was once married to Howard Holte, and they had 2 children, Cameron and Lorrie.

Bob and Lupe were married in November of 2006. She sold her house in Powers Lake and moved to Stanley. Bob took very good care of her, indulging her with clothes and jewelry, hair appointments and having her nails done. She was elegant and beautiful, both inside and out. In September of 2019, Bob and Lupe moved to Rosen Place Assisted Living in Stanley, ND. Lupe was moved to the Mountrail County Bethel Home in May of 2023 and in March of 2024, Bob and Lupe moved to Edgewood Vista Assisted Living in Minot, ND. Lupe was moved to Minot Memory Care on Friday, June 28th and passed away there on Monday, July 1st.

Sadly missing Lupe is her husband, Bob of Minot, ND; daughter, Lorrie Middaugh of Lake Park, MN and son, Cameron (Kim) of Powers Lake, ND. Grandchildren, Scott (Mandi) Middaugh and their children, Oscar and Cora; Reid (Katie) Middaugh and his children, Harlow and Summit; Cameron Holte (Bri) and his children Caden, Bella and Aurora; and Connor Holte. Bob’s children and grandchildren, Perry (Jodi) Obert of Stanley, ND and children, Charlie Obert of Stanley, Kaylyn Obert of Sidney, MT and Lily Obert of Stanely, ND; Marshall Obert of Minneapolis, MN, Kim (Iakovos) Tsoukalas of Minneapolis, MN; Camille (Walter) Goralski of Phoenix, AZ and Camille’s son, Clay and his children Evan and Oliver of Virginia. Sister, Barbara (Ray) Zeena of Greeley, CO; brother Lowell (Leanne) Van Berkom of Lino Lakes, MN; and sister-in-law, Linda Van Berkom of Punta Gorda, FL, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Preceding Lupe in death are her parents, John M. and Esther Van Berkom; sisters and brothers-in-law Roy and Adonna Thorlaksen, Daren and Darlene Grubb, Ralph and Yvonne Schreiner, brother Roger Van Berkom; daughter-in-law, Angie Holte; and son-in-law, Bruce Middaugh.

Memorial Contribution