Beth was born February 7, 1967 in Pusan, Korea. She was abandoned as a baby and lived in an orphanage in Pusan. She came to America on Feb. 4, 1975 when she was adopted by the James Larson family. Beth had no education until she attended kindergarten in the spring of 1975. It was then that she began struggling to learn English at the same time she was taking other classes.

Beth was baptized in the spring of 1975 by Rev. Glenn Hetland. Calmer and Clara Johnson, Roger and Barbara Tollefson were her sponsors and she loved and respected them very much. She attended Sunday School at Scandia Lutheran Church in Beltrami and Release Time Classes in Fertile. She moved with her family to Fertile in April of 1981 and was confirmed at Concordia Lutheran Church in 1984. She assisted teachers with Vacation Bible School in the spring of 1984. Beth loved little children. She attended Fertile-Beltrami School through 1985.

She was married to Emilio Mendoza, Jr. on May 23, 1986 at the Methodist Church in Crookston and later a reception was held at Concordia Lutheran Church in Fertile. They resided in East Grand Forks.

Beth had been employed at Hugo's Supermarket, in the bakery, in Grand Forks since Sept. 1986. She loved her job and co-workers.

Beth Marie died Saturday, Jan. 17, 1987 at the United Hospital in Grand Forks at the age of 19.

She is survived by her husband, her parents, Jim and Phyllis Larson; sister, Wendy Whaley of Frankfurt, Germany; brothers, David of Torrance, Ca., Alan and Craig, both of Mayville and Gary of Moorhead; two uncles, Donald Melin and Robert Melin, and two nephews.