Arvid E. Beyer

Arvid E. Beyer was born June 20, 1934, in Holloway, Minnesota, to Elmer and Laura (Melchert) Beyer. He grew up on his family farm in Holloway and later moved with his family to Morris, Minnesota. Arvid was the oldest of 11 children.

Arvid graduated from the West Central School of Agriculture in Morris, located on the grounds where the University of Minnesota Morris campus stands today. In 1953, he attended Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa, where he spent two years studying pre-theology and classical Greek.

In 1954, Arvid married Mary Blakesley. They made their home in Waverly for a year, accompanied by their cocker spaniel, Butch, and a parakeet. They later returned to Morris, where their children John, Heidi, and Perry were born.

In 1957, Arvid began his long career in the automotive industry as a car salesman at the Ford dealership in Morris. In 1962, he and Mary moved to Slayton and Butterfield, Minnesota, where Arvid worked as a sales recruiter for J.R. Watkins Incorporated, which at the time was the largest direct-sales company in the world.

In 1963, Arvid and Mary returned to Morris, where their daughters Amy and Lisa were born. Arvid returned to the automotive business, working as a salesman for Hemming Chevrolet. After his divorce from Mary in 1972, Arvid continued to pursue his passion for the automotive industry.

In 1974, Arvid decided he wanted to build a business of his own rather than continue selling cars for others. He started Beyer Truck Sales, beginning another chapter in his career. That same year, he married Marjorie Lesmeister. They welcomed two children, Craig, born in 1976, and Andrea, born in 1979.

In 1980, Arvid achieved another milestone when he purchased the Ford Mercury Lincoln dealership in Morris. He dedicated himself to the dealership and to serving the Morris community for many years. After an impressive 45-year career in the automotive business, Arvid sold the Ford dealership in 2002 and retired.

Arvid later found companionship with Glenda Nelson, whom he met in 2008. They shared many years together until Glenda’s passing in November 2018. In 2019, Arvid met Mary Robertson, beginning another meaningful chapter in his life. Mary and Arvid enjoyed spending their time with family, drinking coffee with friends, and dancing.

Arvid is survived by his children, John Beyer (Jill Jepson), Heidi (Tony) Christensen, Perry Beyer, Amy Beyer (Dean West), Lisa Kirby (Terry Swanson), Craig (Jessica) Beyer and Andrea (John) Howes; siblings, Gladwin (Pam) Beyer, Bruce Beyer, Arlene (Don) Farver and Milton (Audrey) Beyer; grandchildren, Makala, Marie, Allen, Blair, Nathan, Owen, Jacob, Julia, Laurel, Rheanna and Jack; 8 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-grandchildren.

Arvid lived a life marked by hard work, perseverance, and a willingness to pursue new opportunities.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 3, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Anderson Funeral Home and Crematory, 659 Voyager Drive NW, Alexandria, Minnesota. A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, September 4, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady of the Runestone Church, 11 Runestone Drive, Kensington, Minnesota.