Mary Beth Vargo, 81, of Superior, WI passed away Tuesday, June 2, 2026, with her family by her side at Essentia St. Mary’s Medical Center.

Beth was born June 3, 1944, to Mary (McKeague) and Oswald Shellum in Superior.

She was employed as an operator for Northwestern Bell Telephone Company for over 25 years and also shared her passion for books as a clerk working with B. Dalton Bookseller. Beth was an avid reader throughout her life, she enjoyed spending time with her many close friends shopping and meeting for lunch or dinner.

She traveled with her son, Mark and daughter in-law, Chris many places over the years and visited her son, Scott and his family in Colorado, where she created special bonds with her granddaughters. Beth was affectionately called G-Ma Cray Cray and Grandma Crazy by her granddaughters. She loved spending time with her granddogs over the years, and would routinely cat sit for her friends in Superior and the Twin Cities. Beth will be remembered for her selflessness; she spent her life caring for others and doing whatever she could to help them, often just listening and talking. She was able to connect effortlessly with everyone she encountered, from a waitress or store clerk, to her neighbors, coworkers, and to folks she might encounter randomly in her daily activities and travels. Beth would form long lasting bonds instantly making friends and learning about their lives. Her quick wit, friendly demeanor, and quirks made her one of a kind and she will be missed deeply by everyone fortunate enough to be part of her life.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, John Shellum.

Beth is survived by her sons, Mark (Chris Haycraft) Vargo and Scott (Jody) Vargo; her granddaughters, Riley, and Sydney Vargo; her sisters, Laurie Ann Armstrong, and Sandra Howes, nieces and nephews and her special friend Charles Walczak who provided unwavering support for Beth in her life especially in her final months.

A Celebration of Life will be held on August 1, 2026, with the location to be determined. In lieu of flowers, which Beth, in her characteristically spunky fashion banned from any memorial, please share a donation with your local animal shelter or public library on her behalf.

Arrangements by Downs Life Celebration Center.