03/19/2011

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Condolences to the Berube Family
From Connie Fauske Monte (62): Santa Barbara, CA
 
My condolences to the Berube family on the passing of their Mother. Rachael and I went to school together for awhile until she went away to school and Robert and I went to school together all 12 years.
 
 
 
Neil Arnzen’s Obituary
Posted by Luella Boardman Bjornseth (49): Bottineau, ND
 

Hi Gary!

I’m attaching a copy of Neil Arntzen’s obituary. I thought many of your readers would be interested in it since he was a coach and instructor at the college here for so many years. I know lots of the Dunseith graduates came over here for the beginning of their college experience. One of the speakers at the funeral was Dennis Duboise (Dunseith Hi graduate of 1963). He was invited to come for the funeral and tell some of his experiences with Neil which was interesting and funny. I worked in the same building at the college with Neil for 18 years.

Luella

Thank you Luella for sending Neil’s Obituary. You mentioned Dennis Dubois (63) being a speaker. Dennis was an all time basket ball star at Dunseith and I’m assuming the Forestery too. Dennis lives in Minneapolis.
 
I never had Neil for an instructor, but I always knew who he was. I used to see him frequently, in later years, at the Bottineau Senior center when I’d go there with my visits back with my folks for their dinner meal. Neil was in the Legion with my dad too, so I knew him from there too. I also remember Neil working summers at the Peace Garden Port of Entry too, as a customs agent.
 
Gary

 

Neil Arntzen
(Died March 10, 2011)

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Neil Arntzen, age 87 of Bottineau, died Thursday at a Bottineau hospital. Funeral will be held on Tuesday at 2:00 pm at the First Lutheran Church in Bottineau. Visitation will be on Monday from 10:00 am until 7:00 pm and again on Tuesday from 10:00 am until noon and the Nero Funeral Home in Bottineau. In lieu of flowers the family request that memorials be given to the future Veteran’s Memorial Building in Bottineau.

Neil Omar Arntzen, a youngest of eight children born to Olaf and Alma (Hansen) Arntzen, was born on June 2, 1923 at Havana, ND. Neil participated on numerous Havana “Red Arrows” sports teams. One of his many accomplishments was setting the North Dakota state record in the half mile. His time of 1 minute and 54.6 seconds stood for almost 40 years. During World War II, Neil saw action in Leyte and Mindanao, Philippines while serving in the US Army from 1943 to 1946. He attended the university of Nebraska and Valley City State College. At Valley City State, he continued his sports participation, lettering in football and track. He received his Master’s Degree in Economics from UND and did post-graduate work at the University of Missouri. Upon graduating from college, Mr. Arntzen taught at Sharron, Bowdon and New Rockford High Schools where he also coached football, basketball and track. On June 1, 1947 he married Helen Marie Aas at Valley City. They moved to Bottineau in 1956 where Neil began teaching history, economics and physical education at the North Dakota School of Forestry. At the college, he served as Dean of Students, Athletic Director and was head coach of the football, basketball, track and baseball teams. In 1966, he began working seasonally as a US Custom’s Service Inspector. He also officiated football, basketball, baseball and was a starter for swimming and track events. Neil retired from teaching in 1985.

Mr. Arntzen was instrumental in forming the junior college Mon-Dak Sports Conference. He was inducted into the Dakota College at Bottineau Hall of Fame and in 1979 he was inducted into the North Dakota Officials Hall of Fame. Even after more than twenty years of retirement, he was active in the Logrollers, raising scholarship funds for the college. He was also instrumental in returning football and establishing softball at Dakota College. He was active in the Bottineau community serving on the Bottineau County Ambulance Squad where he trained personnel in EMT. He was Commander of the American Legion and VFW posts. He served on the Bottineau City Council and the Bottineau park Board. He was a member of the Tri-County Meals program and the Bottineau Men’s Investment Club. He coached little league baseball. He was also president of the Seven County Transportation Board and the Bottineau Senior Citizens. For his commitment to the community, he was awarded the Bottineau Chamber of Commerce Distinguished Service Award.

Neil passed away Thursday, March 10, 2011 at a Bottineau hospital.

Neil is survived by his wife, Helen of Bottineau; his children, Rick (Janet) Arntzen of Warroad, MN, Marie (Dennis) Doran of Spicer, MN, Jan (Steve) Martin of Powell, WY, Susan (Randol) Cassellious of Chippewa, WI, Jane (Bob) Schumacher of Belgrade, MT and Scott (Kelly) Arntzen of Bottineau; 16 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

In addition to his parents and siblings, he was preceded in death by his son, Mark Douglas Arntzen.

Arrangements were with Nero Funeral Home in Bottineau. Friends may sign the online register book at www.nerofuneralhome.net.

 
 
Face book postings that I captured from Susan Fassett Martin and Bill Grimme both from the class of 65.
 
 

Susan Kay Martin

I loved the Red Skelton Show. We never had tv when I was growing up, but went to my grandparents to watch tv. I had seen this years ago and it is very touching.

 

Bill Grimme

I met Red Skelton backstage after his show at the Fox Theater in Atlanta in about 1994. I was with a friend who knew him quite well. Mr. Skelton had just finished a 90 minute show on his feet the whole time, no break and no props other tha…n his mike and a couple of bottles of water. When we got to his dressing room, he sat in a wheelchair, smoking a cigar, drinking a Heinekin. He visited with us, my friend, my friend’s wife, my wife and me for about 30 minutes. No jokes – a lot of great political philosophy. He talked with first hand knowledge about all the Presidents starting with FDR. He was very patriotic and it was clear that he loved this country. I think he was around 80 at the time. That 30 minutes is one of the most memorable moments of my life. Great man.

 

 

Red Skelton’s Pledge of Allegiance to the United States of America

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZBTyTWOZCM&feature=player_embedded