07/13/2011 | Dunseith Alumni

Pritchard Family

Dale Pritchard sent me some really nice family pictures that I will be posting tomorrow.

Bernadette’s status

Bernadette’s surgery has been delayed. She has a urinary track infection that needs to get cleared up before they can do surgery. Because we know she has a gallstone, we automatically suspected that was the cause of the pain she has been experiencing the past week or so. As it turns out we now think the pain was caused from her urinary infection. Yesterday she was passing fine gravel like stones from the kidney blast she had over a month ago. They have put her on IV antibiotics, so she will be in the hospital several days while they are administering this antibiotic. Her doctor said Next week for her surgery. Gary

Thank you from Dorothy Halvorson Family

From Lynn Halvorson Otto (75): Boonton, NJ

Hi Gary, oh my, thanks so much for posting moms obituary. We have been so busy with details preparing to say goodbye I haven’t had a moment to tell you about her passing. She has had COPD, a lung disease for the past 5-6 years, slowing getting worse over time. This last was a severe lung infection she just couldn’t flight off anymore. It was heartbreaking to watch her struggle for each breath. She is at peace now, no more drugs to get down and no more fighting for air. We will miss her greatly as any child would but we know she had a wonderful loved filled life. Thank you and God Bless, Lynn and the whole Halvorson family.

Coffee with Doreen Larson (BHS ’61) and David Shelver (63)

Message from Vickie Metcalfe (70): Bottineau, ND

Gary,

I had morning coffee with Doreen (Larson) Moran and David Shelver at the Family Bakery.

Some folks may wonder how Doreen and I know each other? Our mothers were residents at St. Andrew’s Long Term Care during the same time period.

There is something about a tie____, when we find friends by hanging out with our parents undergoing medical care or nursing home care.

Through Doreen, it was nice to meet upper classman, David Shelver, the son of Glen and Annabelle.

I hold Glen and Annabelle Shelver in my memory, with high esteem and fondness.

(They knew at least 4 generations of my family; Wicks/ Lamb and Metcalfe.)

The Shelvers; A remarkable couple, who each carried wonderful character traits. They were role models and true lifelong members of a community, Dunseith and Peace Lutheran Church.

I know of many people who sought their respected wisdom, which was given with fore thought, kindness and grace.

And I ?

I’ am thankful to come from a place where there were people like them. Vickie

Message from Dwight Lang’s (61) Former wife

From: Judy Anderson
E-mail: JudyA632009@aol.com
Message:
I was so heart broken to see where Dwight Lang has passed away, I had not heard from him in almost 3 mos. Was he cremated and where were the ashes scattered? Dwight and I were married only a short time 67 (Dec) to 70 (Mar), he had told me around the holidays he was attempting to meet a Russian woman again for marriage. He always referred to me as his favorite ex (HA) I never knew DuWayne only Adam and Charlotte Lang, we were married after dating only 12 wks and then moved to Akron OH. He was an impressive person and so much energy,if not biting his nails he was smoking a cig (HA). Maybe his ex in Nashville recd the remains?

Thanks for any info, I had you give Dwight my email add about 1 yr or so ago, he gave me some info on his life, etc.

Judy, I am so glad you replied. I was going to find your email address to let you know Dwight had passed on. It is buried in my stuff somewhere, I think. When you asked me to forward your email address to Dwight, he told me who you were. He actually sent several pictures of you. I am not sure if I saved them or not. I will check. He was quite fond of you and was very pleased that you had taken the effort to get in touch with him. He had good words to say about you. Coming from Dwight, you know they were true. I am not sure of his remains, but maybe someone from this blog who knows more than I do and will let you know. Gary

Correspondence between Dwight Lang (61) and Dick Johnson (68):

Posted By Dick Johnson (68): Dunseith, ND

Gary,

This is some correspondence between Dwight Lang and me back over 3 years ago. Maybe folks would be interested in reading this now that Dwight has left our midst.
Dick

Dwight

Great to hear from you! I do really enjoy remembering the old days of
growing up in Dunseith! For some reason, I seem to be able to remember
so many good times and funny things from those days. People say they had
forgotten certain things but my memory jars theirs and then it all comes
back. This is what I try to do with these stories, get others to
remember and then tell their stories of the event. It seems to be
working! My parents and grandparents took hundreds of pictures over the
years and I have kept and studied every one of them for all these years!
We can keep this going for years with these pictures and the stories
that go with them if folks continue to be interested.

I have one memory of you that has stuck in my mind since the early 60s.
I think you went to college in Bottineau after you graduated from DHS.
At least you were in the basement of Old Main one evening when I was
there, at about 11 or 12 years old, and you and some other guys were
playing a guitar in the student lounge. You were wearing a leather
fringe jacket that I believe had some Indian designs on it. I must have
been there for a ballgame or some concert or something. I don’t remember
that but I do remember you guys, and I listened for a while from out in
the hall. Do you remember doing that?

Dick

Dick,

Man, you got a good memory. Loved that leather jacket. I think Howard Hiatt found it in Canada. It traveled with me many miles and many years. But finally I wore it out to pieces and it had to go. Sorry to say my favorite black guitar got stolen from the back of a U-haul van somewhere in Oklahoma.

I joined the National Guard while still in high school. The unit got activated and sent to Fort Lewis (the year of the World’s Fair there). Kenny Reed (originally from Mylo) got me into the guitar to cord with him in the barracks. At the Forestry a few of us made up a band called the Blue Notes. Johnny, Howard and Tom Tom Fredericks and Teddy Ewardson were in the band as well. We played many dances and proms around the area. I still remember playing Wipe Out on the guitar with Tom Tom on the drums. My slow favorite was “Wonderland by Night” on the trumpet. I think Don Darling was the band director in Dunseith at the time. But I remember playing a solo with the band using that song. Later at UND I was bar tending at the Elks club when Don Darling was there having a cool one and he told the Elks band director that he had one of the best trumpet players in the state working behind the bar. I ended up playing with the Elks band being paid bar tender wages — what a great deal!

Music, sports, horses and chasing girls. Life was good in those days. Thanks for jogging my memory. Take care, young fellow.

Dwight

Grade School Basketball picture posted several days ago

Reply from Larry Liere (54): Devils Lake, ND

Gary,

I am very happy to find out this is a grade school basketball team! When I left Dunseith in 1946 I remember David Shelver as being a little guy that was just starting to walk. Thinking this was a High School picture, I thought my mind was getting “old timers”. Thank you Dick & Dennis for setting my mind in the correct time zone for this picture. Based on this information I am guessing David may have been in about the 6th. grade for this picture. Gary keep up the good work, I love reading your BLOG.

LARRY

Message from Cheryl Larson Daken (71): BEDFORD, TX

My best wishes for a speedy and uneventful recovery for Bernadette. She’ll feel so much better after she’s healed from the surgery.

Cheryl Larson Dakin

P.S. on 7-7-11 we welcomed a new grandson, Logan Scott Bland who weighed 7 pounds 11 ounces. I should have played the lottery that day. That makes 5 in 5 years for us. Such a joy. They all live close and we are so blessed.

Philippine Earthquake

Qustion from Cecile Gouin Craig (61): Windsor, CO

Just saw the earthquake news. Praying the both of you and family are all well.

I was born in Dryden, Ontario and so was Maurice (Morris) right in the middle of the Lake of the Woods, where the walleye’s and the Northern’s are HUGE. “A” it’s my turn to brag on the fishing. Cecile 61

I never felt the Earthquake, but Bernadette did up in the hospital. Gary

North Dakota on BBC

Posted by Vickie Metcalfe (70): Bottineau, ND

Gary,

I like to read other perspectives of our great country.

One site I frequent each day, as I read on line, is BBC.

This week there is a most interesting article (video) regarding blood quantum in the Native American population.

North Dakota was discussed specifically in regard to people of Fort Berthhold Reservation and __OIL.(a mighty powerful word here in ND)

For anyone interested;

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-14089253

Social Studies and history always were favorite classes!

Regards to Bernadette. Continue to nurture her while she recovers and

Keep the faith.

Vickie

Orvin Hagen & Wenstad pictures

From Linda Gardner: Vienna, VA

Hi Gary – Got back to Vienna, VA, on Friday. Had a fabulous trip. Got to visit with lots of folks at Orvin’s party and throughout the time I was there. Lloyd and I took Orvin back to Fargo on Wednesday (6/29) and there was a chorus echoing through the place “Orvin’s back”!!!! He is totally well loved there like he is everywhere!!! He showed me around the facility when I picked him up and I am really impressed with the facility and activities that are provided. I think he had a great time and was very surprised by the birthday party Donnie and Sharon planned for him. I didn’t take any pictures at his birthday party but here are a few from the Wenstad gathering we had in Towner. The only one who couldn’t make it was Arlan Wenstad because the roads were closed from the Mouse river flooding. I’ve never seen so much water except at the ocean.

hanks, Gary, for keeping us all connected and informed!!!

Thank you Linda for sharing these picture. I have not seen Gary, Karen or you since I graduated from HS 46 years ago. You are all looking great! Orvin does not look 90, but then he is only 89 in these pictures too. Could that make a difference??? His Birthday is coming up. He will be 90 on the 14th. That is this coming Thursday (tomorrow). Gary