No blog the past 4 days.
With all that has been going the past few days I have not had the time to post a blog, since Monday, and today is Saturday. I have concentrated the past two plus days organizing this month’s Cebu Expat dinners that will be held at the Marco Polo Next Wed and Thursday. We had too many for one night, so the overflow will be accommodated on Wed. We are filled to capacity for Thursday with a hundred folks. We currently have 40 signed up for Wed. Things really moved quickly with this one. The Marco Polo loves our numbers and they treat us well too.
Gary
Typhoon Ruby (international name Hagupit)
At this very moment the Philippines is being hit with a very powerful Typhoon. It looks as though we will be spared from its forces here in Cebu. I have not heard any of the latest conditions. Hopefully it will not be as devastating as that of Yolanda a year ago.
Projected path
Happy Birthday Jerry Williams (’54): Watertown, SD
Happy Belated Birthday Erna Walters Pederson (’55): Minot, ND
Happy Birthday Debbie Williams Syvertson (’75): Minot, ND
Response to Dick Johnson, #2141
From Curt Rotto (Former Peace Lutheran Pastor): Fergus Falls, MN.
Thanks, Gary, for keeping us informed and entertained for many years. Your blog has to be a unique small town gift to many folks. THANKS!
Comment to Dick Johnson re: Dunseith (became Peace) Lutheran confirmation class. Yes, I do remember meeting with your parents and making a decision about your future confirmation studies; I do NOT remember I met with you for two full years??? (Glad you didn’t do the same stunt to my black VW!) However, you were an excellent class of students. You asked great questions and had interesting discussions. It was exciting to see your growth over the years. Our time at Dunseith was a milestone in our lives….we made special memories of many folks and events.
Ann and I continue to live in Fergus Falls, MN., retired and healthy and busy. Our three children and their families (10 grandchildren) are in different states… we travel to see them. We appreciate all the memories everyone shares. Blessed Christmas season to all of you.
(Dick, missed you at Hostfest!)
Christmas letter
From Erling Landsverk (’44): King, WI.
Hi Gary and Everyone!
It is indeed regrettable that Christmas is celebrated only once a year. I hope my thoughts on Christmas in the attached article are not too lengthy for you to share with all my North Dakota friends and relatives. Merry christmas and God Bless you All
Erling Landsverk
Erling,
How wonderful to hear from you. Folks have been asking about you.
Thank you so much for this wonderful Christmas letter too. It brings back wonderful memories of yesteryear, that is for sure.
Gary
Mar
A CHRISTMAS REMEMBERED
I wonder how many readers remember downtown Portage in the “fifties”.
Every store and other establishments had their windows and entrances decorated with wreaths, holly, and lights and of course a Christmas tree. The market square and every other parking lot in town were packed with cars and shoppers were going from place to place, and being greeted by name by the owners who were eager to help them find a certain gift, and if they didn’t have just the right one, they would cheerfully direct the shopper to a competitor whom they were quite sure might have it.
No doubt it was cold at times, but it was only a few steps to the next store. How can we forget these fine stores; the Lorelei, Maloney’s Jewelry, Atkinson’s Dept. Store, The Gamble Store, Portage café, Eulberg’s men’s Store, senger hardware, Atkinson’s shoe Store Service Drugs, Woolworths, Rhymes Drugs, Blacks Furniture and those are just some stores on one block. Christmas carols were heard at every turn, with speakers everywhere playing the message of the Christmas season. Shoppers greeting one another, and at times standing in groups to exchange a merry Christmas and Happy new year. The true meaning of Christmas was easily seen on the smiling faces of shoppers, as they went from store to store, many times with children trooping along to look with wondering eyes at the new toys on the shelves of the store. How great it was to be on a first name basis with the store owner and their employees, and knowing you could count on them for a fair price for your purchase along with a smile and cheery, “would you like this gift wrapped”? You find yourself saying, “yes, if it’s not too much trouble. “No trouble at all” and just like that, the purchase is transformed into a beautiful gift at no extra charge and a merry Christmas as you walked out.
Now days, we drive 2 miles north to a collection of big box stores, with a parking lot that seems to cover several acres. As you walk in, there is no owner to greet you and the employees are few and very busy with their duties of stocking shelves, and if you are lucky, you might be able to find one who can give you some hurried directions to an area that you might find what you are looking for. They don’t ask if you want it gift wrapped, but if you do want that service, some of the large stores have a service that can assist you for a fee of course. Customers are grim faced trying to find items, and probably wishing they hadn’t come to shop for a Christmas present, and resolving that from now on, “let’s just send a gift certificate” One wonders who the owners are, probably a shareholder in some other state could tell us. No matter, they don’t attend our churches; belong to the PTA, or Local clubs and organizations. Of course the employees live here, at least most of them, but I doubt if they know the CEO of their company.
It’s hard to imagine how Christmas will be in the future, but if the trend continues with computers, we can just order our gifts over the internet and have them delivered by someone we don’t know, and then we won’t even have to bother to utter merry Christmas. Isn’t progress wonderful!
Of course, we cannot reverse time, but we can enjoy the luxury of a beautiful time in our lives when we journeyed as a family to our church to worship our creator and celebrate the birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ. We do this willingly . Our hearts filled with joy and gratitude marking this blessed event. We also share this time we have with our friends and neighbors at worship service as we celebrate the real meaning of Christmas together. After returning home we gather around the Christmas tree to open gift, enjoying the children as they open their gifts and the look of joy and love in their eyes as they undo the final wrap. I shall always cherish those memories along with my lovely wife Joann. We thank God for our wonderful family and for making our lives beautiful and happy. May the Spirit of Christmas remain with everyone forever.
Gottbreht & Thorne question
From Larry Liere (’55): Devils Lake, ND
Hi Gary
I seem to remember the Gottbreht name as a Dunseith Police Officer in the late 40’s & 50’s. Was that Dale or was there another Gottbreht or am I wrong about this?? I also remember the Thorne area because my Uncle James Leonard’s family went to church at Thorne. I think all that is left at Thorne now is the Cemetery.
LARRY
Louise Crosby the Pottery Lady (Ref blog 2142 -11/30/2014)
Reply from Deborah Gunville Champagne (’76): Belcourt, ND
Good Morning Gary, Louise Crosby has now passed on also her daughter lives in St. John Judy Handleland
From St.john. Pictures # 23 and 5 our Fabian and Dee Azure, they are both deceased now there granddaughters
Live in Belcourt Denise Marceallias and Toni Parisien not sure where they work.
Our heartfelt sympathy to the Cota and Coleman families
Message from Lola Metcalfe (’68): Dunseith, ND
At the church supper in Peace Lutheran last month – Kenny Hill was telling me of his escapades with Gary COta — Gary MEtcalfe- and I think Larry Sime- !!- comical !!_
and when i got home i began to reminisce remembering Gary’s Parents George and Lela Cota– — Now– I don’t think i have ever known two more sweet and gentle people than those two – !!!
When jay and i got married back in 1968 — we lived out on Jay’s sheep ranch for a few months and then his Mom died– so we moved in with his Dad for a couple months- George and Lela lived right behind their house-
and i was working at the san and Jay at Dales from 6 am til 6 pm– !! so i was on my own to go to work – and a storm came and who was out there shoveling the snow away from my car//– yep George Cota– !!- and just such sweet neighbors- !!-
when i went to work at San Haven back in high school — I worked on the floors – on the big mens’ ward– of non ambulatory patients !!! – at not quite 16 !!!– and i would faint every darn morning- !!!- I would get about 2 patients fed and then i could feel i was going to faint and would run smack into the nurses desk !!_ darn– I was aiming for the door!!_ — and Lela was a cleaning lady there and she would haul me off to the dressing room – put my feet up and put a cool cloth on my head- — well, after a week of that they made me go to the Dr in town– and Dr Kester said i had such low blood pressure and then standing up that long and being tense cause i was not familiar with the patients- that the blood just didn’t go to my head- !! — but that went away after a couple weeks and i got familiar with the patients !!!– But dear Lela took care of me so well !!_
and then i found out years later that George and LEla were my folks best man and Maid of honor –( the only two ) back in 1934 !!!_ for their marriage !!- their witnesses- !!!- and many years later they visited regularly !!!_
Such sweet people !!- I loved them dearly — they were just so good to jay and i when we lived next to them in town-
I believe Gary was their only child !!_ if i remember right- !!- – anyhow it is interesting how you have someone on your mind and then all these happenings come along- !!- God bless their souls !!_ LOLA
Also it is with a very heavy heart and Jay and i had a very sad weekend thinking of Troy Coleman – son of Karen Belisle COleman and now Azure — who lost his son in a freak accident with a snowmobile right in their own yard !!- Troy Jr- just 16 years old working on a machine with his Dad and the darn thing went haywire and somehow the throttle stuck or something and it went up a tree and Troy Jr hit his head and died- !!! Our hearts are just so broken for Troy as he was the ideal father his son was his Best Friend !!_ and gayle )Bergan) his mom – the sun rose and set on their son !!_ such a happy wonderful home for that boy !!_ so sad !!!_ Steve Coleman — Troy’s cousin gave us the news saturday morning- — and we all sat in shock at the thought of it =- !!! just so heartbreaking — someday we will know the reason why but here on earth ???– really makes you wonder why !!–
Troy Coleman Passed away
Troy James Coleman——16, Sawyer, ND, passed away on Friday, November 28, 2014 from injuries sustained in a snowmobiling accident near Sawyer
Troy James Coleman was born on August 30, 1998, a son of Troy and Gale (Bergan) Coleman at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Minot, ND. He was raised in the Sawyer area, attending Bell Elementary School, Jim Hill, Central Campus and was currently a junior at Minot High School.
Troy found a love for motors at an early age and began riding with his dad at the tender age of three. They spent many hours in the Badlands of North Dakota and everywhere in between joyfully cruising any area which could be traveled by two wheels.
Troy cherished any and every animal he come across and had a special place in his heart for anyone in need. He was always kind, respectful, cordial and made everyone around him feel like they were the most special person on earth. He had many, many special friends but held the Sailor and Robert’s families as close to his heart as he held his own family.
Over the years he spent many hours camping, talking, laughing and playing washers with Barb and Terry Tenneson, who he also held close to his heart.
At the age of 15, Troy began working at Market Place Foods Dakota Square location. He was a hard worker and met many great friends that meant the world to him.
In his free time, Troy enjoyed the outdoors, camping, fishing, hunting, riding motorcycles and snowmobiles he also enjoyed wrestling, football and playing his trumpet in the band in his earlier years. He was a wonderful son, brother, grandson, nephew and friend that touched many lives and will be deeply missed.
Troy is survived by:
Parents: Troy and Gale, Sawyer, ND; Sister: Morgan Page, Minot; Maternal grandparents: Glenda and David Bergan, Dunseith, ND, Paternal grandparents: Karen and Duane Azure, Dunseith, ND and C.J. and Helga Coleman, Emerado, ND;
Honorary grandparents: Barb and Terry Tenneson, Carrington, ND; And numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
Troy was preceded in death by his maternal and paternal great-grandparents.
Visitation: Wednesday, December 3, 2014 from 1-5 at Thompson Larson Funeral Home, Minot
Vigil Prayer Service: Wednesday, December 3, 2014 at 7:30 p at St.Leo’s Catholic Church, Minot
Mass of Christian Burial: Thursday, December 4, 2014 at 3:30 pm at St. Leo’s Catholic Church, Minot
Burial: A private family burial will take place at a later date.
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Blog (208) posted on August 28, 2008
Folks, at the bottom of this message I have listed the folks I’m having problems locating from the 40’s classes. Any help you can provide will be greatly appreciated. Thanks Gary
Reply from Colette Hosmer (64):
Evie … what an absolutely sweet photo of your Mom and Dad! I had to print it out to put on my fridge — I love it, especially your Dad’s cute haircut.
Colette
Marlin William’s picture provided by Neola Kofoid Garbe:
Marlin was married to Doris Peterson from the DHS class of 53. Doris does not have email.
Picture/message from Neola Kofoid Garbe:
Gary,
I don’t know what group this is, but I’m guessing it’s a Rolette County group, but that’s just a guess.
I recognize Joe Morinville (top, left). Howard Lemieux (Middle row, second from the left), Rich Campbell next to Howard?. Joe Lemieux (fourth from the left in the front row). The first man in the front row is VERY familiar, but I don’t recognize him.
It doesn’t matter to me if the men aren’t identified, but I thought your readers might recognize/enjoy seeing some of the men. 
There’s no date on the picture.
Neola
Can any anyone identify this group of guys? What is the occasion? Gary
Picture provided by Neola Kofoid Garbe:
Does anyone recognize this little Hiatt girl?
She would be nearly 40 years old now. Gary
Need help Locating:
Folks, I need some help locating a few folks from some of the 40’s classes. Any info that you can provide for anyone of these folks will be extremely helpful. For the ladies I need married names.
Class of 1940
Lucina Bahl
Robert Johnson
Geogeina Maginel
Class of 1941
Kenneth Christianson
Thelma Medlang
Irene Nelson
Class of 42
Jean Braaten
Warren Johnson
June McDermott
Margaret Ann Myhre
Barbara Nelson
Class of 43
Mary Murray
Evelyn Goodsell – her sister Artis Johnson lives in Bottineau
Class of 44
Ursell Carlson (Grand Pre)
Lyle Johnson
Lona Sund (Swan)
Delphine Wentland
Class of 45
Joyce Martinson
Georgia Merrick
Betty Watschke
Class of 47
Gloria Plante
Class of 48
Bonnie Haines