From Dick Johnson (68): 

Gary and Friends,

With all the effort Neola Kofoid Garbe puts into this site, I thought
she might like to hear a little story about her dad, John Kofoid. My
dad, Don Johnson, had a 1957 International 3/4 Ton pickup he bought in
about 1960. We used it for farming and for travel to and from the farm.
One day it developed an engine miss. Dad and I checked out the miss and
found that one piston was blown and this was causing the problem. We
took it to John Kofoid and he pulled the engine apart and then called
Dad to come uptown to see the problem. I went along to see what John
found. The cylinder was scored (scratched up) badly and John said, “Don,
I can just bore one cylinder and put in a bigger piston”. I remember Dad
saying, “I didn’t think you could do that–just one, won’t it throw the
engine out of balance”? I will never forget how John stood up from under
the hood and looked at Dad, over the top of his glasses and said
bluntly, ” I—can do that”! Dad said, “OK John, do it”. The engine ran
like a new one for many years. He was what my dad called a real
mechanic, not a ‘parts changer’! Thanks Gary!

Dick

Reply from Neola Kofoid Garbe: 

Hi Gary and Dale,

I’ll be happy to “fill you in” on Carol Berg.  It might take me a few days to get back to you, as I’m selling caramels at a bazaar at Edgewood Vista (assisted living facility in Minot where my Mom lived for about 12 years.) tomorrow (Thursday).  On Friday/Saturday, I’m selling caramels at a craft sale that’s being held in downtown Minot at Carnegie Center.  I don’t know if you’ve heard of “The Caramel Lady”, or not, but that’s my nickname.  My students gave me the name many years ago, so when I started selling caramels, it seemed a natural name to use.  I need to be at Edgewood at 9:00 a.m., and I’m just finishing up with a few last minute caramels.  Soooo, I will get back to you later.  Thanks for asking about Carol

Neola

Reply from Dale Pritchard (63): 

Gary,

I remember someone else commenting on the transition from a country
school to high school in town.  I think the term “Culture Shock” sort of
fit at the time.  Going from an entire school of 12 – 16 to an entire
class of 30 or more was rough for some of us for a while.  But — We
survived and made a lot of good friends along the way too.

Dale

Folks, LaRose Kitterling (46) asked me several months ago how she could get some pictures to me so I could  scan and send them out to you folks.  I suggested that she call Jared Steele in Bottineau. He is the young man that works for Terry Moe that got married this past July to a girl living here in Cebu. She did get in contact with Jared and sent him 5 beautiful pictures of the classes from the 40’s. Jared arrived yesterday with those pictures.  I’ll plan on sending one out each day.  Gary

LaRose Kitterling”s (46) reply to Gary: mercerlk@westriv.com

Gary

Glad the pictures arrived- the operetta cast has pictures of many of the older Dunseith kids.

By committee I meant-it was an informal group- we were together for the Darrel and Dorothy Fasset anniversary and sat around the table trying to identify who was who- included in that group were Darrel and Dorothy, Lloyd and Theresa Awalt, Eleanor and Leonard Stickland, Wayne Molgard, Bill Hosmer with further help from Carol Watkins Carbonneau, Murl Hill , Marlene Molgard and Minnie Flynn- all senior citizens.. We had it put on poster paper and the operatta cast and the 1946 class were on display in the school library for the 2007 all school reunion.

I look forward to the daily messages – thank you

LaRose

Picture provided by LaRose Kitterling (46):

Reply from Marth Lamb Schepp (68): 

Hi Gary,

I was a little embarrassed to see our wedding picture and the BIG write
up of our day.  I’ve gotten over it now, so guess I will respond and
thank you again for all that you do.  I was glad Randy Flynn did the
math as we did celebrate our 35th in Medora.  On our 25th we did a
little cruise off of Miami.  More great memories!  Where has the time
gone.

Thanks again,

Martha Lamb Schepp

Martha, That was a beautiful picture and write up they had for you guys 35 years ago.  That picture is exactly the way I remember you, however, you are one of the few that folks will still recognize that haven’t seen you for many years.  Over the years the physical characteristics of most of us have changed considerably, however there are a few of you that have not changed.  Off the top of my head, Margaret Metcalfe Leonard, Ron Longie and you are the ones that I can think of at the moment, that have changed very little, over the years.  In August of 2004, my two brothers, (Darrel & Allen) and I were in the bank in Dunseith. We were standing by the window next to main street.  When I look out the window I saw this lady walking across the street, I said to my brothers, “that’s Margaret Metcalfe crossing the street”.  She was coming into the bank. I had not seen Margaret for 35 plus years.  She looked exactly the same as I had remembered her from our HS days with the same friendly bubbly personality that she has always possessed.  Gary

Reply from Cheryl Larson Dakin (71):

This is in reply to Lyle’s comments about hanging out at the Morinville’s…I know I’ve said this before, but during the times when my Dad was stationed out of the country and we couldn’t join him, we would go home to Dunseith to stay. We always knew we were close to home when we would see the “eyes, nose, and mouth house” on the highway outside of Dunseith. But we really knew we were there when we got to Aunt Lee’s (Hosmer’s) next door to the Morinville’s. We had many, many sleep-overs there with Debbie and Bev. I didn’t know until many years later that my Dad and Francis were cousins so that made the relationship even more special.  I don’t remember ever being turned away at their door, even when the kids might not have been home. During our grade-school days we spent a lot of our spare time at the creek or at the Fontaine’s or playing behind Gamble’s, or hanging out at the Campbell’s garage. And even though it would sometimes be years between trips to Dunseith, when we did go back, it was like we had never left. From Mrs. Seim to Mrs. Halvorson to Mrs. Conroy, to Bev and Margaret, Loretta and Loraine, Stephanie, Paula, Cheryl and all the kids I knew “way back when” you had a huge impact on my life.

Cheryl Larson Dakin ’71

Cheryl, I have said this before too, Frances Morinville’s brother Bert Hanson was married to my dad’s sister Olga.  I did not realize the Larson’s and the Hanson’s were related. They all lived in the Lake Metigoshe area.  Gary

Reply from Carmen Leonard Richard (Rolette): 

In reply to Joe Johnson about the Catholic church in Thorne, it was moved to Rolette in 1973 and was remodled in 2005. I think it was originally built about 1950 and if memory serves me correctly, Ted Grenier was one of the church council members when it was built.

Message/picture from Neola Kofoid Garbe:

Gary,

I sent this picture to Gailord the other day.  The following is his response.  Needless to say, I’ll sure be including this picture in his package.  I wish it would have been an 8 x 10, but this size will work, too.  Receiving emails like this, where a family member has never seen a picture I post/send to them, brings tears to my eyes.  I am so grateful God bless me with this “passion” for pictures and getting them to people who want them.

Neola

Gaillord Peltier’s (80) reply: 

Good Morning Mrs. Garbe;

This picture is my Father and Mother, Joseph J. Peltier and Delores
(Davis) Peltier with their daughter, my sister Madonna and her husband
Melvin Yawakie. That is a beautiful picture, one that I have never seen
before.

Joseph J. Peltier Family

Reply From Cecile Gouin Longie Craig (61): c

Yes that is the Longie family, circa 1958-60.
Back row: left Wallace, Wilbur, Margie, Ronnie
Front row: left Willie, Patti, Ursula, Donnie

Cecile Gouin Longie Craig

PS – On the names in the pic I should have written Wilbur was known as Bill.
Where as thats why Willie was called Willie or Billy. Cecile
Cecile, I did not realize that you are related to the Longie’s.  Gary

Reply from Sharon Longie Dana (73)

Reply from Dick Johnson (68)

Gary,

It seems weird, but I looked at the kid on the right and he looked like
I remember a Longie around my age. I would guess that picture was taken
about 56 or 58, in there somewhere. Crazy huh!!

Dick

Folk’s I initially sent this photo to Dick Johnson and Mel Kuhn for their identification, thinking it was another family. Dick replied saying he thought this was the Longie family. With a second look, I recognized Ron Longie (65) in the picture.  He has not change at all.  Gary

Wilbur Longie Family:
Back row: left Wallace, Wilbur, Margie, Ronnie
Front row: left Willie, Patti, Ursula, Donnie

Message from Lyle Olson (75): 

Gary and all:

Received an e-mail from Mel Kuhn the other day.  It was good to hear from him.  He spoke with great excitement about the excellent St. John High School football team – undefeated thus far.  It got me thinking about the best teams fielded by Dunseith over the years.  In my opinion, the best football team fielded by Dunseith was in 1971. The best baseball team fielded by Dunseith was definitely the class of 1972.  And, of course, the best basketball team fielded by Dunseith was also the class of 1972.  Now, I recognize that some may argue about my selections, and I invite you to do so on this blog.  However, let me make the case about the 1972 Dunseith Dragons basketball team.

The team was coached by Larry Haugen.  Richard Becker was the assistant coach ..  Our team motto was: “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” The players were as follows: Seniors Don Olson, Greg Evans, Jim Melmer, Donald Malaterre, Linus Faine, Tim Gunville and Curt Hagel; Juniors Curt Berg and Jeff Evans (George Malaterre made the original team of 12 but did not finish out the season); Sophomore Terry Counts (Jesse Marion came on the “A” squad when George Malaterre left); and Freshman Lyle Olson.  The “main five” were made up of Don Olson, Jim Melmer, Curt Berg, Greg Evans and Terry Counts.  I believe we went 25-3 that year, losing to Wolford and Langdon (who took 5th place in the State A that year) during the regular season and then to Berthold in the first game of the state tournament in Minot.

Everyone seemed to have a nickname on that team.  Don Olson was called “Ole” or “Jelly Belly”, depending on the crowd.  Greg Evans’ nickname was “Tic”.  “Honker” was the nickname of Jim Melmer.  Doanld Malaterre went by “Donald Duck”.  Linus Faine was “Guff,” Tim Gunville was “Gunner” and Curt Hagel was “Bear”.  Jeff Evans was called “Harvey”.  George Malaterre was called “Coco”.  I can’t remember Curt Berg’s nickname, but I called him “Sir” after he nearly killed me in the boxing match at Honsey’s.  Terry Counts’ nickname was “Pie”.  Jesse Marion was called “Muff” and my nickname was “Mad Dog”.  I could explain the origin for some of the nicknames but I had better stick with how I got my nickname; after all, I still see some of these guys every now and then.

During try-outs for the “A” squad, we were told to run laps.  Well, I was never a very fast person to be sure – in fact, I was downright slow.  In any event, my legs somehow got tangled up with Curt Hagel’s legs and we both went down.  Well, Curt being a Senior and me being a freshman, Curt came up and was pretty upset at being put down by a lowly freshman and we started wrestling around.  Needless to say, I got my you know what kicked (yes, there seems to be a pattern here with older classmen).  Well, I must have done somewhat OK because everyone started calling me “Mad Dog” after “Mad Dog Vashon,” a famous ALL-STAR wrestler at the time.  Needless to say, that nickname has stayed with me to this day.  The nickname kind of became a self-fulfilling prophecy because I always seemed to have a quick temper and received many technical fouls as my basketball career progressed, or regressed, depending on who you talk to.  Looking back on it now, I deserved each and every one of those technical fouls and I hereby apologize to Jim Berube and Red Johnson, who refereed many games in which I played.

In any event, I think we were 10-0 when we lost to Wolford.  Up to that point, we had beat all opponents by wide margins.  It was a tough game all the way through.  We had the ball the last possession of the game and I missed the last shot.  Now, not to second guess Coach Haugen, but what in the hell was I doing in the game at that point in time, and why did I have the ball  – I was only a freshman.  Regardless, I took a shot from deep in the corner and the damn thing nearly went in.  Had it gone in I would have been a legend, at least in my own mind.  However, it did not go in and that was that – our first loss of the year.  Remarkably, I do not remember any of my teammates giving me grief about missing the shot, or even why I was in the game at the time.  A team that good never looked back and we ran off a few more wins before being thrashed by Langdon by 20 points.  As noted above, Langdon had a great team that year and finished 5th in the State A.

Everyone who follows Dunseith Dragon basketball knows what happened at the State B, and I will not rehash that here.  Needless to say, we were quite destroyed by the first game but had enough pride to dominate the loser’s bracket by winning the next two games to take home the 5th place trophy.

That team was a close-knit bunch of guys.  We took two road trips that year, if memory serves me.  On the road trip to Ray and Powers Lake, the main five was not doing all that great against Powers Lake and Coach Haugen put in the second five in the late first quarter or early second quarter and we caught up to them and built a lead for the main five by half-time.  I also remember going out after the game in Ray and snagging a few good looking local gals, but that story is best told eye to eye without any wives or girlfriends around.

I saw most of the 1972 basketball players at the reunion in 2007.  Unfortunately, Tim “Gunner” Gunville passed away a few years ago, but all the other players are still living.  Many of us weigh 25% to 50% more than what we weighed when we played ball and others have remained fit.  Indeed, Curt Hagel actually weighed less in 2007 that he did in 1972, or at least he looked like he did.  He better not try and wrestle me now, as I have him by a 100 pounds!!!  Seriously, and even at this old age, I would put that team up against any team produced by Dunseith over the years.  I think we would stand a good chance in winning despite eroding skills and deconditioned lungs because if I have learned anything over the years, it is that heart and desire are formidable teammates, and the 1972 Dragon basketball team had them both, in abundance.

Lyle

From Dick Johnson (68): 

Gary and Friends,

It was great to hear from Toni Morinville Gredesky after waiting for so
long! Toni has a wealth of interesting memories she should share with
us. In answer to her question, I do remember going to Minot to the
concert by Fred Waring and his orchestra. At the time I wasn’t really
enthused about the musical events my dad, Don Johnson, was forever
taking us to! Man was I wrong! Do you remember how he expected us to be
well dressed and behaved at all times? I now know that the attitude he
wanted us to present, was part of the reason our choir and band excelled
to the degree it did. I also remember how he got the school to buy those
blue Dragon blazers for us and for the basketball teams. He and Mr.
Hepper ‘conspired’ together on the blazers. I remember wearing the
blazers the first time to a game in Rolla, our rival. They looked
defeated when we walked through the door! I don’t know how long it was,
but the very next time we played Rolla they were wearing gold Bulldog
blazers! Never to be upstaged by us! Thanks Gary and Toni!

Dick

Message/picture from Neola Kofoid Garbe: 

Gary,

Basically, this is Alvin/Lillian Torgerson Berg’s family.  As you know, Lillian married Reinhard Schultz awhile after Alvin was killed in the car accident when he/Lillian/Gary/Mr. and Mrs. Berg were on their way to visit Alvin’s sister, Arla, and her husband, Tony.

Neola

Dick Johnson’s (68) reply to the Berg Family: 

Gary and Neola,

Alvin and Martin Berg were brothers and grew up just west of where Bud and Mary Knutson live, along 43. Bud has since died but Mary and son, Bob live there yet. Alvin’s mother was Clara Johnson Berg, a sister to my grandma and Bennie Johnson and the rest. Alvin had the bakery in Dunseith for a while and I think he was also involved in one of the
bars. Alvin and Lillian went on a trip and were in an auto accident, I
think in Illinois, and Alvin didn’t appear to be injured. He was helping
care for the family and just suddenly collapsed and died. Martin and
Alvin and two girls were first cousins to my mom, Bernice. We went to
visit Lillian and her family many times. Guy was my age, Gary and the
girls were older. The Haugerud I remember was also my age and her name was Corliss (Corky) Haugerud. She went to college with me at Bottineau. I remember Mom saying that Lillian found a very nice man, Rienhard Schultz. She had lived alone for many years and raised the family by herself. We lost contact with the family after Mom was gone so I don’t know where any of them are today. I did get permission a few years ago to walk over from Mary Knutsons to where the Bergs lived. It was sure a trip down memory lane! Both houses, the old log house and the white frame house are still standing, but in real bad shape. I remember going there in the mid 50s and having lunch with Albert and Clara. Albert used to come to visit us in Dunseith after Clara died in 1957. He reminded me of the pictures of Winston Churcill. He wore a black longcoat and a black hat and carried a cane. The best part was that he drove a black 36 Ford two door I really liked! One of his daughters, Amanda, and her husband, Clarence Schultz, got the 36 when Albert died. They lived in Donnybrook,ND and had a grocery store with Eldon Hiatt for a few years. I think Amanda is still living and I want to find out what became of the old car. She may still have it in a garage down there. Who knows—the
thrill of the hunt!!
Dick

Gary,

This is the message from Shirley Olson Warcup about Alvin Berg and the family. She corrected my memory of his place of death, Ohio not Illinois the rest seems correct.

Dick

Dick,
Alvin died June 11, 1952–I believe it was near Lima, Ohio–the
only reason I remember this is because I heard it on the radio when we were
living in Grand forks and as I heard Lima, my first thought was “that’s in
Peru”.  As I listened further and they told of the accident, they mentioned
Ohio.  I have never looked at a map to locate Lima–it’s possible he was
transported to Illinois to a hospital and died there.  I remember they said
he appeared to be all right (he had been looking after everyone)  but died
enroute to the hospital.  I was really surprised to hear this on a Grand
Forks radio station–there was quite a bit of detail.  I’m not sure, but I
think Clarence Schultz and Reinhard might have been brothers.  Martin Berg
married Alice Brudvik–I think they had only one daughter, Carol.  Arla
married Anthony Marteliano–they lived in Port Charlotte, Fl., after they
retired.  Arla died May 29, 2000. Even after Arla’s death,we usually got a
Christmas card from Tony, but I don’t think we got one last year so I’m not
sure if he’s still living or not.  Ron hasn’t read this e-mail yet–when he
comes in from the garage I’ll have him answer your question about cars.
Tell Brenda “hello”.
Snookie

Alvin Berg Family taken after his death. Alvin owned the bakery, at one time, in Dunseith

Reply from Bonnie Awalt Houle(56): 

Dear Gary,

The wedding picture shown is of one of the Bailey girls.  From left to right:  Jeanne Bailey Groves, Judy Bailey Foley, Harvey Bailey, Hulda Bailey, Bride is Janice Bailey Proctor,  the groom is Jim Proctor and the other girl in light color is Joanne Bailey Perrin.  I don’t recall the names of the boys in this picture or the name of the other women.  This photo was probably taken at the Methodist Church in Rolla.

Have a wonderful day.

Bonnie Awalt Houle Class of 1956

Picture provided by Neola Kofoid Garbe:

Reply from Marlene Henderson (Rolla): 

From Judy Bailey Foley to Marlene Henderson Re:  wedding picture

Jeannie Bailey, Judy Bailey Foley, Harvey Bailey, Hulda Bailey, Janice Bailey Martinez (bride),  Antonio Martinez (groom), ? ?, JoAnn Bailey  Perrin, Nick Perrin.
> The little ring bearer is my son, Steven Foley.

Sorry I don’t know the names of Tony’s brother and sister-Dunseith book might want this–my dad’s family farm was in the Dunseith  area.

Antonio & Janice Bailey Martinez Wedding:
Jeannie Bailey, Judy Bailey Foley, Harvey Bailey, Hulda Bailey, Janice Bailey Martinez (bride), Antonio Martinez (groom), ? ?, JoAnn Bailey  Perrin, Nick Perrin.  Ring Bearer is Steven Foley

Correction from yesterday. I said the class of 1970 had nearly 40 graduates. I just check and they had 48 graduates.  I beleive they are the largest class of have ever graduated from Dunseith High School.  Gary

                                   Dunseith High School Class of1971

Folks, We had a lot of replies to the Grenier pictures. This was actually the wedding of Pennie Kester and Gary Grenier. I think Ted Grenier must have ordered copies of these pictures, so that is how his name came up when Neola found them. I have pasted all the Grenier comments from this statement down to the pictures.  Thanks for your many replies. The Grenier family was well known in the Dunseith community.  Gary

Reply from Pennie Kester Grenier (69): 

Gary,  The pictures of the Grenier wedding are old!  Haven’t seen my own for quite some time, so I was surprised to see them on your site.  The picture with 4 people from left to right: Cheryl Kester Gaugler,

myself,  Gary Grenier (with a bit more hair than he has now) and Gary’s
brother Roger Grenier.  The other pic shows Gary’s sister Karen pinning
a flower on their Grandfather Simeon Grenier.  The lady in the far right
hand corner of that picture is Irene Fassett, Susan, Crystal and Paula
Fassett’s mother. Hope this helps.  Take care and send us some of your warm weather-it was 14 degrees here this AM.  Take Care,  Pennie Kester
Grenier

Pennie, It’s currently 89 degrees here with scatterd clouds at 12:40 PM.  Gary

Reply from Joe Johnson (77): 

Gary,

I’m not sure about the title on the photos, but I can identify some of the people.  The reason I’m not sure about the title on the photos is because of the people in the photos and the clothes just don’t seem to fit the dates that my uncle Ted would have married my aunt Margit.  Moreover, if the people in the photos are who I think they are then the title doesn’t fit; however, it may be another Grenier wedding or such.

In the one photo the gentleman having the corsage pinned on his suit is my Grandfather, Simeon Grenier.  I do believe that is my cousin, Karen Grenier, Ted and Margit’s only daughter pinning the corsage.

In the second photo, the young man with the blond hair on the far right looks like my cousin Roger Grenier; the other young man with the dark hair looks like, Roger’s brother, Gary, both Ted & Margit’s sons.  The young lady to Gary’s right may be Penny Kester from Dunseith but I cannot be sure.  Gary is actually married to Penny, so I’m wondering if these photos may have been from that wedding.

Also, again I’m not sure but, these photos seem to be taken in the old Catholic church at Thorne, ND which is no longer there.  I don’t know if it was torn down or what.

Simeon, moved to Dunseith from the homestead farm, 6 miles east of Dunseith and 1 mile south (same road as the Turtle Mountain reservation line going north), in 1959.  Today, my cousin, Steve Grenier farms the original Grenier homestead and Gary Grenier farms Ted’s place just one more mile south of the original homestead.  Ted was Simeon’s oldest child.

Ted & Margit’s kids were older than I so I didn’t have the same close relationship with them that I enjoyed with Orville and Mickey (Haagenson) Grenier’s kids since Orville was the youngest of Simeon’s kids.  The Grenier kids all attended school in Rolette and not Dunseith.

Also, Orville and Mickey and kids are very good friends with the John and Murl Hill family.

I’m sure you may get a response from many others in the Dunseith area as many people knew and still know of my grandfather Simeon (born 1889 passed 1978).  Simeon was one of the best people you could ever meet or know and one of the most humble men I ever knew.  Believe me I could go on about Simeon for many hours as I’m sure many of his other grandkids could as well.

Clarence and Beverly (Morinville) Azure live in the home Simeon built in Dunseith in 1959 and it was really great to get to be back in that home in 2007 when I was in Dunseith for the reunion.  As, Lyle, said many, many kids hung out at the Morinville’s and my sister Linda is still good friends with Bev.  Bev, thanks for the memories.

Again to help you place Simeon, if you remember just a few emails back (message 259), Alan Campbell mentioned this about Simeon Grenier:

Reply from Phyllis & Alan Campbell: 

“To those who played basketball on Campbell’s driveway—-you might not know and might be interested in some background on that basketball backboard. It was made out of wood from the old RIverside Hotel and donated by Simeon Grenier who had purchased the hotel. We think he and Alfred Cote made it and helped install it on the Campbell garage around 1964. There were a lot of basketballs bounced off that backboard!! To honor the North Dakota Centennial in 1976, Jeff painted it red, white and blue and added a bunch of stars. It withstood a lot more activity for a number of years. He finally dismantled it when the wood deteriorated beyond salvage.

Pyhllis and Alan Campbell”

Also, I played basketball at the Campbell’s too, OK not that well but…. – and I never new that my grandfather had anything to do with that backboard on the Campbell garage.  I was so surprised by Alan and Phyllis’ response, definitely an emotional moment for me  What a wonderful town Dunseith was and is, a great place to have been raised.

OK, I’m sure that is more than you wanted to know already.  I’ll try and send in a couple of good George Malaterre stories as well in the near future.  Lyle Olson triggered some really great memories that I have about George.

Thanks, Joe Johnson  (1977)

Reply from Lola Metcalfe Vanorny (68):

Lola vanorny, ew
Wow!!_ Gary!!– this has turned into a unique and awesome  thing huh??  and
to think it all started when you emailed me as you had seen my name
somewhere on the internet-  and asked if I was part of the Metcalfe girls
and if I remembered you as we rode the school bus together and asked about
Margaret and Helen.  Look where it is today!–

I can recognize the wedding picture of Pennie Kester and Gary Grenier–
and the Maid of honor must be Cheryl Kester ( Pennie’s twin sister ) Isn’t
that a darling picture??     and I believe the groomsman looks like Roger
Grenier  .    also the lady in the back ground may be  Irene Fassett.

I had to add my memories of Morinville’s too. Usually it was Randi
Mongeon, Paulette Lacroix, Toni , Connie Mellmer ,  Brenda Hoffman  and I
– and probably more–
We had many slumber parties there and yes how tolerant  and generous  Joe
and Frances were!!- we’d be up making pizza in the middle of the night.
and one of the favorite things to do when they weren’t around was call
someone and ask if they had their TV on and how did it fit? — and all
those  goofy little jokes – We’d call Said Kadry and ask if he had Prince
Albert in  a can–  and to let him out !  We’d go the store and get
fizzies.  Go up to the drug store  and have a cherry coke float and walk
around town or explore the park –  ..  Such carefree days!!

Frances had to get us all ready for a Memorial Day Program one year  , I
remember,    as we had stayed overnight the night before the program.  and
another time I remember her up in the middle of the night Doctoring us for
sand fleas we must have picked up playing outside.!!

I used to love to stay at Mongeon’s too–  all those kids and everyone was
always happy–Armand and Leona  would visit with us after supper and the
rosary –  sometimes Armand would even sing with us or we would catch Leona
yodelling!-  when she thought no one was around!!- wonderful soft
memories!!      We sure had fun!!–  Thanks so much Gary for keeping this
going!!– Lola (Metcalfe) Vanorny

Reply from Kathy Casavant Ellingson (74): 

Gary,

The wedding photo is of Gary and Penny Kester Grenier. The attendants
are Cheryl Kester Gaugler and Roger Grenier.

Dick

Reply from Susan Fassett Martin (65): 

The wedding picture is Cheryl and Pennie Kester, and Gary Grenier but I don’t know the other fellow.

Reply from Allen Richard (65): 

The Ted Grenier pic I think is not accrue ate.  I think it is Simeon Grenier — Angela Malget and her mom Fern would know.

Reply from Paula Fassett Pfuhl (71): 

Gary:

I’m guessing you’ll get better replies than mine on the Ted Grenier wedding photos, but here goes anyway…….the first one I’m not sure who anyone is except my Mom, Irene Fassett, is the very happy lady on the right side of the photo!!! The wedding is Pennie (Kester) and Gary Grenier’s wedding.  Left to right is Cheryl Kester, Pennie, Gary, and Gary’s brother, who’s name I can’t recall!!!  (Pennie and Cheryl had cute little crocheted dresses that I think were hand-made……….)

Paula

Reply from Aggie Casavant (69):

HI GARY, tHIS IS AGGIE CASAVANT IN CHARLOTTE N.C. THE PICTURES OF YOUNG MARRIED COUPLE IS 2 OF MY BEST FRIENDS FROM DHS THE BRDE IS PENNY KESTER GROOM GARY GREINIER FROM ROLETTE, BRIDES MAID IS  PENNIES TWIN SISTER CHERYL KESTER. THE PICTURE OF THE OLDER MAN GETTING A FLOWER PINNED IS SIMEON GREINIER GARYS GRANDPA, THE GAL DONG THE PINNING I DO NOT KNOW

P.S THE GROOMSMAN IS GARY’S BROTHER RODGER,THEY WERE OUR NIEGHBORS GROWING UP AND WE ALL WENT TO THE SAME CHURCH, THEY ARE SONS OF TED7 MARGRET GREINIER
Gary and Pennie Kester Grenier’s wedding:

Picture: Simeon and Karen Grenier.  The lady to the right is Irene Fassett.

Gary and Pennie Kester Grenier’s wedding:
Cheryl Kester Gaugler, Pennie Kester Grenier, Gary Grenier and  Roger Grenier

Reply from Bernard Morin (76): 

Parts of this message got dropped off the first time, so I’m reposting it. Gary

Lyle O is the king. He never fails to provide laughter, whether in casual conservation or telling a story. I however have had the privilege to see Lyle when he wasn’t in his usual jovial mood, he still provided laughter but it wasn’t his intention.
Back in 1988 Lyle, Keith Berg, my wife Robin & I went to Riding Mountain for a weekend of golf on the infamous Wasagaming course. Lyle booked us a 6:30 am tee time on both Saturday & Sunday. We were forewarned as to being in the great white north we should be prepared for chilly weather, heeding that warning we dressed accordingly, long sleeved shirts, trousers and light jackets. By 7:45 am the mercury was rising pretty fast along with Keith’s and my temper, from the first hole on we both were losing balls at a pretty steady rate, whether in the rough or the dense timber. By the fourth hole we had our sleeves rolled up and were sweating like crazy as the temp was crowding 80 degrees, except for Lyle, he had put shorts on under his pants and had brought a light shirt along “just in case”. By the time we reached the 8th tee box Lyle was letting us know pretty frequently that he still had his original ball that he started with. After finishing the 9th hole Keith & I stopped at the clubhouse to replenish our supply, of golf balls, with some gentle ribbing from Lyle about how he was still playing with his original ball that couldn’t be lost. As we approached the 10th tee box we could see it was going to be a long wait as everyone was bottlenecked. While we waited for our turn to tee up Lyle was laying it on pretty heavy about only using one ball on the front nine, I kinda think he was trying to impress the ladies who were waiting behind us. When the group in front of us finally tee’d off, Lyle immediately walked over and tee’d up his ball all the while ribbing us about having to buy more balls as he walked back to sit on the bench. Keith then nonchalantly walked up to Lyle’s ball, lined up and hit it straight into the trees, then calmly looked at Lyle and said “find it”.
Well you would think Keith had just stole Lyle’s best girl or had kicked his dog the way Lyle carried on, we thought it was kinda funny as did the people behind us, there was even a couple that had fallen off their cart from laughter. Needless to say the next few holes were pretty stressful, what with trying to hit a little tiny ball between shrieks of laughter. Up to the 10th Keith & I were getting beat pretty bad. After the 17th it was pretty much a tie, I won’t tell you who won, I think I’ll let Lyle do that.
As for the Sunday game it was pretty uneventful except for the fact that Keith & I were dressed for another 85 degree day and the mercury didn’t make it past 50, and there was Lyle with his shorts and light shirt on, underneath his sweats, so I guess he got the last laugh, watching us shiver uncontrollably while trying to golf.

Bernard

Reply from Bernard Morin (76): 

Gary and friends,

Just a few lines to answer some of Lyles previous questions. As to charging me lawyer fees for your first case I thought you did. I also thought it was paid in full when C J Coleman, Garret Myer and I so graciously pushed you out of that big mudhole you were stuck in east of norwegian corners at 1:00 a.m. The details are a little fuzzy but I remember hearing something about you studying to be crop insurance adjuster. However if I still owe you something please let me know and we’ll work something out.
As for quitting the fine game of golf I played until 1996 at which time my bethrothed and I purchased “the money pit”. And yes, I did run over my clubs with a 3/4 ton pickup and yes, I was too cheap to buy new clubs, but after playing a few rounds with bent shafts I found it actually improved my game, I no longer had a slice. Now that I think about it I should have patented the clubs. My wife & I could be lounging on a tropical beach somewhere instead of slaving away in the great white north.
Like you Lyle I’m wondering why none of our classmates aren’t shareing some “Dunseith Memories” . Why I bet everyone would like to here about boo boo and the eyes in the butter dish, and how about grandpa fluff pulling a fellow hunter out of a snow bank, or maybe even roogaroo hunting?

Bernard

Message from Tim Martinson (69): 

Hi Gary,

I”m going to drop some names in the hope you can associate them with
a class.

Vince Kalk who worked for dad in the bakery when I was younger.

Kenny and Duane Handeland, I believe my brother Terry and Duane were
in the same class but do not remember how long Duane attended high
school or if he attended.  Kenny and Duane were in and out of the
Bakery.

Gerald Cree, I played football with Gerald, and believe his parents
were Francis and Rose Cree.  I thought he had a brother that was a year
younger, but I’m not certain of his first name.  I also thought that
one of the Cree boys died in Viet Nam.  The names Leonard and Ronnie
keep
coming up and I know that there were a lot of kids in that family.
Gerald passed a few years back and I remember his obituary in the
Minot paper.

I have looked over your master list and do not see any of these names
but know that there is a story about each so will leave it up to you
as to
whether they should be included.

Hope you are having nice weather, we have a little snow on the ground
with the temperature at around 5 above this morning.  Clear sky and cool
weather for the rest of the week.  Just imagine how your bones felt
in cold weather, oh to be sitting around in shorts, tank top, and 80
degree
temperatures without the heat  turned up on the furnace.    Take
Care,  Tim

Tim & All, We will add these folks to our class lists.  Please let me know a little info about each of these folks, so we can get them included in their respective classes.  I thought I had Vince Kalk in our lists, but I see that I don’t.  Duane Handland was with the class of 66.  I have not been able to get in touch with him.  Gary

Reply from David Slyter (70): 

Carmen Richard and Gary:

Carmen, Thank you for your forgiveness and Gary I will pass that forgiveness onto you.

Dave Slyter (70)

Message from Gary Metcalfe (57): 

Reply from Bev Morinville Azure (72): ndgal1953@  

Folks, I am still waiting for several more replies on the Greiner photo’s before posting the comments that I have gotten along with the names of those in the photo’s.

Reply from Toni Morinville Gredesky (68): 

Lyle, how wonderful of you to share your thoughts and stories about my parents. It means so much

to me. It is true that I was away at college when you “kids” were in high school, but your
description of my parents is so accurate. They cared so much for people and my mom would always
try to help or defend those in trouble. Susan Malaterre remembering that my mom stood up for
Donald doesn’t surprise me.

My parents married in 1938–Mom grew up at Metigoshe and Dad just east of Bottineau. They worked
at the Bottineau Creamery and then started the cream station in Dunseith. The creamery burned down
in 1950 and Dad started the grocery store. They were married 12 long years before I was born and
then had 4 children within 4 years. My dad, always the jokster, said it took 12 years to figure
out how to get it started and 4 to figure out how to stop it. One of my very best friends,
Paulette LaCroix, said that her mother told her that my parents considered her and Henry so lucky
when Paulette was born. My mother was not aware yet that she was pregnant with me.

I, too, remember a wonderful neighborhood growing up. The Campbells, Mongeons, Grimmes, Kesters,
Mellmers, Dick Johnson,etc. all lived so close. Interestly, we often played in Bob and Lee
Hosmer’s yard. I’m sure the ball diamond is probably still etched in the soil. Their girls were
older but they never complained about us playing there. We even played “ante-I-over” over their
kitchen.

We spent a lot of creative time in that neighborhood. We Morinville kids were always putting on
shows or acts. One of my dearest friends, Randi Mongeon, probably remembers when we sang “The
Yellow Rose of Texas” for Bob and Lee and my parents on Hosmer’s patio. It’s probably not
surprising that I direct high school plays and musicals and that my daughter Megan is working on
her M.F.A. in theater. Of course, I have to give Don Johnson credit for nurturing my love of all
kinds of music in high school. He was another adult who had such a heart for young people. He
drove us all over to see various acts. Dick and anyone, do you remember going to see Fred Waring’s
group in Minot and Harry Belafonte’s back-up singers in Bottineau?

Lyle, it is so nice of you to bring my parents back to life. I thank you for your loving care of
my mom. I know that she loved you like her own. I am forwarding your comments to my daughters,
Allison and Megan. They never knew my parents, but are always so interested and ask a lot of
questions. This will be so nice for them.
Love,
Toni Morinville Gredesky

Reply from Carmen Leonard Richard (Rolette): 

I am sure it is just a slip of the tongue but David Slyter said that Floyd died about two years ago. Actually that is Ernest– Floyd is alive and well and today at age 79 he is running his John Deere combine, harvesting sunflowers. He says he will retire when he is old enough !!    You are forgiven David, it is easy to get brothers mixed up.

The picture of Ernest Richard family are: back row–Jim, Lester, LeRoy, Ernie, Larry- center Beatrice–front row–Michael, Diane, Debbie,Peggy,Bradley, Marlene.

Carmen, Actually the mistake was mine for not making the correction. Right after David sent that message, he realized his mistake and ask me to make the corrections before I sent it. He mentioned Floyd twice and I only corrected the first one in his message.  David, I am so sorry for that oversight. It’s nice to hear that Floyd is doing so well at his young age. It’s a funny thing, the older we get, “old” seems to be getting older and older.  Gary

Ernest Richard Family
Back: Jim, Lester, LeRoy, Ernie, Larry
Center: Beatrice
Front: Michael, Diane, Debbie, Peggy, Bradley, Marlene.

Guys, Please correct me if I have labeled this picture wrong.  Gary

Erling Berg Family:
Back: Delores & Erling
Front: Don, Diane, Keith & Curt

Ron Longie, That sure looks like you on the far right. Is this your family photo?

Willie, if this is your family, I’m not sure which one is you?

Which Berube & Kelly families would David and Sharon belong too?

                                    Dunesith High School Class of 1969

Reply from Myra Henning Halvorson (72): 

Gary,

You can’t believe how much Les and I enjoy reading your emails everyday.
Thank you for all the time and effort you put into this.  We do appreciate
it!  We watch closely the numbers on each email, and have not received
#255, 256, 258 and 261.  We hate to miss anything!!  Please re-send these
to me and thanks again for the great job you’re doing.  Myra (Henning)
Halvorson

Folks, Please let me know if you don’t receive some of these messages.  With these messages coming form overseas combined with the volume that I send, some of your email providers may trigger some of these as spam.  More often than not, I don’t always get a return message telling me when messages don’t get delivered.  Gary

Reply to Gary from David Slyter (70): f

Folks, I want to share this reply I got from David. I was asking him about his job and this is his reply.  I know many of you are familiar with NDSU.

David, I see you go by Dave these days, but I remember you as David, Bob as Bobbie and Richard as Richard.  Gary

Hi Gary:

Thanks for getting that corrected for me.  I really appreciate it.

I work for North Dakota State University.(NDSU)   I have been there now for 6 years and really enjoy it.  I am a custodial supervisor. I have 14 employees under me and 7 building to look after as far as custodial care is concerned.  It is challenging at times but I really enjoy it.

You just got up and I am just about ready to head for bed.  ha   Just a world a part huh?  ha

You take care and have a great day ahead of you.

I really enjoy all the letters that you post daily on the Dunseith Alumni site.  It is much appreciated by everyone.

Take care and God Bless

Dave

Reply from Lyle Olson (75): 

Bernard inadvertantly left out what happened on the 9th hole of that little trip to Canada.  I was quite happy that I had played the first 8 holes without losing a ball, and I was ahead in the game as a result.  Well, the 9th hole at Wasagaming is a downhill dogleg to the right.  There is such a deep drop from the tee box that the Canadians had set a mirror in a tree so that you could see if the group ahead of you had cleared the area.  Before walking off the tee box to go look at that mirror, I had placed my lucky ball up on a tee.  Keith Berg, who really is an excellent golfer but who had not a hit a straight shot all that day, stepped up to my ball and hit a perfect 250 yard drive — straight into the trees that line the road coming into the golf course.  Needless to say I was quite put out about his little trick.  Indeed, I double bogeyed the 9th hole and proceeded to pout all the way deep into the back 9 as well.  Everyone thought that Keith’s “drive” was quite funny — everyone but me.

I remember that trip like it was yesterday.  Bernard’s wife, Robin, had just given birth to Rachel, their first daughter.  It was no doubt Rachel’s first trip to Canada.  In any event, Bernard was the smart one because soon after that trip he gave up golf.  If one were to listen to Bernard, he gave up golf to spend more time with family; however, I think he gave up golf after he backed his 3/4 ton Ford pickup over his golf clubs and he was too cheap to buy a new set!!!!!

From Lyle Olson (75): 

Gary and all:

When I first sent in the story about playing basketball at Campbell’s and enjoying the never ending summers in Dunseith, I did so in the hopes that other ‘70′s alumni might share a few stories.  Well, a few people responded but not as many as I had hoped.  Perhaps a few stories about spending time at Morinville’s might spur some stories.

Joe and Frances Morinville were like second parents to me.  In fact, Deb, Dewey and Bev are my siblings, just as much as Don and Rob are.  Toni was out of the home at college when I started hanging out at Morinville’s so I really do not know her all that well.  In any event, the Morinville house was always open to the kids.  We spent hours playing kickball by the old City Hall before it burned down.  If you could kick a ball in Henning’s back yard behind the Gambles, that was equivalent to a home run to be sure.  I remember countless hours playing kickball and just hanging out on the back and front porches talking, teasing and planning trouble.  Campbells, Melmers, Malaterres, Hagels, Hennings, Neameyers, Strucks, Parisiens, Colemans, Johnsons, Roberts, LaVallies, Azures, Faines, Berubes, Tookes, Krauses, Morins, Metcalfes and many, many others all seemed to hang out at Morinville’s at one time or another.  If you were looking for someone, you did not go to their house, you went to Morinville’s to find the person!

Frances Morinville took all the commotion in stride; so, too, did Joe.  I think they tolerated all of us kids over there as it was the price to be paid so that their children were not out running wild with the miscreants they hanged out with.  Frances loved to play cards and there were many a night spending time at Morinville’s playing whist.  I used to make Frances quite mad at me because I would never suit my cards when playing whist.  When each hand was played I would go through my cards looking for the right card to play, which meant the game took longer and invariably I would miss the right card to play and we would get set!!  God, she would get mad when I did that!

Joe, as noted before, used to take all of us kids swimming at School Section Lake.  We all hanged out Morinville’s after getting back.  The commotion around the house usually stopped when the 10:00 pm whistle would blow, but when the kids did not leave, he would make sure that siren was not the last sign to go home to be heard at the house.  He, like Frances, had a heart of gold.  I know for a fact that he charged many thousands of dollars of groceries to people having hard times, including my family.  I also know that many people owed a lot of money to Joe at the time of his death.  You would never have heard him complain about that, however, as that was not his nature.

One of my fondest memories of  Frances is the talk I had with her when I was excluded from a teen dance.  The Neameyer twins used to have dances in their garage.  The kids in the classes of 1971, 1972, 1973 and even 1974 were invited to these dances.  These were the kids I used to hang out with, but I was not invited because I was too young (too young or too immature – most likely the latter as I look back on it now).  In any event, all the kids were having a grand old time at the dance and I was watching TV with Frances.  She looked at me and said, “What is wrong with you?” I told her I was quite upset about being excluded from the dance.  She said, “Well, do you know how to dance?”  I really did not want to answer as I did not know how to dance and the last thing I wanted was for Frances to teach me.  However, teaching me to dance was the last thing on her mind.  Instead, she told me a story about not growing up too fast and to try and create my own space so that my happiness did not depend on others.  Well, this was profound stuff for a young kid.  Needless to say, the advice served me well over the years.

One of the saddest moments of my life was also spent alone with Frances.  As most know, she developed cancer and eventually succumbed to that terrible illness.  I always admired the way she fought and also the way Bev and her family cared for Frances.  Well, I was alone with Frances one night when Bev went to Dale’s to get some milk or something.  Frances asked if I would reposition her on the couch.  She had never asked me to do that before and I was quite reluctant to do so.  Nonetheless, I could never refuse her anything, so I picked her up and moved her to where she wanted to be.  She was so light and frail at the time that I just knew she did not have long to live.  When Bev returned, I literally ran out of the house and to my own house where I cried for an hour.  I would cry over Frances again very shortly thereafter as I was three days late home from the service and missed her funeral – one of the greatest regrets of my life as I was not there for Frances and Bev.

Bev and I became very close after the birth of her daughter, Shonda.  In order to give Bev some respite from caring for a young daughter, we used to go to movies and out to the clubs.  I will never forget the time Bev and I went to Rugby to see Steve Martin in the movie “The Jerk”. Steve Martin’s first line in that movie is “I was born a poor black child.”  Bev started laughing so hard that we both had tears coming down our face.  She laughed so much during that movie that the other patrons wanted us thrown out!!!  After the movie, we went to Kirsten’s in Bottineau and she had to tell everyone about this movie, all the while laughing so hard that no one knew what the hell she was saying!!

Bev later married Clarence Azure and they were stationed at the big Army base in Colorado Springs.  I used to work in Rocky Mountain National Park in Estes Park, CO  during the summers and would travel down to visit her and her ever growing brood.  Bev would often return home to Dunseith when Clarence was sent on a deployment.  On one such trip home, she asked if I would fly with her to Colorado and help her with her children.  Well, we made the trip from Minot to Denver just fine.  However, the trip from Denver to Colorado Springs was the scariest flight I have ever been on – this from a person who spent 2700 hours in a C-9A Nightengale when in the USAF and who has earned 150,000 frequent flyer miles in the last 1.5 years.  The airport in Denver was much closer to the front range than the current airport and the planes were exposed to terrible downdrafts as the hot air came over the front range of the Rockies and dived into cold air.  We took off from Denver and at about 5 minutes into the flight, the plane took a down draft and lost a significant amount of altitude and then banked hard to left, almost turning over (or so it seemed).  I looked right at Bev and told her we were going to die!!!  She responded by looking at me and whispering “don’t say that so loud, the kids will hear”!!  I said “who cares about the kids, we going to die” – a little self-centered on my part but I REALLY thought we were going to die.   Well, we eventually landed and my nerve returned.  Although she never said anything, I think Bev thought that she had one too many kids on that flight – me!

I am certain other ‘70′s alumni have fond memories of hanging out at Morinville’s .  Let’s hear some of those……

Lyle

Reply From Ele Dietrich Slyter (69): 

Lana and Lori are Dennis and Mary Ann (Gottbreht) Brennan’s daughters.

The family is Ernest and Beatrice (Slyter) Richard…upper right corner is Larry and Leroy is next to Ernest.   Can’t remember the rest of the names, but am sure someone will fill in the blanks.

Thank you Gary.

Reply from Evon Lagerquist (77): 

Dennis and Mary Ann Brennan are the parents of Lana & Laurie Brennan.

Reply from Allen Richard (65): 

The large family in the last photo is the Ernest Richard family.  Probably around 1967–1970.  Marlene Parslow will know the details.

Allen

Reply from Mark Schimetz (70): 

The two Brennan Girls, on left is Lana Brennan, and younger Laurie Brennan daughters of Dennis and Maryann Brennan of Dunseith.

The Large family Picture is the Ernest Richard Family from Bottineau ND. They moved to River Falls Wisconsin in the late 60s

Reply from Carmen Leonard Richard (Rolette): 

That family is the Ernest Richard (Beatrice Slyter) family

Reply from David Slyter (70): 

Gary:

The family in the picture that Neola sent is of the Ernest and Beatrice Richard family.   My wife Pat and I just came back from a
visit with Beatrice and her daughter Marlene Parslow.  Beatrice is doing great and next month she will be a young 86 years old.  She still gets out once in a while and even travels to Arizona in January, where Marlene and her husband live.  It was a great lunch and visit that we had with them.   Floyd passed away about two years ago.

Please don’t ask me to identify the kids, as I wouldn’t know them all.  I do recognize LeRoy and Marlene though.   Nice glasses Marlene.  Ha  
Dave Slyter (70)

Replies from Marlene Richard Parslow (65): 

Hi Gary,

The last picture in this selection is MY family!!!!  My parents and all of their children!!  It was taken when I was a junior or senior in High School.  WOW!!  How did you get this?
Marlene(Richard)Parslow
Hi Gary!

Correction!!!!   I was actually 21 years old in the picture of our family.  I had just become engaged prior to this photo being taken.  The eye glasses back then were really something!!!!  Weren’t they??

I am amazed at how people get ahold of these photos!!  Cool!
Peace and continued happiness,
Marlene(Richard) Parslow

Marlene,  This is a great photo. If you can identify everyone for us, I will repost this picture with names. I know your family moved to Bottineau when you were going into 2nd grade, but with all the Dunseith alumni relatives that you have and with the number of Bottineau folks on our distribution list, many of our readers will remember your family.  I posted a more recent picture of you an Evie Gottbreht blow your family photo. Gary

PS – I’m not sure how Neola figured this to be a Dunseith related picture for me to post.  It must have just been pure instinct. I don’t think she had any idea this was your family.

All pictures have been provided by Neola Kofoid Garbe: 

Ernest & Beatrice (Slyter) Richard Family
Note: I will repost with names whenidentified. 

Marlene Richard & Evie Gottbreht – July 12, 2007

Daughters of Dennis (deceased 55) & MaryAnn Gottbreht (58)
Lana (1980) & Laurie (1982) Brennan

      Can anyone identify these folks in the Ted Greiner wedding?

        Can anyone identify these folks in the Ted Greiner wedding?

                              Can anyone identify this family?

                                    Dunseith High School Class of 1968

Folks, I know some of you will be getting this one twice, but several folks in your goup of did not get this, so I am resending it.  Gary

Reply from Bernard Morin (76): bemor7@aol.com

Lyle O is the king. He never fails to provide laughter, whether in casual conservation or telling a story. I however have had the privilege to see Lyle when he wasn’t in his usual jovial mood, he still provided laughter but it wasn’t his intention.
Back in 1988 Lyle, Keith Berg, my wife Robin & I went to Riding Mountain for a weekend of golf on the infamous Wasagaming course. Lyle booked us a 6:30 am tee time on both Saturday & Sunday. We were forewarned as to being in the great white north we should be prepared for chilly weather, heeding that warning we dressed accordingly, long sleeved shirts, trousers and light jackets. By 7:45 am the mercury was rising pretty fast along with Keith’s and my temper, from the first hole on we both were losing balls at a pretty steady rate, whether in the rough or the dense timber. By the fourth hole we had our sleeves rolled up and were sweating like crazy as the temp was crowding 80 degrees, except for Lyle, he had put shorts on under his pants and had brought a light shirt along “just in case”. By the time we reached the 8th tee box Lyle was letting us know pretty frequently that he still had his origin     Well you would think Keith had just stole Lyle’s best girl or had kicked his dog the way Lyle carried on, we thought it was kinda funny as did the people behind us, there was even a couple that had fallen off their cart from laughter. Needless to say the next few holes were pretty stressful, what with trying to hit a little tiny ball between shrieks of laughter. Up to the 10th Keith & I were getting beat pretty bad. After the 17th it was pretty much a tie, I won’t tell you who won, I think I’ll let Lyle do that.
As for the Sunday game it was pretty uneventful except for the fact that Keith & I were dressed for another 85 degree day and the mercury didn’t make it past 50, and there was Lyle with his shorts and light shirt on, underneath his sweats, so I guess he got the last laugh, watching us shiver uncontrollably while trying to golf.

Bernard

Reply from Marlene Henderson (Rolla):

Balinto family arrived here from Philippines.  She was a nurse in Belcourt and he started a sewing factory in Rolla.  They had 3 children that I know about:  Lito, John and I think the daughter was Joanna.  The others must have been her parents and sister.  John is the one in blue shirt.  He graduated with our Bill in 88 and is a doctor.  I believe Mrs. Balintono died a few years ago.

They moved to Alaska when they left Rolla.

Reply from Mel Kuhn (70): 

Howdy Gary,

I vaguely remember Jose Balintino, I think he may have had something to do with the Jewel Plant in Rolla. I know I rented 1/2 of a duplex in Rolla from him back in the early 70′s.

Mel Kuhn

The following pictures have been provided by Neola Kofoid Garbe:

We all remember, well, following the daily updates ofAnn Pritchard with her Lung transplant

several months ago. We were so sorry to hear of her death from the complications of the Lung

transplant. She was a hard fighter, but she just never really recovered following the transplant. Gary

                 Ann (Mrs. Floyd) Pritchard – 2/20/41 – 8/21/2008

                     Which Brennan family are Lana & Lauarie?

                 Does any one recognize this couple?

                           Does anyone recognize this family?

                                   Dunseith High School Class of 1967

Reply from Dick Johnson (68): 

Gary and Neola and Friends,

The old picture that has ‘Lyle Bursinger’ on the back is of Mrs. Ole
Bursinger’s parents. I asked John Bursinger and showed him the picture
and he said it is Julius and Clara Overby, Glenice’s parents. In order
to keep from being confusing, Ole’s real name is Lyle and ‘Ole’ is just
a nickname. Thanks Neola and Gary.

Dick

Dick’s reply to Gary

Gary,

Ole’s son, John, lives about a mile south of Ole’s place, which is about
4 miles north and east of my place. Ole’s daughter, Sue, lives in a
newer house with her family in the same yard that Ole lived in. I trade
old cars and parts with John quite often. That is what I was up there
for today, so just printed the photo and took it along. John said his
grandfather used to drink whiskey by the gallon and never even
staggered!He also told me they lived along Highway 43 a couple miles
east, near the Haas’s. I think they died many years ago.

Dick

Name: Clara Overby
Birth Date: 05 January 1888 (Historical Events)
Death Date: June 1966 (Historical Events)
Issuing State: Washington
Residence at Death: Saint John,Rolette,North Dakota 58369
SSN: 538-20-9071

                        Mrs. Ole Bursinger’s parent
                            Julius & Clara Overby

The following pictures have been provided by Neola Kofoid Garbe:

We need help Identifying some of these folks. Please help if you can.  Thanks, Gary

                                 Who are these Girls?

                                      Who is this couple?

                            Who is this young Lady?

                         Who is this nice looking Cheerleader?

                     Does anyone know Jerilyn De Coteau?

                           Does any one know this family?

                                   Dunseith High School Class of 1966

Message from Patti Metcalfe Woods (67): 

Gary,

Thank you very much for the Birthday wishes!

I received Birthday greetings from several Dunseith Alumni; what a pleasant surprise.

I am still wondering how they all knew it was my birthday.

I enjoyed each and every email.

I have been enjoying your messages all these months and appreciate all the work you put into this.  It is unbelievable actually.

I relate to nearly every message as I have lived here my entire life (which is indeed a long time now)…..

It is like reliving parts of my life.  My dad worked a few summers for “ASCS” measuring fields.  We kids “got to” help by setting and pulling stakes.

Mom would pack us picnic lunches and we thought we were having a party. What a fun time we had, visiting all the local farmers and walking for miles in the Turtle Mountains.

Your class rosters are great…  So glad you were able to locate our classmates even Duwayne Goodon .

I know I could not have accomplished finding even one class.

Mary “Anderson” Millang got our class of “67″ fired up for the reunion of 2007.

A group of six classmates met at “Dales” a few nights and the class reunion was a success.

Jim Berube bought Class of 1967 T SHIRTS which were distributed to classmates.  He also drove his Dads 1967 in the parade.

It was fun to visit with everyone again after forty years.

Classmates from earlier years Lawrence Hetle, Gary and Larry St. Claire joined the class at the Golf Course Clubhouse.

We truly missed all the classmates who were not able to attend..  None of this would have come together without you, Gary.

I am not a story teller but thoroughly enjoy receiving all the Dunseith news, Old and New.

Thanks again for the Birthday greetings.

Best Regards,

Patti

Reply from Bernard Morin (76): 

Gary and friends,

As some of you may know I am a member of the Dunseith Fire Dept. A couple of months ago we were called out to a grass fire south and west of the Terry Halvorson residence. After the fire was extinguished one of my fellow firefighters knowing that I collect old cans and bottles mentioned that he had seen some old cans protruding from the ground & pointed me in the general direction. Upon finding them I was disappointed in seeing that the exposed portion of the cans were charred. After digging the first one out the letters “SCHL & 12 fluid ounces” was clearly visible. The cans were fairly old as they were made of tin & were opened with a can opener (ie Church Key?) Looking down at the cans they seemed to be at odd angles to each other. Stepping back a few paces it looked like something was written. After backing up a little more the message became clear. It read   M  K  WAS HERE . Well considering as how Dick is kind of a history buff I was h
In reply to Bev I think she is referring to the time period of when I had my first car. It was an old 66 Caprice that had electrical problems. As a consequence the headlights could go out at anytime so it was more than once that I would have to stop & park in a convenient driveway. But to answer your question Bev, no I haven’t parked in anyone’s driveway since I bought a new and reliable Impala S.S. (Well technically its my wife’s car, in her driveway, and she won’t let me drive it.)

Bernard

Reply from Susan Malaterre Johnson (69): 

First of all, We would like to thank everyone who mentioned the ” rare” occurrences that our brother  was involved in.  Now. we know that George would never be in a scandal of surc prop. But I must let Ya All know that one of his strongest supports was Francis Morinville.  She got so tired of hearing George blamed that she threatened the “powers that be.”  She said that she would give him names of who accused him. No more mention  of who could have done this!  Thank you Francis.  I just hope that your defense was justified,  Hey, who ever knew George for sure? Susan

Betty Schneider Lamb’s (54) reply to Gary for the pictures posted below:

Gary:  Thank you for posting the pictures of my family, the Schneiders.  These pictures were taken on my parent’s Golden Wedding Anniversary in the Methodist Church in Dunseith in June 1978.  My parent’s attendants were the attendants when they were married.  Hank Schneider was the best man and mother’s sister, Emma Ahlers, were her bridesmaid.  You do have the names correct on our family group picture.  It’s hard to believe that Bill and I have celebrated our Golden Anniversary already.  We enjoy the daily up-dates.  Betty and Bill Lamb

Betty, Your folks would be celebrating 80 years of marriage this year.  These are beautiful pictures.  Gary

Schneider pictures provided by Neola Kofoid Garbe: 

            Pete & Sofie Schneider’s Golden Anniversary – June 1978:

            L to R: Hank, Pete, Sofie Schneider and Emma Ahlers

                      Pete/Sofie Scheider’s family with children
 

      Pete/Sofie Scheider’s family with children  & Grandchildren

                                Larry Schneider’s (59) Family

Folks, The class of 65 is my class.  We had nearly 9 months to tweak this class before our reunion in 2007.  I’ll have to admit it got well tweaked. Our class was well reunited long before our reunion in July 2007.  For not being a really close class, we sure all came together 42 years later. I think nearing our senior years combined with the power of email was a contributing factor for our success.  Since 1965, I had only seen several of my class mates until our reunion in 2007. That was a fantastic reunion that I will forever remember.  Gary

                                 Dunseith High School Class of 1965

Reply from Phyllis & Alan Campbell:

To those who played basketball on Campbell’s driveway—-you might not know and might be interested in some background on that basketball backboard. It was made out of wood from the old RIverside Hotel and donated by Simeon Grenier who had purchased the hotel. We think he and Alfred Cote made it and helped install it on the Campbell garage around 1964. There were a lot of basketballs bounced off that backboard!! To honor the North Dakota Centennial in 1976, Jeff painted it red, white and blue and added a bunch of stars. It withstood a lot more activity for a number of years. He finally dismantled it when the wood deteriorated beyond salvage.

Some background on the Riverside Hotel (originally the Giles Gilbert house) can be found in the Dunseith Centennial book on page 27 under the Demo family history. Demo’s daughter, Jane, was the mother of Lorna Abbey (Darrell’s wife). A picture can be found on page 374–also, there’s a little information in Laura Law’s history of Rolette County book.

Thank you Lyle Olson and Dick Johnson for your kind words and fun memories of our driveway gathering place. We really enjoyed having all of you here!

Phyllis and Alan

Address Change from Brenda Hoffman (68): 

Hi Gary,

Getting close to my class of 1968. My husband and I recently (July) retired to South Carolina. My new address is: 1209 East Washington Street; Unit 406; Greenville, SC 29601. Loving the weather here – but then you’ve lived in warm climates for years! Tossed my snowboots!

Brenda Hoffman – 1968

Brenda, I lived nearly 37 years in Bremerton, WA.   It’s not exactly warm there in the winter months with the rain and 35 to 45 degree temps.  It was milder than the Midwest temps though.  We have lived here in the Philippines nearly 5 years now.  I love never ever having to put a coat or sweater on. 365 days a year the day time highs are around 90f with the lows in the lower 80′s. With this being a tropical country, the humidity is kind of high, normally around 70%. I appreciate the warmer temps in the evenings.  It gets dark around 6:00 PM.

Reply from Mel Kuhn (70): 

Howdy Gary,

I was glad to hear that Bernard Morin was also unaware of these party spots. I was feeling that I was the only one from good old DHS that stayed clean throughout my High School career. I recieced an email from Paula Fassett where she remembered always seeing me working really hard so that I could help the poor and elderly, and she even remembered me helping stray cats. I didn’t think anyone had noticed that. As for Dick seeing my cars at some parties, I don’t know how that could have happened. I used to lend my car to Mark Schimetz or Albert Johnson or Duane Robert every now and then, so it must have been one of those guys that you saw.

Mel Kuhn[70]

Reply from Bev Morinville Azure (72): 

lol  Bernard and Melvin  …….  I  think  Lyle  and I have the  same memories . The  stories I could  tell., but  remember  most of  you   almost lived at  our house,I  sometimes wonder how Mom and Dad  put up with  10 sometimes 20 kids coming to   our house every evening  and us all  yelling  nurts but ,,,,,,,,, we   sure had  fun didn’t we. Lyle Remember the  new years that  we  were going to get  my  Dad  drunk  lol we were  amazed  when he  drank a  whole  bottle of  vodka  was  still sober and  the rest of  us  were feeling pretty good  by midnight. My  dad  never  drank so we  figured  it  wouldn’t take him much  lol  we sure we  wrong about that one.  mmmmm  Bernard  park in anyones  drive way lately?  HAHA

The following pictures and Dunseith News have been provide by Neola Kofoid Garbe:

                                    Dunseith High School Class of 1964

Reply from Eleanar Nerpel Bishop’s (38) duaghter Ann Myers: 

Hello Gary –

Thanks for the email about my mom’s class. I printed it out and gave it to her.  I also printed out and gave the information on the cruise to my Uncle Gus Nerpel (my mom’s brother). Don’t know if he was interested or not.

Ann Myers
Ann, does you uncle Gus Nerpel have email? With the Bedard’s, Anderson’s & Nerpel’s, you have a lot of cousins/relatives from Dunseith, a lot of whom are included with our daily distribution. Gary

Reply from Bernard Morin (76):

Yes Bev, I have to agree with you that Lyle is a great storyteller. I remember being in shop class & our assignment was to give a 10 minute speech. When it came to Lyle’s turn his speech was titled ” The Brown Cow”. I don’t remember the whole speech but I believe there were only 11 different words in the entire speech. By the time his 10 minutes were up the whole class was in stitches including Mr. Enander who I think was the shop teacher at the time. I don’t know what grade Lyle received for his speech but it should have been 110% for delivery.                      In reply to Mel Kuhn, I’m also in the dark on the whereabouts of these gathering places that Lyle speaks of. I believe that these gatherings only involved classes from 71 to 75 as the class of 76 was very studious and the majority.
Reply from Dick Johnson (68): 

Gary and Friends,

Mel must be running for office. We all know he wrote the book on Beer
Can Alley, the Butte, and most other party spots! His old red and black
56 Olds and then his blue 55 Ford were seen at most of the parties. The
only conclusion I can come up with is that his memory has really gone
bad or he is planning a run for some political office. Mel, it won’t
work–we’ll blow your cover! Thanks Gary!

Dick

Reply from Allen Richard (65): 

To Mel Kuhn–

Like you I never quite figured out the name and location of some of the “hot spots.”  There was one on Dad’s land that was south of Ernest LaCroix’s place and 1/2 mile east of the road from HWY 5 to the old Currie School.  I guess it got started sometime after 1970.  Anyway we had to clean a lot of cans from our sickle bar of the swather and dodge bottles to keep from cutting tires.

Dad got wind of the names of a couple people who were in — the class of ’72— I think.  He knew one of the kids pretty well and asked him/her  if they could simply toss everything into a pile.  Next time we went to work the field, not only was there a big pile, but the whole area had been pretty well picked up.  Thanks guys — you saved us a few flats and broken sickle blades!

Allen

Reply from Diane Berg Rhealt (79): 

Lyle, I love your story.  I felt like I was reading a book, and I could envision all the places in my mind (well not all, the only lake I went to was Adams Lake-& with my cousin Sue Berg), but I used to watch you guys in a few of your games at Campbell’s home when I was little.  & later, I learned about some of the other places mentioned.  Those really were the days!!  You really should write a book.  I would buy a copy!!  Love you, man!

Diane (Berg)Rheault

Reply from Rod Hiatt (69): 

Good morning all
When Lyle was talking about George, it reminded me of a song by Jimmy Dean about Big Bad John who with the blow of a big right hand sent a Louisiana man to the promised land. Well that could have been Big Bad George.

One night at a party, one of George’s younger brothers and myself got
into a small altercation that didn’t last long and I figured was all
over. Well a few days later a couple of us and dates were in at the
Garden Lanes bowling and George walked through the door. He came
straight over to me and with 1 blow put me either threw or over 3 rows
of chairs(good thing the chairs stopped me or I might have starved to
death rolling) George said nothing just turned and walked out. About a
week later I happened to be back over in Dunseith again(not claiming to
be the smartest one in the family) I think at Dales station when the
door opened and in came George heading straight over to me. I think my
life might have flashed in front of my eyes, when George stretched his
hand out to shake. He said” I’m sorry Roddy for the other day, but he is
my little brother and I just had to do it. I hope we’re still friends”
George and I remained friends and I respect him still today as a friend,
a gentleman and a man with one hell of a big right hand.

Reply/Picture from Neola Kofoid Garbe: 

Hi Gary,

This is another courthouse picture.  Chances are slim this is George Malaterre, but you never know, so I thought I’d send it to you. 

Neola

Unknown Boxer


Vicky Bergan’s picture provided by Neola Kofoid Garbe:

Glenda Anderson Bergan’s (60) reply to Gary: 

HI Gary

Got your email with Vicky’s picture, yes she is my daughter, she graduated from Dunseith in 1982, and the picture is when she was” North Dakota state Horse show association queen”  (NDSHSA) in 1983.

She lives in Princeton, MN  And her married name is, Vicky Bergan-Dietz.

and also I’d like to thank you for all the Dunseith memories.

Glenda Anderson Bergan

Glenda, this is a beautiful picture of Vicky.  She is for sure a queen. We’d love to get Vicky’s email address if she has one. Glenda, I think I remember you telling me that you are a sister to Lorenzo Anderson (63)?  Have I remember that correctly?  Many of our readers remember your husband David’s family too, the Clayton Bergan Family. They lived North and East of Dunseith on what think they call the Jack Rabbit Highway.  I could be out to lunch with the name of road, but I know exactly which road it is.  Gary

     Vicky Bergan – “1983 North Dakota state Horse show association queen”

                                   Dunseith High School Class of 1963

From Lyle Olson (75): 

Gary and all:

I received quite a few personal responses to my stories and one of the people mentioned my good friend George Malaterre.  George was (and is) an amazing guy.  He was quite the athlete in his day.  He played basketball with a “big man’s” sense of position, even though he stood only about 5’8″ tall.  Some of my fondest memories center around stamping VOIT across his forehead a number of times when he tried to make a shot and I stuffed him.  He was also an excellent football player – he was fast and could catch any ball thrown to him.  Many people know he was a great boxer as well.

I am sure many people remember George boxing Bob Brennan at the Honsey garage.  However, how many remember the undercard in that fight.  Well, among others, Curt Berg and I boxed..  Now I was an 8th grader at the time but quite big for my age.  Curt must have been a sophomore and everyone knows that he had attained high school size in the 5th grade!!  He was the epitome of a lean, mean fighting machine and I was talked into lacing up the gloves and boxing him.  It is now hard to believe that anyone that dumb could have made it through law school and became a federal Administrative Law Judge!!!

Well the fight between George and Bob was quite the attraction as it pitted a city kid against a hill kid.  Hence, the Honsey garage was packed with kids from all over.  I remember having George lace up the boxing gloves for me and Curt Berg looking at me with a sick smile across his face.  Looking back now I should have realized then and there that my life was about to flash before my very eyes — dead and not even a freshman.  Well, too late to back down I stepped out to meet Curt on that hard cement floor.  I do not really remember if a bell rung but the fight started and I immediately started dancing around like I knew what I was doing.  Well, Curt – never one to waste time doing anything – walked right up and him me square in solar plexus, better known as a soft belly not used to hard work.  He hit me so hard I literally saw stars and all the wind left not only my body but also took with it any sense of time or position.  The fight was over in matter of seconds.  Curt showed some remorse but not much.  I think he would have preferred that the fight had lasted a few more seconds if not at least one round so he could rearrange a tolerable looking face!  However, I robbed him of that pleasure – my only victory of the night!

The main event between George and Bob take place and all agreed that while Bob put up a valiant fight, George was easily the victor.  City kids ruled, at least for that night.  Bob and George remained good friends over the years.  As for Curt and I, we also remain good friends.  Indeed, Keith (Curt’s younger brother) and I traveled to Curt’s place in Colorado a couple of times to play golf with Curt in Grand Junction and Fort Lupton several years ago.

Now back to George.  Many know he worked as an ambulance driver for the Indian Health Services in Belcourt.  When my stepfather had a medical crisis George was the ambulance driver.  He called the hospital the next day and I talked to him.  He was sincerely interested in how my stepfather was doing and how my mother was doing.  When my mother was dealing with cancer she experienced many seizures and had to be taken the hospital many times.  George was again the driver on many occasions and each time he reached out to see how she was doing.  That is George, fists of stone and the heart of a Dunseith Dragon!

Corbin Family in 2004, provided by Dawn Corbin:

Folks, Dawn Corbin (Mr. Corbin’s Daughter) has provided these pictures of her family, the Corbin family.  These pictures were taken at her brother, Scott’s Wedding, in 2004. These are great pictures! What a beautiful family.  Mr.Corbin looks great!  Many of us have not seen him sense the 60′s, when he was teaching at DHS. As most of you know, Mr. Corbin was born and raised in Bottineau.  His dad was Otto and was the owner of Corby’s trading post in Bottineau for many years.

Dawn, please let me know if I have miss identified you guys in these photo’s.

Back: Dawn, Mark & Bob
Middle: LeAnn, Mrs. Scott, Scott & Don (Mr. Corbin)
Front: Terri & Irene (Mr. Corbin’s wife)

Don & LeAnn Corbin’s Children:
Mark, Dawn, Scott, Terri & Bob Corbin

                             Corbin Family with grandchildren

                                   Dunseith High School Class of 1962

Update for Shirley LaRocque Wendt (59) from Susan Brew Roussin (59):

Shirley came out of her surgery fine, Wednesday, according to her sister, Ginger.  I’m sure many prayers were answered for her, her doctors, nurses and families.  Thanks much.  Love to one and all.

Reply from Bev Morinville Azure (72): 

Hey Lyle  great stories thanks for the memories. You  were and still are one of the  best story tellers of all times. Miss you bro and love ya

Reply from Mel Kuhn (70): 

Gary,

I just have a few questions for Lyle. How come I didn’t know of these party places that you mentioned? Places like Beer Can Alley, the Butte, going to Canada and the likes of that. None of this must of been going on when I was in school. And here I thought that you underclassmen were the same straight-laced hard working young adults that we were[Class of 70]. I’m glad that I wasn’t involved in any of those type of shenanigans. Shame on you guy’s.

Mel Kuhn[70]
Reply from Sybil Johnson: 

Those pictures of the Peace Gardens are sure a deception of what it is today/the last time I was there. I use to escape from Bernice (ha!ha!) and go up there

as my refuge/ drive up from Minot several times, just for the refuge it gives. The Chapel is amazing with the Towers. Just walking around/driving was very peaceful.

I remember going up there early in the morning, when the ground fog was just rising and seeing 2 deer in the distance. What a sight! Sybil Johnson

Thank you from Neola Kofoid Garbe:  

Gary,

When you send one of your Dunseith Alumni emails, will you please include a message from me, thanking your many readers who respond in any way to the pictures I send to you, and you include in your mailing?  I really appreciate the identifications/mailing addresses/requests for pictures/emails/etc. from your readers.  As you know, I thoroughly enjoy working with these pictures and getting them to people who are interested in having them.  It’s going rather slowly, as I’m not a very organized person–I have pictures all over my apartment.  When I’ve been in Minot for awhile, I forget what I was doing with the pictures before I left, and I have to start over.  Uff da!!!

Thanks for all do, Gary. 

Neola

Neola, That thank you should be reversed.  We thank you for everything you provide and have provided.  Your contributions are greatly appreciated.  Being primarily a Bottineau girl, you have learned to know many Dunseith folks doing what you are doing and they have for sure learned to know you.  We all know the time involved with the research and scanning of these pictures/articles that you provide, that we thoroughly enjoy.  THANK YOU.  Gary
Campbell family Picture provided by Neola Kofoid Garbe: 

Alan Cambell Family stamped November 27, 1970:
Top: Rich (68), Phyllis & Alan (42)
Bottom: Jeff (76), Cathy (73) & Dave (71)

Reply from Dick Johnson (68): 

Gary and Friends,

Lyle Olson’s memories of basketball at Campbell’s was well remembered

and well written. Alan and Phyllis Campbell allowed many of us kids into
their home over the years. They always made us feel welcome. There were
rules we were expected to follow and we did. I know all the kids had,
and still have, a lot of respect for both of them and it was deserved.
We were either playing basketball in front of their garage or in the
basement playing pool or ping-pong nearly every day. One memory I have
about playing basketball there was on a day after I had been dressed up
for something and then stopped by Campbell’s in my good clothes. My
folks had bought me a new pair of shoes I really wanted. They were for
the prom or something, fancy wingtip brogues. I remember Mom saying they
would buy them, but I better take care of them because they cost $35. It
was a lot for shoes in 1966. Anyway, after I got to Campbell’s, still in
my suit clothes, we got into a hot and heavy basketball game. The
jackets came off and we got down and dirty to beat the other team. After
about an hour I thought I felt something on the bottom of my foot,
probably a blister. It finally caused me enough trouble that I looked at
the bottom of my new shoes and one had worn completely through to my
sock from the rough concrete! I knew I was dead or worse! I wore those
shoes for a long time with a piece of cardboard in the bottom so they
wouldn’t know what I had done. I nearly panicked any time I had to kneel
or sit where my folks might see the hole in my shoe! After I had them
for quite a while I got Alphie Dion to halfsole them and all was good
again. I remember keeping them polished so my folks wouldn’t pick them
up. They probably wouldn’t have been that mad anyway, but when you are a
kid you think like a kid! Thanks Gary!

Dick

Reply from Tim Martinson (69): 

Hi Gary,

I’ve dusted off the keyboard after the letter from Lyle Olson so
that I could send this picture of Lyle
and myself and tell what led up to a road trip and this picture in
the first place.

One of the most enjoyable times of my life was at the end of the
summer when there was a small
break in the happenings at the Bakery.  The baking for the Music Camp
at the Peace Garden was
finished and the area schools had not yet started.  When I was young
dad baked for the day schools
in the hills and also for the Belcourt school.  I went along on many
of these delivery trips through the hill
country, always full of questions, but I think dad really had me
along to ride shot gun and keep him
from dozing off, yet he would always tell me to pay attention and
watch out for deer and other animals
that may be on the road.

A family vacation was usually a weekend ( Sat/Sun).  The favorite
spot to go to was Riding Mountain
National Park, north of Brandon, Manitoba.  Everything had been
planned ahead and all the baking for
town had been finished and delivered.  So off we went on a Friday
night road trip to get away.  Dad would
usually get a small cottage rental so that when we arrived we hit the
sack knowing we had two days to
do whatever, and for Terry and I it was dad can we ride the go carts
as soon as it opened.  We would go
swimming in Clear Lake, take in the Museum, go bowling, and take in
all the sights and sounds of that
little get away up north.

My first and longest lasting memory of one of these vacations was of
finding a melted popsicle and its
stick on the edge of a step landing.  I had to have been 3 or 4 and
picked up the stick and stirred it around
in what was left of the melted popsicle, just having a little fun,
but to the hornets that had found the sweet
syrup before I did it was an invasion of their property and they were
not going to put up with me poking
around in their business.  When my parents finally got to me I was
welted up all over and the hornets
were still in the attack mood.  Thank goodness for screen doors and a
water hose that saved the day.

Now back to the road trip and picture.  The last time I went to Clear
Lake was in the winter on a camping
trip and we walked in to the lake and set up tents.  It was below
freezing outside and getting colder as the
night went on.  The original plans were to try and get some pictures
of the Bison herd that roamed the park.
As I lay there in my sleeping bag the thoughts of getting trampled by
a Bison started to enter my mind.  Then
as the temperature grew steadily colder the lake started to moaning
and then to cracking and this went on
all night long.  The next morning with little sleep we gave up the
thoughts of pictures of Bison in the winter,
packed up, walked out and headed home with the lessons of mother
nature engraved in my head.

In the fall of 1972 I asked Lyle and Donald if they wanted to see
some new territory and they were up for it
so I planned a road trip (one day), we would travel up to Riding
Mountain National Park, where this picture
was taken at Clear Lake, back down to Brandon, across to Winnipeg and
then back home.  It was a fun
time and I hope they enjoyed it as much as I did.  It was the first
time I had traveled to Winnipeg and realized
how big that city was.

Lyle and I had taken a previous road trip by bike to Bottineau.  I
rode a old hand me down full size bike while Lyle
rode his small wheeled bike with the banana seat.  It seemed like for
every turn at the peddle I took Lyle would
have to take three to keep up.  He would fall behind and I would stop
and let him catch up all the time asking
him if he wanted to turn back but he did not so we completed our
journey, took a tour of Bottineau and headed
back home.       Take Care,  Tim

            Tim Martinson (69) & Lyle Olson (75) – Summer of 1972

Dunseith High School Class of 1961

From Lyle Olson (75):

Gary and all:

I read where my dear sister, Bev Azure, and then Sharon Longie, requested stories from the ‘70′s classes.  I think many of us are reluctant to share some of these stories because we either have children or parents who read the blog and we are reticent to let them know just how wild we really were.  Well, I have no children and both parents are deceased so I am not so worried about that.  However, I also do not want to expose any of my friends or classmates, so I will attempt to tell a few stories without divulging any names; however, this does not mean the readers, if any, will not guess who was involved in so many of the good times had in Dunseith.

My frame of reference for Dunseith really rests with the classes from 1972 to 1975.  We really had some “rockin’ good times” back then.  Most of my fondest memories center around the never ending summers – the days were long and the nights even longer.  For some reason I do not remember any bad weather days – all the days in my memories were framed by beautiful blue skies and even more beautiful friends.  My world centered around playing basketball at Campbell’s, eating Bismarcks and learning about kindness and integrity from Herman, Terry and Tim Martinson, and hanging out at the Morinville’s.

Playing basketball at Campbell’s was a real treat.  The court was inclined on a slope from the garage to the street.  On the West side was this huge tree that actually had several branches that grew out over the court.  Pity the newcomer who tried to launch a jump shot under that tree.  The East side of the court had a steep drop off for ½ the length of the court and then a deadly rose bush at the end of the court near the garage door.  Alan Campbell once told me that was the toughest rose bush in the country, and he was right. I wish I had a dollar for every thorn taken out of my body after falling into that bush.   Other dangers existed on that court.  One of the dangers was “Grandma” Campbell backing her Buick Wildcat out of the garage.  There was no nicer lady than she but it didn’t take even a dumb kid like me long to know that once she put her car in gear there was no stopping it until it reached the street.  All games were suspended when she left and when she returned.  I will never forget how nice David and Jeff were to always carry her groceries into her house and then rush back to pick up the game right where it stopped.

Ever present was Mrs. Campbell, who could hear you swear even if mumbled under your breath.  She would simple tell us not to swear and that was the end of that!  There seemed to be many unwritten rules about playing basketball at the Campbell’s.  First, all kids were welcome.  It never mattered if you lived at the housing, in a 12 X 50 mobile home like I did or the nicest house in town.  The other unwritten rule was that you did not play unless someone was home.  We used to wait on Sundays for the Campbell’s to return from Lake Metigoshe so that a game could get started.

I loved playing basketball at the Campbell’s.  I once played there for so long on a hot day that I got heat stroke.  I stumbled over to the bakery and told Herman that I had a headache and was sick to my stomach and he asked how long had I been playing.  When I told him it was several hours, he gave me some water, a cold rag for my head and told me to go lie down on the flour sacks.  After about an hour of doing that, I went back to Campbell’s to play another game.

My younger brother, Rob, now perhaps the best criminal lawyer in North Dakota, once wrote a story for the high school newspaper about how much he missed playing basketball at Campbell’s.  I share his feelings to this date.  I can’t imagine that a place like that could exist today.  It was magical, and the Campbells should know that there are literally dozens of Dunseith Alumni who share these feelings.  Thank you for making your home our home for all those years.

Summers were also full of lots of parties.  When I was younger we all looked forward to going swimming at School Section Lake.  Joe Morinville used to pack as many kids as he could in his car and take us all swimming.  He would listen to the Twins games on the radio while we went swimming.  We would swim for a few hours, make our way back to Dunseith, and either hang out at Morinville’s.  What a carefree existence!  As we got older and gained driver’s licenses, we would all pile in several cars and go to School Section.  It seemed like the summers never ended back then.  Someone would gather wood for a bonfire and eventually some cool intoxicants would come out and a good time would be had by all.

Somewhere along the line, we moved our swimming activities away from School Section Lake and then started going to Lake Williams and then Lake Adams in Canada, just a short drive away from Boissevain where a young but oversized teenager like me could pass for age-18 and imbibe in $.25 draws.  The first time I went into Boissevain was at age-13.  I wore one of the guys’ college fraternity coats (TKE, Minot Chapter) and didn’t even get carded.  By the end of the summer, I knew the owner of the bar better than some of the people living in Boissevain and, of course, we knew all the cool Canadian girls.  I’ll never forget when my mother got married to Joe Somers in Boissevain in March 1972 and they had their wedding dance at the Boissevain Inn.  Indeed, she played in a band that night.  In any event, she thought it would be a great thing if I were able to sit in the bar for one of the band’s sets before being hustled back to Dunseith.  Well, little did she know that I ordered a Rum and Coke while she was up there playing and the drink was on the house as the owner said I was one of his best American customers – HA!!  Sure glad Mom didn’t hear that one.  Rather than risk being busted, I left after that first set.

Going to Canada to have beers and dance to live music was not just a summer past-time.  We went year round but the port closed at midnight during the winters back then.  There were many a fast ride from Boissevain to the port because it seemed we always had to stay until 11:30 or so before making our way back home.  Once back in the “States”, we would usually continue the party at Beer Can Alley, Wilsons, Halvorsons, Butte St. Paul, and, during the summer, at the Peace Garden Lookout picnic area.  All places were perfect party places and I am certain my generation was not the first to use those places to party and flirt with each other.

L. Olson

Message/Picture from Dick Johnson (68): 

Gary and Friends,

The attached pictures are of the Peace Garden. The first was taken on

dedication day in 1932. The other two are from 1953, after some of the
stone work had been done in the Formal Garden area. What I noticed was
the lack of trees when these were taken. Thanks Gary!

Dick

Dave Slyter’s (70) reply, with names, to picture:

Gary and Neola,

I will try and name some of the kids in the 82 summer baseball picture.

Top row:  Russell Lagerquiest,  ? ,  Keith Strong ,  ?,   Alan Renault,  ?,  ? Armountraut,  Jeff Woods,  Mark Wilson,  Coach Jim Oslon.

Middle row:  Steven Leonard,  Cory Espe,  Danny Peltier, Rob Wilson,  Mark Melgaard,  Scott Leonard,   ?

Bottom row:   ?     Chad Slyter,  Kris Barbot,  Uriah Davis,  ?,   ?,   ?,   ?,

Great picture and thanks

Dave Slyter (70)

Gaillord Peltier’s (80) reply, with names, to picture: 

This picture is the 1982 Dunseith summer baseball program.

Front row kneeling, Right to Leftis;
Keith St.Pierre, Chad Slyter, Jamie Melgarde, Uriah Davis, Mike Allery,
Scott Leonard, ? Allery, Jermey Brunelle.

Middle Row, Right to Left;
Steve Leonard, Cory Espe, Dan Peltier, Robert Wilson, Mark Melgarde,
Stuart Leonard, Mark Wilson and Danny Davis.

Back Row, Right to Left;
Billy LaVallie, Jamie Malaterre, Keith Strong, Steve Renault, Allan
Renault, Jerry Peltier, Brent Armentrout, Jeff Woods, Coach Jim Oslund

This is the best my memory can do.

Gaillord Peltier
Class of “80″

Jeff Woods, I see you are in this picture too. Can you or anyone else enlighten us with what you know for identities for those in this photo?  Thanks, Gary

1982 Dunseith summer baseballPicture:
Back Row:Billy LaVallie or Russell Lagerquiest, Jamie Malaterre, Keith Strong, Steve Renault, Allan Renault, Jerry Peltier, Brent Armentrout, Jeff Woods, Coach Jim Oslund or Olson

Middle Row: Steve Leonard, Cory Espe, Dan Peltier, Robert Wilson, Mark Melgarde, Stuart Leonard, Mark Wilson and Danny Davis.

Front row kneeling: Keith St.Pierre, Chad Slyter,Jamie Melgarde or Kris Barbot, Uriah Davis, Mike Allery, Scott Leonard, ? Allery, Jermey Brunelle.

                                     Dunseith High School Class of 1960

Dunseith Reunion in Seattle:

Folks, We are planning a Dunseith Reunion in the Seattle area for the evening of July 24, 2009.  That is the day before our cruise. Hopefully we will have several proposals to bounce off of you guys within the next several weeks.  With what we have in the works at the moment, I can tell you it’s a go, so mark your calendars.  We are planning a dinner with a social hour or two before the dinner and also social time following the dinner.  We are also working on hotel accommodations both for those going on the cruise and also for those attending the reunion, not going on the cruise, desiring a room.  For those of you wishing to attend the reunion from outside the state of Washington, this will give you time to canvas the airlines for some good rates. For added attractions, the Seattle Seafair is being held that weekend too.  Gary

Reply from Rod Medrud (71): 

HI GARY I E MAILED NEOLA AND TOLD HER I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE PICTURES OF MY PARENTS AND GRNDPARENTS   THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU ARE DOING  ROD

Reply from Bobby Slyter (70): 

Reply from Sharron Gottbreht Shen (59):

Thank you for the “heads up” concerning Shirley! At least I now have her home address and will call and send a card. Appreciate this social service you manage immensely. I remember well how gracious her mom and dad were every time I visited, often for a birthday party. Joseph LaRocque had worked for William Gottbreht for years, but I was too young and flighty; thus gathered very little info of the Wm Gottbreht family and local history that Joe knew first hand. Sharron Susan & Sharron, I have pasted Shirley’s contact info below.  Shirley, along with her sister Lana, attended our class of 65 reunion with their sister Ginger, in 2007.  Ginger is from the class of 65. They are great folks.  My wife Bernadette called Shirley several months ago.  She never mentioned anything about pending heart surgery.  Gary

Gary and Friends,

I remember when Eddie Johnson, Sander’s brother, left the farm and moved
into Dunseith. He stayed in an apartment in the Northern Hotel
(Egbert’s) just across the street from us. One time he dressed up in his
best suit and went to a funeral and then afterward, stopped uptown at
one of the bars and got pretty well oiled. He walked down the alley,
past our house, and cut across our yard toward Egbert’s. He was
staggering and singing loudly when my little brown dog, Duke, ran over
and ripped the seat out of his suit pants. He came to the door and told
us what happened and Dad took him up to Hosmer’s and bought him another
pair of similar looking pants. Dad said Jack Hosmer had a heck of a time
to keep a straight face while helping fit Eddie with another pair of
trousers.
The only other Sander and Eddie story I ever heard was when they were
going to dynamite a rock out of their field. They dug down beside the
big rock and placed a 1/4 stick of dynamite under the rock and lit it.
They didn’t know that dynamite blows down so there was a bang and there
was a big hole by the rock. They then put a whole stick under the rock
and made a bigger hole. Frustrated, they put several sticks around the
big rock and touched it off! After the dust cleared, the rock was so far
down in the ground that they just shoveled dirt over it and gave up!
Thanks Gary!

Dick

Allen Richard’s (65) Reply to Gary:

Thanks, Gary.  Alaina and I were going to drive the old Dodge to the reunion, but 2,500 miles @ 12 MPG—on premium —- well –

As to Seattle, I arrive there before noon Oct 28 and return Nov. 2.  I have calls in to a few relatives, But I haven’t set any times for get togethers.  I know I’ll be spending time with Aunt Louise (Pigeon) Horsman and her family.  I’m relying on your list for contacting everyone else, Have done little so far.  My best guess is that between alumni and relatives–I’d be talking well over 100 people!

Don’t think that is going to happen!

Take care everyone!  And best wishes from Michigan.

aLLEN rICHARD

Alina Richard’s Home coming pictures provided by her Father Allen Richard (65): 

NO THEY DIDN’T DRIVE THE CHARGER–SUSAN AND I TOOK THEM TO THE DANCE! CALEB’S PARENTS PICKED THEM UP!!

Alina’s Richard’sfirst homecoming dance

The following pictures have been provided by Neola Kofoid Garbe:

Dunseith High School Class of 1958

From Shirley LaRocque Wendt (59):

Shirley, We know this is open heart Surgery. You are in our prays. Gary

So I will be having surgery tomorrow, wedesday, I need to be there at 5:30 in the morning. Please be praying ok thanks talk to you soon..God Bless  Shirley

From Sybil Johnson: 

Thank you Gary. I truly appreciated your reply about Bernice’s family. Yes, I remember when Uncle Raymond talked about Pancho Villa and how he left Mexico, leading an

army–only he wasn’t with them, they were chasing him. He also called himself “Soldier of Misfortune”. He had many stories to tell. There was a scar on his right leg and

he said that was from a spear going thru his leg in Africa. Another story, that both he and Bernice would tell: Raymond brought home a suitcase full of money and put it

on the floor for the kids to play with. He then took it and buried it somewhere on Grandma’s property. I don’t know how true that was, but it was an intriguing story.

Thanks again, for all the wonderful stories. Even though Augie and I have been divorced some 15 yrs., I still care about the family.

Sybil Johnson

Message/Picture from Dick Johnson (68):

Gary and Friends,

These are pictures of Han’s Johnson’s barn. He and his brother, Axel,
sawed the dimension lumber on their old sawmill and bought the lap
siding and shingles. The top picture is dated 1926 and the writing on
the back says ‘Axel (standing on the wall) and Hans’ . The second
picture is dated 1929, barn was painted red. The last photo is after the
wind tore it down in 1961. It was actually only 35 years old, not that
old for a building. Thanks Gary!

Dick

Picture provide by Neola Kofoid Garbe:

                                    Dunseith High School Class of 1957

From Vickie Metcalfe (70): 

Sunday morning

Gary,

I just got back to my room after helping  (7 a.m.-10:00a.m.)
with the Mavis Hagen pancake and sausage benefit in the cafeteria, it
will  continue to go until  around 1:00.
It is a very windy, cold, dark and rainy fall day.  Reports of some
snow in the Turtles.
Dog gone it, those UffDa area North Dakotans came out!  A nice turn
out of folks coming here before and after their respective church
services.  Thrivent for Lutherans is helping  to sponsor this event.
Also, Some friends put together a silent auction, yet others a raffle
for an antique desk, their wish is for  Mavis to take the cash to
help with  a wig and  traveling expenses to  Bismarck this week.

As I wiped tables, there was the sound of an applause and
Mavis  came in wearing a mask over her mouth and nose. Her devoted
Art, brought her over.  Clarence and Mary Ann were also here.
Other former Dunseith grads also came, among them, the Davy
Abrahamsons from the hills by Carpenter Lake.
Thanks Gary.
Vickie

Happy Birthday Patti Metcalfe Woods (67):  

Patti, the following message appeared on my computer screen.  I wasn’t aware that I was signed up for this service, but it’s wonderful that I am.  This is a milestone birthday for you too.  Go out tonight and celebrate with Jack, friends and family members.  Have fun and enjoy.  Gary

Dunseith News provided by Neola Kofoid Garbe:

                                     Dunseith High School Class of 1955

From Vickie Metcalfe (70): 

Gary,

Letaine Bolen served DHS as an English teacher in Dunseith in the mid ’70′s through 1982.   She came to ND from Texas, when her sister was teaching at Dunseith Indian Day School.

In 1981, She married Bill Brandt,moved to Bottineau and was an English teacher here in the system until  about 2003.

Diane, her beloved sister died of an aneurism in Texas in 1996.

In 2002, Letaine then was teaching in Belcourt when diabetes began ravaging her body.

She lost parts of her toes and eyesight from one eye, and was undergoing dialysis in Belcourt.  While undergoing dialysis she’d  often find herself renewing communications with  parents of former students.

She and Bill had started  divorce proceedings when he died suddenly of pancreatic cancer last summer.

A couple months ago she got her kidney transplant. Two weeks later,she had a heart attack. Letaine has since been at Med Center 1 in Bismarck ND now awaiting heart surgery.

While in Dunseith, Letaine,was a very able English Teacher. Why do I know? Because she taught my brothers,  and since parents with their disabilties did not go to conferences… I did.

While as teacher, in Dunseith, a character trait goal I remember of Letaine; students looking at everyday on Letaine’s door was …..” BE YE KIND”….  And KIND  she is. She lived it. Former students will probably remember Letaine as a fine teacher who was always respectful of all, young or old, brown or white, poor or rich. And  quick thinking on her feet and very WITTY.

Thanks for asking.

A former Dunseith and Bottineau co-teacher,  Vickie Metcalfe

Letaine’s mailing address and phone number

Medcenter One
Letaine Brandt
300 N.  Seventh St.
Bismarck, ND  58501

Her phone # is 701-323-  and ask for Letaine Brandt’s room. They have been moving her around a lot.  That # will get the main hospital and they will transfer to her room.

You will not have to use Letaine’s maiden name with the address for any letters

Reply from Ardy Bakken Horner (former teacher): 

Gary  If anyone ever goes to Holden Village (Lutheran retreat Center) in Washington, they can still experience a bowling  with hand

set pins, my kids were amazed to see it on our visit there.  Ardy Bakken Horner

Reply from Marlene Lilleby Plmquist/Larson (53): 

Gary

Thanks for adding me to your list, have enjoyed reading the Dunseith alumni news.  After being gone so many years I even still remember some of the names appearing.  What ship are you all going on for the Alaskan Cruise on July 24th?

Thanks again.  Marlene Lilleby Palmquist/ Larsen

From Erling Landsverk (44): 

HI GARY!

I HAVE BEEN ENJOYING READING ALL THE MEMORBELIA FROM ALL OUR OLD NEIGHBORS AND FRIENDS, OR RATHER THE DECENDANTS OF OUR OLD NEIGHBORS AND FRIENDS.

HOWEVER, I HAVEN’T READ ANYTHING ABOUT THE FIRST RETAIL MALL IN THE HILLS.  THAT WAS OF COURSE SANDER AND EDDIE JOHNSONS CONVENIENCE STORE LOCATED ON WHAT WE CALLED THE METIGOSHE ROAD, BUT NOW IN THE MORE MODERN TIMES IS REFERRED TO AS HIGHWAY 43.

ALTHOUGH THE STOCK WAS SOMEWHAT LIMITED, I DO REMEMBER WALKING CROSS COUNTRY TO BUY COPENHAGEN FOR MY DAD WHO WAS HAVING A NERVOUS TIME OF IT WITHOUT THE NASTY STUFF AS MOM CALLED IT.

I WONDER HOW MANY OF THE READERS REMEMBER THE LITTLE STORE.

ERLING LANDSVERK

Erling,I remember Sander & Eddie Johnson very well. I was only 13 years old when Sander died, but I still remember him well.  Laverne Rude, these guys were your great uncles.McKay siblings, Sander lived less than 1/4 mile from you uncle Elmer Lindberg, your mother Alice’s brother. Your mother would have been neighbors to the Johnson’s too, in her growing up days.  I will never forget Sander’s glass eye.  I remember Eddie helping some of our neighbors, at different times, with tasks they needed help with.  The Johnson farm was located about 1/2 mile into Bottineau county on the Metigoshe road.  I remember Sander with his cream station in his house along with his little store and gas pump outside.  Sander’s funeral, at Salem church, is one of the first funerals that I remember ever attending.  Laverne, I remember Sander being at your house, really often, when we’d visit you guys.  My dad was the executor of Sander’s estate after he died.  I remember it as being quite a complicated estate.

I found a picture of Sander with his cream truck, from the 1984 Bottineau Centennial book,that I have pasted below.  That sure looks like the Lindberg barn in the back ground.  Gary

Picture provided by Neola Kofoid Garbe: neolag@min.midco.net

Gailord, this is a great picture. Is this your HS senior picture? Gary

Gailord Peltier (80)

                                  Dunseith High SchoolClass of 1956

From Neola Kofoid Garbe: neolag@min.midco.net

Gary,

Again, I don’t know if you are interested in this clipping, or not.  It was in the Minot Daily awhile ago.  I saved it because it reminds me of the “old” bowling alley in Dunseith.  I had never seen a bowling alley until I saw that one.  I was quite impressed. Ha!  It amazed me how quick the pin boys were, and how dangerous their job must be.  Some of the men who were bowling, really “whipped” the bowling ball down the alley.  I didn’t know at that time (about 1953), I would become an avid bowler when I was older.  At one time, Wally/I bowled on a couples’ league, and I bowled on two women’s leagues.  I absolutely loved it.

Later, when Garden Lanes (I think that’s the name of the “new” bowling alley.) opened, Jim, Curt Bjornseth (Jim and Curt were good friends.), and I thought it would be fun to try bowling–we were “visiting” Dad one Sunday afternoon.  We asked the person at the desk in the bowling alley how much it cost to bowl a game.  They told us, and we went back to the garage and got the money from Dad.  When we were finished (That must have been some game/games, as none of us had ever bowled before.) bowling, we went to the desk to pay for it.  It seemed we didn’t have enough money.  When we had asked how much it cost to bowl, we didn’t realize it would cost each one of us that much and for each game.  We thought the price covered all three of us for both games!!  Live and learn.  That was my first experience with bowling.  Another good memory. 

Neola

Folks,  I have pasted several pictures from my Achieves below.  Gary

               Cheryl Bailey & Ernie Gottbreht (65) – July 12, 2007

Ginger LaRocque Poitra (65)  – In back Easter Murray Flemming (65) – July 12, 2007

                                     Dunseith High School class of 1954

From Gary Metcalfe (57):  

Folks,  I am running on generator power today.  They have a scheduled brown out (no electricity) from 8:00 am to 5:pm today.  I have a 5.5 KW generator that I brought with us from the states.  It pretty much powers up everything.  It’s been 7 or 8 months since I fired it up.  It’s about noon now, so I think Bernadette and I will go down to the mall for the rest of the afternoon.  Gary

From Sybil Johnson: 

Good morning, Gary and everyone! I’ve looked at all the names of those who graduated from Dunseith and I see none of Augie’s family. I thought they had all

graduated from Dunseith, but evidently that assumption is wrong. Also, I enjoyed looking at the pictures from Dick. I use to drive over that old bridge between

Bismarck and Mandan, when I was in direct sales many many years ago. Thanks again for all the interesting stories and pictures on this site. It is fabulous and

fascinating. Sybil Johnson

Reply from Diane Larson Sjol (70): 

Paulette (LaCroix)…

I lived in Germany for quite awhile and was last there for a visit in
2001 but an itching to go back. Have never been to France and since I
am half french, would love to go….where do you stay?  Where do you
fly out of?

Message/Pictures from Sharron Gottbreht Shen (59): 

The picture of Wm Gottbreht Sr and his grandchildren Anice, Bill and Lois
held by William Gottbreht. The elevator appears in good condition at the
time, circa 1923. Exploration of the old elevator was forbidden in my youth,
advice which I heeded.

The second picture is of Lois Borland Brown and her oldest child, Bill.

Sorry I did not separate these pictures before scanning! No idea how to
edit.

Sharron
 

Folks, This is an old picture I found that was taken at one of the Ackworth School Alumni’s.

I think this picture was taken in 1992.

Dick Johnson & Rod Hiatt, I am wearing the Dunseith Centennial Belt that you guys designed and had Molded.

My Dad gave me that Belt & Buckle for my birthday in 1982. I wore that buckle, nearly everyday, for 25 years

I need to purchase another belt and start wearing it again. Gary

2/6/2015 Note: Myself (Gary Stokes) and Elwood Fauske are the only two living soles today in this picture.

L to R:
Gary Stokes, Willie Hiatt, Walter Bowers, Clarence Hagen, Elwood Fauske, Dennis Hiatt & Edmar Tangen

Article from the Bottineau Courant provided by Neola Kofoid Garbe: 

Loretta Neameyer Wall Graduated with the class of 1972

The healthy Dunseith High School Class of 1952 – They are all living and well

Folks, do any of you know the James Egbert that was in the class of 1939? Adrian had a brother James, but he was born in 1893, so he would have been kind of old for that class.  I found the death record for a James Egbert, with a ND Social Security number, that was born in 1920 and died in 1945. I’m wondering if that could be the guy who graduated in 1939?  If any of you see Donald Egbert around town, please ask him if he had a cousin named James or if he knows anything about this James Egbert that was born in 1920 and died in 1945.  Thanks,  Gary

Reply from Sharron Gottbreht Shen (Dale’s Daughter): 

My file for Anna Gottbreht and Harold W. Borland needs more work but I do

show that Lois BORLAND class of ’33 was born in Dunseith 1921. The family
which included Annice [1908], William [1911] and Lois [1921], moved to
Tigard, Oregon about 1928. Lois married WWII Airforce pilot Dell Brown in
Washington D.C. 1942. Dell and Lois raised five children in Sandpoint, Idaho
where Lois died in 2007. Many may recall Dell Brown’s picture in the Turtle
Mt Star as winner of the precious metal Cenntennial belt buckle.

I have a fine picture of Annice, Bill and Lois aboard horse and wagon with
their grandfather, William Gottbreht. Victor has a better scanner and I
shall send soonest.

Gary, I relish every message Evie forwards. Next to family, my childhood
bonds hold fondest memories. Thank you.

Sharron Gottbreht Shen ’59/60

Sharron, Thank you so much for including me with this reply to your sister Evie. I know that many of our folks will know and remember you. I have also added you to our distribution list.  I’m assuming that you probably attended the academy in Willow city?  I see you have your class year listed as 59/60. Which one of those classes would you prefer to be included with?  Looking forward to seeing the picture. Gary

Reply from Ann Boppre Perry (72): 

Morning Gary and all,

A reply to Sharon about the trophies.   Only the ones not on permanent

display are available.  Some have already been spoken for.

As for butte St. Paul:  it is 12 miles East of Bottineau–and 3 miles North.
Or from Dunseith  6 miles West and 3 North.

Yes, I do live in the same section of Cordelia township, Bottineau county.

Thanks again for all you do.
Ann

Reply to the DHS class list of 39 from Evon Lagerquist (77): 

Hi Gary, In case you are interested, Angeline Hiatt was married to Frank Ormberg, and they ran a dairy farm in Spokane, WA. Her and her sister were both diabetic. I’m guessing that they died from problems from that.

Evon

Evon, With all of the Hiatt, Hiatt relatives and folks that know the Hiatt’s on our list, I am replying to you with a group message.  Angeline Hiatt graduated with the class of 1939.  Her parents were Mr. & Mrs. Art Hiatt.  Art was a brother to your Grandfather, George.  Angeline Married Frank Ormberg from Bottineau.  They moved to Spokane, WA in 1948 and ran a Dairy, like you mentioned.  I located Frank Ormberg and just now got off the phone with him.  Frank is living in Beaverton, Oregon. His phone number is (503) 531-9449. Frank was born in 1920.  Talking to him on the phone, he seems to be very healthy, both physically and Mentally.  He told me that Angeline died in 1969 when they were living in Spokane.  Like you said, Angeline and her sister both were diabetic and that was the ultimate cause of her death.  Gary

From Dick Johnson (68): 

Gary and Friends,

I had an informative phone conversation with Lorraine Peterson about the
Egbert family. She told me there were four siblings she knew of, Adrian,
twins Jim and George, and a sister who drowned at an early age. She said
George was in the hospital when she and Duane were married and he really
had nowhere to go. Duane told him he could stay with them a few days
until he was well. He left 17 years later! He helped them with the
chores and kids etc. He picked berries and sold them and traded horses
off and on. Jim was married and had two sons. When Jim was older, he was
a resident of the Dunseith Nursing Home. One day I came home from school
and turned on the TV. I heard the door open and close and assumed Dad or
Mom came in so I just didn’t give it any more thought. Here was old Jim
Egbert with his cane walking through our house to the front door on his
way over to Ade’s. I sat up and about two seconds later two workers from
the nursing home came through the living room and got a hold of Jim and
headed out. I’m trying to remember the two guys, I think it was Wally
Hiatt and Jim Hanson. Anyway one said, “Sorry about that”. It all
happened so fast it really didn’t sink in–I went back to watching TV!
The thing I remember about the Egberts was that they had a odd speech
impediment. It was George who seemed to be hardest to understand, as I
recall. Thanks Gary!

Folks,

I received this article from Neola Kofoid Garbe yesterday, that she sent out to her Bottineau Bunch.  This article was published in the Bottineau Courant in 2004. Salem Church is connected more to the Bottineau side, but I know many of you remember and can relate to Salem.  Salem Church was our family church in my growing up days.  Salem is located about 2 miles into Bottineau County on #43 and 7 or so miles east of Lake Metigoshe.  During the summer months, Glen Rude unlocks the church doors, every morning, for the public to view.  Arliss Rude Hagen’s parents were Albert & Gladys Rude.  They lived a short distance east and on the south side of the road from the church.  Glen currently lives on the home place.  Their Brother Laverne is Married to Carrole Fauske (66).  Arliss is married to Leonard Hagen, originally from Rolette.  The Sunday school attendance chart is still hanging on the wall in the back of the church. My name and some of you on this distribution are listed on that chart.  Arliss and Leonard did a really fine job restoring the whole church, both inside and out. Feel free to stop in and take a look if you are driving by.  If the door is locked, Glen will let you in, if he is home.

Note: This article does not mention that Arliss and Leonard lived in Woodenville/Bellevue, WA and owned & operated Hagen’s construction for nearly 40 years. They are professionals when it comes to building and remodeling.

Gary

Folks, For all but one group, I forgot to list the class when I posted the class of 50 with yesterday’s message, so I have posted it again today.  Gary

                                    Dunseith High School Class of 1950