Monthly Archives: January 2009

1/2/2009 (326)

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From Martha Lamb Schepp (68): 

Happy New Year everyone!

*It is blowing snow around the corner of our home as my husband and I watched the Tournament of Roses Parade in California. My thoughts went back probably about 40 years when my dear friend Jill Flynn was marching in that parade. My fond thoughts go back to the days of band and chorus in Dunseith, what a wonderful experience, I remember marching in the Minot State Homecoming and thought I had reached the top. We were so fortunate to be under the music direction of Mr. Johnson. I don’t know if we let him know how grateful we were.but I’m sure he hears our praises of him in heaven. Anyway Jill you made us proud and to think your music adventure was started under the direction of Mr. Johnson and of course your hard work.

*Another thought to the class of 1968. Do you remember the neat looking quill pens Mrs. Conroy gave us for Christmas in the 4th grade? When I was looking for a gift for the Title 1 students, I thought I haven’t seen a quill pen forever in the teacher catalogs. I would have loved to have given them to the Title 1 students this year.

* Can you tell the holiday rush is over? I have time to write now. I always tell my students about going with horses and a sleigh to my Grandparent Abrahamson’s for Thanksgiving if there was an early snowfall, and for Christmas every year. There was not a graded road by the Berdsley lake and no mail route or bus route for one mile between us and my Grandparent Abrahamson’s. This trail was never maintained. My parents worked so hard to make this a special day for us. The day started our milking the cows, feeding the animals, gathering the eggs, harnessing up the horses hitching up the sleigh, making sure there was fresh straw on enclosed sleigh or sometimes the stoneboat. Plus Mom had made our favorite dishes to take to Grandpa and Grandma’s, packed blankets and stoked the foot warmer. One time my Dad had to shovel in front of the horses by the Berdsley lake and the horses would lunge forward as he tried to make a narrow path for them. I remember my brother Dean and myself being scared that the sleigh might not make it through the snowbank or tip over, but Dad always pulled us through. Those horses knew just how to work for him. Once we got to Grandpa and Grandma’s, Dad would tie up the horses and give them hay and water, I assume some of Granpa’s hay and water. We always pulled our runner sleighs behind as we would spend the day sliding down Grandpa and Grandma’s hill by their house, we were lucky there wasn’t too much traffic as we went on the main road. We never had a accident. When it was getting dusk and after our last time of an evening feast Dad would get the horses out of Grandpa’s barn and we would start home. This is what I remember the most was the jingle of the harness on the horses after dark. I remember that like it was yesterday. We always pulled the runner sleighs and after dark the runner might hit a rock at different times , I remember the sparks would fly.
When we were home 2 miles later, Dad would unharness the horses, we would milk the cows, feed the calves , haul in drinking water and stoke the furnace. Thanks to our ancestors for making our life so easy today. This is when we learn the song to Over the River and Through the Woods to Grandma’s house We Go in my Kindergarten class. I’m sure it is the lesson when my heart yearns for the good old days.

* Another thing that sticks out in my mind is that Santa Claus always in real life to Grandma’s during Christmas day. Grandma saved the wrapping paper from the year before and ironed it for the next years Santa gifts.

* One more thought I remember is both Grandma Lamb and Grandma Abrahamson always wearing a apron. I happen to have one of my Grandmas aprons. I also have a book My Mother’s Apron by Dr. Edward Keller, The author is from Strausburg, North Dakota. Our grand daughters love to wear grandma’s apron as we read this book to them. Memories!!!

Love to all and Happy New Year!! Martha Lamb Schepp

Reply from Dick Johnson (68): 

Gary and Friends,

To bring others up to speed on the messages between Larry Hackman and
Larry Millang and me, I need to fill in some blanks. We were discussing
where some of the farmsteads were along Highway 43 and who lived where,
long ago. Larry and I concur on several places and have things fairly
well worked out. The thing I mentioned about Larry being done dusting,
was an inside joke. I told him he blew the dust off some other memories
in the back of my mind. To this he said that we better not let our wives
know we are into dusting or we will find ourselves with another job!

To Diane Larson Sjol,

I may be mistaken totally, but I think when I was a very young kid
someone told me the words to your little North Dakota song were written
by Henry Sunderland from Dunseith. Can someone confirm or correct my
memory? I think Bob and Donna Leonard would know. As I stated, I may
have been mistaken or possibly told wrong. I remember most of the words,
but hadn’t heard them for years–cattle and the wheat, and the folks
that can’t be beat! True. Thanks Diane!

To Sharron Gottbreht Shen,

Thanks for sending the letter and picture from the WWII era. I assume
Roland Tennancour was a casualty of the war, judging by his young age
and death in 1942. Do you have information on his story that you would
be willing to share? Thanks !

Dick

Reply from Diane Larson Sjol (70):

To Sharon Gottbreht,

I so enjoyed the letter from Herman Boucher and the picture….you can
see the Gottbrehts in little EJ’s face in the photo.  I have a
question….my grandmother was Johanna Boucher and married to Fred
Richard (my mother, Verdellis Larson’s parents).  They lived on the
farm in Thorne…do you know how we were related to Hermann?  Mom was
born in 1927…Fred and Johanna were married in 1918…born in 1897 I
think….

Diane Larson Sjol

Bill Grimme (65) in Times Square NYC 01/01/09: 

Gary,

Here it is – 2009. Just got back to the room after watching the ball drop in Times Square. The attachment is a picture of Irena and me during our wait for the event. We stood for 5 hours on 7th Avenue. Temp was about 20. Breeze was stiff. Snowed for a little while. I think I just neared, but did not reach, my limit. Damn close, though. This is like Mardi Gras–great to do once, but once is enough.

We are staying in NY until Sunday. Then back to Alabama to say hi to my little dog and cat, then off to Arizona for a little while.

Happy New Year to all!
Bill

Folks, Bill Grimme lost his wife to cancer in about August 2006. Her death was extremely painful for him. It was several months later that I contacted Bill putting our class of 65 list together. Shortly there after I distributed our whole class list to all of our class members.  Our class had not seen one another for nearly 42 years. The release of our class list was great timing for Bill to get reacquainted with all of us helping ease the pain of having lost his wife.  Bill was in no means looking for sympathy, but just talking to folks eased the pain even if he didn’t mention the fact to those he talked to that he had lost his wife. Bill called each and every person on our initial class list.  For our class folks, getting a phone call, out of the blue, from Bill Grimme was heart wrenching. Bill was a pretty popular guy, well know for his academic achievements, in our high school days.

In the last while, Bill has been seeing and has become attached to Irena. She immigrated from Russia and has a PHD in I think Chemistry. Bill has told me several times and I keep having Physics on my mind of which is not correct. Irena is a department head in one of the state colleges, I think at the University of Alabama.  Bill, please correct me one more time with the correct info. Thanks, Gary

Bill Grimme with his friend Irena at Times Square in NYC – 1/1/2009
Grimme, Bill 2258

Gary,

Still having fun.

Bill

Bill, I’ve been up there and it’s beautiful. On the top floor, where you guys are at, it feels like one can feel the resiliency movement of the building.  It’s so high and that top floor is not very large. It kind of gives you the feeling of being in outer space.  Gary

Bill Grimme & Irena – New Year’s Day (2009) at the Empire State Building
Grimme, Bill 2258-1

Jeff Skjelver’s (Glen & Annabel Shelver’s Grandson) reply to yesterday’s message: 

“I and Ole Evans went to the Carnival last night & had a few drinks – don’t feel so good today but when you get about half drunk it gets your mind off of the Army for a little while – this Army will make more bums then soldiers.”

Wow!  It’s just like the present with the Afghanistan and Iraq BS in which we currently find ourselves mired.

How prescient of Mr. Boucher.

Yet another truth-speaker:  Wilfred Owen (Dulce et Decorum Est).

Semper Fidelis and Peace…

Randy Hiatt’s photo provided by Neola Kofoid Garbe: 

Folks, Randy is Glen (Ikie) Hiatt’s son. Ikie is the younger brother of Leola Lagerquist & Netty (Jack deceased) Peterson. Their father was George Hiatt.

The following is a reply from Leola’s daughter, Evon Lagerquist.  Gary

Yes Gary, This is our cousin Randy, Ikie’s 3rd son. He lives in Langdon,ND now. I believe he is around 44 yrs. old. I haven’t seen him in quite a few years, so really do not know his kids. Ikie lives in Rolla now.

                                    Evon
Hiatt, Randy 2258

01/03/2009

Posted on by
From Florence Hiatt Dahl (50):
Florence, I replied with an individual message to you, but I want to post this so folks know you are still out there. Gary
 
GARY, you have disapeared from my internet. Are you o.k.? The wind seldom blows here in Anchorage, thus with all the snow we have this last two months we have a winter wonder land. I live in a condo, so I have pity for the poor souls that have to shovel snow and shovel and shovel….Thank you again for your peraverance on this internet. Happy New Year and God bless you. I’ll bet you don,t miss shoveling snow…………………
 
 
From Blanche Wicks Schley (42):
 
Gary,
 
When we lived in Dunseith, we would visit a Lamb family in the Turtle Mountains. Do you know if any of their family are still around.
 
Reading your blog each day is so interesting and it certainly has brought a bunch of people closer and you can read the pride in their notes about their early lives in Dunseith. I don’t know if it is the cold weather that makes North Dakotans so resilient.
 
We could use a few warmer temperatures here in North Dakota and a little less snow. Grand Forks has made a new record in snow fall and the weather service forecasts another front passing through to the east.
 
Best wishes for all the Dunseith alumni for a good 2009.
 
Blanche, Yes we do have members of the Lamb family from the Turtle Mountains in our group. For those I know of, I have pasted their info below. Bill Lamb is Martha Lamb & Vickie Metcalfe’s uncle. Martha’s father Floyd, Vickie’s mother Lottie and Bill are siblings. I’m thinking the Lamb family you visited would have been Bill’s parents and Martha & Vickie’s grandparents, but then again I’m just guessing. I think we have lots of folks in our group that will be able to answer your question very well. I’ll bet there are some that remember your family or stories of your family too. Gary
 
Schneider Lamb Betty Jane Willard (Bill) 3216 Walnut St. Grand Forks, ND 58201 (701) 775-8817 bandblamb@netzero.com 54
Lamb Schepp Martha 630 92nd St. NW Newburg, ND 58762 (701) 272-6341 lsche@srt.com martha.schepp@sendit.nodak.edu 68
Metcalfe
Vickie
401 13th St W
Bottineau, ND 58318
(701) 228-3353
70
 
 
 
Request from Bill Hosmer (48):
 
Gary and Dick Johnson, and several others. When you old timers were talking about the different homes around the hills, it occurred to me that someone with some abilities beyond my own, that it might be possible to develop a map of the area which included all the families we hear from and about. It could be a graphic display with a little bit of surveyor assistance and possibly result in a two by three foot chart, which might be reproduceable and even a sale item for the Dunseith Log House and the Rolette County Museum. I can see a framable image of the map, with sketches, and or photos of the homes of a given year, or a given decade. For example, “The Way It Was in the Hills in 1930 to 1950, or less and more, and I think it could include pictures of those who were early settlers and the location of their sites. This would be on a detailed map of roads, highways, and trails that we have enjoyed reading about recently. It would also accurately plot
the location of the homes of these tremendous family groups that gave us our collective heritage. As I think about it more, it could include all of Rolette County, and the part of Bottineau County that include former Dunseith people. It might take awhile, but I think there would be a mob of us scrambling to see just who and where we are from, and where it was in “The Hills”. Bill Hosmer
ps. It should also show the graphic shape and locations of the major lakes, as well as the churches and cemeteries. Ok Guys, go for it.
Bill, this sounds like a great Idea. I’m hoping someone will be able to put this together. Gary
 
 
 
 
Reply from Dick Johnson (68):
 
Gary and Friends,

Thanks to Martha Lamb Schepp for the story. It brought back good
memories of the old days here in the hills. Your memory of your Grandma
saving Christmas wrapping paper wasn’t odd. My Grandma did that too. She
never ripped open presents, just carefully opened them and saved the
paper! Hard times taught them to save things. Thanks.

Thanks Bill Grimme for the pictures of NYC. Gary mentioned the movement
of the Empire State Building. That is the one thing I remember about
being up there in’67. The tour guide told us the building has a
deflection of 12′, six feet either direction of center. It’s hard to
believe a concrete and steel building that big could sway! I see they
also have shields to stop jumpers now. I don’t know about Bill and
Irena, but that was the last thing on my mind! Thanks Bill.

Thanks Gary for your tireless posting!

Dick

 
 
 
Reply from Bill Grimme (65):
 
Gary,
 
The “Go to North Dakota” song is credited to Lois Steele and Jack Fulton in 1958. I have had a lot of fun with this song over the years. In fact. I think we sang it at our reunion last year. Here is the complete song, although I think Diane had all the lyrics the other day:
 
 
 

Go Ta North Dakota

You Oughta Go Ta North Dakota
by Lois Steele and Jack Fulton (1958)

“Ya oughta go ta, North Dakota
See the cattle and the wheat,
and the folks that can’t be beat
Ya oughta go ta, North Dakota
And you just can’t say goodbye.”

“The sky is bluer than blue
The sun is sunnier, too
And if you don’t believe me
There’s only one thing to do…”

 

You were pretty accurate on Irina. She has a Phd in Chemistry and she is the head of the biophysics lab at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She just earned her citizenship this year and she has been in the U.S. since 2000. Good girl.

You were also correct in stating that our class and many other people on your mailing list helped me through a tough time. I will be forever grateful.

Bill

Bill, I found this WEB site. Gary

You Oughta Go Ta North Dakota
by Lois Steele and Jack Fulton (1958)

http://northshorejournal.org/go-ta-north-dakota

 

 

Class of 58 Pictures posted by Ellen Graff Myrick (58):

Gary,
 
Thought I’d share these pictures of the class of 58 from the 125th Reunion The word document has all the people, but one, identified. It took three pictures to show the 9 members of our class of 18 who attended the reunion in July 2007. You may not want to use the individual pictures. It’s up to you as the expert.
 
Ellen S. Myrick
Ellen, These are wonderful pictures. Now we can put a face with some of you that we hear from. I just copied and pasted your word document directly into this message. It worked great. Bobby Lagerquist also attended our 65 reunion. It was nice seeing him again. Gary
 

 

CLASS OF 58

Back Row: Robert Lagerquist, Jerome Allard, Marlene (Schneider) Haverland

Front Row: Ron Link, Joanne (Kester) Boucher, Mrs. Ron Link, Colleen (Conroy) Martel, Ellen (Graff) Myrick

 

 

 

CLASS OF 58 + Granddaughter

 

 

Allen Johnson’s granddaughter, Allen Johnson, Colleen (Conroy) Martel

 

125th Anniversary Opening Banquet Some of Class of 58 +

 

 

Left Side: Don Martel, Marlene Haverland, Ron Link, Jerome Allard

 

Right Side: Colleen (Conroy) Martel, Mary Ann (Gottbreth) Brennan, ???, Robert Lagerquist

 

 

 

Message/Picture from Evie Gottbreht Pilkington (65):

Hi Gary,

Happy New Year from Southern CA – we are experiencing a cold snap….must be 50 degrees…..LOL

Today January 2 would have been my Dad’s 92nd Birthday…he died in 1961. My Mom and Dad were also married on this day in 1939. I found this picture in my “stuff” today and decided a few might enjoy this bit of history. It is a four generation picture – George Gottbreht, William Gottbreht, Dale Gottbreht and my brother George on Great Grandfather William’s lap.

I found it interesting to once again see how tall my grandfather George was compared to my Dad, he was a shorty 5’6” I think…..Daddy’s mom, Evelyn was less than 4’10”.

Evie Pilkington

949-246-6984

 

 

 

 

 

Peggy Peltier’s (84) picture posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe:

 

 

Here’s a good picture of Peggy Peltier. I don’t think I’ve sent it before as I don’t see it in my “courthouse” file.

 

 

 

May I send Peggy’s pictures to your address, Gailord, or do you have an address for Peggy? I’ve already sealed/taped your envelope, Gailord, but I would be happy to mail Peggy’s pictures to your address/address you provide. My husband will mail your envelope after I return to Minot.

 

 

 

Thanks.

 

 

 

Neola

 

Folks, Peggy is listed among the graduates for the class of 1984. Do any of you know if she has an email address and would like to be included with these daily messages? Gary
 
 

 

 

 

01/02/2009

Posted on by
From Martha Lamb Schepp (68):
 
Happy New Year everyone!

*It is blowing snow around the corner of our home as my husband and I watched the Tournament of Roses Parade in California. My thoughts went back probably about 40 years when my dear friend Jill Flynn was marching in that parade. My fond thoughts go back to the days of band and chorus in Dunseith, what a wonderful experience, I remember marching in the Minot State Homecoming and thought I had reached the top. We were so fortunate to be under the music direction of Mr. Johnson. I don’t know if we let him know how grateful we were.but I’m sure he hears our praises of him in heaven. Anyway Jill you made us proud and to think your music adventure was started under the direction of Mr. Johnson and of course your hard work.

*Another thought to the class of 1968. Do you remember the neat looking quill pens Mrs. Conroy gave us for Christmas in the 4th grade? When I was looking for a gift for the Title 1 students, I thought I haven’t seen a quill pen forever in the teacher catalogs. I would have loved to have given them to the Title 1 students this year.

* Can you tell the holiday rush is over? I have time to write now. I always tell my students about going with horses and a sleigh to my Grandparent Abrahamson’s for Thanksgiving if there was an early snowfall, and for Christmas every year. There was not a graded road by the Berdsley lake and no mail route or bus route for one mile between us and my Grandparent Abrahamson’s. This trail was never maintained. My parents worked so hard to make this a special day for us. The day started our milking the cows, feeding the animals, gathering the eggs, harnessing up the horses hitching up the sleigh, making sure there was fresh straw on enclosed sleigh or sometimes the stoneboat. Plus Mom had made our favorite dishes to take to Grandpa and Grandma’s, packed blankets and stoked the foot warmer. One time my Dad had to shovel in front of the horses by the Berdsley lake and the horses would lunge forward as he tried to make a narrow path for them. I remember my brother Dean and myself being scared that the sleigh might not make it through the snowbank or tip over, but Dad always pulled us through. Those horses knew just how to work for him. Once we got to Grandpa and Grandma’s, Dad would tie up the horses and give them hay and water, I assume some of Granpa’s hay and water. We always pulled our runner sleighs behind as we would spend the day sliding down Grandpa and Grandma’s hill by their house, we were lucky there wasn’t too much traffic as we went on the main road. We never had a accident. When it was getting dusk and after our last time of an evening feast Dad would get the horses out of Grandpa’s barn and we would start home. This is what I remember the most was the jingle of the harness on the horses after dark. I remember that like it was yesterday. We always pulled the runner sleighs and after dark the runner might hit a rock at different times , I remember the sparks would fly.
When we were home 2 miles later, Dad would unharness the horses, we would milk the cows, feed the calves , haul in drinking water and stoke the furnace. Thanks to our ancestors for making our life so easy today. This is when we learn the song to Over the River and Through the Woods to Grandma’s house We Go in my Kindergarten class. I’m sure it is the lesson when my heart yearns for the good old days.

* Another thing that sticks out in my mind is that Santa Claus always in real life to Grandma’s during Christmas day. Grandma saved the wrapping paper from the year before and ironed it for the next years Santa gifts.

* One more thought I remember is both Grandma Lamb and Grandma Abrahamson always wearing a apron. I happen to have one of my Grandmas aprons. I also have a book My Mother’s Apron by Dr. Edward Keller, The author is from Strausburg, North Dakota. Our grand daughters love to wear grandma’s apron as we read this book to them. Memories!!!

Love to all and Happy New Year!! Martha Lamb Schepp

 
 
 
Reply from Dick Johnson (68):
 
Gary and Friends,

To bring others up to speed on the messages between Larry Hackman and
Larry Millang and me, I need to fill in some blanks. We were discussing
where some of the farmsteads were along Highway 43 and who lived where,
long ago. Larry and I concur on several places and have things fairly
well worked out. The thing I mentioned about Larry being done dusting,
was an inside joke. I told him he blew the dust off some other memories
in the back of my mind. To this he said that we better not let our wives
know we are into dusting or we will find ourselves with another job!

To Diane Larson Sjol,

I may be mistaken totally, but I think when I was a very young kid
someone told me the words to your little North Dakota song were written
by Henry Sunderland from Dunseith. Can someone confirm or correct my
memory? I think Bob and Donna Leonard would know. As I stated, I may
have been mistaken or possibly told wrong. I remember most of the words,
but hadn’t heard them for years–cattle and the wheat, and the folks
that can’t be beat! True. Thanks Diane!

To Sharron Gottbreht Shen,

Thanks for sending the letter and picture from the WWII era. I assume
Roland Tennancour was a casualty of the war, judging by his young age
and death in 1942. Do you have information on his story that you would
be willing to share? Thanks !

Dick

 
 
 
Reply from Diane Larson Sjol (70):
 
To Sharon Gottbreht,
I so enjoyed the letter from Herman Boucher and the picture….you can
see the Gottbrehts in little EJ’s face in the photo. I have a
question….my grandmother was Johanna Boucher and married to Fred
Richard (my mother, Verdellis Larson’s parents). They lived on the
farm in Thorne…do you know how we were related to Hermann? Mom was
born in 1927…Fred and Johanna were married in 1918…born in 1897 I
think….

Diane Larson Sjol

 
 
 
Bill Grimme (65) in Times Square NYC 01/01/09:
 
Gary,
 
Here it is – 2009. Just got back to the room after watching the ball drop in Times Square. The attachment is a picture of Irena and me during our wait for the event. We stood for 5 hours on 7th Avenue. Temp was about 20. Breeze was stiff. Snowed for a little while. I think I just neared, but did not reach, my limit. Damn close, though. This is like Mardi Gras–great to do once, but once is enough.
 
We are staying in NY until Sunday. Then back to Alabama to say hi to my little dog and cat, then off to Arizona for a little while.
 
Happy New Year to all!
 
Bill
Folks, Bill Grimme lost his wife to cancer in about August 2006. Her death was extremely painful for him. It was several months later that I contacted Bill putting our class of 65 list together. Shortly there after I distributed our whole class list to all of our class members. Our class had not seen one another for nearly 42 years. The release of our class list was great timing for Bill to get reacquainted with all of us helping ease the pain of having lost his wife. Bill was in no means looking for sympathy, but just talking to folks eased the pain even if he didn’t mention the fact to those he talked to that he had lost his wife. Bill called each and every person on our initial class list. For our class folks, getting a phone call, out of the blue, from Bill Grimme was heart wrenching. Bill was a pretty popular guy, well know for his academic achievements, in our high school days.
In the last while, Bill has been seeing and has become attached to Irena. She immigrated from Russia and has a PHD in I think Chemistry. Bill has told me several times and I keep having Physics on my mind of which is not correct. Irena is a department head in one of the state colleges, I think at the University of Alabama. Bill, please correct me one more time with the correct info. Thanks, Gary
Bill Grimme with his friend Irena at Times Square in NYC – 1/1/2009
 
 
Gary,
 
Still having fun.
 
Bill
Bill, I’ve been up there and it’s beautiful. On the top floor, where you guys are at, it feels like one can feel the resiliency movement of the building. It’s so high and that top floor is not very large. It kind of gives you the feeling of being in outer space. Gary
 
Bill Grimme & Irena – New Year’s Day (2009) at the Empire State Building
  
 
 
Jeff Skjelver’s (Glen & Annabel Shelver’s Grandson) reply to yesterday’s message:
 
“I and Ole Evans went to the Carnival last night & had a few drinks – don’t feel so good today but when you get about half drunk it gets your mind off of the Army for a little while – this Army will make more bums then soldiers.“

Wow! It’s just like the present with the Afghanistan and Iraq BS in which we currently find ourselves mired.

How prescient of Mr. Boucher.

Yet another truth-speaker: Wilfred Owen (Dulce et Decorum Est).

Semper Fidelis and Peace…

 
 
 
 
Randy Hiatt’s photo provided by Neola Kofoid Garbe:
 
Folks, Randy is Glen (Ikie) Hiatt’s son. Ikie is the younger brother of Leola Lagerquist & Netty (Jack deceased) Peterson. Their father was George Hiatt.
The following is a reply from Leola’s daughter, Evon Lagerquist. Gary
Yes Gary, This is our cousin Randy, Ikie’s 3rd son. He lives in Langdon,ND now. I believe he is around 44 yrs. old. I haven’t seen him in quite a few years, so really do not know his kids. Ikie lives in Rolla now.
Evon
 

1/1/2009 (325)

Posted on by

Reply from Gary Metcalfe (57):

Wow, I guess I have another cousin!!  I tried calling Randy Hiatt tonight to welcome him to the family, but did not get an answer.

It’s really something how one letter can tip you off to lots of things you would like to know.  Herman mentioned Cote’s outfit, I thought Laureus Cote was somewhere over there, now I know for sure.

Does anyone remember Martin Belgarde?  He was a fixture at Lamoureux Bros. Garage, about like Carroll Carlson was.  Martin was a great storyteller.  I think he actually was in Italy for awhile.  He said he jumped off a ten foot bank hoping to break just one leg and all I broke was my gol dang gun. LOL

Janice and all of you in Seattle area, hope you are staying safe and dry through all of this unusual wet/snowy weather out there.   Gary Metcalfe

Gary, I think you’ve got a pretty squared away cousin too with Randy.  You mention Laureus Cote.  I knew him well.  He and Loretta included me as if I was one of the family when I went to Bremerton, WA in the fall of 1966. Laureus often mentioned his WWII service years in Europe.  He passed away several years ago. I can get you connected to his children if you wish.  Fern Cote Berube (Mrs. Lawrence) and Laureus are siblings.  Gary Stokes
Request from Marge Langan Wilcox (Ron Longie’s (65) sister):

Good morning Gary,

You probably don’t remember me.
I am Ron Longie’s sister in Vancouver WA…. would like to be added to the Dunseith alumni
I left Dunseith in 1956….. after marrying Hollis Wilcox
I get all of the messages from my brother Ron longie.

Marge Langan Wilcox

Marge, I know a lot of folks will remember you. Ron and Willie are remembered well by many.  You guys come from good stock.  Welcome aboard. I have reposted your family photo below along with a more recent picture of your mother and Hannah Loab. You are a very pretty girl. Gary

Wilbur Longie Family:

Back row: left Wallace, Wilbur, Marge, Ronnie
Front row: left Willie, Patti, Ursula, Donnie
Longie Family 2257

Hannah Higgins Loab & Ursula Longie – 7-13-07
Higgins and Longie 2257

Reply from David Slyter (70): 

To Dick Johnson:

I too enjoy reading the War stories.  It is so interesting to read the letters of the soldiers to their loved ones during a very tough time in their lifes.   Not being a military person myself, I still have a respect for the ones that serve in any of our armed services.   Our dad Fred Hiatt was commander of the American Legion in Dunsieth for many years and as you know we always played or sang at the memorial day programs at the old Duseith city hall or the High School.  It takes people like my dad, or Jack Flynn, or Floyd Dion and the Hosmers and many more to keep things going in a small town like Dunseith.  Those were the good ole days.

To Randy Hiatt:

Welcome to the Dunseith Alumni pages.  Mom always spoke of the day that she delivered you into the world and it was a proud moment for her.  In 98 we took Mom out to Washington on a summer trip with us.  It was great seeing you and the rest of the Hiatt clan at the picnic that everyone thru for us.   I had seen relatives that I hadn’t seen in 25 years.   Mom passed the following year in 99 but had always talked about that previous summer.    So again welcome to our world and enjoy.

Dave Slyter (70)

Reply from Sharron Gottbreht Shen (59): 

It is so frustrating that I cannot send mail direct to Gary Metcalfe. Just wish to thank him for the keen insight he has into the 34th. I shall look for the book he recommends. Copies of the camp picture in the mail by Monday; I am sure Aunt Emily and/or Uncle Roland will know fellow soldier. I have no idea what camps behind the lines looked like but the tent structure looks collapsable and screened – good for buggy Louisiana but also important in Italy where fever born disease from mosquitoes was a problem in river areas. Sharron

Reply from Allen Richard (65): 

To Wally Garbe– Yeah this is a weird winter by modern standards for sure.  Saginaw Mi was a couple inches short of its annual snow fall last week– we are supposed to get another 3-4 inches tonight.  Over the Christmas Holiday — in a 10 day period, we went form nearly no snow to two feet of snow to no snow.  We have about 8 inches now.  I hope you don’t get another “blizzard of ’66″  That was the nastiest in my memory.  I have a few stories about that one– I’m sure a lot of you do too.

Hope everyone had a great holiday season — onward and upward for 2009—not sure if we can get much lower!

Allen

Willie/Maxine Hiatt picture posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: 

Folks,  Willie and Maxine Radley (38) Hiatt lived in the Ackworth community until moving to Bottineau in about 1955.  Norris Knutson purchased their farm and has lived there ever since.  Willie was a plumber in Bottineau for many years.  Maxine worked for Dr. Sveen, a Dentist in Bottineau, for a number years. Willie pasted away this last year. Maxine is currently living at the Oak Manor Apartments. Their children are Barbara Cote, Harvey, Lawrence & Doug. Doug has been working the Good Samaritan home in Bottineau for quite some time now.  Gary
Hiatt, Willie and Maxine 2257


Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: 

JAMMIN’ TO THE OLDIES      MINOT DAILY NEWS: DECEMBER 28, 2008

Frozen Fingers Music Association holds stage show, jam session

The Frozen Fingers Music Association held a stage show and jam session at the Sleep Inn in Minot Saturday. Members of the association entertained an audience with old-time and bluegrass music.

“This organization is for the education of people about old-time music, and it’s for fun. The whole purpose is to promote bluegrass and old-time music, to get a few more people interested in it,” said Dick Johnson, vice president of the Frozen Fingers Music Association.

Once individuals are interested in the music, it seems to be something that sticks with them. Johnson recalled how he started playing.

“I came down to the concerts three years ago. I went in a jam session with my guitar, and I didn’t leave my chair for 14 hours,” he said.

The Frozen Fingers Music Association is made up of old-time and bluegrass groups from around the region.

Frozen Fingers hopes to interest more young people in the music, and the association serves the purpose of teaching them how to play.

“The best way to learn how is to sit down with people, and do it. It’s something we need to keep doing, or it’s going to slowly dwindle away,” Johnson said.

Frozen Fingers’ next stage show and jam session will be held at the Sleep Inn in Minot Feb. 14-15. A dance will be held Feb. 13, and a guitar clinic will be going on during the stage show and jam session.

“It’s a full two days of music groups, old-time or bluegrass. Sunday morning we’ll have a polka mass, and during the day we’ll have old-time gospel music,” Johnson said.

Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe:

I know some of you know Claudia Harrison Trebas. Gary

Hi Everyone,

Claudia sent the info written in green.  I had “run” the original email by her before I sent it.  I’m including her latest info.  Thanks, Claudia.

FYI:  Claudia has acess to a computer in Bismarck/Bottineau, so you may visit her site/send emails any time, and she’ll receive them immediately.  Neola

January 9: Good morning Neola, I am home now, as of last night. Really

glad Bottineau didn’t get the snow. I will be in Bismarck
for treatments, 6 chemo, 3 weeks apart and then 6 weeks
radiation. I will be home when I can be. I have to have
hercepin every week until I’m done with chemo, then
herceptin every 3 weeks for a year. Thank you for passing it
on, it is so nice to hear from people and have the support.
How are you? When do you start? Is radiation first? Let me
know how that goes and keep me posted. You are in our
prayers also. Thanks for all the laughs, you know laughter
is the best medicine. God Bless, Claudia
Hi Everyone,

Some of you know Claudia Harrison Trebas/her father and mother, Marvin and Muriel Bergeron/her grandparents, Leo and Claudia DuBois Bergeron (Page 76 in Centennial Book).  Leo and Claudia lived 9 miles east of Bottineau (about half-way between Bottineau/Dunseith; Leonard Neubauer and family lived there later; Leonard’s son now lives on “the place”.

Claudia is married to Brad Trebas of Bottineau.  Brad/Claudia live in Bottineau.  I copied/pasted the following info I found in Claudia’s Caring Bridge site.  I have had two surgeries to achieve clean margins and the lymph nodes were removed after cancer was found in the sentinel node. I will begin chemotherapy treatments January 16th and radiation will follow. Maybe we can’t see this as a blessing quite clearly yet, but we do know we are blessed with such loving and supportive family and friends.

It is with Claudia’s permission and blessing that I send this email to all of you.  If you click on the link I’m including, it will take you directly to Claudia’s journal on Caring Bridges (Hi, Claudia!).  Claudia would love to have you visit her journal/read the information/look at the pictures/sign her guestbook.  Claudia is staying at her daughter’s (Chelsey) home in Bismarck.  It’s not exactly the way you’d choose to spend more time with your grandson, but, if you have to stay somewhere, you can’t do better than seeing your grandson (other family members) every day. :)

Neola

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/claudiatrebas
Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: 

IPG “Rainy Day” fund.
Gary,
As you can see, this is a little old.  The Courant was lying on the table.  I saw this article and decided to scan/send it.  Now I can throw this part of the paper. :)
Neola
Lagerquist, Connie 2257

01/01/2009

Posted on by
Folks,
 
I just finished reading the book “The Birds Were Silver Then” written by Lowell Peterson, who is a very good friend of Bill Hosmers. Dr. Lowell Peterson was the flight surgeon for Bills Squadron and fighter wing from 1963 to 1966. Their mission was to fly bombing raids over Viet Nam. This book goes into great detail of some of the bombing raids these pilots made and the risks taken. The book gives a detailed report of several rescues of pilots shot down and also of some of the unsuccessful rescues. The book also gives a first hand report from several folks being POW’s and what they encountered. These pilots were some mighty brave soles to fly into these targeted areas with all the enemy fireworks pointed at them with a great degree of accuracy. Bill, For your group, you were the leader of the many bombing missions that you partook in over North Viet Nam. With all of the enemy fire power, the odds were not always in your favor for making it out of some of these missions. Many of your folks did not make it.
Folks, this is a great hard cover copy, 200 plus page book. I got my copy, compliments of Bill Hosmer. For those of you that would like a copy, the address on the inside cover of the book is Peterson House, 2627 Beechwood Court, Appleton, WI 54911 SRoseClear@aol.comI think Bill has a phone number too, that I don’t readily have at my finger tips. What ever the price, it’s well worth it.
 
Gary
 
 
 
Message/Letter/Picture from Sharron Gottbreht Shen (59):
 
Happy New Year Gary and Bernadette. Our white Christmas here in the Seattle area confinded Victor and I at home. Seattle was not prepared for the abundant snow fall, much of which is still with us. We adventured forth Christmas day but serious snow over ice on neighborhood streets resulted in brief mishap in a ditch. I spent some of this valuable time sorting old pictures and letters. Today I attach a letter from Herman Boucher [1914-1987] to his sister Alma from bootcamp, probably in Louisianna. The picture was taken during Herman’s goodby visit to his sisters and brothers-in-law spring 1941 at the Roland Mongeon farm in the hills of eastern Bottineau County. Thank you Greg for your request; there is another letter dated 1944 from Italy.Picture L-R: Roland G Tennancour [1920-1942]/Alma Boucher-Gottbreht/Roland Mongeon/Yvette Boucher-Tennancour/Herman Boucher holding EJ Gottbreht. Mom was expecting me May ’41 and Yvette was due in September.

God bless us everyone. Sharron

 
Herman Boucher’s [1914-1987] Letter to his sister, Mrs Dale (Alma) Gottbreht:
 

Dear Sis [Alma Boucher-Gottbreht] July 3 1941

 

 

Well I’m still alive but I feel about as low as a snakes ass. A bunch of the boy’s got a weekend leave starting at noon the 2nd till 11 Sunday night & I couldn’t get one – got to go on KP. The 4th and 5th I’m going on camp alert for 24 hrs in place of one of the boy’s in my tent so he could get a leave – he’s a swell kid, he’s always doing something for me. He gave me some of the pictures he took of us – he’s not on the one I’m sending but the other boy’s are all in my tent. So you can imagine how low I feel – I was going to go to Alabama [Robertsville] & and visit uncle Gene [Casavant] – it’s about 350 miles from here; but that’s the Army & that’s why I like it – they tell you one thing then they change the next day. Was suppose to parade in Baton Rouge the 4th but instead we paraded in camp yesterday forenoon for the governor of Min. & that screwed up our 4th of July.

 

 

I and Ole Evans went to the Carnival last night & had a few drinks – don’t feel so good today but when you get about half drunk it gets your mind off of the Army for a little while – this Army will make more bums then soldiers.

 

 

Well I see Ted and Harvey got to go the 8th – too bad; hope they don’t have to come here – its hotter then hell & its just starting in the way they talk. It’s been hanging around 106’ in the shade so you can see about how hot it gets in the sun – just sweat standing. They say we might go back to Min. for maneuvers or Wash this fall but I wouldn’t believe it till it happens but I hope so – there’s too darn many snakes here. Every day we go out on maneuvers now we see some snakes – we kill every one we see but I sure wouldn’t like to lay on one – that’s why I would like to see them pull us out of here.

 

 

Well I suppose the crops look good there – sure wish I could see them but before I can get a furlough it’ll be Oct or Nov & maybe later – there’s only so many at a time that can leave camp & we got to go by turns – I sure hope I can get there before it snows.

 

 

Well you better write & Cora [Boucher-Mongeon] too – I heard from you just once so far – you better put APO 34 on the letters after this because we may not get our mail [USPS] – they’ll send it back – it stands for Army Post Office. I got a letter from Canton last night – sure was a surprise. I’ll have to write him Sat & I got a letter from uncle John [Boucher] – Aunt fell & hurt her arm pretty good – she was pretty surprised to hear from me, said that I done better than Ernest [Boucher]. Well it’s pretty near dinner time so I better close.

 

 

Love Herman

 
 
Picture posted by Sharon Gottbreht Shen:
 
Picture L-R: Roland G Tennancour [1920-1942], Alma Boucher-Gottbreht, Roland Mongeon,
Yvette Boucher-Tennancour, Herman Boucher holding EJ Gottbreht.
Mom was expecting me May ’41 and Yvette was due in September.
 
 
 
Ellen Graff Myrick’s (58) reply to Gary for missing messages:
 
Gary,
 
Got all three of them. I should have remembered that it was already 2009 in the PI. I worked for Pacific Region AFCOMS (Commissary Service) at Norton AFB in California in 1981- 82. Time was always something to consider when contacting the stores in the Pacific. We provided support for commissaries at AF bases in Hawaii, Alaska, Japan, Korea, the PI, and Guam. Thanks again. It’s -10 outside according to my Desktop Weather Channel, but it’s 75 in my house.
 
Ellen
Ellen & all, It’s now noon here in the PI, New Years Day. We were on the edge of a storm that passed through yesterday, so it rained most of the day. We were lucky when it finely quit raining towards evening. The folks all celebrated in our compound with music, dance, etc until midnight. Then the fireworks began, everywhere. After having read Bill Hosmers friends book, it was as though we were being attack with one of their bombing raids over North Viet Nam. The noise was so loud that we couldn’t hear each other talk. When all the fireworks, noise and smoke subsided, about 12:30, Bernadette served a large dinner meal for everyone. With the storm that just pasted through and kind of still lingering, it’s cooled off some today. It’s currently 83F. Gary
 
 
 
From Gary Metcalfe (57):
 
Happy New Year Everyone!!
This error is just one of a few errors I have made that needs correction. The Class of ’57 does not hold the specific honor of “funnest”, but the class of ’56 should with the help of ’57! Thanks for bringing my attention to that Patti or I would never have picked up on it.
 
Last week I gave Bob and Barbara Rivard a call and sure enough her dad, Hector Boucher was in the 34th Division. Barbara had a scrapbook with some information about her dad. He did something very commendable…..we will find out more.
 
Also called Mike in Minot to let him know that his father-in-law, who was in the l09th medics attached to the 34th, was at the base of Hill 609 when the 34th made a real name for themselves. Ole was wounded the first time there. Those two men probably met.
Mike was in the military himself and asked me why but why wouldn’t the old man talk about the war? So I suggested if he acquired a copy of the book, “The Day of Battle” by Rick Atkinson, master storyteller. Six hundred pages of the battles in Italy. Just read 25 pages anywhere in the book, you’ll never wonder why they did not talk about the war ever again. You will be a changed person, a humble one at that.
I quote, “Italy would break their backs, their bones and nearly their spirits, but first it would break their hearts and that heartbreak began north of the Volturno, where the terrain steepened, the weather worsened and the enemy stiffened. Allied casualties in Italy totaled eighteen thousand between September 3 and October 20, yet that was only a down payment on the campaign to come.
North of the Volturno you could follow our battalions by the blood stained leggings, scattered equipment, and the bits of bodies where men had been blown up. Big tellar mines would blow up a truck. You can imagine what the castrators or nut crackers would do.
 
Major General Keyes stood up flor the men of the 34th, he said, “send them home, they’ve been worn out for way too long, to no avail”. No wonder they used the words VALOR and GALLANT to describe those soldiers, especially at Cassino.”
 
That may be enough about war coming from me.
 
By the way, in case anyone wants to know, the Thunderbirds will be here in Branson in May. Also the parachute team. See you at the Presidential Inauguration! Gary Metcalfe
 
 
 
 
Edward Berube’s Obituary/family picture posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe:

Edward Berube

Sept. 17, 1920-Dec. 28, 2008
 

Edward Joseph Berube, age 88, of Belcourt, ND, passed away on Sunday, December 28, 2008, in the Bottineau Good Samaritan Center, Bottineau, ND.

Edward was born on September 17, 1920, on the family farmstead in Maryville Township, ND, to Victorine Mongeon and Arthur Berube, where he was raised and lived until moving 2 miles south, establishing his own family farmstead.

He married Evelyn Marie Vandal on June 26, 1945, at St. Ann’s Parish in Belcourt, with Fr. Stan Maudlin officiating. They made their living on the family farm with their 7 children, Sharon, Eldon, Gary, Brenda, Brian, Perry and Timothy. Edward farmed more than 50 years and continued ranching until 2007 when he sold the last of his cattle.

Edward became a member and remained a member of the Knights of Columbus (4th degree) for the past 24 years. He also served as a member on the Shell Valley Township Board. He was a member of the Queen of Peace Oblates until the time of his passing. Edward enjoyed spending time with family and friends, bowling for the past 20 years, and telling his unforgettable stories. Edward and Evelyn have been active members of the Sacred Heart Parish in Rolette and the St. Ann’s Parish in Belcourt.

Those most honored to share in his life are: his wife of 63 years, Evelyn Berube of Belcourt; daughters, Sharon (Otto) Austel of Simi Valley, CA, and Brenda (Myron) Lennertz of Bismarck; sons, Gary (June) of Mandan, Brian of Bismarck, Perry (Kay) of Euclid, MN, and Timothy (Michelle) of Andover, MN; sisters, Annette Berube of CA and Evelyn Wilkie of MT; daughter-in-law, Glennis Berube of Minot, ND; and sister-in-law, Fern Lagasse of Golden Valley, MN. Edward was blessed with 20 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and many cousins.

Edward was preceded in death by his parents, a son, Eldon Berube, and his siblings, Lawrence, Fortune, Louie, Andre, Eva, Laura, Hermine, Helen, Angeline and Philip.

Visitation and rosary service: Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, January 2, 2009, in Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Rolette, ND, with a Rosary Service at 7 p.m.

Funeral Mass: Saturday, January 3, at 10 a.m. in the church with Fr. Philip Chacko presiding.

Burial: Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery, Rolette, ND, in the spring of 2009.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers the family would prefer memorials be sent to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718 in Edward’s honor.

Arrangements with Elick Funeral Home, Rolla, ND.

 
 
 
 
 
Folks, I think this corresepondance between Dick Johnson (68), Larry Hackman (66) & Larry Millang (66) may be of interest to some of you. Gary
 
 
Dick Johnson’s message to Larry Hackman:
 
Larry,I remember the white stucco house in the valley, north of 43. I even
walked over to it once in the mid 60s. I think the roof was quite steep
and the peak ran east and west. If I remember right there were two
windows on the south side. What ever happened to that house? Would that
be on the land Carmen Myer owns now? I know that northwest of Gus’s was
another white stucco house that Kelly’s lived in and east of Kelly’s was
another place where Ray Nerpel lived for a while—unless that was the
same place Gus had? We went in there one time too, by going through the
old Kelly yard and on east. Maybe it was the same place just getting there
a different way. This is really taxing the old mind! There were Model T
parts all over the yard where Nerpels had lived, I do remember that. I
think I was helping Larry Sime or Glen Millang look for cattle at the
time. Just thought I would email you to see if you were done with the
dusting????

Dick

 
 
Larry Hackman’s reply to Dick Johnson with Cc to Larry Millang and Gary:
 
Dick
You are doing a good job of confusing my mind on this one. My uncle Guss’s
place, was a white stucco house, located a 1/4 mile straight east of the of
the Lake Metigoshi and Highway #3 intersection. It was orignally known as
the Harold (Red) Kelly’s place. Gus moved off the place and in with his
mother when my grandpa Anton Hackman died in 1949. Uncle Guss never moved
back to the place and it remained deserted. He mostly used the place to
pasture horses. He alway complained about the deer hunters shooting his
horses. He said them Minnesotans didn,t know what a deer looked like? Loren
and Eleanor Dubois moved a house in on the trail just east of the
intersection and lived there in the mid sixties.
A 1/2 mile north of the Metigoshi and #3 intersection was another trail
going east. This trail went to another white stucco house where the Raymond
Nerpel family lived during the early 50’s. I remember being there once when
Harvey Nerpel decided to crawl into this steel barrel and roll down this
hill. There were a lot of rocks on that hillside. Harvey and that barrel
seemed to hit most of them on the way down that hill. When Harvey crawled
out of that barrel, after it stopped rolling at the bottom of the hill. You
could tell that Harvey wanted to go somewhere, but he couldn’t figure out
which direction to go, to get there. No, I don’t know how he stayed in that
barrel.
Anyway, Dick there was another road going east, 1 mile north of the
Metigoshi and #3 intersection. This was the section line road that ran one
mile east to Hilltop School. There was also a white stucco house located
just west, below the hill, of the school. The Raymond Nerpel family lived
in that house in the latter 50’s. Before them, a Millang family lived
there. They had two kids which were both older then I. Their names were
Ronald who was in the same grade as my older brother Henry (class of 65) and
Barbara who was older then her brother Ronald. Anybody know what happened
to these folks? Carmen Myer now has a farm at this location.
Now, we just have to figure out who stuccoed them houses with all that wood
around and why? Maybe Gary Metcalfe or someone else will dust off there
memory and let us know? Apparently somebody was in the business and in the
area at that time.
larry
 
 
Larry Millang’s reply to Larry Hackman:
 
Larry need to get to work but the Millang family would be Leonard and Dorothy along with kids Barbara, Ronnie, Jane and Wayde. They moved to Denver over 30 years ago Barbara,Jane and Wayde still live in the Denver area. Ronnie moved to Georgia last year. Leonard and Dorothy both have passed away.
Later Larry
 
 
 
Reply from Diane Larson Sjol (70):
 
Hi All,
The cute little ditty about ND in winter brought to mind a song we
used to sing in the car once we hit the ND border coming back home
after a stint at an army post where dad was stationed….we couldn’t
wait to go to Dunseith -past the “eyes, nose and mouth” house as
Dale’s came into view and soon the Morinvilles, the Hosmers, and
uptown to the bakery and KC Sime’s and the drug store…It didn’t get
any better than that!…The four of us girls would sing this at the
top of our lungs….You gotta go ta
North Dako-ta
See the cattle and the wheat
and the folks that can’t be beat.
You say hello ta
North Dako-ta and you just can’t say goodbye.

The sky is bluer than blue
The sun is sunnier too
And if you don’t believe it
Then there’s only one thing to do….

You gotta go ta
North Dako-ta
See the cattle and the wheat
And the folks that can’t be beat
You say hello ta
North Dako-ta and you just can’t say goodbye!

Happy New Year everyone. We will go to the Birchwood for supper with
cousin Nancy Hosmer (Baldwin) and her significant other, Keith and two
other couples…one being my dad, Norman Larson and his girlfriend,
Fada Garby….both in their 80’s and going strong…will check out
what is going on up at the lake and then back to Nancy’s for a little
shuffleboard and pool and a toast to the New Year…..Hope all of you
have a wonderful New Year…full of all things
wonderful….remember…”Things will be fine in 0 – 9!”

Diane Sjol

 
 
 
Provided by Neola Kofoid Garbe:
 
Patricia Leonard Dinger, Your folks have gone south for the winter and have put these messages on hold until they return to ND. Can you or maybe you Janice too, relay this posting to them? Thanks, Gary