Monthly Archives: April 2010

04/30/2010

Posted on by
Tommy Belgarde Passed away
Forward from Neola Kofoid Garbe: Minot & Bottineau, ND
 
Note: I am not familiar with Tommy. I’m pretty sure some of you are though. Please fill us in with Tommy and where he lived etc. Our condolences are with his family with his passing. They are in our prayers. Gary
 

Date: 4/29/2010 11:09:20 AM
Subject: #2 Prayer requests 4-29-10

 

Tommy Belgarde died early this morning. Please pray for his family and friends. Will let you know about services when I hear.

 
 
 
 
 
Reply from Cheryl Kester Gaugler (69): North Brunswick, NJ
 

Gary,

 

After seeing the map you sent today, I realized how close I was to you a couple of weeks ago – my husband and I visited our son in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. He’s taking a year-long language course at Utma Jaya University learning Bahasa Indonesia. He loves the country and may end up staying longer. We saw many sites, one of the most amazing was standing at the top of Borobudur when the mist was rising from the jungle at sunrise – absolute breathtaking.

 

Just want to thank you again for all the coordinating you do keeping us in touch.

 

Cheryl Kester Gaugler – Class of 1969

Yes, Indonesia is just to the west of us. We have not yet visited Indonesia. Many folks from here have business connections in Viet Nam which is also a hop skip and a jump to the west of us as well. It’s hard to believe, but labor costs are less in Viet Nam than here in the Philippines.

 

Reunion reply from Shelley Sime Fossen (84): ?????, ND.

 

Gary – I read the updates all of the time and went to school in Dunseith till the 8th grade. You really are a saint for all you do with this blog. Just when is the date of the banquet? I am wondering if I could take my mom, Connie Burcham Sime, to the meal? I know that this is last minute but she is much too shy to just go on her own and Dad isn’t much of a social butterfly.

Thanks either way :o) Shelley Sime Fossen 1984 Bottineau

PS: Mom would have graduated about 1963 but I am not certain of that year (close). :o)

It’s great to hear from you Shelley. I have your mother listed with the class of 1962 in my records. It’s wonderful that you and your mother plan on attending the reunion. We have added you to our lists for attending. You can just send your payment, payable to Verena.

Verena Gillis
PO Box, 785
Dunseith, ND 58329

(701) 263-3302 C(701) 378-5167
 
 
Angela Berube Malget (65): Minneapolis, MN
 
Folks, I just got a message from Angela Berube Malget (65) letting me know that she and Greg will be attending the reunion.
  

04/29/2010

Posted on by
Pictures from The Archieves:
 

Pictrue L to R:

Back: Sandra & Mike

Front: Todd, Dawn, Teri & Kelly

 

 

 

Toni Parisien has identified those in the Azure Family Portrait:

 

The Azure Family Portrait:

 

Back Row – Toni (Azure) Parisien, Denise (Azure) Marcellais, Agnes (Jerome) Azure, Wade (LaBoy) Davis – deceased, Marla Davis, Francis (Lito) Davis – deceased, Becky (Davis) Bliss, Terry (Tooners) Plumage, Keifer Plumage, Joseph (Chick) Plumage, Joey Plumage, Lyle Davis,

 

Middle Row – Peter J. (Butch) Azure – father of Toni and Denise, married to Agnes Jerome,

Caroline (Azure) Davis – deceased mother of Wade, Marla and Becky, married to Francis Davis, Agnes (Decoteau) Azure, Fabian Azure, Agnes (Dolly Azure) Plumage – mother of Terry, Keifer, Joey and Kevin, married to Joseph Plumage, Francis (Sammy) Azure, Lila (Davis) Gourneau,

 

 

 

 

RACHEL BERUBE’S Wedding, CECILE BERUBE, AND EVIE GOTTBREHT 1965

 

 

 

Alma and Dale Gottbreht1938

  

04/28/2010

Posted on by
Folks, I screwed the numbering up with yesterday’s message. It should have been 782, not 781, so there are now two 781’s. I’m continuing on with 782 today though.
 
Today is our bowling day. With that and having to run a few errands before going, I’m making this kind of short today. Gary
 
 
 
Wendal Cushing (Retired Forestry Teacher) plans to attend the reunion:
 
Folks,
 
Wendal Cushing got in touch with me expressing a desire to attend our reunion. I told him he is very much welcome. I know many of you will remember Mr. Cushing from the Forestry. He was a science teacher there for many years. I took a Chemistry class from him when I attended there in 1966. Wendal’s mother is a Fassett, sister to Kathleen Fassett Grimme. Wendal is a first cousin to Bill and Gwen Grimme. He was born and raised on a farm between Dunseith and Bottineau. Wendal lives one block from my brother Darrel (Bud) and Debby in Bottineau. With my walks of the neighborhood when I’m there, I’ll often times see Wendal out working in his yard. With one of my walks in 2007, Wendal invited me to sit down and have a chat, in his yard, as I was passing.
 
Gwen Grimme Eltz was a teacher at the Forestry (NDSU & MSU Bottineau) for many years too. She is currently teaching computer application and other classes at a college in Spokane.
 
Wendal would love to see any old albums, etc, that any of you may have.
 
Gary
 
 
 
Pictures of Dunseith Superintendents:
Request from Verena Gillis: Dunseith, ND.
 
Gary,
Is there any way you can get me pictures of all superintendents that have
been at DHS? I have Mr. Jerstad’s but without having to take the wall pics
down I thought maybe you can help me here. I plan on doing some things
with the pictures on the walls at the Bingo Barn.

Verena

Folks, Can you help us out with any pictures you may have? Thanks, Gary
 
I have these two pictures that Phyllis Jerstad provided. When I get a chance I’ll see if I can crop a decent picture of Mr. Jerstad from our class of 65 matrix.
 

 

 

  

04/27/2010

Posted on by
Lester & Marion Johnson:
Congratulations from Joan Richard (Teacher): Dunseith, ND
 
I would like to congratulate Lester and Marian on a milestone anniversary,
Happy 60th Anniversary. It was great that the family could be together
and enjoy each others presence. God Bless You all. Joan Richard,
Dunseith.
Lester & Marian Johnson
 
 
 
Reply from Keith Pladson (66): Stafford, VA
 
You are so right about not knowing where you are calling anymore. Several months ago, I had been dragging my feet on making some calls on a few things. None of them were real serious, but after putting them off for several days, I finally decided it was time to make the calls.

We had been having some trouble with our computer firewall package, so called their number for customer service. The lady I spoke with was very helpful and was able to diagnose and fix the problem. She spoke with a very heavy accent, so I asked her where she was located, to which she responded with the name of a city in India.

Next our dishwasher had been acting weird when you ran it through it’s cycle. We have an extended warranty on it so I called the warranty company and the gentleman I spoke with ran me through the steps to reset the computerized electronics that control the cycling of it and it’s run fine ever since. In any case, he spoke very good English, but had a distinctive accent. So I inquired where he was located and he said in Honduras.

My final call that day was to the Credit Union through which we have our credit card and I ended up speaking with a lady in Omaha, NB.

Then, a few days later our house phone went dead, so I used my cell phone to make a “local” call to Verizon to report the outage. I really thought I was speaking to someone right here in Stafford county, VA and couldn’t understand why she didn’t seem to understand where I was located. So I asked her “aren’t you here in Stafford, VA?” She laughed a little and said, “Oh no, I’m in Dallas, TX.

Yeah, it’s a small world … and getting smaller every day.

Thanks Gary.
Keith (66)

 
 
 
1983 Dunseith Dragons Boys Basket Ball Team L to R:

 

 

 

Back: Brother to George Bruce, #40 Gerald Counts, #24 Mark Peltier, #14 Roger Cree, #44 Pat Peltier, #42 Travis Davis, #32 Mitchell Cree, #30 Brian Azure & Gilbert Peltier

 

 

Front: #12 George Bruce, Coach James Keating & #34 Dean Gillis

 
Cebu, Philippines
 
Several have been asking where we are located in the world, so I thought today would be a good day for reposting this map that Bill Grimme provided about 3 years ago. We are located in Cebu with the big red star. We are about 400 miles north of the Equator. The island of Cebu is nestled between several other islands. It’s kind of hard to tell looking at the map. The island of Cebu is banana shape. It’s about 150 miles tip to tip with a girth of about 20 miles at the widest point near the center. There are about 4 million folks living on this island, so we are not lacking for people. Gary
 
 
  

04/26/2010

Posted on by
Call Centers:
The other day a friend of ours from the states called his credit card company to let them know he is living in the PI. The gal at the call center taking the call said she lives in and was taking his call from right here in Cebu. When calling for technical support one never knows what part of the world you are calling. Gary

Important reminder – Dunseith Alumni Reunion
 
For those of you that attended Dunseith schools, planning on attending the reunion, Verena needs your Registration payment by the end of the month (4 more days) enabling you to get a Tee Shirt. Those attending that do not have their Registration payment to Verena by April 30th will not be getting a Tee Shirt.
 
You can mail your $5.00 registration fee and $10.00 if you want the catered Roast beef dinner ($15.00 Total per person) to Verena at the following address
 
Verena Gillis

PO Box, 785
Dunseith, ND 58329

(701) 263-3302 C(701) 378-5167
 
 
 
 
John Boguslawski (68) Memories:
From Dick Johnson (68): Dunseith, ND

Gary and Friends,

When Trish said she could just see John Bogus standing there, I know
what she means. We did so many things together that the memories stay
clear. He certainly did have a quiet sense of humor and sly smile. I
often wonder what he would be doing now if he was still with us. He had
finished college and worked for Bobcat in Bismarck for a while and then
had taken a job with a tool and die manufacturer in the Minneapolis
area. That type of work was right up his alley as he was always
designing some mechanical device of some kind. He had married a very
nice gal named Christy and things were going good when he lost his life
in the river drowning accident. That was in the spring of 1981. It
really doesn’t seem possible that it’s nearly 30 years ago. I guess our
good memories of our old pal John will have to fill the void. The
upcoming reunion will be a good place to reconnect and reminisce with
old friends and classmates before time thins our ranks even more. There
is an old saying—-‘Time waits for no man’—it seems to be more true
by the day. Thanks Gary!

Dick

Previously posted by Dick Johnson in message 500 (Class of 68 folks)
Those in the pictures: John Bogus with the multi colored shirt, Rich
Campbell with the block of wood, Greg Grimme with the hat on, and Tim
Hill with the ‘ I think we made it ‘ look!
Note: Dick was taking the picture
 
 
Reply/Picture from Trish Larson Wild (73): FORT COLLINS, CO
 

Hi Gary,
 
I’m sorry to say that there was just not enough time for me to make the ride to Dunseith next month. I’m still working full time in the Loveland Emergency Room through May, and hyperfocused on fundraising and preparing for my exodus in the fall. I’m sorry to miss all the fun I’m sure you’ll be having, but rest assured, I’ll be reading your blog and looking for photos!
 
Things are coming together very well for my ride to Argentina. I will be putting a website up sometime in mid to late May which I hope will make it fun and easy for people to follow along and communicate with me on my ride. My old desk top computer broke down a few weeks ago, but one of my sponsors has promised to deliver a new laptop by the end of April. Once that is aquired, I will be up and running full steam on the internet. Meanwhile, I’m making occasional entries on my blogsite, listed below. People can now sign up as charter “followers” and receive notification when new entries are posted.
 
The plan is still to head south from Colorado on 10/10/10. In the meantime, I’m planning to increase my riding time gradually, cutting back at work and riding more each month until finally I am full time in the saddle (living in the Roosevelt and Rocky Mountain National Forests) by August, or September at the latest.
 
Thanks for your interest in this epic adventure! All are welcome to join me on my ride electronically. I will also be taking reservations along the way for friends who would like to join me in person, as I will have an extra horse for that purpose. I expect to be riding through some spectacular scenery, including the Inca Trail in the mountains of Peru….
 
I’ve included a photo I took this morning in my back yard as I was leaving for work. These are my friendly geldings, Magic and Midnight. I call them the Prince and the Pirate, based on their personalities! As you can see, we still have snow on the mountain. Spring is on the way however, and I expect there will be many sunny days ahead this summer!
 
All kinds of fun stuff coming together. Sorry I won’t be able to join you in North Dakota, but I really enjoy our connection, and hope to hear from some of you as time goes by.
 
Your Friend in Adventure,
 
Trish Wild
The Equine Nomad

Hi Gary,
 
Here’s another photos of me with Magic, after a 25 mile ride over the mountains into Fort Collins last week.
 
Trish

 

 

Folks, These are some pictures from the achieves:

 

2007 Class of 65 reunion

L to R: Bernadette Stokes in Back, Margaret Metcalfe Leonard, Bill Grimme,

Cecile Berube Reynolds & Phyllis McKay

 

 

 

 

December 1973

 

Rene & John Bedard

 

 

Agnes Berg & Dick Johnson (68)

 
 

04/25/2010

Posted on by
Folks,
 
Marge Johnson Pladson (deceased) was Dan Pladson’s former wife. Marge’s parents were Lester and Marian Johnson. Marge sent me this email message in March 2006. A few months after she sent me this letter she died with a relapse of Breast Cancer. She thought she had it licked, but it came back.
 
With the posting of Lester and Marian Johnson’s 60th wedding anniversary several days ago, I have gotten permission from Dan Pladson’s current wife, Robin, to post this letter of Marge (Johnson) Pladson’s and picture.
 
Dan and Robin were married in Salem Church. Salem was our family church of which my folks were members of until they departed this earth. I spent many hours, in my childhood days, sitting in those pews attending chruch services.
 
Marge was working at the court house in Bottineau when she sent this letter. She sent this letter from her work. I had not yet started putting class lists together when she sent this letter to me. She just happened to see Neola and got my email address.
 
Gary
 

From: Marge Pladson (now deceased)

Sent: Wednesday, March 01, 2006 7:53 AM

Subject: Hi Gary Stokes from Marge Pladson in Bottineau!!

 

Got your email address from Neola and thought I’d drop a few lines.

 

I am married to Daniel Pladson – Elden & Ella’s son. I used to be a Johnson – Lester & Marian’s daughter. All of us old neighbors of your mom and dad’s.

 

Did you hear we moved up to the Pladson farm? Dan & I bought the land about three years ago and one year ago decided to move a house up there. What a busy year it has been. The house we found was across the street from us in town! It was vacant for a few years and they finally decided to move it (the basement had a lot of damage). Perfect timing for us.

 

It is so wonderful to be in the hills. If you remember where the cemetery is, we are just on the west side of the cemetery fence on top of the hill. What a view we have looking out of our living room window.

 

The Pladson’s & Johnson’s had their Christmas parties up at our house this year. We had so much fun. Especially the Pladson’s. We pulled out a bunch of sleds and away we went for several hours. Listening to the laughter and seeing their joyful faces was so wonderful. It had been 20 years since anyone has spent time on the farm – after Elden died & Ella moved to town.

 

Well, I better get to work. I hope you and your wife are doing fine.

 

Here’s a picture so you know who you are talking to. Dan & I belong to “Hills & Plains Country Gospel” singing group. We recently played in Minot at an Old Time & Gospel Music Fest where this picture was taken – over 400 people were there that day. It was so much fun for all of us.

 

Marge Pladson

RR

1 Box 140

Dunseith ND 58329

 

 

 

 

Dan and Marge (Johnson) Pladson

 

Reply/Picture From Robin Pladson: Dunseith, ND

 

Gary,
I am fine with you posting the letter. I am a woman whom is very understanding. I too, lost a spouse in 1994, so I know what’s it is like to lose someone you dearly loved. And I’ve been told, if Margaret had to pick someone for Daniel, it would of been me. We are alot alike in different ways, so that helps.

No, Marian and Lester don’t have email.

Attaching a picture of Daniel and I at our wedding in September of 2007. We were married at Salem Lutheran Church.

Thanks so much for asking me thou.

Love
Robin

 

Dan and Robin Pladson

 

 

 

 
 
John Boguslawski:
Reply from Trish Larson Wild (73): trish.wild@yahoo.com Fort Collins, CO
 

To Dick,
 
Thanks so much for the story about John B. He was such a great guy, and all of us enjoyed his quiet sense of humor so much. I can just see him standing there in your story. Thanks for sharing that one!
 
Trish
Trish, I was thinking about you the other day wondering if you’d be riding into Dunseith on horseback for our reunion? Please fill us in. Gary
 
All rights reserved

04/24/2010

Posted on by
Obituary:
Posted by Larry St. Clarie (66): Anchorage, AK
 
 
Visit Guest Book

Frederick Belgarde

Anchorage resident Frederick Anthony Belgarde, 70, died peacefully at home surrounded by his loved ones on April 19, 2010.

A memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Legacy Funeral Home’s Witzleben Chapel, 1707 S. Bragaw St.

Fred was born Jan. 20, 1940, in Dunseith, N.D., and was a proud Native American of the Chippewa Tribe. He attended Dunseith Grade School, Wahpton Indian Grade School, and graduated from Flandreau Indian High School in South Dakota, where he was trained as a bricklayer. Although his academic achievements provided him opportunities to attend Harvard University, his true passion was bricklaying. Fred trained and worked passionately with his relatives and brought them to Alaska after moving here in 1965. He established his own company, Big Sky Masonry.

He served three years in the Air National Guard in Montana.

Fred married Lillian “Pepsi” Roy Davis on April 16, 1960, in Conrad, Mont.

His family wrote: “They shared 50 years together, raising a family, devoted to each other, their three children, and nine grandchildren. He loved his wife and family more than words can convey, but one visit with him and you would feel it.

“If you worked with Fred, and lasted on the job, you left a better person. Besides the robust, larger-than-life presence, he was the most caring, generous and loyal person. He would offer words of wisdom, motivation, and honesty. He also loved cribbage, craps and coffee and the annual trip with Pepsi to Las Vegas. Fred loved hunting with his dogs, grandchildren, son, friends and relatives.”

He is survived by his beloved wife, Pepsi; daughters, Dawn Yeager and Carol Belgarde; son, Conrad Belgarde; son-in-law, Joseph Yeager; former son-in-law, Brian Snow; grandchildren, Arielle, Kyra and Tosca Yeager, Scott Snow, Drew Yeager, Dustyn Belgarde, Morgan, Bayley and Dalton Belgarde; brothers, Roderick and Patrick Belgarde; sisters-in-law, Norlene Belgarde and Jan Persicke; and many nieces and nephews.

He was looking forward to the birth of great-grandson Peter Keel III.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Willie Persicke.

Arrangements are with Legacy Funeral Home, Witzleben Bragaw Chapel.


http://www.legacy.com:80/obituaries/adn/obituary.aspx?n=frederick-belgarde&pid=142082615#ixzz0lySou5DC

 
 
 
 
Lester & Marian Johnson picture posted yesterday:
Reply from Robin (Dan 75) Pladson: Dunseith, ND.
 
Hello Gary,

The picture that Neola placed within this email is Lester and Marian Johnson. Their family, including Daniel and I celebrated this past Sunday at the Norway house in Bottineau at 1pm. A few of us ladies, their daughter-inlaw’s Dee (Loren) and Carrie (Brian), daughter – Linda, Violet (Marian sister) and I (and a few others) were dressed in a 50’s style clothing – poodle skirts and all the finery to go with. Dinner was served and then of course a beautiful cake. Before we ate, there was alittle program put on by the girls for Lester and Marian.

Love
Robin

Robin, It is so nice that you and Dan were able to be with Lester and Marian with the celebration of their 60th wedding anniversary. It’s been years since I’ve seen any of their children. I briefly saw Loren in the Bottineau Bakery about 10 years ago. However, I have seen Lester and Marian, many times, over the years with our trips back to the area. They live kiddy corner across the street from where my folks lived on Main Street. I remember Lester’s dad, James Johnson, really well. He was such a brilliant man. He walked with a limp that did not slow him down one bit. In his Mid 70’s, in the late 50’s, he decided to start farming again. He bought a W-6 International tractor and farmed all his property located 1 mile west of the Ackworth Cemetery. He had two or 3 quarters of land. He rode that tractor from sunrise to sunset. James, with his brilliance, was a great business mind man. He always had everything calculated right down to the last detail. I remember him telling my dad that the tires on the right side of a vehicle get more wear than on the left. He explained his logic for that analyses too. In 1961, my Dad was the administrator for James’ brother, Sander Johnson’s, estate. Two of James sisters married Bjornseth’s. Cora was married to Jacob and Emma was married Art. Jacob and Cora Bjornseth’s children are Gladys (Albert) Rude, Viola (Alfred) Rude, Clifford & Ralph (Luella Boardman 49). All but Ralph are deceased. Gladys & Albert Rude’s son, LaVerne, is married to Carrole Fauske (66). Virgil Rude’s parents are Viola and Alfred. Clarence Bjornseth’s parents were Art & Emma. Gary
 
 
 
Motor Cycle Story:
From Dick Johnson (68): Dunseith, ND.
 
Gary and Friends,

Today something stirred an old memory from 40+ years ago. John
Boguslawski and I were square baling hay here on the farm one summer and
had come in to eat some noon lunch in the old farm house. We were both
riding on my first old army surplus Harley Davidson. There was only one
seat so Big John just sat on the rear fender to ride back to the field.
We were roaring down a rutted road and I decided to switch ruts and get
a smoother ride. Well, the front wheel crossed the center grass strip in
the old mud road but the rear tire caught a rut and whipped us around
broadside. I laid the bike down on it’s side and felt John slide off the
back. I was sliding along thinking things were going to work out just
when the bike caught something and proceeded to flip over, throwing me
ahead of it and then cartwheeling right over the top of me. The handle
bar jabbed into my gut with the full weight of the bike on it and shut
out my lights for a while. I still remember coming to and hearing the
old Harley still thumping away off to the side and Big John asking if I
was OK. I said I was and he said, “Well it doesn’t look like it.” He
pointed to my elbow and I looked to see a big gash bleeding down my arm
to my hand. The worst part of the deal was when he grinned at me—he
hadn’t even lost the toothpick he had in his mouth! I wrapped my arm
with a bandana handkerchief and we went back to baling hay–all busted up!

Dick

  

04/23/2010

Posted on by
Highway 43 CD request:
Request from Ele Dietrich Slyter (69): Dunseith, ND

I hope that Dick and his band will have some CD’s for sale at the reunion…I think a lot of people would like to have one.

ele
Ele, I know a lot of folks are hoping Dick will have some CD’s available at the reunion too.
 
Dick is very careful not to mention his CD’s with our Blog. He prefers not to have this sight turn into a marketing sight.
 
Dick, with Ele’s request and others, we are certainly hoping you will have some of your CD’s available at the reunion? Gary
 
 
Esther Murray Fleming (65) will be attending the reunion: Flint, MI
 
Reply from Susan Fassett Martin (65): Spearfish SD
 
I am ready to go. Will be staying at the Super 8 in Bottineau. Please add Esther Murray Fleming to the list of attendees. I will pick her up at the Minot airport on my way up.
Folks, I replied with a separate message to the class of 65 with Esther’s attending. Esther has only been back to Dunseith several times since graduating in 1965. She was able to attend our 2007 reunion with her husband. At that time she had not been back to Dunseith since about 1968. We are so glad that she will be attending our reunion next month as well.
 
 
 
Ann Gottbreht Flaata:
Request from Connie (Roger) Zorn Landsverk: Bottineau, ND
 

Hi Gary, fun looking @ the Dunseith alumni,

My friend Ann (Gottbreht) Flaata is married to Harlan & Joyce Flaata,s son Mark. Ann went to school in Dunseith & would like to receive the Dunseith alumni & sign up for the school reunion (DHS) this is her email address Ann Flatta@utma.com Connie (Zorn) Landsverk

Thank you Connie for including Ann.
 
Ann, I believe Francie Gottbreht Dutra (63) and Mary Ann Gottbreht Brennan (58) are you aunts. What class year were you with when you attended Dunseith? Your husband Mark’s mother, Joyce Flaata, is also signed up for attending the reunion. Will Mark be joining you as well? Please let us know so we can add him to our list of those attending. Thanks, Gary
 
 
 

 

Pictures/Articles:

 

From Neola Kofoid Garbe: Bottineau & Minot, ND.

 

 

 

Folks, Neola sent this picture to me for Identification. I am 98% sure that this is Lester and Marion Johnson. Since the Johnson’s have been in our conversations in the recent past and with this being such a great photo, I want to post it.

 

 

Lester and Marian lived on the James Johnson home place located 1 1/2 miles west and a 1/2 north of the Ackworth Cemetery. Their home was on the north side of Bergan Lake. Their children Attended Dunseith for a number of years before transferring to Bottineau. Loren is their oldest. I’m not sure if he graduated from Dunseith or Bottineau?

 

 

Lester and Marian have lived in Bottineau for a number of years now. They live on Main street one block south of the Senior Center.

 

 

I would like to congradulate Lester and Marian on their 60th Anniversary. Gary

 

 

Lester and Marion Johnson

 

 

 

 

 

 

Danny Schimetz is a grandson of Stella’s. I’m not sure which one of her children he belongs to though? Colette (Reid Deceased) Pigeon Schimetz, is Danny by chance your son?

 

  

04/22/2010

Posted on by
Folks,
 
I didn’t have an internet signal yesterday morning, so I was unable to post a blog. It was our bowling day too. Following bowling, we were invited out for dinner with several of our friends, as guests, at a local members only club. We didn’t get home until nearly midnight. We attended an all you could eat Prime Rib buffet. I have never eaten better Prime Rib. It was so moist and tender.
 
Gary
 
 
Dick/Brenda Johnson & Ron Hett (Highway 43 Band)
 
Message from Floyd Dion (45): Dunseith, ND
 

Gary

Hwy 43 played at the Dunseith Sr. Center today, with people from Bottineau, residents from the Dunseith Nursing Home and local people . Dick, Brenda & Ron did a wonderful job with their instuments, If anyone likes REAL country music you will be able to hear them play May,22

nd at the Bingo Barn during the reunion. Dick is a wonderful singer.

Time is going fast, only a month until the reunion.

 

Floyd
Floyd, I have one of their CD’s. They’re great!! As you said, Dick is a wonderful singer. I can not wait to hear them in person.
The reunion is getting close, one month from today. We’ll be leaving two weeks from this coming Tuesday. We’ll be spending a few days in the Seattle/Bremerton area before going to ND. We’ll be arriving in Minot at 4:00 PM on Sunday, May 16th. From there we’ll be getting a rental car and heading for Bottineau. We’ll be staying with my brother Darrel (Bud) & Debby. Gary
 
 
 
Reunion attendance list:
 
The folks listed below were added to my list with an update from Verena yesterday. These folks were not listed with day before yesterday’s posting.
 
For name tags, please verify that everything is correct. Please get back to me with any corrections.
 




Diane Larson Sjol Minot, ND 1970
Jim Evans Dunseith, ND 1963
Cheri Metcalfe Evans Dunseith, ND 1974
George Gottbreht Dunseith, ND 1961
Rose Gottbreht Dunseith, ND 1961 Spouse
Linda Gunville Dunseith, ND 1979
Bernadette Peltier Dunseith, ND 1970
Carol Peltier Breland Belcourt, ND 1975
Sam Breland Belcourt, ND 1975 Spouse
Elaine Peltier Dunseith, ND 1974
Fern Peltier Dunseith, ND 1977




Don Lamoureux East Bethel, MN 1975
Elizabeth Lamoureux East Bethel, MN 1975 Spouse
 
 
Pictures from the Achieves:
 
Folks,
These are pictures from Jared and Geraldine (Gee) Steele’s wedding. They were married, here in Cebu, on July 28, 2008 in beautiful ceremony in the presents of about 200 friends and relatives.
 
Following their wedding, It took 9 months or so for Gee’s Visa to be processed, enabling her to go to the USA. Jared came back here last May for her to accompany him back to Bottineau. Those were nine long months for both of them waiting for the Visa process. The average processing time is one year, so they beat the average.
 
By now, for those of you in the area, you have probably met Gee at the Bottineau Wal-Mart. She started working there, as a cashier, shortly after arriving in Bottineau. Gee has a bachelors degree for teaching too. I’m not sure if she has plans in pursuing her teaching career in the states or not.
 
Bernadette has promised to take Gee some dried fish with our trip back next month. I’m pretty sure there is not much demand for died fish in Bottineau. Without rice and dried fish these Filipino/Filipina’s have withdrawals.
 
Jared is originally from the Bismarck area. He works for Terry Moe (72) at “T’S Yamaha” in Bottineau.
 
Gary
 
 
Cebu, Philippines – July 28, 2008

 

Jared & Geraldine (Gee) Steele

 

 

Cebu, Philippines – July 28, 2008

 

Gary Stokes, Jared & Geraldine (Gee) Steele, Bernadette Stokes

 

 

 

 

Back: Roberta Hagen Striker (75)
Front: Kim Hiatt Hermann (77)

 

 

 

 

  

04/20/2010

Posted on by
Condolences to the Schimetz family

From Judy Morgan (Former Teacher): Edgeley, ND.

 

Dear Stella and family,

I am so sorry to learn of Bryan’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this very difficult time.

. .The memory of a life well lived lives on and on. May you remember the love and the happy times and find comfort in these memories. Judy

 

 

 

Condolences to the Schimetz family

From Dick Johnson (68): Dunseith, ND.

 

Gary and Friends,

I would also like to extend my condolences to the Schimetz family.
Bryan fought a long hard battle with this dreaded disease. He was trooper.

Dick

 
 
 
Reply from Keith Pladson (66): Stafford, VA
 
Gary,
This is in response to Ivy Eller Robert’s input in the 775 issue. Thank you for that beautiful poem.
Keith Pladson
 
 
 
Reply from Gaillord Peltier (80): Turtle Lake, ND.
 
Mrs. Kofoid;

Yes, Garry Counts Jr. is the son of Garry and Theresa Counts. Garry and
Theresa are my Uncle and Aunt, Garry Jr. is my first cousin.

Have a great day!

Gaillord Peltier
“Class of 1980”

 
 
 
Reply from Verena (Pete 65) Gillis: Dunseith, ND.
 
> In reply to the Gary Counts question-PVT. Garry W. Counts graduated in
2004 from DHS and entered into the service, his dad is Gary Counts & mom
Lucinda Counts. So he would be a grandson to Garry and Theresa
(Peltier) Counts.
Hoped that helped.

Verena ((*-*))

 
 
 
Reply from Dale Pritchard (63): Leesville, LA
 
Gary,

You mentioned American TV in the Philippines. In Japan in the late 60s,
they had American TV series but they all in Japanese with no English
captions at the bottom. I remember “Bonanza” in particular. You had to
use your imagination to figure out what was going on!

Dale

 
  

04/19/2010

Posted on by

Condolences to the Schimetz family

From Lorraine Richard Nelson: Mesa, AZ

 
Thank you so much for all the news from Dunseith and around.. I feel so badly for Stella, she is my first cousin as I was a Richard, my dad had the service station in Dunseith when I attended high school in Dunseith. I find many memories from your web site. Thank you again.. I will be contacting Stella. Lorraine Richard Nelson..Mesa AZ.
 

 

Condolences to the Schimetz family

From Sharon Longie Dana (73):

 

So sorry to hear of Bryan’s passing. Thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this time.

 

Sharon Longie Dana(73)
 
 

 

Condolences to the Schimetz family

From Shirley LaRocque Wendt (59): Tukwila, WA

 
I TOO WOULD LIKE TO OFFER MY CONDOLENCES TO SCHIMETZ FAMILY, MY DAD AND MOM WERE GOOD FRIENDS WITH STELLA AND LOUIS AS I WAS GROWING UP BACK THERE .
 
 
 
From Marge Longie Langan Wilcox (56)Vancouver, WA.
 
Gary,
 
I saw on the game channel this week that deal or no deal was in the Philippines.
 
Marge
Yes, The PI does have it’s own version of “Deal or no Deal”. We get a lot of the American channels too. We get “The Price is Right”, Jeopardy, “Wheel of Fortune” and most all of the detective shows of which Bernadette is hooked on. The CSI series, I think, are her favorites.
 
 
 
From Ivy Eller Robert (74): Everett, WA.

Hi Gary……I received this poem from Susan Maleterre (69) today and it really touched my heart. I thought that others might like to read it as well, that is, if you want to post it!

Also, it’s kind of funny, all of these years that I have been away from Dunseith (34), my sister Julie, who lives in Bottineau, would always keep me informed with who passed away in the greater Dunseith area. But since you started this blog a few years ago, I seem know it before she does now.

Thanks again for all you do……

Ivy Eller Robert (74)

APoem

He wasgetting oldand paunchy And his hair was falling fast,
and he sat around theVFW, Telling stories of the past.

Of a warthat heonce foughtin And the deeds that he had done,
In his exploitswith his buddies; Theywere heroes,everyone.

And ‘tho sometimes to his neighbors His tales became a joke,
Allhis buddies listened quietly For they knew where of he spoke.

But we’ll hear his tales no longer, For ol’Bob has passed away,
And the world’s a little poorer For aSoldier died today.

He won’t be mourned by many, Just his children and his wife.
For he lived an ordinary, Very quiet sort of life.

He held a job and raised a family, Going quietly on his way;
And the world won’t note his passing,’Tho a Soldier died today.

Whenpoliticiansleave this earth, Their bodies lie in state,
While thousands note their passing, Andproclaim that they were great.

Papers tell of their life stories From the time that they were young
But thepassing of a Soldier Goes unnoticed, andunsung.

Is the greatest contribution To the welfare of our land,
Some jerk who breaks his promise And cons his fellow man?

Or the ordinary fellow Who in times of war and strife,
Goes off to serve his country And offers up his life?

The politician’s stipend And the style in which he lives,
Are often disproportionate, To the service that he gives.

While theordinary Soldier, Who offered up his all,
Ispaid off with a medal And perhaps a pension, small..

It’s soeasy to forget them, For it is so many times That
our Bobs and Jims and Johnnys, Went to battle, but we know,

It isnot the politicians With their compromise and ploys,
Whowon for usthe freedom That our country now enjoys.

Should you find yourself in danger, With your enemies at hand,
Would you really want some cop-out, With his ever waffling stand?

Or would youwant a Soldier— His home, his country, his kin,
Just a common Soldier, Who would fight until the end.

He was just acommon Soldier, And his ranks are growing thin,
But his presence should remind us We may need his like again.

For whencountries are in conflict, Wefind the Soldier’s part
Isto clean up all the troubles That the politiciansstart.

If wecannot do him honor While he’s hereto hear the praise,
Then at leastlet’s give him homage At the ending of his days.

Perhaps just asimple headline In the paperthat might say:
“OUR COUNTRY IS IN MOURNING, A SOLDIER DIED TODAY.”

 
 
Tarsus School
Picture posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Minot & Bottineau, ND
 
Hi Gary,
 
Waiva Bergeron, Cherrille’s mother, taught at Tarsus. One day when Bottineau didn’t have school/or we were out for the year, Cherrille/her brother, Mike/Marvin Monson/I spent the day at Tarsus. it was great fun.
 
Neola
 
 
 
 
50 year news:
posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Minot & Bottineau, ND
 
Folks, Is Garry Counts from the class of 76 any relation to PVT Garry Counts, son of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Counts, who entered the Army in April 1956? Gary
 







Counts Garry PO Box 451 Dunseith, ND 58329 (701) 263-4758   76
 
 
  

04/18/2010

Posted on by
Obituary
 

Bryan Schimetz


(Died April 14, 2010)

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Bryan John Schimetz, 51, Bottineau, passed away in aMandanHospitalon April 14th, after a courageous 35 year battle with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday at 10:30 am at the St. Mark’s Catholic Church in Bottineau. Visitation will be Sunday from 1:00 pm until 9:00 pm with a prayer service at 7:00 pm at the Nero Funeral Home in Bottineau. Burial will be at the St. Louis Cemetery Dunseith.

 

Bryan was born on February 4, 1959, in Bottineau, to Louis and Stella (Richard) Schimetz. He was raised in Dunseith and attendedDunseithHigh School where he graduated in 1977. While in high school, he participated in football and basketball. After high school,Bryan was employed at Dale’s Café in Dunseith for several years as a cook. He then attended the North Dakota State School of Science in Wahpeton. In 1985,Bryan graduated, with honors, earning an Associate of Applied Science in Electrical Technology. After college,Bryan made his home inMinot where he was employed at Main Electric and Holmes Electric as an Apprentice until he obtained his Journeyman License in 1990. He continued his employment atMain and Holmes Electric as a Journeyman until 2000, when he retired due to complications from MS. He then moved back to Dunseith. In 2007,Bryanmoved to the Good Samaritan Center in Bottineau, where he was residing during the time of his death.

 

Bryan enjoyed fishing, carpentry, woodworking, working with horses, reading western novels, and spending time with his family. He was a beloved uncle who always had a little extra time to play with his many nieces and nephews. He also enjoyed working on small home projects for his mother and helping anyone who needed a hand.Bryanloved getting company, especially visits from family, friends, and former classmates.

 

Bryan is survived by his mother, Stella Schimetz (Dunseith); siblings Mark Schimetz (Rolette); Kathy (Jim) Wood (Minot); David (Katie) Schimetz (Mandan); Kim (Bill) Zorn (Upton, WY); sister-in-law, Colette Schimetz (Bottineau); and several nieces and nephews (John Schimetz, Jennifer Zachmeier, Ryan Vandal, Matthew Schimetz, Rachel Vandal, Nicole Zorn, Jackie Zorn, William Schimetz, Daniel Schimetz, Jacob Schimetz, Kaitlyn Schimetz, and Tessa Schimetz).

 

Bryanwas preceded in death by his father, Louis Schimetz; brother, Reid Schimetz; three infant brothers; his grandparents, George and Anna (Boucher) Richard and John and Francis (Sasek) Schimetz.

 

 

 

Mass of the Christian Burial: Will be celebrated Monday, April 19, at 10:30 a.m., in St. Mark’s Catholic Church in Bottineau.

Visitation and prayer service: Visitation Sunday, April 18, from 1 to 9 p.m., prayer service at 7 p.m., both at the Nero Funeral Home in Bottineau.

Burial: St. Louis Cemetery, Dunseith.

Arrangements were made with Nero Funeral Home in Bottineau.

 

 

 

Message/picture from Sharron Shen (59): Everett, WA.

 

I think it was 2002 when Mom wanted to travel home by rail. We actually stopped in Havre, MT overnight and picked up her brother, Ernest Boucher who was headed to GF. Alma, my mother and I had a great visit with Stella and Bryan. Bryan and I sat on the back porch smoking and viewing Stella’s amazing garden. Between Stella and Dale’s, I left with a load of tomatoes and train traveled back to Everett with super BLT fixings. Bryan talked of his years at Dale’s, very self deprecating. He wanted a run down on the whole Gottbreht family. I talked Boucher family history and mailed him a hard copy of all I had soon after my return. Stella said all the begats and anecdotes were great fun for Bryan. I thought I attached the picture of Alma Boucher Gottbreht, Bryan Schimetz and Stella Richard Schimetz to the note yesterday? Place an underlay of emotion to my dummie computer skills and anything can happen. That Stella is all goodness and kindness.

Thanks for all you do Gary. Sharron

 

Alma Gottbreht, Bryan Schimetz & Stella Schimetz

 

 

 

 

Condolences to the Schimetz family

From Roger & Connie (Zorn) Landsverk: Bottineau, ND.

 

To Stella Schimetz & families, So sorry about the passing of Bryan! He was a swell guy & will be sadly missed. We are sharing our condolences with all of you!! Roger & Connie (Zorn) Landsverk

 

 

 

 

The Following Newspaper Articles are posted by

Neola Kofoid Garbe:Minot & Bottineau, ND.

 

Gary,
 
Evan and Andrew are members of the MDN All Area Boys Basketball Second Team; this is quite an honor. There is an entire page about the coach/first team/second team in the Minot Daily.
 
Neola
 
 

Is Evan related to Dennis Dobois (63)? Dennis was a well known

 

Basket ball player in the early 60’s.

 

 

 

Brian is the son of Rodney (61) and Evelyn Kalk

 

 

 

 

 

  

04/17/2010

Posted on by
AOL converted Message 771 into a ZIP message.

Reply from Duane Woodford (55): Rio Verde, AZ & Bloomington, MN
 
[The message and any attached files have been turned into a ZIP attachment. Once downloaded and unzipped, open it with a word processor or text editor for reading.]
Folks, For those of you using AOL, they are evidently converting messages exceeding a certain sizes into ZIP attachments. Message 773 was only 520KB which is actually pretty small, so their size limit is very low for doing this if they are using size as their criteria. I’m not really sure what is going on. This is just a guess on my part. Gary
PS – I have email accounts with most of the major providers of which I use them all on a regular bases. For me gmail has provided the best service and has given me the least amount of problems.
 
 

Condolences to the Schimetz Family:

From Gail Halvorson Schuler (72): Bismarck, ND
 
My deepest sympathy to the Schimetz family. I had not seen Bryan for many years but remember our fun days working at Dales together. May the Lord grant you peace and comfort at this time of loss.
Gail Halvorson Schuler(72)
 
 
 
Condolences to the Schimetz Family:
From Sharron Gottbreht Shen (59): Everett, WA.
 
When I visited with Bryan in August he was full of talk about friends, espceially former classmates – he spoke of many by name, all with affection. I know Gary’s blog meant a lot to him. This great guy was not around yet when I had the older boys seek shelter under a bed during one of those Dakota egg-beater storms! I sat on top holding the baby girl. Bryan is strong and whole now. Stella and Mark, family and cousins, be comforted.

Alma, my mother, and I visited Ryan and Stella about 2002 – good picture at the Schimetz home.

Sharron

Hope you will correct my spelling error of Bryan’s name. Thanks Gary, Sharron

 
 
 
Condolences to the Schimetz Family:
From Pete (65) & Verena Gillis: Dunseith, ND.
 
Our sincerest condolences to the Schimetz family. I worked with Stella
at the school for many years up to her retirement. There has not been
another cook to fill her shoes since she left!
Pete and Verena Gillis
 
 
 
Music Jamboree this Saturday for the Rolette County Museum:
Posted by Dick Johnson (68): Dunseith, ND.
 
Gary and Friends,

This Saturday evening at 7 PM we will again be having the Old Time
Music Jamboree fund raiser for the Rolette County Museum. It is being
held at the usual place, the St. John Senior Citizens hall on Main
street in St. John. This year we have several groups already committed
to play and more may show up by show time. We have a Canadian fiddle
player who is really outstanding. He hasn’t performed for us before but
will be included in the program. Some of the other groups tentatively
signed up are–Carl and Shirley Melgaard, Highway 43, the Lund Family,
Rita Langer, and Gary Lepine (sp), the fiddler. I heard tonight that we
may also be treated to a few songs by Mel Kuhn’s son, Toby and his
friends. It should be a fun night for fans of home grown style music.
The Senior Citizens will again have the lunch counter loaded with
goodies for sale. I hope many of the readers of this blog will attend.
The admission is $5. and is for the entire evening of music and all
proceeds go directly to the Rolette County Museum. Thanks!

Dick

 
 
Email exchanges between Larry Hackman (66) and Dick Johnson (68):
Posted by Larry Hackman: Bismarck, ND
 
Folks, Please read up starting with Dick’s message to Larry.
Larry, We are so glad that you are back on line. In this day and age computer problems can be hell. Gary
 
Larry’s reply to Dick
You know making ice cream and churning butter was a good job for them
damn kids, they didn’t have anything else to do no how. We got our
ice from the water tank. The lake was to far away. Anyway! We would
rather eat cow slobber then musk rat droppings. You know whar i mean.
We were kind of dairy people after all. Although, I suppose if you
wanted rocky road your way was better? I think ours kind of looked
like New York Vanilla?
Larry,
Dick’s reply to Larry
Larry’s back! If the mother board burned out, you could try the
father board. When my computer died it was from cranking it too fast so
we got one now that has no crank. I got carried away just like in the
old days, making ice cream. Did you get in on cranking the old ice
cream maker? We used ice from the lake and farm cream—-I’m getting
hungry just thinking about it! If us kids wanted ice cream, we had to
crank that old can for an hour. The older folks just sat in the house
and waited for the work to be done—something wrong with this picture!

It got a little bit green the last few days but tonight there are
thunderstorms to the west and the lightening is starting so that
usually brings the grass on. Glad to hear you didn’t fly the coop.

Dick

Larry’s rely to Dick
The mother board burned in my computor. I had to order and get
another one and am still working on having it brought up to speed.
So you can let everyone know I’m back after being gone for about
three weeeks. I’m still in the coop, just was unable to
communicate. Are things turning green up there yet?
Larry
Dick’s message to Larry
Larry,

What’s up in Bismarck? Mel says your mailbox is full. Yesterday I
talked to Larry Millang at WalMart and he asked if you were gone? Maybe
you flew the coop!

Dick
 
 

Friday, April 16, 2010 1:07 PM, CDT

 
 
Reply from Neola Kofoid Garbe: Minot & Bottineau, ND
 
Hi Gary,
 
As you know, I drive the road east and the road west of Bear/Bare Butte often. I’ll be driving the west side (by Harlan/Joyce’s farm) in the too far future. I decorate graves (As you know, there are many Kofoid/Petterson/Brudwick graves there–also friends’ graves) at Vinje Cemetery each year. The road just to the north of Harlan/Joyce’s farm is a “four corner”. Going north takes you to Vinje Church–it’s about a quarter of a mile to the east of the road; east goes to Lyle/Vivian Mattern Thompson’s farm; south goes to Harlan/Joyce’s; west takes you Bottineau. I think, nestled in the corner to the right when you are at the corner, is the old Brunsell place. There are three “wicked” hills between this corner/Vinje Church. We always called them the “Oelschlager Hills”, as Oelschalger’s lived farther north on the road. I don’t know if the hills are so wicked, but from the top of them, looking down, they seem wicked–especially in the “old days” after it had rained.
 
Added info about the Oelschlager farm: This farm originally belonged to Albert/Ida Gunderson Vikan, Ina Oelschalger’s parents. Albert/Ida moved to a place about a mile, or so, NW of Bottineau and Harold/Ina/family moved to Albert/Ida’s place in the hills.) Audrey Vikan Woods, daughter of Albert/Ida, was married to Pat Woods, Jack’s brother, Pat (I’m quite sure it was Pat.). When Audrey passed away a few years ago, she was buried at Vinje Church. She is buried in the NW corner of the cemetery. Going NW and over the hill from her grave, you would come to her “homeplace”. Audrey is buried under a tree–I think, an oak tree. A granite bench (in honor of Audrey) has been placed not far away.
 
Neola
 
P.S. I hope this makes sense, Gary.
Neola, I remember those three hills well. One didn’t have to be going terribly fast either to get butterflies in your stomach when cresting those hills either. I think they have been rounded some now though, but they are still there. There are some mighty long steep hills on that same road too. Dad’s sister Olga lived a short distance west and north of Harlan and Joyce Flaata’s.
 
Correction to yesterday’s message. I should have said we turned west at Oscar Wenstad’s, not Arnold Wenstad’s.
 
  

04/16/2010

Posted on by
Bryan Schimetz (77) death notice:
Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Minot & Bottineau, ND
 

Bryan Schimetz
(Died April 14, 2010)

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Bryan Schimetz, age 51 of Bottineau and Dunseith, died Wednesday at a Mandan hospital. Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday at 10:30 am at the St. Mark’s Catholic Church in Bottineau. Visitation will be Sunday from 1:00 pm until 9:00 pm with a prayer service at 7:00 pm at the Nero Funeral Home in Bottineau.
 
 
 

Condolence to the Schimetz family:

From Lynn Halvoraon Otto (75): Seoul, Korean
 
It’s with great sadness that I write this. My deepest sympathy to Bryan’s family. I cannot imagine losing one of my sons for any reason. Going through the school lunch line, I can still see Stella’s winning smile so lovingly dishing up her great meals for us all. Life there wouldn’t have been the same without that family. I know Bryan is in a better place and finally pain free and has peace.
Lynn Halvorson Otto, 75
 
 
Condolence to the Schimetz family:
From Dianne Rober’t Johnson (76): Rolla, ND

 

I am so sorry to hear about Bryan. I remember him from HS. He was always good for a laugh, never seem to be down about anything.

Bryan will be missed dearly, my condolences to the Schimetz families.

 

Dianne (Rober’t) Johnson (76)
 
 
 
 
Reply from Mare Iverson Staub (60): Seattle, WA
 

Gary,

 

Thanks so much for mentioning Marvin, he was a great guy. I was very lucky to have him for 43 years. You never appreciate what you have until it’s to late.

Next week when I talk to Barbara i will have to ask her were she went to school. I know when we were living there they would visit often and I know she graduated from Frankin High School here in Seattle. Her aunt Laverna Schick graduated

from Dunseith in 1947. We know they do not have E-Mail so Barb is sending her a letter as we don’t know if she is aware of the reunion or not. It would be fun to see her.

I have no clue about the hill by Joyce and Harlan’s . I do remember a hill, but that’s about it. Of course they say memory is the first thing to go.HA

I agree with Judy LaCroix it would be great to get the receipe of Bernadette’s for the rice cake’s. Sounds yummy.

 

Marie

Marie, Marvin was a good man and very friendly too. Bernadette remembers him and you too very well. She had a nice little chat with Marvin at the registration table.
 
About the hill that I remember as Bear or Bare Butte where Harlan and Joyce Flaata live. The road to their house is from the north. coming in from then north you are pretty much near the top of the hill with the terrain of the land. We used to approach the hill from the east where the road is much lower in elevation and then turn south with the curve in the road before getting to the hill. From our house we’d take the short cut to Dad’s brother Emil/Lillian Petterson who lived in the Foot hills NE of Bottineau. From our house we’d take the Willow Lake road to the corner of Arnold Wenstad’s. From there we’d turn right (West) and go past Thurman/Marie Parrill’s, Orvin Hagen’s and Ole Rispa’s. We’d turn left (south) at the corner near Almer Lindberg’s and long lake. We’d follow that road past Lloyd Larshus’, Bear Butte, etc until we got to Emil/Lillian’s. I have not been down that road for 40 or more years. Gary
  

04/15/2010

Posted on by
Bryan Schimetz (77) Passed away:
Message from Mark Schimetz (70): Rolette, ND.
 
Dear Gary and friends, with great sorrow of heart, I need to inform all that Bryan John Schimetz
my younger brother left us and made the great journey this morning at 12:40am at a health care facility in Mandan Nd.
Funeral Services are tentatively being discussed among family at this time. We are trying for Monday, the 19th of April to be held at St.Marks Catholic Church in Bottineau, ND. I will keep you posted as arrangements are finalized. I wish to thank all of you for your prayers and kindness expressed here and elsewhere with the phone calls and cards. I thank all of you on behalf of entire Schimetz Family, may God Bless you all
Mark Schimetz
 
 
Bryan Schimetz Passing:
Posted on our Website
 
From: David Schimetz (79): Bismarck, ND
Phone:
E-mail:
Message:
Bryan left us last night at 12:30 am. His funeral arrangements are pending but most likely the funeral will be on Monday.Thank you all for your prayers.He had alot of family around him since Friday and family members present when he passed. We were able to talked to him and he understood his condition and he was at peice with it.He fought a long and hard battle for about 35 years. He was a good brother,uncle,son and most of all Friend. He will always be in our hearts and truly missed. Thank-you for all your prayers
Mark, David and the entire Schimetz family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you with the loss of Bryan. Mark and I, in the past, have discussed this disease (MS) with how hard it has been for the entire family, especially their mother Stella, coping with her children having this disease. It’s been a long hard road for all of you. Your family has not and will not be forgotten with all that you have been thru. Our condolences are with you. Gary.
 
 
Schimetz Family: Note: Judy posted this before knowing of Bryan’s passing.

Reply from Judy LaCroix McGuire (59): LITCHFIELD, MN

 

Hi Gary, It would be fun to have a piece of Bernadette’s rice cake. Sounds good. Could you put a recipe in this blog. I like to try new recipes. I do enjoy reading the news each day and have good memories of growing up near Dunseith.
Also hello to the Schimetz family. You are all in my prayers at this time. I babysat for Reed and ? years ago and we were neighbors to their grandparents for years. Blessings. Judy LaCroix McGuire class of 59
Judy, I will ask Bernadette to write down her recipe for her Chocolate Rice cake for posting. A lot of her recipes are her own made up of which I’m very positive of this being one of those. With that there are no standard Measurements. It’s a little of this and a little of that until she gets the desired consistency of what she wants. Bernadette is well gifted in the cooking and baking department. She seldom has flops. For her the aesthetics of what she prepares is equally as important as the taste. She won’t eat anything that does not look good. For me that is the reason I don’t eat their dried fish. but for her and these folks, that dried fish looks so good, heads and all. Her rice cake was consumed in a heart beat yesterday at the bowling alley. Some of those women, when they didn’t think anyone was looking, were putting pieces in their purses to take home. Gary
 
 
Dunseith Alumni Reunion:
Marie Iverson Staub (60) will be attending: Seattle, WA.

Gary,

 

I am going to make the reunion if everything goes OK. A cousin and I are going to drive. I made out the check to send to Verena so will get that sent tomorrow. There will be 3 of us.

1. Marie Iverson (Staub)

2. Barbara Iverson (Lyonais)

3. Joyce Iverson (Flaata)

Looking forward to seeing everyone.

 

Marie Iverson 1960

Marie, this is wonderful news that you will be attending our reunion. As Keith Pladson Mentioned, it’s a long drive from the East Coast and we know it’s a long haul from the West Coast as well. It’s great that your cousin Barbara is able to accompany you. I’m assuming Barbara attended the Bottineau schools or did she attend Dunseith? I have known your cousin, Joyce Flaata, for as far back as I can remember. She and Harlan were very active members of the Metigoshe Lutheran churches and that is where I learned to know them. From what you mentioned they still live on the same place a few miles NE of Bottineau. Their home is a few miles south of Vinje Church up in the hills. I’m really racking my brain now, but the name of the hill or mountain they live on, as I remember, is Bare Butte. We passed it many times with our many visits, taking the back roads, to visit Dad’s brother Emil/Lillian who lived a few miles SW of Harlan & Joyce’s. We are looking forward to seeing you folks next month. Gary
 
PS – Folks; Marie lost Marvin a few months after our reunion last July. We so enjoyed seeing and visiting with him and Marie at the reunion. It was such a traumatic loss for Marie. She said reading our daily blogs really helped her coping with his loss.
 
2009 Seattle Dunseith Aumni Reunion:
Marvin (Deceased) & Marie (60) Iverson Staub

 
 
Earth Worms Question:
From Vickie Metcalfe (70): Bottineau, ND.
 
April greetings Gary,
April showers have arrived here in the foothills of the Turtle Mountains. Days have been quite windy followed by nights of thunder and lighting shows. At least an inch of steady rain washed Bottineau thoroughly clean last night. The warm earthy smells and sunny spring morning greeted me and Buie to our walk.
My question for blog readers. What is the earliest date in the spring… anyone has seen earth worms in the area?
They were every where this morning 4/14/10. I found myself hop scotching home as not to squish them! So many, they reminded me of the wet Junes of yesteryear. Thanks Vickie
 
 
 
 
Reply from Keith Pladson (66): Stafford, VA
 
Gary,
This is in response to Sybil Johnson’s visiting Washington DC. I’m sure you will enjoy your trip immensely and hope you are able to visit and enjoy many of the national treasures located in and around Washington. Some things worth seeing in addition to those you already stated could include the Washington National Cathedral, Mount Vernon, Arlington National Cemetery (to include Kennedy’s Grave and the changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier), the Korean War Memorial and any number of the many National Museums. Alas, there is one thing on your list you may not be able to enjoy. The much discussed and locally bragged about Cherry Blossom Festival has come and gone and so have most of the blossoms. Usually they start blooming the very end of March and through the next couple of weeks or so. But, unfortunately, this year we had some really warm weather in the middle of March so the blossoms came a little early. So, most (if not all) of the blossoms are now history until next years.

Still, you WILL enjoy your trip! And even if you can’t take photographs in the White House, you can take them at most other locations.
Keith Pladson (66)

 
 
Country School Reunion:
Question from Lynn Halvorson Otto (74): Seoul, Korea
 
Hi Gary, who is organizing the July country school reunion at Lake Metigoshe? If you know could you post this again for people. Thanks, Lynn Otto
Lynn, Linda Gardner is the one spearheading this reunion. I have pasted below and also attached a copy of the registration form. Gary
 
 

Turtle Mountain Country School Reunion

 

July 10, 2010

 

Plans are underway to hold a Turtle Mountain Country School Reunion on July 10, 2010, at the Twin Oaks Resort & Convention Center atLakeMetigoshe.Anyone who attended a country school in theTurtleMountains or is interested in celebrating an educational life style of the past is welcome to attend.The cost is $42.00 per person.Reservations and advance payment are required.Please fill out the form below and mail to:

 

Linda Gardner

 

 

3059 Sugar Lane

Vienna, VA22181

 

TurtleMountainCountrySchoolReunion Registration Form

 

Name

 

  

Address

 

  

Country School

  

Number of Participants

 

  

 

Checks should be made payable to Linda Gardner and mailed with the registration form to the address above by June 1, 2010.

 

Registration will begin at 3 PM; Social Hour 4-6:30 PM and dinner will be served from 6:30 – 8 PM.

 

If you are interested in helping organize this event, have memorabilia to share at this event, or have questions, please contact Linda at:

 

Telephone:703/636-6392

 

E-mail:lgardner9@cox.net.

 
  

04/14/2010

Posted on by
Dan Morgan (Former Teacher) remembrance:
Thank you from Judy Morgan (Former Teacher): Edgeley, ND
 

Thanks to all friends, former students, and colleagues who sent e-mail or cards or called when news of Dan’s illness was posted by Ardys Horner. Although Dan always kept up with the blog, he didn’t post. His excuse was always that he didn’t have anything new to add, that no one would remember him after all these years, or that his “secretary” wasn’t too efficient. He was so surprised and pleased to hear from so many. It meant a lot to him.

Finally Scott and I deeply appreciate all who took the time to e-mail us at home, on the blog, or on the Guest Book at www.dahlstromfuneralservice.com. Unfortunately we did lose some in the process of being read or copied. Thank you all so much for your kind expressions of sympathy.

According to Dan’s wishes, we will have a simple graveside memorial service on Saturday May 29,2010 at Milnor Lutheran Cemetery at 3:00 PM followed by a gathering of family and friends at the Gwinner Golf Club.

Again thanks Gary for all that you do in keeping everyone who is or was part of the Dunseith community connected. This is long overdue and I can’t begin to tell you how many times I have started this and lost it or made mistakes like this bold print that I’m unable to get out of at the moment. I’m now as addicted to this site as Dan was, so I hope you continue with your wonderful work. If this goes through it will probably be in two or more parts. I trust your skills to make sense of it. It’s warm and unbelievably windy here today and all I can think of is Virgil Vanorny coaching our women’s softball team! Judy Morgan

Judy, Yes, without a doubt, Dan and you too are well remembered in the Dunseith community and the Alumni. You guys were in Dunseith after my time there so I didn’t learn to know either of you during your Dunseith days. We can make up for that now though. I agree, it’s not always easy to post for fear folks will not be interested in what one has to say or that what we say may not be quite right. Then there’s the fear factor of being judged with how we say it. I have come to realize that folks love hearing from all of you that post. Folks are not judgmental of what is posted. They just love seeing the postings and the names they come from. They bring back so many memories. Rereading some of the postings, I see so many of my own errors, kicking myself in the butt for not catching them before hitting the send button. Thank you Judy. We love hearing from you. Please keep the postings coming. Gary
 
 
 
Follow up message with remeberences:
From Judy Morgan (Former Teacher): Edgeley, ND
 

Dear Gary,

First of all I want to thank you for including us on the Dunseith blog. Dan and I both enjoyed reading news of the area and remembering so many friends and events from our happy years in Dunseith (1963-1970).

I am just getting back to using the computer so my limited skills are pretty rusty. To Stella and the Schimetz family, my thoughts and prayers are with Bryan and all of you during this very difficult time. My sincere condolences to the families of Bill Berube and Greg Grimme. Many prayers continue on their way to the families of DeAnn Gottbreht and Mike and Sandra Vandal for continuing positive results

 

 

 

To the Schimetz family:
From Mark Gunville(75): Rolette, ND

I also graduated with Kim and Know the Schimetz family well. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers in your trying times.

 

Mark Gunville 1975

 

 

Update for Matthew – Mike & Sandra Zeiler Vandal’s Grandson:

Posted by Mike & Sandra (62) Zeiler: Elk River, MN

 

Hi Gary, this was our daughters last update to all friends and family. Kelly does a good job of explaining, and understands all this stuff much better then I do.She has a great husband, good children, all 11 of them, and a strong faith that will get them through, and come out on top of this. thank you for your concern and the prayers from all. Sandy and Mike

 

Sent: Tuesday, April 13, 2010 2:09 PM
Subject: Tues. oncologist appt
 
The pathology report came back positive for clear cell sarcoma. This cancer is agressive
in that it has a propensity to come back….even after 9-10 years. It hasn’t been a fast growing
cancer for Matthew and that seems to be the norm. The dr. wants to get Matthew to where
there is “no evidence of disease.” This is what was accomplished 3 yrs. ago and what they are trying
to accomplish now with the thoracotomy w/ wedge resections on each lung. The current plan is to
remove and watch. Matthew will be getting CT scans every 3 months for at least 3 yrs, then maybe go
to every 4 mos for 2 years, biannually for 5 yrs. (The dr said every 3 mos. for as long as he could).
He also wants to do a bone scan before the next thoracotomy. (am I saying that right?) He knows the
last surgery sight is going to “light up” on the bone scan, and so wants to get it accomplished before
the next surgery so there will be better results. Clear cell going to the bone is possible, but not as likely.
 
Alternative treatments: If it reappears after this, especially in the near future, there is achemotherapy
(adrimicin (sp)?) that is possible. Radiation is possible, but is limited by dose, and the lungs are
particularly sensitive. (Matthew is not a candidate for a lung transplant, due to having cancer). As
mentioned before, these “treatments” have not been shown to be effective; surgery is the best
option….Matthew can do the “remove and watch” for as long as he can have lung tissue removed if
he wants. We had 3 yrs since the last time and can go many years w/o it returning.
(or MIRACLES STILL HAPPEN)
As the U of M is the only phase 1 investigational institute in MN (meaning there is the latest/newest
treatments available here…but not necessarily covered by ins because it is investigational), he
does have more options here. Dr. Mulrooney said he’d check into other phase 1 institues in the US
and see if any of them have a particular interest in clear cell sarcoma. He recommended the following 2
websites;
curesearch.org (children’s oncology group) and cancer.gov which would have info
on trials and is sponsored by the Nat’l Cancer Inst.
 
If the bone scan comes back with unfavorable results, he may recommend a different route. Of course, our hope
and prayer is that this will be it, or barring that, before needing chemo, there is one out there that has
been proven effective.
 
Matthew’s first comment was in reference to Mother Theresa’s saying….the “God won’t allow more than I can
handle, wish he didn’t trust me so much” one. we picked up lunch at Chipotle and ate in the car on the
way home. (something I do not recommend) As we approached the Albertville exit, he said,
“Oh yeah, I have cancer.” He forgot for a bit ( can’t figure that myself)…when asked how he is doing he responds
“Better than I thought I would be.”
I, for one, am thankful he has been of an age since the beginning where he can understand the necessity
of the surgery/suffering he endures. One sees many little ones in the oncolology depts. and, as a mother,
I would find that harder to endure that suffering than the trial we are currently experiencing.
As another cancer patient (whom I admire) has said many times: “GOD IS GOOD, ALL THE TIME.”
 
GOD BLESS YOU ALL AND PLEASE KEEP PRAYING! :)
 
Thank you,
 
Perraults
 
 
Reunion Attendance:
From Diane Larson Sjol (70): Minot, ND.
 
I admit it…I am way behind in reading the blog…Nancy (Hosmer) and
I were visiting and she asked if I signed up for the Dunseith
reunion…I have not…so, ok, how do I go about it? I have been
traveling 90 miles down the highway to nowhere lately…work, work,
work…time for some fun.
Diane
Diane, you have a long commute from Minot to Bottineau. I’ll bet you know the road by heart now.
It’s so nice that you will be attending our reunion. We are looking forward to seeing you. Verena and I have added you to our lists for attending. Verena needs payment in advance for those that would like the Roast Beef catered dinner. The dinner is $10.00 per person. We are charging a registration fee of $5.00 per person to cover expenses. You can mail your payment to Verena if you want the meal. I have pasted her address below. For those that have not prepaid, we will be collecting the registration fee at the registration table.
 
Folks, You can mail your payment to Verena or stop by the High School where she works. I will be sending out an updated list of those attending within the next few days. The reunion will be at the Dunseith Bingo Barn on May 22nd.
 
Verena Gillis

PO Box, 785
Dunseith, ND 58329
 
Folks, Today is our bowling day. This is a picture of some of the gals that stopped their game to pose for this picture. Having fun is the name of the game. Bernadette is standing second from the right. Bernadette made several cookie sheets of chocolate rice cake that she will be taking along for treats today. They love her rice cake and requested more. Gary

  

04/13/2010

Posted on by
To the Schimetz Family
From Lynn Halvorson Otto (75): Seoul, Korea
 

To the entire Schimetz Family: I also worked with Bryan at Dales and he was always a joy and full of fun. I also graduated with Kim who I know is suffering with MS as well. You are all in our prayers daily. Lynn Halvorson Otto, 75
 
 
 
 
Reply to Pete & Ruth Larshus picture posted yesterday:
From Tom Hagen (51): Mesa, AZ & Williston, ND.
 
Yes, Gary , and Pete was a cousin of the Hagen family and Ruth was a good friend and fellow teacher with us. Tom Hagen (51)
 
 
 
 
New email address for Fritz & Marlene Henderson: Rolla, ND
 

Our new email address is

 

Fritz & Marlene
 
 
 
Excerpt from a personal message.
From Lois Tweten: Helena, MT
 
I’m headed to Overy ND on the 22nd. My cousin (Carol Sletto Johnson) came up to Bozeman to help out her daughter that had some surgery (she doesn’t dare drive so far – uffda). Anyway her husband drove her up here and I’ll drive her back! I like an excuse to go home to ND and see the cousins etc. It was while I was staying with
Carol that I met Bev Azure at her shop while Carol saw the PA there at the clinic!
 
Lois
 
Lois Tweten
907 Washington ST #3
Helena, MT 59601
Lois, We dearly miss Bev. She added a lot of life and zest to our daily messages. She was such a passionate, kind loving person too. Bev was Bev and pretended to be no one other than Bev. She certainly had a huge following with a long list of friends. She will be remembered for years to come. Gary
 
 
Reply from Sybil Johnson: Cheyenne, WY.
 
Since is talking about upcoming trips, I thought I would put my 2 cents in. For the first time in my life, I will be flying out of DIA, to Washington, DC. I have never been there and I’m looking for ward to it. There are so many things to see, but will only have 5 days. I will be visiting the White House and the Capitol, but sadly without my camera. I guess, since 9/11, this is no longer possible. I will be also going to the Viet Nam Memorial Wall. There is a Native American National Museum that I will also be visiting.
I am looking forward to see those famous Cherry Blossoms, that I have heard about all of my life.
Sybil Johnson
  

04/12/2010

Posted on by
Dunseith Alumni Caribbean Cruise in February 2012
 
Folks, Following our reunion in May we’ll be shifting focus to our Caribbean Cruise. We are making plans for Presidents day week in February 2012. As soon as the Cruise schedules come out, probably later this year, we will be selecting a cruise line and a cruise. We have not yet decided if we’ll be going East or West in the Caribbean. Please reply with any preferences and ideas that you may have. Bill Grimme, Phyllis McKay, Bernadette and I will be the group leaders for this cruise. This will for sure be another great event. For those of you living a bit north, this will be a good winter break. In mentioning this cruise to a few of our friends here in the PI, several of them want to join us as well. They’ve got their calendars marked. Gary

 
 
 
Bryan Schimetz (77) contact number.
Brian is suffering with MS. He is in Triumph Mandan Hospital.
Message from Mark Schimetz (70): Rolette, ND.
 
Gary the Triumph Care Center’s phone number for Bryan Schimetz’s room is 1-701-667-4087. I know that Bryan would like to hear from his friends that are unable to come to see him at this time, especially Donna Striker. They have been good friends all his life. Bryan is being kept as comfortable as is possible.
 
 

Reply to Bryan Schimetz (77):

From Rhonda Hiatt (75): Battle Ground, WA.
Hi Gary,
 
It’s been awhile since I have replied on here. I try to keep up with the latest everyday, though I do get behind.
Bryan along with his family are definitely in my prayers as he and they go through this very difficult time. I graduated with Kim in 75 and worked with Bryan at Dales and he was just the best cook and the best to work with. I really just loved working with him. No matter how crazy busy we were he never got all worked up or lost his cool. Awhile back you had posted his e-mail address so we could send Birthday wishes. I sent one but if I remember right, his mailbox was full. I knew that everyone else had done the same thing. I tried a few times after that, so don’t know if he got it or not. To Bryan, Kim, and the rest of the Schimetz family, My thoughts and Prayers are with you.

Rhonda Hiatt
 
 
 
Keith & Alice Pladson will be attending the reunion:
Message from Keith Pladson (66): Stafford, VA
 
Gary,
Just thought I would let you know that Alice and I will be attending the reunion get together/meal in May. I’ve already sent Verena a notice of our planned attendance and a check for our meals. We also intend to include a stop in Superior, WI on the way up to visit with my Aunt Lillian. I spoke with my cousin Ron (one of Lillian’s sons) a few days ago, and he said his Mom is doing pretty well (I think she is 94 years young now), so I’m really looking forward to our trip. It’s a long drive from here to ND (about 1,800 miles each way) but with our stop in Superior on the way up and a stop in Louisville, KY (to visit with Alice’s Mom) on the way back at least we will break up the long drive. We could fly, but with the way the airlines are going, flying is not much fun anymore and by driving we have a lot more freedom to come and go as we please while in ND. Over the years we’ve driven this route many times so we are very used to it. We look forward to seeing you and Bernadette again.
Keith
Keith, This is wonderful news that you and Alice will be attending the reunion. You are right, it’s a long trip from VA to Dunseith. We are looking forward to seeing you guys at the reunion and around the area too. Gary
 
 
Dunseith Alumni Alaska Cruise – July 2009
Note: Florence and Keith are siblings. Becky is Florence’s daughter
Minnie Flynn is in the background.
 
Florence Pladson Sime (62), Keith Pladson (66) &
Becky Sime Coles (83)
 
 
 

Sunday, April 11, 2010 10:56 AM, CDT

Patrick and I left the NICU with Connor at about 3:30 pm on Thursday April 8th. What and exciting day it was! Connor has come such a long way since he was born. He is such a miracle. He is almost 7 lbs now and is growing fast. His reflux is still a problem but the doctors sent us home with his medicine and so far he is doing great. Unfortunately he doesn’t let his parents sleep for very long at a stretch but hopefully that will improve! It is just so nice to finally be at home together as a family.

Chemo is still going pretty well. I had Chemo this last week on Thursday so it was nice to get it out of the way before we picked up Connor. Only 5 more treatments to go of this stuff and after that I’ll have a chemo once every 3 weeks for a year. I’m just hoping the chemo won’t ware me out to much since Connor is a lot of work right now. It’s a good thing Patrick and I can always get a little help from Grandparents when we need it! We are really looking forward to putting these treatments behind us so we can finally spend time at home as a family and not have all this traveling every week.

Thanks again everyone for all of your support. It was a long journey for us with Connor in the NICU for 41 days but that phase of our lives is behind us and things are only going to get better

  

04/11/2010

Posted on by
Bryan Schimetz (77) suffering with MS:
Posted on our Website:
 
From: David Schimetz
Phone:
E-mail:

Message:
I would like to start a prayer chain for Bryan Schimetz. He is in Triumph Mandan Hospital. Bryan has suffered with MS for over 30 years and is now in the last stages of the disease and he will leave us soon. He is surrounded by family members and he is in no pain. Please keep him in you prayers. Thank-you all from the Louis Schimetz Family

David, Since putting these class lists together, I have known that Bryan is suffering with MS. I talked to him, by phone, several years ago when he was in the Good Samaritan center in Bottineau. From the sound of his voice with that conversation, I could tell he was suffering. I am so sad to hear of his continued deteriorating condition. He’s coped well with all his suffering with this disease for so many years. Our thoughts and prayers are with Bryan. We know it’s hard on the entire family as well. Our prayers are with you guys as well. Gary
 
 
Question from Bonnie Awalt Houle (56): Becker, MN
 
Dear Gary,
I heard there were some early additions to this blog that were sent around before the reunion that ballooned this blog. They said those early additions had individual pictures of students. Do you still have those blogs? Could you possibly send those around again?
Thank you for all you do, and God Bless.
 
Bonnie Awalt Houle
Bonnie, I assume you are talking about those messages posted prior to the 2007 reunion? We, the class of 65, generated a whole lot of email traffic for about 6 months leading into that reunion. For quite sometime we were almost live, at a given time, each day. As messages came into me I’d immediately forward them to the class and they’d reply instantaneously. The cycle continued, often times for several hours, each day. I saved each and everyone of those 2,000 plus messages only to loose them when my hard drive got reformatted a few months back. I didn’t realize I didn’t have them backed up. What a loss. Do any of you from the class of 65 or auxiliary folks that were included with those message, by chance, have copies of any of those messages?
 
Needless to say, the ice had been well broken long before our reunion in 2007. This was our first ever class reunion too. Most of us agreed that we were not that close of a class in our HS days and that comradery becomes increasingly more important as we get older. As we get older, relationships tend take precedence above all else. It’s too bad we wait until our more senior years to realize all this. Gary
 
 
 
From: Gary Houle (63) and Roberta: Champlin, MN
 
Hi Gary-You have done a fabulous job with the Richard Family genealogy graph which you posted in blog #761. It really helps to see how everyone is related. One small correction. Under Gary’s grandma Bernadette Dostaler, there is a Leo listed under Ted Dostaler. Leo was Bernadette’s husband, not a son of Ted. Ted was never married. Keep up the good work. We enjoy your daily blog.
 
Roberta Houle
Roberta, Thank you so much for this correction. I have updated my master copy of that graph with this correction. I have also attached a copy of this PowerPoint graph of the Richard Family. Gary
 
Pete & Ruth Larshus Peterson:
 
Folks, I just ran across this photo that I did not realize I had with the recent passing and many good memories of Ruth. I believe Neola sent this picture to me quite sometime ago. Ruth was a well remembered teacher throughout the hills, Dunseith and Bottineau. She was also a first cousin to Art Rude.
 
  

04/10/2010

Posted on by
Ed Milligan:
From Neola Kofoid Garbe: Minot & Bottineau, ND
 
Hi Gary,
 
I don’t know if this is of interest, but one of my classmates said Ed Milligan is mentioned in the last North Dakota Horizons magazine. I think Dad subscribed to this magazine when he was alive, but I haven’t seen a copy since then.
 
Thanks.
 
Neola
Have any of you seen this article? Gary
 
 
 
Football:
Reply from Lyle Olson (75): West Fargo, ND
 
Reading the football edition of your archives brought back some good memories regarding my time playing football at Dunseith. We played Rolette in 1973 and beat them 73 – 0!!! Curt Berg was the star of that team and I remember he was in on the tackle on the opening kick-off that broke the leg of Brian Berube, one of Rolette’s star players. Everyone on the field heard the leg break and everyone in Rolette heard the howl that followed! Rolette folded like a cheap suit after that play. I don’t know how many points David Hagel scored on running touchdowns that game, or how many touchdown passes Terry Counts caught, but both players sure were tired come the 4th quarter.

That same year we played against Walhalla, ND. They had a football player named Daniel St.Vincent and he was the biggest high school running back I ever saw. We beat them 8 – 6, but the most impressive part of the game was that we did it with 13 players. Actually, we started the game with 13 players, but Curt Berg hurt his knee early in the game so I guess you can say we beat them with only 12 players (Dunseith was still in 11 man football at that time).

We had a pretty good football team in 1974 as well. Jesse Marion was the quarterback and David Hagel was the main running back, with Mark Fugere and Gary Poitra running the ball too. Sam Tooke was on that team and he was a mean noseguard. He once had the great idea to rattle the center for Cando that sort of backfired. His plan was to pounce on this rather small center well before the ball was to be hiked. He thought that if he did this enough, it would lead to a fumble or two. Well, Sam threw all his considerable weight on that poor kid for about 8 plays in a row, being penalized 5 yeards each time. However, that kid just pulled himself out of about 6 inches of dirt each time and went back to the huddle without saying a word to anyone. Jim Berube and Red Johnson were referees at that game and I remember Jim asking Sam what the heck he was doing. Sam just grinned and lined up to crush the kid again. By the time this played out, Sam had amassed about 40 yards in penalties and Cando was at the 5 yard line. The next play they scored and they didn’t look back. I later met that center and he laughed and laughed when I mentioned the game. He told me his big brothers had been doing that to him for years whenever they played football at home!

Football season was always a fun time in Dunseith. The warm nights were not as frequent as the cool, crisp nights, but it did not seem to matter then. I remember running all over town in “snake” lines lead by the older football players at homecoming time, and the homecoming parades and bonfires. I wonder if they do that anymore???

Thanks for all you do, Gary!

Lyle Olson – 1975

 
Folks, I just ran across these pictures. I have some extra room today, so thought I share. Gary
 
Stokes farmstead in the 70’s

 

 

 

Stokes Farmstead – Easter Sunday, 1979

 

 

Stokes Farmstead the way it looks today, now owned by Larry & Mona Marchus

 

 

 

 

Folks, I thought I’d throw this one in too. This is My brother Darrel (Bud) and our cousin, Alice Petterson Hahn(deceased). Alice’s parents were Hans and Gerda Petterson. Dad and Hans were brothers. Alice was the oldest of the 26 Petterson cousins and Bud the youngest.

 

 
  

04/09/2010

Posted on by
Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Bottineau & Minot, ND.
 
 
 
 
 
Folks, I didn’t have much today, so I went into the Achieves.
Note: It may be easier to read the following from the bottom up.
Gary

 

Posted with message 183 on 8/5/08

Message/News paper Article from Gary Morgan (54):

 

Gary & All,
Attached is Garry Woodford’s writeup on the game Darrell referred to. Also his wrapup of the season.
Any success I enjoyed on the football field has to be attributed to Virgel Vanorney. We had two weeks of football practice in the spring of 1950 and another two weeks before school started that fall. Since we didn’t have a football coach yet, Virgel drilled, and I mean DRILLED, us in the fundamentals. He instilled in all of us two basic principles: “Stay low” and “If you hit them harder than they hit you, you’re not going to get hurt”. I’m convinced that had Vidge stayed our coach, we would have had a more successful season that first year. This is evidenced by the fact that we thoroughly dominated Towner in a preseason scrimmage but they beat us during the season.
I had another advantage. Being a freshman the first season Dunseith fielded a team in several years, I had just as much experience as the upperclassmen. This enabled me to start all four years.
Dick should hang on to that helmet. It’s a relic of possibly the only undefeated seasons Dunseith ever had in football.

Gary Morgan

 

 

Posted with message 182 on 8/4/08

Reply 1950 football picture From Darrel Fassett (47):

What Gary Morgan didn’t tell you about that football team was that they turned into a very good team. I followed the progress of the team(via Turtle Mountain Star) and they and Rolla were both pretty good. Gary was the Dunseith running back and Rolla also had a very good back. Of course, the Rolla player got all the ink. Since I had worked with both Gary and Dick at the lumber yard I had to come watch the game when the two teams met. Early in the game the two met whie Gary was carrying the ball and Gary ran right over him. After that it was a rout. I don’t remember the score but it was large in favor of Dunseith. I bet Gary remembers the score. At that time there was an intense Rolla-Dunseith rivalry( maybe still is) so that made it even better. Gary was too modest to tell you that they became a very good football team.

 

 

Posted with message 182 on 8/4/08

From Gary Morgan (54):

 

Gary & All,
Thinking back to my freshman and sophomore years in high school….we never had cars to cruise like you younger people. Mostly, we would hang out in the bowling alley or wander down to the Crystal Cafe. Some of the older guys might go to the pool hall.
Once in a great while, Donnie Hiatt would get his dad’s pickup. He would pick up Jerry Williams and myself and sometimes Jimmie Footit and with the three or four of us jammed in the pickup, it would be off to Bottineau to pick up girls. Those Bottineau girls were really a bunch of snobs. There might be three or four of them walking down the sidewalk and we would pull over to the curb and throw them the only pick up line we knew..”Do ya want a ride?”. They never did and only once did one actually flee, but that was probably because she was alone. It could be thirty below and they still wouldn’t get in.
Looking back now, I can’t help but wonder if the stock rack with the cow crap up and down the sides might not have been a disadvantage. I think it may have somehow intimidated them.

Gary Morgan

 
 
Posted with message 180 on 8/3/08
Message/Picture from Gary Morgan (54):
 
Gary & All,
Attached is a snapshot of the entire 1950 football team that my mother took after we had beaten Belcourt in our first game of the season. We had previously thumped Towner in a practice scrimmage so we were on a roll. Back row: Billy Leonard, Marshall Awalt, Clayton McKay, Bob Leonard, Jerry Blake, Don Hiatt & Stephen Renault. Front row: Gary Morgan, Eddie Leonard, Dick Morgan, Jerry Williams, Glen Williams & Don Hosmer. White jersey: Barry Shelver. We only had 12 game uniforms so Barry, being only a lowly 8th grader didn’t get one. However, in the next game, against Leeds, Stephen got his nose broken, a not uncommon occurrence in those days, and was out for the season. This was a good thing for Barry cuz now he got a game uniform. I don’t know why Bill missed the team picture. This was the first football team Dunseith fielded since before the war and we took our lumps. We played Belcourt twice so got two wins but were humiliated by Leeds 60-13 and also beaten by Rolla, Towner and Bisbee twice for a record of 2-5. We were competitive in all but the Leeds game.
The next year, we won our first two games but in the second one, against Rolette, Don Hosmer’s head met Eddie Leonard’s knee and they were both knocked out of action. Since we only had three subs to start with, including 90 lb. Barry Shelver and 75 lb. Gary Woodford, we had to cancel the rest of the season.
Janice is right. Old school friends are special.

Gary Morgan

 
Back row L to R: Billy Leonard, Marshall Awalt, Clayton McKay, Bob Leonard, Jerry Blake, Don Hiatt & Stephen Renault.
White jersey: Barry Shelver
Front row L to R: Gary Morgan, Eddie Leonard, Dick Morgan, Jerry Williams, Glen Williams & Don Hosmer
 
 
 
 
Letter from Patrick Godfrey from the the class of 1950 – Phone (712) 322-8770
Note: Patrick does not have email.
 
 
  

04/08/2010

Posted on by
Reply to Yesterday’s posting:
From Ron (71) & Janet Houle: Kensington, MN
 

Hi Gary – Ron was in the US Army stationed in Kaiserslautern, Germany from 1972 – 1976. Larry Barbot, his wife Hilde and daughter Ilene also lived in KTown. Patty Barbot Froseth and her husband Gary were also stationed nearby. It was nice to have friends from ND over there. Scott was born at Landstuhl Hospital. He now lives in the Brooklyn Center, MN and works in Ramsey MN.

 

Janet Houle
 
 
 
Photo Identification:
Reply from Phyllis McKay (65): Auburn, WA
 
Hi Gary,

The very handsome man on the right of Dick Morgan (in the picture ) is my wonderful brother Clayton (Kick) McKay. He and Dick have been friends since high school. Dick was a frequent guest at our home. We always looked forward to his visits and still do. A few years ago the two of them hosted a Dick and Kick flick for their classmates at the Mckay place just south of Dunseith.

Phyllis McKay

 

 

 

Photo Identification:

Reply from Janice Leonard Workman (56): Auburn, WA

Hi, Gary, The “other” guy in the picture with Dick Morgan is Kick McKay. You will probably get lots of replies. Also, Barry Shelver, if you are reading this, please reply to Larry Liere!!!!

Janice Workman 1956

Janice & Phyllis, I see both of you live in Auburn, WA. How far apart do you live from one another? Phyllis, you have a beautiful home. You are such a great host too. Bernadette & I truly enjoyed your invite to have dinner with you following our cruise last August.

 
 

Photo Identification:

Reply from Susan Fassett Martin (65): Spearfish SD

 
The bearded ones are Dick Morgan and Kick McKay.
 
 

Photo Identification:
Reply from Dick Johnson (68): Dunseith, ND.
 
Gary and Friends,

The two fellows in the picture are Dick Morgan and Clayton ‘Kick’
McKay. Two of Dunseith’s more colorful characters! I have a cute short
story about Kick. He went to Minot with Lowell Leonard a couple years
ago and they stopped at the truck stop for breakfast. The menu was on
the wall and had– One egg, two eggs, three eggs–etc. with prices
accordingly. Same with bacon–one strip, two strips, three strips—etc.
Lowell said he asked for two scrambled eggs and toast. Kick hadn’t seen
the wall menu and just asked for a couple eggs and bacon. The waitress
asked how much bacon? Kick looked at her a while and said, “Oh, whatever
you can spare.” Lowell said he about fell off his chair laughing at
Kick’s answer! Thanks Gary!

Dick

 
 
 
Photo Identification:
Reply from Mark Schimetz (70): Rolette, ND.
 
That’s Kick McKay next to Dick Morgan.

 
 
 
Photo Identification:
Reply from Glen Williams (52): Missoula, MT
 

You are correct it is Dick Morgan and the other guy still lives in Dunseith area…Kick McKay….They are old buddies of mine….

 

Glen Williams
 
Dick Morgan (52)and Kick McKay (52)
 
All rights reserved

04/07/2010

Posted on by
Football Team:
Question/Reply from Larry Liere (55): Devils Lake, ND & Mesa, AZ.
 

Hi Gary

 

Did anyone ever send in a picture of the 1955 team? If they have I sure would like to get a copy of that with names! The Cheerleaders picture from those years would also be fun to see. I do not have Barry Shelver’s address and would like to try to E-mail him. Janice I think you sent him my address but he never replied. Hope he isn’t mad at me for leaving Dunseith. In the picture below I think Barry is starting to look like his dad. Another small world story I have is Barry’s brother’s son and my son went into active duty together with the North Dakota Army National Guard. The bad news is my son Patrick got cancer and passed away when he was 23 and a senior in college at UND Grand Forks,ND.

 

I have asked for a read receipt because I lost my address book when I started sending from Mesa,AZ and my back-up address book is not working correctly.

 

Hope to hear from you,

 

LARRY
 
 
 
 
Reply from Allen Richard (65):

I’m in a similar boat with Ron Longie. Alaina is in school until the second week in June, is taking a college class during the summer and has a week of band camp before the MI cherry Festival. This is the 43rd year the school band has marched in that parade. Nathan, Kristina and new Grandson Landon plan to be in ND in August. They live in Delta Junction, Alaska. Nathan is in Homeland Security. (something about shooting down whatever N. Korea shoots up—-) We are trying to see if they can come to MI- Nathan has not been to the home we built in 2005– SOOO, If I get to ND at all, it will be in August—and I’ll miss the Richard reunion as well. I’m sad about that. Many of the cousins from those branches of the tree I’ve not seen in well over 20-30 years.

 

To everyone that can make it—Have one to toast/curse me!

 

Allen

 
 
Photo from Glen Williams (53): Missoula, MT
 

These two guys were outstanding members of the 1950 and 1951 DHS football team….They are having a couple of soda pops to help remember old time..

 

Can anyone identify them..

 

Glen Williams

Glen, My guess is that Dick Morgan is on the left. I have no idea who the other guy may be? Gary
 
 
Kenny Nerpel receives Viet Nam Medal:
 
Folks, Yesterday Bernadette found this clipping, in an envelope with other clippings, when she was digging thru some old papers.
 
Kenny, I believe you were in Viet Nam from Late 1968 thru most of 1969. We completed basic together in August 1968. From there I believe you went to Fort Polk, LA for AIT, then to Viet Nam??
 
 
Scott Houle’s first birthday:
Hans Petterson’s (Brother to Bob Stokes) Obituary:
 
Folks, this is another clipping that I found. Hans died in December 1974, so that has to be when Scott had his first birthday. Scott is the son of Ron Houle (71).
Ron, where is Scott living now? Being in Germany at the time, I’m assuming you must have been stationed in the army over there?
 
 
  

04/06/2010

Posted on by
Mike & Sandra Zeiler (62) Vandal’s grandson is having lung Surgery:
From Mike & Sandra: Elk River, MN
 
Hi Gary, Grandson Matthew is having surgery tomarrow morning at the U of M. We have prayed for an Easter mircle and am confident everything will go well. Surgery will remove two spots from L. lung and in a week they will remove one spot from the R lung. He will be in the hospital approx. three days for each surgery, couldn’t do both as it would be to hard on Matthew. Of course the lab results can come back clean for cancer, but with type of cancer he had, the
dr. isn’t taking any chances. So, yes, prayers are more then welcome and very much needed. God is listening, and all will be answered. Thank you. Mike and Sandy
Mike and Sandra, We know this has been an up hill battle for Matthew. Our prayers are with him. Gary
 
 
Reunion:
Reply from Ron Longie (65): Yakima WA

Gary,

I hope this note finds you and Bernadette well, I am writing to inform you that I will not be making the reunion in May, my sister Patty is a school teacher, and wants very much to go back with me when I go so I opted to go when she gets out of school in June. I will miss seeing all of you as a group but will see some as individuals when I get there.

Ron

Ron, We understand, but we will for sure miss you. Gary

 
 
The following is from the Achieves of July 2008
 
From Bev Morinville Azure (72):
 
Vickie, I am so thankful you told us the story about how the church got its name WOW it is good to know the history…You made a tear come to my eye as I read this and caught not only my feeling as a teenagers back them but I am sure many others. As we watched about the war back then i remember thinking how can they turn there back on out boys. I remember when they said the war was over and the church Bells rand around town. Debbie and I were so excited to know it was over. once again thank each and every soldier that has served . COME ON PEOPLE lets hear it for our men and woman out there defending our freedom !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sharon i know the feeling when you live on forgein soil isn’t the feeling amazing when your feet hit the ground of the GOOD OLD USA
 
 

Picture/Message from Sandra Zeiler Vandal (62):
 
The picture of Arnold and Lorna was taken while we were up in Rugby for Arnold’s b-day. At the same day, we went to see Connie Peterson and Blair Tandeski at the folks’ old farm. They really appreciated Connie and Blair’s hospitality. Take care, Sandra and Mike
 
 
Arnold and Lorna Zeiler at the Lodge in the Peace Garden.
 
 
 
Folks, The messages from here to the bottom of this email all relate to the 1950 Dunseith squad football picture that was provide by Glen Williams.
 
 
From Florence Hiatt Dahl (50):

Mercy……….58 years ago a picture of the Dunseth squad…Picture 52. The faces all look familar, but the only one I can put a name to is my brother Don, number 2. A bunch of good looking fellows…..

 

From

Janice Leonard Workman (56): Janice_Workman@earthlink.net

 

 

Hi Gary, in the football picture Glen Williams sent #1 is Bob Leonard, # 10 is Clark Crum, #9 Barry Shelver, # 4 Gary Morgan, #5 Dick Morgan, #12 is Marshall Awalt. I think that #8 is Don Hosmer, #11 is Jerry Williams and #2 could be Don Hiatt, I also think that Glen Williams knows all in this picture because he is either # 6 or 7. Oh, yes Kick McKay could be #6 or 7 also. My 3 older brothers, Bill, Bob, and Ed were on one of the 1st football teams Dunseith had in the early 50’s. On the same team were the Morgan boys, Dick and Gary and the Williams boys, Jerry and Glenn. There was an article in one of the papers about all those brothers, probably the Turtle Mountain Star or the Dunseith Journal. I don’t see Bill at all on the picture, and #3 could be Ed, but he isn’t smiling and not wearing glasses, so I can’t be sure. It also looks like someone, maybe a coach is smudged out of the picture on the left. The team played 6- or 9-man. These days, when you see a football team picture, even in high school, there are many more players than in this picture. I think Auburn High School has about 50 or 60 on their team. Of course it’s a much bigger school also. Anyway, when Dunseith started it’s football program, I was not in high school yet. In the picture, Barry Shelver was probably a freshman. When I got into high school, Mr Jerstad was the coach and the cheerleaders always got to go to the away games, but we didn’t have buses, so we rode with whoever. What fun those days were!!!

 

Janice Leonard Workman

 

From Bonnie Awalt Houle (56):

Good Morning Gary,
The football picture sure brings back lots of memories. This picture was taken only shortly before Eddie Leonard went into the San Haven with TB.
#12 Marshall Awalt, #10 Clark Crum, #8 Don Hosmer, #11 Unknown, #9 Barry Shelver, #1 Bob Leonard, #2 Unknown, #4 Gary Morgan, #5 Dick Morgan, #6, #7, both unknown, #3 Eddie Leonard. Was the coach a fellow named Mr. Blake?
The stories of the Military Men from our community are wonderful, we have no idea what they have been through. Marshall was in Korea, and also in Vietnam twice, he never talks about his experiences. From the medals he has earned we know he did what was expected of him to the best of his ability and then some. Thank God for small town boy across the country who have given their all so we can life in peace.
Bonnie Awalt Houle (56)
 
 
 
From Dick Johnson (68):
 
Gary and Friends,

I sure you will get several IDs on the football picture. I will throw in
my guess.
No. 1–Bob Leonard
4–Gary Morgan
5–Dick Morgan
7–Kick McKay
10-Clark Crum
8–Don Hosmer
9–Barry Shelver?
6–Bill McKay?
2–?
11-?
12-?
3–?

Jerry Williams is probably one of the players, if he has the
picture. Gary Morgan will know these guys are!

Dick

 
 
 
From Ellen (Graff-58) Myrick:
 
Some names/gueses od 50 football team: 12 ?, 10 Clark Crum, 8 Bob Hosmer, 11 ?, 9 Barry Shelver, 1 Bob Leonard, 2 Don Conroy, 4 Gary Morgan, 5 Dick Morgan, 6 & 7 Glen and/or Jerry Williams, 3?
 
Ellen (Graff-58) Myrick

 
 
 
Photos/message from Glen Williams (52):
 
Gary this is a “cleaned up photo”that I eamiled you before….someone said they could not recognize anyone….maybe this will help….It was the 1950 squad…and Bob Leonard was number 1…now who else do you recognize?
 
Glen Williams

 

(1) Bob Leonard, (2) Don Hiatt, (4) Gary Morgan, (5) Dick Morgan, (6) Glen Williams, (7) Kick McKay, (3) Ed Leonard

(12 Marshall Awalt, (10) Clark Crum, (8) Don Hosmer, (11) Jerry Williams, (9) Barry Shelver

 

Gary.. The attached 2007 reunion photo pictures four guys who were members of the 1950 football team…can you you match the 1950 football individual team members with the individuals in the 2007 photo…????

 
No looking back now…!!!!
 
Glen Williams
 

Picture L to R:

 

 

 

 

  

04/05/2010

Posted on by
Reply to Dick Johnson (68):
From Colette Hosmer (64): Santa Fe, NM
 
Hi Dick,

 

Thanks again for the response. I would truly love to see the stone arch cave near Bottineau. I plan to be home in July and would be grateful for any additional information that comes your way.

 

Thanks,

Colette
 
 
 
Reply from Diane Larson Sjol (70): Minot, ND.
 
Hi Everyone,
It has been ages since I have posted anything. I admit that it has
been very hectic so haven’t been keeping up with the daily blog. I
was prompted by the photo of Gene Bender receiving a gift from our
nursing department and had to comment. The Healthy Heart event was
born out of an idea our nursing students had to “give back”. Our SNO
(STudent Nurse Organization) at Dakota College at Bottineau did a
great job educating the public about the importance of being “heart
healthy”. Funds they raised at earlier events allowed them to present
Gene with a monetary gift to offset his medical bills. It was great
to see him…he is highly thought of on campus and missed very much.

Just a note: We will be having a Richard family reunion this summer
with a few events during the week, culminating in Nancy (Hosmer)
Baldwin and Keith Kontzie’s wedding on July 17. There will be a dance
at the Birchwood that evening open for all to help celebrate their
event….more details will be coming later I am sure. For those of
you relatives interested in attending our little reunion, please email
me for details.

 
Diane, With the Richard Family reunion coming, I am reposting the Richard family Matrix.
I have only taken this graph to the 4th generation. Gary
 
 
 
From the Achieves:
 

Picture L to R:

 

Back row L to R
Clarence Bye, Clarence Christianson , Coonie McKay, Erling Berg, Stan Salmonson, Cliff
Salmonson, Art Henning, Ingolf Medlang

3rd row
Joan Salmonson, Alvina Christianson, Helen Bye, Agnes Salmonson, Ella Metcalfe, Dorothy
Halvorson

2nd row
Gladys Henning, Hannah Rude, Delores Berg , Bernice Johnson, Caroleen Williams,
Alma Halvorson, Alice McKay

Front row
Don Johnson, Art Rude, Cliff Halvorson, Lawrence Struck, Lester Halvorson,
Jim Metcalfe, Don Williams

 
 
Dennis Dubois and Lee (Leland) Stickland – July 2007
Note: Dennis will be attending the Reunion. Lee, we’d love to see you too????
  

04/04/2010

Posted on by
Bill McDonald picture:
Reply from Tina Pladson Bullinger (78): Bottineau, ND
 
Gary,
I remember Bill Mcdonald from workin g and living in Bottineau all these yeasrs, and I believe Karen is right. In fact, my mother-in-law used to play Bingo with Bill, if memopry serves!

Tina

 
 
 
Bill McDonald picture:
Reply from Neola Kofoid Garbe: Minot & Bottineau, ND.
 

Hi Gary,

 

Karen is right; the fellow in the picture has been identified as Bill McDonald. Thanks Karen/Dale.

 

Neola
 
 
 
Bill McDonald picture:
 
Folks,
 
I believe Bill McDonald has now passed on. I believe this is his death record that I found pasted below. In doing a search for Bill, I could not find any relatives other than for a John McDonald that was born in 1912 that lived at the same residence as Bill in Bottineau.
 
In doing my search for Bill I made a few phone calls with some leads I found. Those phone calls led me to a lady by the name of Carole McDonald who lives in Bottineau. I was so surprised when she told me she knew who I was and that she is a sister-in-law to Margaret Metcalfe Leonard (65) and of sister to Carmen (Floyd) Leonard Richard. She told me she knows LeaRae Parrill Espe (67) and that she is a next door neighbor to Helen (65) (Duane) Rivard Christenson. Talk about a small world.
 
Gary
 
 

William MCDONALD       Birth Date: 13 Mar 1910     Death Date: 3 Jun 2004     Social Security Number:       State or Territory Where Number Was Issued: North Dakota     Death Residence Localities     ZIP Code: 58318     Localities: Bottineau, Bottineau, North Dakota   Lake Metigoshe, Bottineau, North Dakota    
 
 
Pictures from the House warming last week-end at Kawit, Cebu, Philippines
 
Folks, I’ve got some extra room today, so I thought I’d throw in some pictures from our week-end excursion this past week-end. We attended a house warming for some friends of ours that have a beech resort located about 75 miles north of us near the north end of this island of Cebu. This couple purchased this beach property 29 years ago for a small fraction of what it is worth today. They recently sold a much smaller lot a short distance up the shore that they also purchased 29 years ago. The proceeds from that sale were more than enough to cover the expenses for their new house and miscellaneous buildings on this lot. They cut no corners. I’m guessing they spent close to several hundred thousand or more dollars to build what they have.
 
Note: I have posted a lot more of these pictures of our week-end up in Kawit on Facebook.
 
 
L to R: Barbara Kenny from the UK; Imelda ILanan who was a famous Filipina movie star a
few years back with many reruns today; Bernadette & Dinah Craven the lady of the house.

 

 

House warming dinner on the beach. This was our table. Bernadette is on the very end on the right side. I was sitting next to the guy with the red shirt. He is from Australia. The couple next to him are from the UK. The rest of us are from the USA. We have become very close friends with all of these folks, all of whom are retired here. The natives have difficulties understanding the English of the folks from the UK, Ireland, Netherlands, New Zeeland & Australia. One of their favorite expressions is “Bloody this and Bloody that”.

 

 

 

This is the beach front of the property of our Friends with the house warming. They have about 400′ of beach front. The cement bulkhead, that runs the entire length, was dug down into the sand 10′. It was dug that deep to prevent erosion from the sea. They said they had 65 folks working on this bulkhead last week to get it completed for the house warming. Thank god Filipino labor is cheap.

 

 

This is their house pictured with two one bedroom Bungalows for guests. The guy in the picture is Ian. He and his Wife Dinah are the owners. Ian is from the UK and Dinah is originally from Cebu, PI. Ian is still working part time. He works 2 weeks a month for an off shore oil drilling company in Singapore. He does a lot of his work on line, but his office is in Singapore. Singapore is about 800 or so miles NW of us across the waters.

 

 
  

04/03/2010

Posted on by
Erling Berg’s Birthday:
Posted by Diane Berg Rheault (79): Fargo, ND.
 
Gary, Erling Berg is 88 yrs. old today (Apr.2nd), We had a birthday party for him today up at the hospital in Rugby (3rd floor-long term care). Present were Delores Berg, Keith Berg, Diane (Berg) Rheault with husband Jim and daughter Jacqueline, friend Howard, and Art Rude Jr. stopped in to say hello and wish Dad a Happy Birthday. Erling got his favorite cake (spice with brown sugar frosting). He said he will not forget this day!!
Diane, We all wish your dad a very happy birthday. He was and is a very well known guy in the Dunseith community. My dad and others worked for or with your dad at San Haven for a number of years. Often times supervisors don’t always have good approval ratings from their employees. Dad always had so much good to say for Erling. He is a great man.
 
I don’t remember your dad that well, but I sure remember his brothers Clarence and Hilmar. Hilmar celebrated his 90th birthday a year or two ago and is living in Bottineau. Clarence, deceased, was married to Mabel Berg also deceased. She was a Berg married to a Berg. Mabel’s sister, Helga, was married to my dad’s brother, Nels Petterson. Nels & Helga, now deceased, lived in Everett, WA. I saw Clarence & Mabel, many times, with their numerous visits to see Nels and Helga when we lived in Bremerton, WA. Hilmar spent several winters working in Everett in the late 60’s too. He stayed with Nels and Helga. Gary
 
 
Condolences to the Berube family with memories of Billy:
From Aime Casavant (66): Jamestown, ND
 
Condolences to Jim, Tom and all the Berube Family. Although Bill was
several years younger than me, he had one of those personalities that
is always remembered. Memories of Bill. The evening of November 22,
1965. Bill (Billy to us back then) had come over to August Dionne’s
place in Dunseith, where I was living. I don’t recall the exact
reason but August was not there. I invited Billy in and we had one of
those rare conversations one would not otherwise have, except on a
spontaneous ocassion.
Some time passed and Billy said, “Oh, Cassius Clay is going to fight
Floyd Patterson tonight!” He asked for the radio, we found it. Billy
started telling me about Cassius Clay and I recall he was very excited
about it. I said to Billy, your really a fan of his, arn’t you?”

Billy explained he did not know if he would consider himself a fan,
but said his personality just makes me feel happy and its exciting –
the way he acts. I did not know that much about professional boxing,
but Billy, being the sports type of person ( like the Berube’s) told
me all about it. He told me about Cassius Clay’s personality, how he
shouted “I’am the greatest, I’am the king’ and how Cassius Clay would
say a rhyme on the round he would win the fight. We listened to the
fight and sure enough, Cassius Clay then started his antics and Billy
said excitedly to me “Aime, listen! listen!, he is saying he is the
greatest ! Floyd Patterson lost by a TKO and I asked Billy what that
was and he explained it to me.

Of course Cassius Clay went on to become Muhammed Ali and I watched
his many fights and antics. In life, some things we remember, some
things we forget, but whenever I watched Ali fight throughout life – I
was reminded of that evening that Bill Berube introduced him to me.

About 8 years later I seen Bill for a short time at the University of
ND. There was no doubt to me, Bill would go on to a successful
teaching and intellectual life. Bill Berube was always to me, one of
those persons that was one of the “greatest.”

Several years ago I seen Jim at a Bottineneau/Vally City football
game. I asked Jim about Bill. Jim explained he was a professor,
teaching at (U of Wyoming?) at Laramie. I was not surprised Bill would
end up becoming a professor. He had that keen, intellectual insight
into things.

 
 
 
Viking Stone caves in the Turtle Mountains:
Reply from Dick Johnson (68): Dunseith, ND
 
Gary and Friends,

In answer to Colette’s question, I think the stone arch cave
northwest of Bottineau is still there, although I’ve heard some more
deterioration has taken place. Nature continues to try to reclaim
anything men change. There is a sign along the highway north of Carbury
that points out an historic site to the northeast. I can only assume it
is directing attention to the cave, although I haven’t checked it out to
see. One more thing for my ‘bucket list’. Late last night I received an
email telling me another mooring stone had been found much further east
along the foothills. This one is in Rolette County and east yet of Butte
St. Paul. This one was also checked out and documented by Ed Milligan
and crew. I think Colette’s depiction of the Vikings being a hardy bunch
of explorers really sums it up. It would appear that they had little
fear of what they might encounter–that would certainly be an advantage
in traveling into unchartered areas. The Spaniards thought they would
sail off the end of the Earth because it was flat. I guess the Vikings
hadn’t heard the news from Spain! Thanks Gary!

Dick

 
 
 
Spring time with snow in the Turtle Mountains:
Picture posted by Dick Johnson (68): Dunseith, ND
 
Gary and Friends,

The wind started to blow in the night and this is what we have this
morning. It’s spring in the Turtle Mountains! Thanks Gary!

Dick


 
 
Picture possibly identified:
Reply from Dale and Karen Hagen (70) Simon: dsimon@utma.com Bottineau, ND
 
Gary, Dale Simon here, My Wife Karen Said that picture of the Missing identy of that man could be Bill McDonald. Karen said that she took care of Bill at the hospital and that it sure looks like him but the only thing is that he is from Souris,ND
Folks, Do any of you know Bill McDonald? The folks at Long Term in Saint Andrews get these messages too. Maybe they can be of some assistance for a positive ID. I trust Karen’s instincts though, that this may be Bill. Gary

  

04/02/2010

Posted on by
Condolences to the Berube Family:
From Jean Nicholas Miller (66): Glendale, AZ
 
Gary,
I too would like to send my condolences to the Berube family. I don’t remember Bill real well but do remember the rest of the family. It sounds like he was a good and dedicated man. I’m sorry.
Jean
 
 
 
 
Reply from Rita Anderson (Former Gamble store owner): Fargo, ND.
 

Hi I too want to wish Armond a Very Happy Birthday. I remember him in the hardware store, when (Edgar and I) had the Gamble store.

 

 

 

Obituary

 

HELEN A. BYE

 

Funeral services for Helen A. Bye, age 96 of Bottineau, were held on Monday at 2:00 P.M. in the Peace Lutheran Church in Dunseith. Burial was in Rendahl Cemetery of rural Dunseith. Officiating at the service was the Reverend John Hesford. The congregation sang selected hymns and Dick and Brenda Johnson provided special music. Casket bearers were Curt Halvorson, Terry Halvorson, Jim Kester, Lyle Lagerquist, Dick Roland and Russell Kihne.

Helen Alvide Bye, a daughter of Casper and Ella (Berg) Christianson, was born on February 3, 1914 in Cordelia Township, Bottineau Co. She was the second child of five sisters and three brothers that attended school at Loon Lake in Bottineau Co. Helen graduated from Bottineau High School and attended Minot Teachers College and received her teaching certificate. She then taught country school in Rolette and Bottineau Counties. On December 21, 1939 she was married to Clarence A. Bye at Dunseith. Clarence passed away in June 1976. Helen continued to live on the family farm in Willow Lake Township, Rolette Co. until she entered the assisted living apartments in September 2000. In July of 2009 she entered the long term center at the St. Andrew’s Hospital where she has resided since.

She was a member of the Rendahl Lutheran Church until it merged with Peace Lutheran Church in Dunseith. Helen was active in the ladies aide, Bottineau Sons of Norway and the Lois Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star.

Helen passed away on Thursday March 25, 2010 in a Bottineau hospital.

She is survived by sisters, Bernice (Harold) Carlson of Grand Forks and Florence Struck of Bottineau; sister-in-law, Alvina Christianson of Bottineau; and many nieces and nephews.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents; husband; brothers, Harland, Henry and Clarence; sisters Ella Mae Christianson, Emma Halvorson and Alma Halvorson; brothers-in-law, Sigurd Ronning, Oscar Bye, Carl Bye, Lawrence Bye, Albert Halvorson, Clifford Halvorson and Laurence Struck; sisters-in-law, Bella Ronning and Eva Bye.

 
 
 
 

I had my 6th chemo treatment today and it went fine. I’m pretty tired out tonight but otherwise ok. Only 6 more to go! My blood work has been fine each week as well so that is one less worry. It is just a matter of getting through it. I don’t see my Oncologist until next week so I’ll know more about of future plans for my treatments then.

Connor is really doing great. Yesterday his Doctor switched him to eating every time he wakes up and is ready instead of the every 3 hours schedule he was on. He has just been excelling since the switch. It’s like he is so happy to eat when he decides that it’s all he wants to do. A couple of days ago he would only eat maybe an ounce or so eat feeding. Now he eats at least 2 ounces each time and still wakes himself up every 3 hours raring to go. He is also such a good baby. He just fusses a little until he gets his bottle. I hardly ever hear him cry so that is sure nice. Hopefully he will stay that way! If he stays on this track and doesn’t have any major problems with his reflux his Doctor said he could go home Monday!! Patrick and I are so excited. It will be wonderful to finally have him home and be a family again.

I hope you all enjoy your Easter with someone you love. I know Patrick and I will be enjoying it with Connor and couting down the hours until we can go home.

 
 
 
The follow pictures and newspaper articles have been posted by
Neola Kofoid Garbe: Minot & Bottineau, ND.
 

Hi Everyone,

 

I thought you should see how the “real” Easter chickie looks!! LOL! This was taken in 1999, the last year I taught school.

 

Former students: Does the handwriting/room/etc. look familiar? :) Too bad you can’t hear my voice!! LOL!!!

 

Neola

 
 
Folks, Since many of you know Jean and knew Duane, I thought I’d share this picture that Neola sent. With Jean’s dad, Bert Hanson, being a brother to Frances Morinville and her mother, Olga, being a sister to my Dad, the Morinville Siblings and the Stokes Siblings share Jean and her sister, Audrey Aitchinson, as first cousins. Jean has continued to live on the same place since she and Duane were married. Her farm is located a half mile south of the Peace Garden Road (#43) on the county line. Duane passed away in September 1988. Audrey lives in Bottineau. Gary
Jean & Duane (Deceased) Pladson
 
Folks, This picture is so familiar. I’m thinking we posted this once before and
he was identified. For some reason we have lost his identity. Do any of you
recognize this gentleman. Thanks, Gary
 
 
 

 

 

 

  

05/01/2010

Posted on by
Folks, My internet modem malfunctioned, so I have been most of the day without service. My internet provider was just here and replaced the modem, so I am back up and running again. I’m about 6 hours later than normal with my posting. Gary
 
 
Thomas Belgrade’s funeral notice:
 
THOMAS BELGARDE, 51, Belcourt, died Thursday in a Minot hospital. Funeral Wednesday, 10 a.m., St. Ann’s Catholic Church, Belcourt. Visitation Tuesday, 6 p.m., rosary service Tuesday, 8 p.m., both in the church. (Elick Funeral Home, Rolla)
 
 
Reply to Tommy Belgarde (Deceased)
From Denise Lajimodiere: Moorhead, MN
 
Tommy Belgarde the musician?

Denise

 
 
Condolences to the Tommy Belgarde Family:
From Dianne Rober’t Johnson (76): Rolla, ND
 
Morning Gary,
 
I seen the posting regarding Tommy.
I remember Tommy (& Clifford) from when I lived on the farm out by St. Anthony’s. We use to ride the horses to Pigeons alot and would pass by their house. Also, remember going to dances where Tommy’s band was playing. Those were the good old days!
My condolences go out to Tommy’s families, he will be surely missed.
 
Dianne (Rober’t) Johnson
 
 
Memories of Tommy Belgarde:
From Vickie Metcalfe (70): Bottineau, ND
 

Gary,

MUSIC.

Through the passing of each season, I revert to music. Yesterday, I when visiting with a class of students,who did not know about an old tradition of knocking at doors and giving flowers on May first. …… Myself? I ‘d first heard about May Day from Mrs.Florence Conroy.

While discussing May 1st. I began singing…… “Awake Awake Oh Pretty Maids Awake Out of your Drowsy Dream..and Step into your dairy house to fetch a bowl of cream………..” . My thoughts were of our gifted music teacher who introduced the Dunseith High School choir that song. I continue to always be amazed when melodies and the words are remembered just as our gifted teacher…….Mr. Don Johnson.

Saddened, I am to hear of the passing of Tommy Belgarde. Tommy also a truly gifted musician. (Tommy’s dad grew up in the hills north of Dunseith, neighbors to the Metcalfe’s at Rabbit City Lake…………and he in the foothills)

Many, many times, my cousin, Janice and Raphael hired Tommy’s band to play at Kelvin Klinic. My parents, along with Kelvin filled with many neighbors and folks enjoyed listening to Tommy appreciating his sense of timing and danced to his band. Ah……. those two-steps, fox trots and waltzes. (Do you remember the dancing at Kelvin Dorothy Pritchard? As I recall, She, and her husband could and would dance most of the evening.)

It was Turtle Mountain Metis’ Music at it’s best! Many weekends, I’d venture to the home farm from teaching in Montana just in time to take mom and dad dancing. Usually, upon seeing my dad,walk through the door with his white cane, Jimmie LaRocque would say to Tommy,” Let’s play one for Cliff. Tommy and the band accompanied Jimmie while he’d double string fiddled , I’d stand to be dad’s touch point while he’d clogged and jigged.

God Bless those dear hearts and gentle souls who made the music which carries on. Many Thanks. Vickie
 
 
 
Bryan Schimetz’s (77) Funeral cast:
From Mark Schimetz (70): Rolette, ND.

 

Gary This is a copy of Bryan Schimetz’s Funeral cast . Gary Fulsebakke sang several songs and very heartfelt and powerfully moving, This young man can really sing spiritual songs. I first heard Gary sing at his mothers 90th birthday party at Good Sam’s in Bottineau. I remember Gary saying that his mother, Midge, loved to sing gospel songs around the house and Gary loved to sing along with her. Judy Allard also sang very well. I will try to get a copy of the Obituary, which I left behind in Dunseith. I know some of his friends could not make it. So I will also try to get some miscellaneous photos of Bryans life to you at that time.

Thanks Gary for all that you do for us Fans of this blog.

 

 

 

Reunion – May 22nd

 

Folks, Verena’s list, below, is her master list and the official master list for those that have paid. Please reply with any discrepancy’s or omissions that you see so they can be corrected.

 

She will only be ordering T-shirts, Next week, for those that attended Dunseith schools that have paid when she sends the order in. She is unsure of those attending the reunion that have not paid, so will not be ordering T-shirts for those folks.

 

For the catrered dinner, Verena needs your payment no later than May 14th.

 

For those of you desiring the catered meal, please send your payment of $10.00 Plus $5.00 ($15.00 total) per person payable to
 
Verena Gillis
PO Box, 785
Dunseith, ND 58329
 
(701) 263-3302 C(701) 378-5167

 

We are collecting a $5.00 registration fee per person. For those that have not prepaid their registration fee, they can pay at the time of registration when they arrive at the reunion. Gary

 

We currently have 273 folks signed up to attend the reunion. Verena has received payment from 184 folks listed below.
 

04/01/2010

Posted on by
Holy Week:
Folks, In observation of “Holy Week” and with this being prominently a catholic country, most businesses closed their doors yesterday (Wednesday) noon and will remain closed until Monday morning in observation of the holidays. Another point of interest here too is that most larger department stores and groceries have a prayer that is played over their PA system everyday at noon, 3:00 PM and 6:00 PM. The prayers, spoken in English, last several minutes or so. During this time all employees and most customers stop what they are doing and everything pretty much comes to a complete stop. Gary
 
 
 
Condolences to the Berube Family:
From Dick & Brenda Johnson: Dunseith, ND.
 
Gary and Friends,

Our sincerest condolences to the family of Bill Berube. He too, left
us with many good memories of times shared together while growing up in
Dunseith.

Dick and Brenda Johnson

 
 
 

Condolences to the Berube Family:

From Bob Lykins (Former teacher): Hutto, TX
Gary,
 
Glad to learn that you and Bernadette had such a great time. Speaking of famous folks from the PI. Lea Solanga’s (sp) aunt worked for us in Germany when I headed up the ESL program for DoDDS Schools in that part of the world. She was one of our ESL people in Nurenburg-Furth. As a result I got to speak with Ms. Solanga and with her mother on several occasions. My wife and I even saw her on stage in Miss Saigon in New York compliments of Lea and her mother.
 
The reason I asked about the cost of rice was because, with your permission, I would like to prepare something to present to the Hutto High Student Council soliciting their support to help out the people in your community. They are always looking for projects and this might just be a worthy one.
 
I am so sorry to learn about the passing of Billy Berube. I remember Billy as a young boy tagging along in the footsteps of his older brothers and being bossed around by his sister. The Berube Family have always been wonderful people and I remember them as a close family. My heart goes out to the survivors and I wish them God’s peace as they go through the trial of this loss.
 
Bob Lykins
 
 
 
Happy Birthday Armand:
Armand Mongeon (40): – Dunseith, ND
From Bernard Morin (76): Dunseith, ND
 
Hi Gary,
 
I would like to send a ‘Happy Birthday’ to Armand Mongeon. His birthday is tomorrow April 1st. As a interesting side note Armand has been involved with the Dunseith hardware for the past 63 years and still going strong.

Thanks. Bernard
Happy birthday Armand. I remember you well in the hardware store in my growing up days. I remember you telling me several years ago, when I talked to you, that you and Art Rude were in the same class until he was advanced a grade. That put him a year ahead of you, even though you are the same age. I will for sure visit you at the Dunseith Hardware store, in May, when we are there. If my figures are right, you started in the Dunseith Hardware store in 1947? That’s the year I was born. Hearing your name brings back so many great memories of our childhood days for so many of us. Take care and enjoy your birthday. Gary
 
 
 
Reply from Colette Hosmer (64): Santa Fe, NM
 
Dick,

 

I, too, have the defective history gene. I found your posted “theory” most interesting and am not one to rule anything out until I have had an opportunity to study the available information. I have many Icelandic friends and they tell stories of their Viking ancestors who didn’t recognize obstacles unless the barriers were totally insurmountable. If there was a passable waterway from the Atlantic to the Turtle Mountains in or about 1400, I’m sure the Norsemen would have found a way to get there. Do you have any more information about these stone caves? I am wondering why they were still visible and basically intact less than a century ago but have disappeared since after supposedly holding up for centuries (?)


Thanks,

Colette
 
 
 
Dunseith News posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Minot & Bottineau, ND