Monthly Archives: October 2010

10/31/2010

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Folks, I’ve got electricians here today, Sunday, pulling wire thru all the conduit that is buried in the cement walls of our addition. They need to have all the wire pulled and in place before the final ceiling is installed. These guys have regular jobs, so they are working my job on Sunday’s and evenings. All total for the electrical, telephone and TV cables, there is close to 4,000 feet of wire. They’re using single stranded wire. This country has 220 volt electricity and can you believe without a ground. We have a lot of 110 volt appliances, etc that we brought from the states, so we have everything wired for both 220 & 110. Gary
 

Reply from Keith Pladson (66): Stafford, VA
 
Hi Gary,
This is a response to Dwight Lang’s input on the Tucker.

Thanks Dwight for sharing. Wow! The photos show a spectacular car that appears to have been in great condition at the time the photos were taken (except for some discoloration of the chrome on the rear bumper).

I’ve watched several of those car auctions on television at which restored old cars are sold. However, in all the shows I’ve watched I’ve never seen or heard mention of a Tucker. (That’s not to say they have never had them on or sold some of them, just not on the particular shows I’ve watched.) In fact, I have to admit that I have never previously heard of the name Tucker, so everything about the car was news to me. It sounds like Mr. Tucker was a bit ahead of his time in both safety and mechanical aspects. One can only wonder what might have been. Thanks again.

Keith Pladson (66)

 
 
 
 
Hilmar Berg
Reply from Diane Berg Rheault (79): Moorhead, MN
 
Thank you, Neola for posting the “Sons of Norway” picture with my uncle, Hilmar Berg sitting in the front row. A correction…. He just had his 93rd birthday Oct. 7th this year. We plan to see him over Thanksgiving.
Diane (Berg) Rheault
Diane, Has it been 3 years since Hilmar celebrated his 90th. It seemed like yesterday, that is why I said he was about 91. He looks great! Hilmar is for sure a Norwegian, with his accent and all. Neola told me that her brother Jim and Hilmar are very close friends too. As you know your Berg family is connected to my dads family in a round about way. Your uncle Clarence’s wife Mabel was a sister to my dad’s brother Nel’s wife, Helga. Nels and Helga lived in Everett, WA. I frequently saw Clarence and Mabel with their visits to Washington. Back to Hilmar, I remember well in 1967/68 when Hilmar spent the winter months with Nels and Helga in Everett. Hilmar is such a nice guy and easy going too. To my knowledge he has never been married. Please give him my regards when you see him. Gary
 
 
 

Lloyd Nelson

Reply from Sharon Zorn Gerdes (62): Windsor, CO

 

Gary, on the sons of norway photo, that’s Lloyd Nelson holding the plaque. He used to own a grocery store in Bottineau, very very nice person. sharon gerdes

 

Follow up reply from Sharon:

OH MY GOSH!! If I had read further down I would have seen the names on the sons of norway. OK, disregard this crazy broad today. sharon gerdes

First off Sharon, don’t feel bad. I replied to Neola asking if that was Hilmar Berg in the front row of this very same picture.
 
Yes, that is Lloyd Nelson holding the plaque. I second your words of Lloyd being a “very very nice person”. Lloyd was a very close friends of dad’s and always took the time to listen to his stories, often times in the midst of his busy times, in the store. As a child I remember well, Lloyd working for Armand & Evelyn Bjornseth Hall in Hall’s Fairway in Bottineau. Lloyd later purchased the Fairway store from the Hall’s. A few years later he open “Lloyd’s Supervalue” on Highway 5 in Bottineau, a very thriving business. Going into retirement he sold “Lloyd’s Supervalue” to a guy buy the name of Wayne. It then became “Wayne’s Supervalue”. It was a very thriving business up until several years back when it was totally destroyed by arsonists. Lloyd knows me thru my dad. Dad always took me into Lloyd’s office to shoot the breeze with each of our trips back. To this day, Lloyd always has time to visit whenever I see him out and about town, with our trips back. His friendly outgoing personality for sure was a contributing factor to his success. Gary
 
  

10/30/2010

Posted on by
Question from Brenda Hoffman (68): Greenville, SC
 
Are there a lot of developments in PI? I didn’t realize that initially the two of you were thinking of living in one. Do any of your friends (esp those pictured earlier this week) live in developments or stand alone homes (ok compounds) like yours?
Brenda, The majority of our foreign friends live in developments or condo’s. For those that rent, their rents are rather high. For those of our friends that rent, the range of rents is from about $800 to $4,000 per month. Our friend from Lexmark told us that his company is paying $4,000/month rent for his house. It is a beautiful home with a swimming pool and the whole nine yards. For their investments, the landlords are getting a great return. With me being the contractor for our buildings, we have saved about 40%, plus we have complete control of the quality and materials used. Only those born in the Philippines can own land here. Bernadette was born here, so all of our property is in her name with me listed as her spouse. If she passes on before me, the property then becomes mine. At the time of both of our passings, all of our property will be passed onto our children. Foreigners can own condo’s though, but not houses unless they are a surviving spouse. Gary

 
 
Picture posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Bottineau & Minot, ND
 
Erling Berg siblings, Your Uncle Hilmer Berg looks great sitting in the front row. I believe he is 91 years old now.
Folks, there are some familiar faces in this bunch. Eloise Boppre is standing to the very left in the back. Jim Kofoid, Neola’s brother and Glen Rude, LaVerne’s (Carrole Fauske) brother are standing to the right in the back.
 
 
 
 
Reply to Dick Johnson (68):
From Dwight Lang (61): Tucson, AZ.

Hi Dick,

Enjoyed your snow pictures. October was usually my “cut and run” month when I had my Lake Metigoshe place. Kept one eye on the weather forecast for both Arizona and North Dakota. Some times I timed it right but missed it once and damn near didn’t make it to South Dakota thru the snow banks and dodging deer on the highways.

 

Anyway, this is another unique old car story w/pic’s. Hope you enjoy, I did! Even as a died in the wool Ford man. If you get tired of me sending these, just drop me the word. But whenever I run across one, I think of Dick would like to see that.

 

Good thing you didn’t have a brother with a like name. Did you notice that Vickie and Wes renamed me “Duane” again. Got called by my brother’s name all the time so much in years past that I would just answer to it. But I might of gotten tulips mixed up with orchids in the bull story too.

 

Take care and keep your stories coming thru Gary’s post.

 

Old Dakota Boy,

Dwight


 
General Motors was scared to death of this car.
 
Ever see a 1948 TUCKER up close?

THIS IS WELL WORTH YOUR TIME LOOKING AND READING FROM TOP TO BOTTOM.

Amazing find…Ever see a “1948 TUCKERupclose?
CLICK HERE:http://www.laubly.com/1948tucker.htm

 
 
Demo car story
From Dick Johnson (68): djcars@hughes.net Dunseith, ND.
 
Gary and Friends,

Many times I have told of the adventures that John Boguslawski and I had as kids. I remembered another one today. John got a demo derby car that had been in one of the early demo derbies in the park. It hadn’t been wrecked too bad and he brought it up to the farm to have some fun with it. The glass had all been removed and most of the interior was gone. We tuned it up and proceeded to run the crap out of it. It was a red and white ’58 Dodge two door sedan. We put in two sets of seat belts and each put on a helmet. I had a place in the pasture where I used to abuse a few old junkers while they still ran. I drove the old Dodge first and made a track around the pasture for a race track for us. I had it down pretty well and was missing the trees by inches, much to the amusement of Big John in the passenger’s seat. We tried to get it to roll over several times but it would always slide and throw dirt and grass, but not go over. He said, “OK, it’s my turn.” John didn’t have the ‘nack’, so to speak. He was a great inventor and builder, but the driving part—well, not so good. I told him to be careful when we make the run through the trees as they don’t give us much room and no forgiveness! About his third trip around the track, he misjudged and hit a big tree smack in the middle! I threw up my arm to protect my face and slammed my helmet down on my wrist on the metal dash. To say it hurt would not tell the whole story! We stopped so fast that had we not had the belts on we both would have flown out the windshield. The fan went through the radiator and the steam and water shot out all over. We laughed it off and got it going again and made it back to the shop where we hooked a chain to the radiator housing and a tree and backed up a few times to bend things back out. The radiator was shot so we just ran the poor old engine with no water in it. A few times up the road and it got so hot the head on the old flat six engine turned black! Big John just giggled when he saw it. We parked on a hill about a half mile west of home so we could roll it down to get it started again when it cooled off a bit. John was at the wheel when we headed down the hill and she fired up one more time. It started to knock really bad and then just as we got to the gate there was big bang and it quit knocking. As we came into the yard, we knew it was about to die permanently so I pointed to a big rock I had pushed out with the Cat and yelled to John to kick it and put her on the rock! Her just about made it to the rock and the engine locked up—we were done! We went back in the shop to work on something we should have been working on instead of goofing around. Later, Dad went down to the mailbox to get the mail. As he came back with the mail, he stepped into the shop and said, “Did you clowns lose something?” He threw a connecting rod and wrist pin on the welding table and just shook his head. The bang we heard was the rod leaving the side of the engine block, by the gate! We did go over to the car and open the hood to see how big a hole the engine had in the block. You could throw a softball through the hole! Another escapade by some crazy kids, but we survived another one! Thanks Gary!

Dick

Here are a couple poor quality pictures from that day

 

 

 

 
 
  

10/29/2010

Posted on by
Obituaries

Joseph Frank LaFountain
(March 19, 1939 – October 26, 2010)

Sign Guest Book
Send Flowers

 

 
 

 
 

 
JOSEPH FRANK LAFOUNTAINJoseph F. LaFountain, age 71 of Dunseith, died Tuesday in his home. Funeral services will be held on Friday at 10:00 A.M. in the St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in Dunseith. Burial will be in the St. Benedict’s Cemetery. A wake will be held on Thursday beginning at 4:00 P.M. with a prayer service at 7:00 P.M. in the Church.

Joe Frank LaFountain, a son of Joe and Mary (Champagne) LaFountain, was born on March 19, 1939 at Belcourt. On January 18, 1959 he was married to Shirley Gunville at Belcourt. This marriage later ended.

He is survived by his companion, Shirley LaFountain of Dunseith; 2 sons, Les LaFountain and Jeff LaFountain both of Dunseith; a daughter, Rhonda Poitra of Dunseith; 7 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; brothers, Gerald (Judy) Lafountain, James LaFountain and Benedict (Diane) LaFountain all of Dunseith; sisters, Theresa Tetrault, Dorothy Davis, Virginia LaFountain, Florence LaFountain, Sharon Lafountain, Ramona (Jimmy) LaFountain all of Dunseith, and Rita LaFountain of Rolette.

Arrangements are with the Nero Funeral Home of Bottineau. Friends may sign the online register at www.nerofuneralhome.net.

 

 

 

Lucien Casavant

Reply from Lucien Casavant (69): Fort Mill, SC

 

Gary, For sure Lucien Casavant is our Uncle…the nicest uncle ever…and his wife Alma, was a scream…we loved our Aunt Alma. She had this Lucille Ball type personality. Aggie

 

Follow up reply from Aggie
Hey Gary, It’s me again. I think the gal in the picture with Stella S. is her daughter Kathy S. Haven’t seen her 43 years but I’m positive it’s her. Aggie
 

Reply to Dick Johnson (68) form Aggie:

To Dick, Wow those snow picture really were jammed packed with winter memories of N.Dakota. Really caught me off gaurd… I guess just surviving half a dozen tornados ripping through the Carolinas this past couple days makes a person forget that it’s almost Christmas… Loooking at those pictures,I can almost smell the snow…Beautiful… Simply Beautiful..thanks for sharing…Aggie
To Gary, you need to go on that show the Apprentice with Donald Trump…He would probably hire you with all the construction you;’ve been doing. looks Great! Aggie
Aggie, you are right, folks identified the gal standing with Stella as her daughter Kathy. Gary

Reply from Lynn Halvorson Otto (75): Boonton, NJ

Hi Gary, very nice addition to your home! It is fun to see it all come together. Lynn Otto
Thanks Lynn,
 
We currently have our master bedroom upstairs. As we get older we feel it would be a lot nicer to have it on the ground floor. We were limited for real-estate space too, when we build our house. We did not have the adjacent lot at the time. The initial plan was for this to be a temporary house while we built in a development. In the middle of construction, Bernadette decided she would like to live here next door to her sister, so we then made this our permanent home.
 
Gary
 

10/28/2010

Posted on by
Wesley Schnieder Story on a good ole ND Blizzard afternoon.
From Vickie Metcalfe (70): Bottineau, ND
 

Gary,

Today, October 27, was a very windy time here in ND. The wind brought wet snows and flung tree branches around.

Finding the school was shut down, I couldn’t walk far with the fear of my dogs flying. OK. Actually, they just turned around and let me know there was no way they’d be enticed to go any where until this afternoon, I said, “Ok lets go see Wes and Ovidia.” I had another story for Wes to approve the final draft.


My neighbors were doing fine, burrowed snug in their house. Buie sat dozing lazily, being gently stroked by Wes for a length of time. Thor relaxed at his feet. It was one of those old fashioned “snow days”. I said Wes, “This afternoon I couldn’t quite complete my “deep cleaning” chore I set out to do. I’ve been laughing, thrown back to a memory of my dad by one of your stories. So, I just had to sit down and put pencil to paper with this recent Wes story. ” For what it’s worth here it is. Vic


A Perfectly Good Pair of Pants Story
at first it twasŠever so faint. Then louderŠ.Grunts and slapping continued to ensue ____”ed–uhl UHL”. _____One day, Wes age 10, heard a neighbors voice from a distance. Wes, and it seemed neighbors from miles around heard. “ed—uhl.”
What was that? Another roar louder and more panicky again ! Then a final mighty, great roar! “ed——u!——– ed —–UH!——ED—-UHL!—-‘” “Neighbors uncertain what to do, although they knew the neighbor was yelling for his wife.

Once upon that time, there was this fellow and his wife Ethel, living on land west of the Schneider farm. This fellow had a problem with vermin in his granary. One bright morning, “Lookin at his dog he came to a conclusion much to the demise of the—er ???!”

BRIGHT IDEA? humm-mmm-hmmM-MMMMM?
He decided to outsmart those pesky vermin. So, he threw a board over one hole, and stood over another. In anticipation of a show down, he’d brought his loyal dog as back up with him into the wood granary. He had the hopes of the little dog killing the vermin.

The scene that followed was purely. Unfortunate.

When It, Mr. “???” couldn’t get up one hole. Came up the other hole where he found himself lookin up, up, up,at the big man The man who weighed close to 300 pounds. STOMP_____. STOMP____. came down the big mans FEET.

Commotion and pandemonium followed. It seemed to the man it was a long battle. Oh my, that poor little ???!
In fear, finally cornered, nearly dying of fright, did just about the only thing “IT” could. He ran up the mans big. booted foot and up, up up, the inside of an overall leg.

HUH???? EEEEEH! SLAP! ,SLAP “eeeEW” yelled the man to his wife at the house. Grunts and slapping continued to ensue “-“ED–uhl”. Neighbors heard. Another, bellowing roar, louder, more panicky , again “ed——u!——–” “ed —–UH!”——“ED—-UHL!”

The man with his big hand had cornered a ??? in his pants —just above the knee. He hobbled to the house, “ed—uhl”, “ED—HUL” “Det da scessors”. “The wife came running, with the scissors, and cut a hole through the fabric . And pulled out —-a very, quite, DEAD-END of a R- A -T.

Sadly, the poor little dog had no more vermin to chase and sadder yet it twas the end of another perfectly good pair of pants.

A Wes Story, as told to, then retold and embellished by Vickie On one fine October Snow Day, 2010
 
 
 
 
Early ND Snow
Pictures from Dick Johnson (68): Dunseith, ND
 
Gary and Friends,

We are just now getting the end of a two day winter blast. The only problem is that it’s still fall according to the calender. These are just a few shots I took today around the place. My haying equipment looks like it is now retired for the winter although it still needs to be cleaned up and put inside for the real winter The one picture is overlooking Horseshoe Lake from the north. It’s pretty, but what a mess for a few days ahead! I bet my pal Bill Hosmer is glad he made it back south before this hit! As he says, “It kind of brings a tear to you eye, doesn’t it.” Thanks Gary!

Dick

 
 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
Stokes House addition in the philippines
 
Folks, Several of you have requested pictures of our new house addition in progress. This is a 22″ x 40′ addition that includes a living room, master bedroom/bath and and an outside toilet accessible only from the outside.
 
 
Note: The blue tarp provides shade from the 90 degree heat.

 

 

 

Living room, 22′ X 20′, with 4 large windows & two exterior doors.

 

The walls

are ready for paint.

They are working on the ceiling.

 

Up to the ceiling, everything is cement.Very labor intense and time consuming.

 

I could never afford the labor costs back in the states for this kind of construction.

 

 

 

 

 

Looking out from inside the living room.

 

 

 

Looking out our kitchen back door into the newly constructed Pantry way

 

entrance to the house. Rather than paint, we decided to tile (ceramic) the

 

walls of this room. The building thru the door is our outside kitchen/laundry building.

 

 
  

10/27/2010

Posted on by
Folks, I have had several requests for some updated pictures of our house addition. Things are moving along well. Today is our bowling day, so I will try and post several pictures tomorrow. Gary

Email address change for Bob (51) & Donna Sunderland (52) Leonard.
From Bob Leonard: rleonard@ Dunseith, ND

Hi Everyone:

 

Just a short note to let you know we moved into Dunseith today along with the computer. Had to change our e-mail address to the one shown on the top of the page.

 

Stormy weather hit North Dakota today, suppose to get anywhere from 4 to 8 inches of snow in our area, had lots of wind, rain, snow and not very nice.

 

Got through the mess alright.

 

Sincerely,

 

Bob
 
 
 
 

Wes Schneider’s Remembrances of Yesteryear and Deer Heart Lodge

 

 

 

Posted by Vickie Metcalfe (70): Bottineau, ND

As a child, Wes heard tell; The family stories of family life before he was born. His parents, Germans’ from Russia, upon their marriage, sailed to America. After a few years, they found themselves in a dugout, on a Kansas prairie homestead.


Weathering harsh pioneer life for years, cyclones, and the bull walking around on top their house, the parents decided to relocate their family to the promise of a better life in North Dakota.

The Schneider’s loaded their belongings, fowl along with the cattle.
Wes’ parents and the children rode the passenger train. Pete (the younger) and the cat accompanied crated chickens, the tame pigeons, cattle and machinery on another train on the long ride to northern North Dakota. Trains did not run directly north and south so it took some time getting to the final destination.

Upon the fall arrival to the Dunseith area the family stayed with old friends from Kansas, the Kraft family. They moved to a farm 5 miles east of Dunseith, a house was on the place and school house moved on to the end to make a larger kitchen. A barn was built for the cattle and chickens. And the pigeons were provided cages fashioned from apple boxes which were attached to the outside on the east of the barn

Pete (the younger) at one time also ventured in greyhounds. Wes said his brother had hopes of earning “big”money selling coyote pelts. Pete would drive the team and wagon accompanied by the greyhounds and a gun. Unfortunately, he found the dogs couldn’t run on the gravel roads lest they became lame so they ran across fields and whenever a coyote was shot the grey hounds would have it torn to pieces.

Wes and his younger brother, Warren as children living in the foothills of the Turtle Mountains west of Dunseith, explored their surroundings as young boys do. They wandered up and down coulees. Coulee’s where they found and collected old weathered buffalo bones. One particular coulee seemed to have many, many bones at the bottom of a steep drop point.

Their father (Peter the Elder) and about four other gentlemen, including a Mr. Schimetz left for a time. These men all had stomach ailments, and someone told them about a “healing hot springs water” in South Dakota.

Upon their father’s return about two weeks later, Wes and Warren were sent with 10 gallon jugs to collect water from Mineral Springs. They would cross the creek with a buggy Wes said, “They kind of cheated the horse flies” which were bad in that area biting up the horses, they had to borrow nose bags. Many times the boys would have to stopŠ.they kind of “get side tracked” catching minnows!

“Mineral Springs was no bigger than this kitchen, where we found a few bones there too.” said Wes. The young enterprising Schneider boys,were using their fathers buggy to collect bones. The bones were taken to Dunseith, sold to Mr. Richard who bought animal bones of all kinds to be shipped elsewhere, then ground and re-sold as bonemeal or fertilizer. The boys had also found many intact old buffalo skulls which were purchased by Mr. Richard who placed them around his gas station south of town.

After a time in the thirties, new neighbors, the Kotchevar’s arrived moved onto land which was owned by relatives. They lived west of the Willow Lake Road about three quarters of a mile from his dad’s farm. At five or six o’clock on most Sunday nights, Mr. and Mrs. Kotchevar would come to the Schneider farm picking up their weekly supply of milk, cream and butter.

While growing up, mostly during oft seasons of their farm work
Wes and his younger brother Warren often helped Mr. and Mrs. Kotchevar. Wes descrbed Mr Kotchevar “He was a pretty good guy, he didn’t drink or smoke.” Mrs. Kotchevar was neat and polite.

There were the times, when carrying an ax, Wes accompanied Mr. Kotchevar through the woods. Mr. Kotchevar would point out a tree. Wes said, “He was very particular about the height and shape of the trees.” Wes obligingly chopped the trees down. Then, would haul them back to the yard where Mr. Kotchevar would varnish the wood until it was highly glossed. Wes and Warren hand drilled holes into the poplar tree poles and Mr. Kotchevar wired for electricity.


Mrs. Kotchevar, a self taught taxidermist, had began her art by studying. Wes recalls her table covered with papers and books. The Schneider family provided her with many tame pigeons which she began practicing this craft. Once mastered, she then continued with stuffing various critters, including gophers, frogs, mice and rabbits.

One day, she told Wes she wanted to taxidermy a pheasant. She said, “It needs to be a big pheasant.” Although out of season, Wes obliged her, “When, a big, wild pheasant just happened to come into the yard and fought with the Schneider turkey gobbler.” “It was large!”

During the summer season, the Kotchevar’s lived in their little “summer shack’. The bigger log house(“lodge”) was the special viewing place for the stuffed animals set in various poises and scenes. One would enter that lodge, and find their imagination pulling them on a journey to magical places cleverly created by Mr. and Mrs. Kotchevar.

I (Vickie) told Wes, Do I remember correctly? “There were frogs sitting up in little chairs around a table playing cards, mice dancingŠŠ?”

And outside, the yard was a showplace of gardens. Stuffed gophers placed along paths under light poles fashioned from the poplar trees.
Local people came. Then, returning, brought visitors from various places near and far to see Deer Heart Lodge. Word traveled and families out for a summers drive enjoyed this attraction on Sundays. The Kotchevars, also sold glossy varnished walking canes, table lamps, lamps and little chairs all in different sizes.

A crude sign on the driveway read “Deer Heart Lodge”. Cars would be parked all over. Adults would pay about 10 cents in admission fees.
“Ah, But Wes and Warren always got in free!”

With the change of season, summer to fall and the scarcity of visitors, Deer Heart Lodge would close to visitors for the winter months. Mr. and Mrs. Kotchevar vacated the “summer shack” to move back into the warmer lodge and resume their wood work and crafts.

Wes does not recall any Kotchevar children. But a dog might have made it’s home with them. After reading,his nephew, Duanes’ story about “Adam and the Lang bull,” Wes said, “He did not recall any tulips. But, he did remember Mr.Kochevar asking him to come and plow a place for that strawberry bed. Wes used the Schneider horse and plow. He was directed to a patch of ground east their house. Mt. Kotchevar showed him how much he wanted plowed. The rocks were then dug out and hauled away.

The Ending at Deer Heart Lodge.
One day Wes found Mr. Kotchevar out laying in his little shack, very sick. He told Wes, “He couldn’t get up,” saying “It’s too much punishment.” Wes got him up helped him walk around. “Finally in misery he went back to bed. ” Wes said, “My brother Sal went the next day and helped Mrs. Kotchevar load up Mr. Kotchevar and all the furniture they could put into his truck and moved them to Minnesota to Never return to Deer Heart Lodge.

As told to Vickie by Wes October 2010
 
 
 
 
Message/Picture from Mark Schimetz (70): Rolette, ND
 

To Gary and Friends, An old photo cicero, 1959. Kathy Schimetz, Reid, and Mark with Sammy, a Wiemeran hound dog. A picture in the back ground of the old School house. Dad bought us two of these dogs as we were kids. Smokey the first, as well as Sammy here were both poisoned. They were really neat dogs and protective. This old Photo brought to mind a nice day when Reid was pulling Kathy in our little red wagon, Margaret Fontaine wanted her ride too, so she pulled Kathy out of the Wagon. Kathy was crying as Margaret got into the wagon, and in a split second Smokey had broken away from me and before Margaret was firmly set in the wagon, Sammy raced to the scene and in on swift movement tossed Margaret out out of the wagon by the Knapp of her dress and growled at her, and now it was Margaret in tears as she scrambled home. Concerned, I checked on both girls and found that Margaret didn’t even have a mark on her. This old story came to mind when a neighbor purchased a Wiemeran Hound recently. Unfortunately the pup was run over by the mans wife, as he was resting under the carriage of a SUV. They were beautiful, gentle and very protective creatures, and great family dogs.
 
 
Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Bottineau & Minot, ND
 

 

 

 

 

 
  

10/26/2010

Posted on by

Email address change

From Donna DuBois Thomas (72): Dunseith, ND
 

Hi Gary,

 

 

Please send all e-mails to my home e-mail address which is : poody@ I can no longer receive personal e-mails at my work e-mail which is : dthoams@

 

Thanks,

 

Donna Thomas (DuBois) – Class of ‘72

 

 
 
 
 
Email address change
From Betty Schneider Lamb (54): Grand Forks, ND
 
Gary: Our computer crashed two weeks ago and we just had a new computer installed today so we have missed your blog for the last two weeks. Our new e-mail address is bandblamb@.
Bill and I would appreciate your prayers for our son, Matt. Matt will be having open heart surgery at St. Mary’s in Rochester on November 1st. Matt has hypertrophic cardio myopathy which is the muscle inside your heart which thickens and will not flex. The surgeons will open his heart and remove a portion of this muscle. Bill and I plan to go to Woodbury early Friday morning and then all of us plan to go to Rochester on Sunday. We plan to be gone for several weeks.
We look forwared to receiving your messages again. Thank you so much for doing this. Betty and Bill Lamb
Betty & Bill, Our prayers are with Matt. Please keep us posted. Gary
 
Note: You can view the daily messages you missed on the Dunseith Alumi Website http://garystokes.net/default.aspx
 
 
 
 
Stella Schimetz’s Daughter.
Reply from Linda Johnson Juntunen (72): Perth, ND
 

I think this is Kim, Stella’s daughter

 

 

 

Linda J. Juntunen

COO

Microlap Technologies, Inc.

ph 701.477.3193.ext 18

fx 701.477.6579

www.microlap.com

 

UPCOMING EVENTS:

 

 

 

MD&M West – February 8 to 10, 2011

Anaheim, California – Booth #1180

 

OFC/NFOEC – March 8 to 11, 2011

Los Angeles, California – Booth #1813

Hello Linda, The gal in the picture was identified as Kathy, Stella’s oldest daughter, by several folks yesterday.

 

You company and upcoming events in your signature block look so interesting. With that I wanted to post this. I know that you are the owner of or part owner of the “Microlap Technologies, Inc” company in Rolla. Wasn’t your company formerly owned by the Federal government with a different name? I see you have shows coming up in Anaheim & LA. Are you the one that organizes and runs these shows? With that, you do a lot of traveling with your company. Please fill us in with the history and workings of your company. Thanks, Gary

 
 
 
Reply from Dale Pritchard (63): Leesville, LA
 
Gary: The last time I saw Carl and Shirley about 6 years ago, Wayne was living on, or had bought, Albert Hiatt’s farm. This is directly across from Carl’s driveway. I don’t know about Vonda. Carl and Shirley didn’t play music when I worked for them either. I think the winter of 63/64. Probably as responsibilities wound down, the golden opportunity to have fun for a change went up.

Keith: Forces are at work, which I am resisting, to get me to make a trip to the DC area in Nov or Dec. Knowing that those forces are sometimes stronger than mine, maybe I’ll get to see you again in a month or so.

Dale

 
 
 
Monthly dinner club.
 
Folks, last Saturday our monthly dinner club had dinner at a Chinese Restaruant on the 20th floor of a 41 floor tower hotel/condominium here in Cebu. This club started out being a monthly potluck dinner that rotated thru the members. There are members who do not have facilities to accomodate everyone, so for their month we have been going to a restaurant. In the future, I think the ladies have decided to make this monthly dinner a restaurant gathering.
 
We guys sat at one table and the Gals at another. The gals came over to our table for the picture. The gals out numbered the guys. Several of the gals are single and several Husbands were unable to attend.
 
As I’ve mentioned before, we guys are mostly foreigners, from various countries, with varied back grounds, married to or partners of PI gals. We are like one big happy family.
 
Guys L to R.
(1) Steve from Michigan. Steve is a retired contract engineer from Ford motor. (2) Leo Tacke from Holland. Leo is the General Manager of the Technical support branch of the Lexmark (IBM) Printer company. He has about 1,000 folks under his command. For those of you with Lexmark printers calling for technical support, you will be talking to Leo’s department here in Cebu. (3) Ben from Holland. Ben is retired from the Holland Air force. (4) Me, Gary Stokes, (5) James from California. James is retired from the California State Water purification department. (6) Michael from Ireland/England. Michael is a retired Dentist. (7) Joe from Australia. Joe is retired from the Australian Navy.
 
 
 
 
 
Minot Bazaar
Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Bottineau & Minot, ND
 

Hi Everyone,

 

I’m back “hawking” another bazaar! Again, I realize many of you live too far away to attend the bazaar–however, you may order caramels directly from me, too. :)

 

If you live in the Minot/Bottineau/other areas around Minot, including Canada, and if your employer doesn’t mind if you print/post this flyer, I would appreciate your doing so. :)

 

“Our” dates are the same dates at “The Big One”, a LARGE sale held at the fairgrounds in Minot. I call our sale, “The Little One”. :)

 

I hope to see some of you at the bazaar. :)

 

Neola

 

P.S. Flavors are plain/plain with nuts, chocolate/chocolate with nuts, licorice, raspberry-chocolate. These flavors are availabe in “real” sugar and also in Splenda–for diabetics or people watching their sugar intake.

 

 

  

10/25/2010

Posted on by
Carl Melgaard
Reply from Keith Pladson (66): Stafford, VA
 
Gary,
This responds to Dick Johnson’s input on Carl Melgaard and to Bill Grimme.

Thank you Dick for the update on Carl’s condition. Like Gary, I also worked for Carl and Shirley. It was the summer of 1965 (between my junior and senior years). It was a good experience for me and it helped me to become more independent and sure of myself and my own abilities. What is probably hard to believe is that even though both Carl and Shirley had been singing and Carl playing the steel guitar long before I worked for them, they did not do either during the period I worked for them. We always seemed to put in such long days in the field and doing morning and evening chores that there was little time for fun.

Anyway, I did finally get the opportunity to see them perform. In the spring of 2006, the Bottineau community held a benefit for my sister-in-law Margaret and my youngest brother Dan at the senior citizens center (Marge later lost her battle with cancer) in Bottineau. Anyway, Carl and Shirley performed as part of the entertainment at the benefit and I got to hear and see them perform for the first time. I really enjoyed hearing them and in fact seeing them for the first time in almost forty years. If Carl and Shirley (or Wayne or Vonda) are on your distribution list, Gary, I wish Carl and Shirley all the best and a speedy recovery for Carl. (As an aside, Shirley was a first cousin to my Dad , so is a second cousin (or something like that) to me.

Also a quick “Amen” to Bill Grimme. I often feel the same way. I used to call myself a computer dinosaur at work towards the end of my career because the new employees coming on board knew far more about computers than I’ll ever know in my lifetime. And when I need help with the tvs, vcrs, cd players, etc, at the house, I either call my son or my oldest grandson to come over and help. Of course they figure out what’s wrong very quickly and fix it. It’s usually something quite simple that I’ve done wrong and then they try to make me understand whatever it was I done wrong and how to avoid doing it again. Just give me something with one or two buttons to click and I’m okay. Beyond that I’m quickly lost. And as to the lady in my GPS — she sounded pretty nice the first time I used my GPS, now I just wish she would shut the &$@@ up.! So, again Bill, Amen!
Keith Pladson (66)

Keith, I do not have Vonda or Wayne on our distribution. Where are they living these days. Minot rings a bell? Gary
 
 
Colette Hosmer is in China
 
 
 
Reply from Colette Hosmer (64): Santa Fe, NM
 
Right on, Bill!

Currently I am on a little island off the coast of China (directly across from Taiwan). This island is four kilometers in diameter, cars and bicycles are forbidden. The paths are narrow, winding and hilly. I’m living in an old Villa with just a caretaker (he speaks Chinese only). The last couple of days, Typhoon Megi blew through. We barricaded the old Villa the best we could and waited — watched the storm for clues of pending severity. No Internet, no TV, no radio. I loved it!
 
Colette
 
 
 
 
Clarification of the Author posted by Bill Grimme yesterday
Reply from Bill Grimme (65): Birmingham, AL
 
Gary,
 
When I read this post, I realized it sounds like this was written by me, I.e. About my life. Not so; it was just a forward to you-author unknown.
Bill
Bill, I knew that was a forward and not authored by you. I should have made that clarification. When reading it though, it sounds just like you and the way you would describe things. You too, have a good way with words with your stories to capture the attention of those they are being told to. It’s a gift. Gary
 
 
 

Dunseith City Sewer installation

Story from Dick Johnson (68): Dunseith, ND
 
Gary and Friends,

Today I thought of a deal from the mid 50s when Dunseith put in city sewer and folks got rid of the old out houses and the septic tanks in the back yards. I remember Dad and Junior Mellmer worked in our basement to plumb our house and connect to the new city system. I got to put in the oakum, which is like a rope, that goes in the old cast pipe before lead is melted and poured in to seal the joint. I still remember Junior telling me I should be a plumber. I commented that I didn’t know anything about plumbing but he said, “All you need to know to be a plumber is that turds don’t go uphill and payday is Friday,” That was the first time I had heard that saying and I remember thinking that was sure not much to know. That was back in the day when they used torches instead of electric flashers and caution tape to keep people from falling into the open trenches at night. The torches were round black pots with kerosene in them and the workers would light them at dark and put them around the open trench. I still remember going over and looking at the torches that I thought resembled bombs in the cartoons. I’m not sure of the exact year but I think it was the late 50s. I bet some of the folks can remember the year. Thanks Gary!

Dick

 
 
 
Kathy Schimetz Wood (72)
Reply from Allen Richard (65):
Stella is standing next to Kathy–her oldest daughter.
 
Allen
 
 
 

Kathy Schimetz Wood (72)

Reply from Lynn Halvorson Otto (75): Boonton, NJ
 
Hi Gary, the young lady with Stella is her daughter Kathy, class of 72 and I believe she lives in Minot.
Lynn Halvorson Otto

Kathy Schimetz Wood (72)

Reply from Debbie Fugere Fauske (75): Minot, ND
 

Hi Gary:
 
The gal next to Stella is her daughter, Kathy.
 
 
 

Kathy Schimetz Wood (72)

Reply from Dick Johnson (68): Dunseith, ND
 
Gary,

I’m pretty sure the gal with Stella is her daughter Kathy.

Dick

Thank you folks for these replies. I thought this was Kathy, but I was not sure.
 
Are there any other Schimetz family pictures that were taken at Stella’s birthday celebration that any of you would like so share? We’d love to see any that any of you may have. Thanks, Gary
 
Mother & Daughter
Stella Schimetz & Kathy Schimetz Wood
 


  

10/24/2010

Posted on by
Carl Melgaard
Reply from Dick Johnson (68): Dunseith, ND
 
Gary and Friends,

Anyone who knows Carl and Shirley Melgaard, knows how they really love old time music. This summer Carl was quite concerned about his tumor and was not sure if he was going to survive, let alone ever play his guitar and banjo again. He told me we better play a few songs soon as it may be the last time he would be able to. I always said, “You’ll be fine Carl, it will work out OK.” I truthfully had no real idea but wanted him to stay upbeat. Last week we went over to Carl and Shirley’s and he played his guitar and banjo just like always! He was full of the dickens and joked about his ‘hard head’—-he does have a huge square scar on top of his head. He joked about asking the doctor if he should get a hair cut before he went for surgery but the doc said to save his money and let the surgeon cut it! Same old Carl! It’s wonderful that they could remove the tumor and Carl hasn’t lost any finger dexterity or memory. He sang several songs without forgetting a word! It’s also hilarious when Shirley, who isn’t outspoken, throws in her subtle humor about Carl’s ‘hard head’. It’s good to have Carl back to good health. Thanks Gary!

Dick

 
 

Memories of Roland Mongeon.

 

 

 

From Allen Richard (65): Midland, MI

 

I remember Roland and Cora from my early childhood. Cora and Dad were first cousins and close in age. Dad and Eugene Mongeon were school buddies. Roland was “big brother” to Gene and kind of “adopted” Dad.

 

Later when Dad was old enough to work on threshing crews — age 14 or so — he would be pretty tired at night and wasn’t really old enough to take part in the shenanigans the older guys did. Roland was, but rarely did. When the others would come back making noise Dad would wake up and more often than not see Roland saying his nightly Rosary.

 

Roland and Dad moved to their respective farms along Highway 3 in the mid-forties. The house on Dad’s place was in terrible shape and the one on Roland’s place was very nice. In fact, it sits next door to Stella Schimetz home in Dunseith today. When Joni and I were first married we rented the upstairs apartment from Mary Gottbreht for a couple summers. Anyway, Roland’s house had all the amenities of the day, and Dad’s was a shack. The other problem was the well Dad used for cattle went bad, putting Dad in a bind. There were other problems as well. I think it was the winter of ’45-’46 when all this took place. It was a rough winter and #3 was barely passable in the summer, let alone a bad winter. Roland and Cora decided they would like to move to town. Cora’s health was part of that decision. Roland let Dad move his herd to his place where there was plenty of room. Dad took care of Roland’s heard and in turn lived there for free. Turned out that the winter and roads were so bad that the only way into town was by horse.

 

In 1960 Dad built the house on our farm. He hired a carpenter named Gilmer Ihla from Rolette to do it, with the understanding that Dad would earn some of the money back by working for Gilmer. Gilmer got hurt about half way through the construction and was out for nearly a month. I was 13, so I couldn’t help much. I usually came home and did the chores. Gary Pigeon was working for us then. Gary helped with everything. Those of you who remember Gary know that if anything vaguely resembled a tool, Gary mastered in no time. When Gilmer came back and saw the progress, he said “What do you need me for?” It was late in the fall and the weather started going bad. Gilmer couldn’t make it every day–and there were no phones until ’62-’63, so Gilmer built the cabinets at his shot and brought them out. We moved in for Christmas. Not bad for a house construction that began around Labor Day!

 

Anyway, the reason for the previous paragraph was to lead to this one. The next year, Roland built his home. Gilmer was a very talented carpenter and Roland wanted him to build it. Gilmer was about the age we are today and was actually retired. The last thing he wanted was another project 25 miles form home. (Frankly, the last +)*(&^^%#@% thing I want to do is build another house!) Gilmer told Roland that the only way he would do it is if he could convince Art Richard to help — and that Roland would pay Dad whatever they could agree on. Not sure how that all worked out, but Dad always figured he owed Roland toe that winter in the ’40’s, so I’m sure Roland got a pretty good deal.

 

I’m not sure which of the next two events happened next, but I think it was the accident where Roland lost the tips of some of his fingers in a corn chopper. It was obviously harvest time. Roland was going to be laid up for the rest of the season. “Jimmy” Gottbreht had worked for Roland for a number of yeas at that time and knew Roland’s operation pretty well. Dad talked to Jimmy and they formed a plan to harvest Roland’s crops. Jimmy took care of the chores. Dad organized the neighbors and Roland’s crop was in the bin in less than a week. First time I ever saw six combines going around the same field.

 

Roland and Dad were very involved in the early years of the Dunseith Knights of Columbus. One night after a KC meeting they both attended, Roland came home to find Cora had passed away while sitting in her chair watching TV. Dad was the first person Roland called. I don’t know any details after that.

 

Later on Roland retired from farming at the age of 68. I rented his land form the mid ’70’s until I left ND in 1990. I drafted one contract. It was for three years. That was the last document we had. After that it was “settle up in the fall, and plant in the spring. (It was much the same with my three other land owners, Bill Evans, Emery Carbonneau, and Don Koehmsted. Wouldn’t we have a much better country if things were like that today?)

 

I have the fondest memories of all the times a lot of us shared at morning or afternoon coffee at Dale’s or the Gathering or both. The coffee group included Roland, Bill, Armand Neil, Dick, Keith, Ray, Dwight, Freddie, Gordie, Terry, and Father Joe. It was a winter ritual — and of course everyone was welcome if they didn’t mind playing the numbers/napkin game to see who paid. I know I missed people.

 

Roland, like every human was not perfect, but a huge majority of the people in the world could take lessons on how to be a friend and how to treat others.

 

And Joan–I’m glad you were once one of my students. Best wishes to you and your mom.

 

Allen
 
 
 
 
 
Butte St. Paul Picture
Reply from Bonnie Awalt Houle (56): Becker, MN
 

Dear Gary,

Looking very hard at the picture at the Butte gives us some guessing. The little girl standing at the right side, in front of the Sister, is the Picard girl that became a Sister. (Saw her this summer at Maryvale in Valley City ND.) Standing behind the little girl with the plate, the taller boy is Amy Picard Jr. and to his immediate left is his sister Elaine, she is kind of squeezed next to him. On the far left (near Emy Picard) you will find who we believe to be Jeanne Vandal, she is in the back, looks like Sister is talking to her.

 

Bonnie Houle (56)
 

 

 

 

 

 

Folks, I know many of you know who this young lady is standing with Stella in this picture, but she has not yet been identified to the blog. Thanks, Gary

 

Stella Schimetz and ?????

 
 
 
 
 
For the over 60 generation:
From Bill Grimme(65): Birmingham, AL
 


I thought about the 30 year business I ran with 1800 employees, all
without a Blackberry that played music, took videos, pictures and
communicated with Facebook and Twitter.

I signed up under duress for Twitter and Facebook, so my seven kids, their
spouses, 13 grandkids and 2 great grand kids could communicate with me in
the modern way. I figured I could handle something as simple as Twitter
with only 140 characters of space.

That was before one of my grandkids hooked me up for Tweeter, Tweetree,
Twhirl, Twitterfon, Tweetie and Twittererific Tweetdeck, Twitpix and
something that sends every message to my cell phone and every other
program within the texting world.

My phone was beeping every three minutes with the details of everything
except the bowel movements of the entire next generation. I am not ready
to live like this. I keep my cell phone in the garage in my golf bag.

The kids bought me a GPS for my last birthday because they say I get lost
every now and then going over to the grocery store or library. I keep that
in a box under my tool bench with the Blue tooth [it’s red] phone I am
supposed to use when I drive. I wore it once and was standing in line at
Barnes and Noble talking to my wife as everyone in the nearest 50 yards
was glaring at me. Seems I have to take my hearing aid out to use it, and
I got a little loud.

I mean the GPS looked pretty smart on my dash board, but the lady inside
was the most annoying, rudest person I had run into in a long time. Every
10 minutes, she would sarcastically say, “Re-calc-ul-ating”. You would
think that she could be nicer. It was like she could barely tolerate me.
She would let go with a deep sigh and then tell me to make a U-turn at the
next light. Then when I would make a right turn instead, it was not good.

When I get really lost now, I call my wife and tell her the name of the
cross streets and while she is starting to develop the same tone as Gypsy,
the GPS lady, at least she loves me.

To be perfectly frank, I am still trying to learn how to use the cordless
phones in our house. We have had them for 4 years, but I still haven’t
figured out how I can lose three phones all at once and have run around
digging under chair cushions and checking bathrooms and the dirty laundry
baskets when the phone rings.

The world is just getting too complex for me. They even mess me up every
time I go to the grocery store. You would think they could settle on
something themselves but this sudden “Paper or Plastic?” every time I
check out just knocks me for a loop. I bought some of those cloth reusable
bags to avoid looking confused, but I never remember to take them in with
me.

Now I toss it back to them. When they ask me, “Paper or Plastic?” I just
say, “Doesn’t matter to me. I am bi-sacksual.” Then it’s their turn to
stare at me with a blank look.

I was recently asked if I tweet. I answered, No, but I do toot a lot.”

 
  

10/23/2010

Posted on by
Roland Mongeon Walked Evie Gottbreht down the Aisle
Message/Picture from Evie Gottbreht Pilkington (65): Irvine, CA
 
 

Hi Gary and Friends,

 

 

Just wanted to share this picture of my Uncle Roland and me on my wedding day (12/17/66).

 

 

At the time ofAuntie Cora’s sudden death in January of 1966 I was planning to make a change from Minot State to somewhere…my bags were packed and school transfer plans were in the works so it was easy for me to move to Uncle Roland’s farm and help him through the winter.We shared so many memories during the months I was with him and by spring he said he would pay for a year of school anywhere I wanted to go if I stayed and helped on the farm until September….sounded like a plan.I started making applications for fall and decided on University of Denver when I was accepted there.Bob and Lee Hosmer invited me on a trip to Colorado Springs so I could visit the University and see Colette and Nancy.Nancy introduced me to her next door neighbor, Jerry Pilkington.Jerry and I decided to spend our lives together very quickly and I soon had a diamond ring.

 

 

Uncle Roland and my mom were so nervous about this new fellow in my life that the minute I got back to Dunseith, Uncle Roland and Mom had planned an immediate return trip to Colorado Springs to meet Jerry – after a week they fell in love with him too.Mom and Uncle Roland gave their approval and we were married the following December.

 

 

What I remember most about Uncle Roland is that he was so faithful to God, family and friends.I never heard a disparaging word about anyone ever – he loved life and loved people and prayed more than once a day.I had a conversation with his daughter Joan and we both agreed that he was best described as a server.What a great legacy!

 

 

Over the years we always retold the stories of being snowbound in the “great storm” of March 1966.Uncle and I were in route to Grand Forks the day of the storm.We had a wonderful weekend feasting and playing cards at my Uncle Ernie and Aunt Elizabeth Boucher’s home.Approximately 32 inches of snow fell and the drifts were up to the second story of many houses and the kids at UND were having a great time jumping from roofs of frat houses into snow banks.

 

 

The tractor story we also laughed about many times over the years. One day in the Spring Uncle Roland came to get me to help move the trucks and tractor from one field to another….he said if I get stuck with the truck don’t follow me into the mud.He got stuck in the mud….I didn’t follow him in – I just drove to what look dry beside him in the field and got stuck there!!!!Uncle very quietly got out of the truck and walked I am sure over a mile to get the tractor and then came back to pull the truck and car out of the mud.He asked me if I could get home from where I was and I was sure I could but shortly I found myself on top of the railroad tracks looking at water at the other side….lots of mud behind me that I had just barely maneuvered through so I decide to go down the side of the rail road tracks.Soon the car was almost tipping over horizontal so I stopped ….looked over my shoulder to access my situation and I saw Uncle coming very fast through the mud on the tractor to rescue me….I think to rescue his new car. =) He saved the day, didn’t yell or reprimand and we laughed about this event over and over again.Uncle didn’t get much work done that day!

 

 

Roland Mongeon was a blessing and joy in the lives of all the children in the Dale Gottbreht family
 
 
 
 
 
 
Carl Melgaard had a brain tumor removed:
Message from Mary Eurich (62): Dunseith, nd
 

Hi Gary

Just thought I’d drop a quick note. I was over to visit Shirley and Carl the other night. He had a brain tumor removed. He seems to be doing fine. Quite a scar on his noggin tho.

Things are quieting down now so hopefully I’ll be able to send some more pictures. I really enjoy reading the blog everyday. Mary

Thanks Mary for the update on Carl.
 
Folks, Carl is married to Shirley Knutson. Shirley, Bud (Leroy) and Norris were siblings. Bud, deceased, was married to Mary. Carl and Shirley live a half mile east of the Willow Lake road just north of Willow Lake and a mile south of highway 43. I worked for Carl and Shirley the summer between my junior and senior year.
 
Mary, we love your pictures. As you find the time, please keep them coming. Gary

 
 

Reply from Joe Johnson (77): Lindstrom, MN

Gary,

Again, my Mom’s maiden name was Velma Anna Grenier. Two or three years after college, Velma married Joseph “Warren” Johnson (Dunseith HS 42?), this is Chuck Johnson’s brother (Chuck and Mona Dionne Johnson (48) Chuck, managed the San Haven Laundry for many years.). Velma and Warren were married for 30 to 31 years and then divorced. Later, early eighties, Mom married Milton Millang and moved from Dunseith to the Millang homestead place, which is the first farm on the North side of Hwy 43 when you take 43 west, towards Lake Metigoshe, from US 281 North. So a long answer to your question, Velma Millang’s middle name was “Anna”.

Thanks for sending a good link to the guest book; however, I also found a good guest book link last night by going to Nero Funeral Home’s web site.


Sorry, can’t help id folks in the photos Sharon sent, I was just a little tike then.

Thanks, Joe

Man Joe, I really learned something new. I had no idea that your mother, Velma, was married to Milton Millang. That is why I was confused. This all happened after I left the country. You are getting up into my neck of the woods now. At the time I realized that Milton got married, but also at that time I did not know you guys, so now I can put it all together. There are two Velma Millang’s that were married to brothers, Cliff and Milton. I have known Velma Brennan Millang and her family my entire life. We were together a lot with 4-H and other social activities in our growing up days. Cliff, Milton and your mother all left us at such early ages too. When we looked out our kitchen window to the east we had a great view, 4 miles to the east, of Little Prairie Church and the Art Millang farmstead across the road where your mother moved to when she and Milton were married. Agnes (Cliff) Salmonson, Stan and Kathy’s mother, was a sister to Milton and Cliff too.

 
 
 
 

Reply to Picture

From Sharon Gottbreht Shen (59): Everett, WA
 
Dick is right about the date: July 1958. My first impression, before cropping, was Margery Kester. There is less definition with the enlargement, it looks less like Margery although it must be someone of her height.
My mother was 5’3″; I’m 5’3″ and shrinking. Look at me next the younger Ernestine! Ernest and Lucille always plied the waifs at their door with good things to eat. When George G, Joe Link, John Morgan and Lowell Leonard appeared at the door of Ernest and Lucille Daily in Bremerton, Ernest immediately lit the charcoals – called Duaine and said bring on the cold cuts, we have visitors. That World Fair in Seattle, 1962, will always be a best memory for George Gottbreht.

Sharron

 
 
 
Reply toPicture
From Doreen Houle Deschene (64): dee.deschene@hotmail.com Burnsville, MN
Posted by Gary (63) & Roberta Houle:unionsparky@q.com CHAMPLIN, MN
 

Hi Gary–

Gary and I heard from Doreen (Houle) Deschene that in the picture second from the bottom both Doreen Houle and Joanne Houle are correctly labeled.

 

Gary and Roberta Houle

Hello Gary and Doreen, It is so nice to hear from you guys and see your names appear on our blog. I remember both of you very well from my school days, but like a whole lot of us, I have not seen either of you since you graduated from HS. That’s been 46/47 years respectively.Thank you so much for the confirmation of this being you Doreen with Joanne in this picture. All we need to do now is figure out for sure who the person on the far left is who appears to be the leader. Also, is that Sharon Eurich?
 
Thank you Sharron Gottbreht Shen for sharing this picture. It’s fun to collectively identify those in these pictures.
Folks, please post anymore of these old pictures that you may have.
 
Margery Kester, Denise Quillinan, Doreen Houle, Sharon Eurich, Joanne Houle,
Angela Berube, Darlene Quillinan
 
 
All rights reserved

10/22/2010

Posted on by
Roland Mongeon’s Guest Book Link
Reply from Joe Johnson (77): Lindstrom, MN
 

Gary,

This is just some info for you. If I do get a working link to the guest book I’ll sign that for Joan and the family.

 

 

The Roland Mongeon “Guest Book” link led to a page that displayed a web page error message “404 Object could not be found”. Not sure this is correct but my Mom’s middle name was Anna (Velma Anna Grenier / Johnson / Millang) named after Roland’s Mother. I think Anna and Simeon Grenier were sister and brother but I’m not real sure as I’m not so good with family history as it goes.

 

 

Anyway, I thought you might be interested as you seem to know most of the family histories in the area. I think my sister Linda Juntunen could answer the middle name and Simeon / Anna sibling question if you aren’t familiar with the family history and wanted to know for sure.

 

 

Thanks, Joe

Thank you Joe. I too could not open the Roland’s guestbook with the link I provided yesterday. I have reposted today to include Nero’s link.

 

This is interesting about your mothers middle name. Without doing some research, please fill me in on the Millang connection. Is Velma Millang’s middle name Anna too? Gary

 

Roland Mongeon guest book Weblink
 
Nero funeral home Weblink
 
 
Folks, It would be nice if we could nail the identities of those in these two pictures. Please reply even if you are not sure. It may stir someone else’s memory. Thanks, Gary
 
Picture
Reply from Janice Larson Myhre: Spokane, WA
 
Gary, That certainly is my first cousin Linda Evans in the catechism class. She’s gone now but not forgotten. We were so much alike and grew up so far apart she in North Dakota and me in Montana. Eerie. We even found that we wore the same glass frames. Our mothers and their sisters (Esther (Larson), Alice (Evans), Irene (Nogosek) and Dorte (McDougal) Tennancour) were like that, too. Always buying the same dress without the other knowing about it. Made for some great story telling. Janice Larson Myhre, Spokane, WA
 
 
Sharon Gottbreht Shen’s statement:
I cannot recall every name of the catechism class picnic to Butte St Paul. Emy Picard provided our transportation and I think Duaine Dailly is standing next to him. Skip two and perhaps we have Jimmy McCoy, they Ernestine Dailly with Sharron on her left. I think I see Linda Evans behind Ernestine and Connie Bedard on Sister Bernard’s right. Sister Agnes who despaired of my piano skills is also there.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Picture

Reply from Dick Johnson (68): Dunseith, ND

 

Gary and Friends,

I think the two girls on either end of the group are the twins, Denise and Darlene Quillinan (63). Denise is the one in front of Mrs. Kester. If that is correct, I would venture a guess that the picture is in about ’59 or ’60. The one girl in the back could possibly be Sharon Eurich as she is about the same age. The others I can’t name. The girls in the front probably are a bit younger so may be in the age of the class of about ’65 or even later—-just a wild guess. Thanks Gary!

Dick

 
 
 

Picture & CondolencesMinneapolis, MN

Reply from Angela Berube Malget (65):

 

 

Hi Gary and All,

Sad to hear of the passing of Hannah Loeb, Duaine Dailly and Roland
Mongeon. My condolences to all three families.

When I looked at the picture of the young girls in the park that Sharron
Shen identified with Margery Kester, I think from left to right in the
white short sleeved shirt is Denise Quillinan, Doreen Houle, ? Eurick,
Joanne Houle, I’m thinking perhaps myself, and Darlene Quillinan.
Perhaps it could have been a 4-H event? If so, I don’t think it would
be Margery Kester. I certainly could be wrong. Hopefully someone else
can help?

Thanks for all you do everyday Gary.

Angela Berube Malget

Angela and Dick, You guys agree with those you mutually identified in this photo. Angela, since you are in this photo, I’m sure your thoughts of who these folks are, are pretty accurate.

Folks, Please take a hard look at the leader of this group for who this person may be. Who were the 4-H leaders back then or possibly a parent? Thanks, Gary

 

Margery Kester, Denise Quillinan, Doreen Houle, Sharon Eurich, Joanne Houle,

Angela Berube, Darlene Quillinan

 

 

 

 

Question – Picture

From Bernice Belgarde (72): bernice72@hotmail.com Bemidji, MN

 

Gary,

I have the names of the people in the picture but what year was this picture taken and where was it taken at?

Bernice Belgarde
Kenny Nerpel and Vickie Metcalfe, Can you help us out with this question?
Kenny, I think this is your photo?
 
Thanks, Gary

 

L to R and top to bottom:

Madeline LaRocque, Lilly Lajimodiere, Agnes Belgarde
Clayton Bergen, Leona Metcalfe, Martin Belgarde
Nellie Evans, Clifford Metcalfe, Ole Evans
Arne Evans, Eleanor Metcalfe
Clarence Martinson, Emil Metcalfe

 

 

Allen Richard (65) Newspaper article

 

Folks, Several days ago I got a return message from Allen’s work email that he had retired from being the Executive Director of the Literacy Council of Midland county, Michigan. Knowing Allen had not planned on retiring for a few more years, I asked him for the story for what was going on. He replied with this newspaper article that I would like to share with you folks.

 

Congratulations Allen for a job well done.

 

Gary

 

Allen’s Reply:

Actually I asked that the Literacy Council change our relationship to that of independent contractor. They did that and actually extended the contract for an extra eight months.
 
Here is the article that ran in the Midland Daily news today:
 

 

Kathie Marchlewski October 20 at 7:21am Report

Here’s what I submitted. Hope it suits you. It was so good to see you this week — we’ll have to do it again. Would be fun to see Susan, too!!!

By Kathie Marchlewski
For the Daily News

The last eight years of the Literacy Council of Midland County have been marked by growth. Its annual fundraiser has outgrown its venue three times, its income and budget have more than doubled, and the number of clients it serves has nearly quadrupled.
With those dramatic increases in place – and growing – the council’s longest serving executive director is announcing that it’s time for some personal growth.
Allen Richard, who started as Executive Director in 2002, is retiring from the organization.
“I’ve been collecting a paycheck for 55 years,” Richard said. “I was 8 years old cultivating my Uncle Floyd’s corn. It’s time to do something else.”
LCMC board vice chair John Wilson said Richard’s contributions to the group have been great. “We’re thankful for all he’s done for the program,” he said.
The council, which celebrates its 25th year in 2011, will be searching for a new director in upcoming months. In the meantime, it has named Richard Dolinski interim Executive Director.
Dolinski will also continue as leader of the The Legacy Center for Student Success (TLC), which was formed in 2004 to help students with needs not addressed in schools.
Pamela Ecarius, Literacy Council board chair, said the organizations’ similar missions and values make Dolinski a good pick.
Richard said he has big plans for his retirement from the council, and they include putting his entrepreneurial spirit to work.
He and wife Susan Putnam share decades of experience in fundraising and public/government relations. The couple started up SPARA, a consulting business, in May of 2009, naming it using their initials and their daughter Alaina’s.
Putnam is executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters in the Heart of Michigan, which covers Midland and Mount Pleasant areas.
Richard said his family will stay in the Midland area to be near family, and that Putnam will stay in her position while he works on growing SPARA, which specializes in non-profit management.
“It will allow me to tap into my imagination,” Richard said. “It will let me be the renegade I’ve always been.”
He said he has always taken an unconventional approach to tasks at hand.
“We’ve done a lot of really off-the-wall things,” he said of his time at the Literacy Council.
The state stopped funding literacy programs not long after Richard became director of LCMC, Richard said. At that point, he and staff had to take action. Besides plumping up community fundraising efforts, the team requested and received an increase of about $15,000 a year in federal funding. They also amped up efforts to get grants from foundations and businesses.
The Council in the last five years also changed the way it teaches, widening its focus to include help for clients with dyslexia.
“Allen has been a key person in bringing the Susan Barton dyslexia program to individuals in Midland County,” Ecarius said.
Including a program with the power to help readers who hadn’t succeeded in schools resulted in a dramatic increase in the number of clients served at the agency. And it improved results.
“Before that, we were basically doing the same thing that didn’t work for our clients when they were in school,” Richard said.
The Literacy Council in recent years has also taken the dyslexia initiative to area schools in an effort to prevent non-literacy before it starts.
Along with growth in the number of patrons and their level of success, Ecarius said Richard’s leadership has been key in the growth of the council’s annual Fat Tuesday fundraiser, the World’s Greatest Dessert Party.
The party provides almost 20 percent of the agency’s annual budget. Prior to Richard’s directorship, it typically raised twenty-something thousand dollars. The last three parties raised more than $30,000 each.
Richard predicts the 2011 party will be the best yet.
“We’re going to have room for twice as many people,” he said of the event’s newly-changed venue, which will be Valley Plaza Resort on Bay City Road on March 8.
Wilson said that as the Literacy Council moves past its silver anniversary, its services are expected to be in increased deman, in part because school staff and budget cuts are shaving away services to students.
“We expect our program is going to have an influx of young people,” Wilson said.
Richard feels good about the strength of the organization as he steps back.
“It’s in good hands,” he said of Dolinski’s incoming leadership. He said staff will also keep up momentum. “Two things I did really well were hire really good, talented, professional people and find a way to pay the bills,” Richard said.
Wilson said the mission of the organization remains clear: “We want to make sure the programs we have are operating effectively and our services are being utilized by as many people as possible,” he said.
The Literacy Council of Midland County is located at 222 N. Saginaw Road, Suite 1, Midland.

 

 

Allen Richard October 20 at 7:42am

Thanks! It looks fine to me!

Allen

 
 
All rights reserved

10/21/2010

Posted on by
Provided by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Bottineau & Minot, ND
 

Roland Mongeon
(Died October 19, 2010)

Sign Guest Book
Send Flowers

 

Roland Mongeon, age 98 of Dunseith, died Tuesday at a Rugby hospital. Funeral will be held on Saturday at 10:00 am at the St. Michael the Arc Angel Catholic Church in Dunseith. Visitation will be on Friday beginning at 5:00 pm with prayer service at 7:00 pm at the church in Dunseith. Roland Mongeon, a son of Pierre and Anna (Grenier) Mongeon, was born on September 1, 1912 in Maryville Township near Thorne, ND. At a very young age, he moved with his parents to Shell Valley Township. He attended school in Shell Valley and later the Notre Dame Academy in Willow City. He lived and worked on his parent’s farm until 1937, when he married Cora Boucher at Thorne. They lived on a farm Northeast of Bottineau until 1944 when they moved to Dunseith. In 1945, they bought a farm South of Dunseith and moved there in 1946. Cora passed away in January of 1966. On August 8, 1970, he married Nora Trembley in Waybury, SK, Canada. They made their home on the farm until moving into Dunseith in 1987.

He is survived by his wife, Nora of Dunseith, step daughter, Joan Johnson of Dunseith; brothers, Armand Mongeon of Dunseith, Alfred (June) Mongeon of Rolette and Dennis (Carol) Mongeon of Mandan; sister, Sister Stephanie Mongeon of Ogden, UT; grandson, Joshua (Melissa) Johnson of Bismarck and numerous nieces, nephews and several step children.

In addition to his parents and wife, Cora, he was preceded in death by his siblings, Leo, Adrian and Eugene Mongeon, Janet Evans, Lorena Trimble and an infant brother and sister.

Joan Tremblay Johnson (79), Our condolences are with you, your mother and all of Roland’s family with his passing. I know that you have taken time out of your life to return home to live with your Parents (your mother and Roland) in their senior years. You are a wonderful person.
Note: At our next reunion please come up and poke me in the ribs so we can meet face to face. There were so many I missed seeing at this last reunion in May. Martha Lamb, you are another. There were too many folks to be able see all in one setting.
 
Question Joan, Your name is spelled Tremblay in the Dunseith book and Trembley in this Obituary. Which is correct?
 
Roland Mongeon’s passing.
Message Sharron Gottbreht Shen (59): Everett, WA.
 
Salute Gary,

The message for the Dailly-Kester families was in process when George called. Our Uncle Roland Mongeon, age 98, died this afternoon. Evie and I saw him a number of times during the week in Dunseith for the DeAnn and Patrick O’Hara wedding celebration. Uncle Roland will always remain a huge part of my life; always an influence for good in our family and in all of Rolette County. Evie reserved take out so Roland and Nora enjoyed the ecellent turkey dinner provided by the members of Peace Lutheran last weekend. Uncle said we would all meet again. His lips to God’s ear. Amen.

Sharron

Message for the Dailly-Kester families
From Sharron
 

Thank you Gary, for posting the obituary of Duaine Dailly. Again we are diminished and bereft by the loss of a childhood companion. I extend to the families of Ernest and Lucille Dailly and to that of Ormal and Margery Kester my deepest sympathy. Lowell Leonard reminded me not too long ago of our frequent visits to the Daily home to trade comic books. I never pass the former Daily home and not recall those good times.

 

 

Correct me if I am wrong but I believe Duaine was in Dunseith last August 2009 for a family reunion at the Elmer and Joann Boucher family home. Brother Ernie called me and said you will not believe who just walked into Dales, the Daily clan. I was just outside Rugby city limits and had the option of returning to Dunseith, but continued on to Holaand House and Rugby Assisted living. I found the Hunter girls, Margery Kester and Lucille Daily visiting together and joined them for lunch while we waited for Ernestine. Mick and Janice Lacroix Kester arrived and then Ernestine. We had only the briefest visit but it was a joy to see “Tina” after so many, at least 50, years. From Lucille I discovered that she worked at San Haven during the same time as Alma, my Mom. Ernestine looked amazing and I without a camera.

 

 

I cannot recall every name of the catechism class picnic to Butte St Paul. Emy Picard provided our transportation and I think Duaine Dailly is standing next to him. Skip two and perhaps we have Jimmy McCoy, they Ernestine Dailly with Sharron on her left. I think I see Linda Evans behind Ernestine and Connie Bedard on Sister Bernard’s right. Sister Agnes who despaired of my piano skills is also there.

 

 

The second picture is of Mick Kester, Margery and Janice taken at Dales 2004. And the third picture is a clutch of companions who were celebrating the 4th birthday of George Gottbreht, 1947. Lt to Rt: Joey Link, George G, maybe Lowell Leonard, Ron Link holding Ernie Gottbreht in place [18 mos old], Mick Kester, Nick Bedard and Gilmore Lake.

 

 

I should know every girl on the park picture with Margery Kester – one is certainly Coleen Conroy. Margery must be their mentor for some formative rite of passage.

Sharron, I will send a personal copy of today’s blog to Toby Dailly, Ernest and Lucille’s son. He lives in Bremerton. I will ask him to share this with his family members and especially his mother, Lucille. Bob (57) and Arline (55) Lamoureux Dailly’s email is down at the moment.

We need some help with identifying those in this photo
Butte St Paul. Emy Picard provided our transportation and I think Duaine Dailly is standing next to him.

 

 

Mick Kester, Margery and Janice taken at Dales 2004

 

 

 

Joey Link, George G, maybe Lowell Leonard, Ron Link holding Ernie Gottbreht in place [18 mos old], Mick Kester, Nick Bedard and Gilmore Lake

 

 

 

 

We need some help identifing these folks.

 

Margery Kester – one is certainly Coleen Conroy. Margery must be their mentor for some formative rite of passage.

 

 

 

Above picture croped

 

 
 
 
Typhoon Juan
Question from Keith Pladson (66): Stafford, VA
 
Gary,
Hope this input finds you and your family all right. This morning on the weather channel it said that the winds of this latest super typhoon were over 185 mph when it came ashore on the island of Luzon. By comparison, that would make it a very, very powerful category 5 hurricane (using the scale they use for hurricanes, I believe category 5s start at 155 mph). Given that Katrina had lost much of it’s wind speed when it came ashore as a category 4 and all the damage it caused to the Mississippi and Louisiana coast line, it can’t help but wonder how much damage this storm caused to the Philippines. More importantly, I hope not too many lost family members to the storm.

It seems that no matter where we live around the globe, different kinds of bad weather can effect us from time to time.

Again, I hope all is well with you and yours.
Keith Pladson (66)

Keith, Typhoon Juan pretty much missed us entirely. We had a few really heavy rain showers from the affects of Typhoon Juan and that was about all. Manila is on the Island of Luzon. We live on the Island of Cebu, about 400 miles south of Manila as shown on the map below. This map makes all the land area of the Philippines appear to be connected, but it is not. There are over 7,000 Islands in the PI with about 720 habitant. Most all of the storms that hit the PI pass to the north of us. Our average annual rain fall is about 50″ compared to Manila with about 90″. Our temperature is pretty constant year around too with the day time highs around 90 with the lows in the 80’s. Manila’s seasonal highs and lows very about 15 to 20 degrees. We are about 400 miles north of the equator, so our daylight hours only very about an hour (half hour on each end) from Dec. to Jun. We have been living here 7 years now. Gary

 
  

10/20/2010

Posted on by
Mona Dionne Johnson (48)
Reply from Connie Zorn Landsverk: Bottineau, ND
 
In reply to Mona Dionne Johnson’s 48th b,day. Are you sure she’s only 48?? I worked @ St. Andrew,s hospital back in the 70’s & Mona was working in Medical records then & had to be in her forties!! Nice pictures of Mona & her sisters!! Connie (Zorn) Landsverk
1948 is the year Mona graduated from high school. With all the Dunseith alumni reading these messages, it’s my way of indicating their class year. I know listing it this way it can easily get interpreted as the persons age. Gary
 
 
Reply from Mona Dionne Johnson (48): Bottineau, ND
 
Gary: Neither of my sisters attended school in Dunseith. My sister,
Sister Marlyss lives at Maryvale, a couple of miles north of Valley
City. My sister, Elaine lives in Mesa, AZ. She last visited here in
2005.
Mona Johnson (48)
 
 
 
Happy Birthday Mona
From Margaret Metcalfe Leonard (65): Rolette, ND
 

Happy Birthday, Mona. It’s wonderful to celebrate special occasions especially with close family and friends! Your parents lived next door to Chuck and me when we lived in town, Rolette. They were wonderful neighbors. Your Dad would pick strawberries from the patch next to their house and give them to Nikki and Chris……they thought that was really a treat! I think Chuck knew Hylas and Josie all his life. He talked about going to their store in Thorne after Mass. The neighbors would pick up groceries and visit. Jim Leonard, a proud Irishman, couldn’t understand what they were saying as they spoke French, but I’m sure Irene interpreted for him. Those were the days. I drove through Thorne the other day and there isn’t much left there; although Damian and Kristy Dionne live on a farm on the outskirts of the city!
 
 

 

Bushels for the Boys” video

Reply from Aggie casavant (69): Fort Mill, SC

 

 

Hi Gary, Johnathan is Ricky and Denice Casavants son, Ricky is Lucien Casavants son…Johnathan married Amy M. from Rolette. I didn’t know how to spell her last name. It’s like pronounced Muzloff. Aggie

Aggie, Thank you som much for this reply. Is Lucien Casavent your uncle?
Neola, Thank you so much for this very touching video. Gary
Provided by Neola Kofoid Garbe: neola@min.midco.net Bottineau & Minot, ND
 
Gary,
I think this is the URL where you can watch the “Bushels for the Boys” video; the little Casavant boy is included. :)

 
Neola
  

10/19/2010

Posted on by
Mona Dionne Johnson’s (48) Birthday:
Message/Picture from Brenda Hoffman (68): Greenville, SC
 

Many of you probably don’t know how many transitions Ramona (Mona) Johnson has been through in the last year. She moved from her beautiful home and wild animals on Lake Metigoshe to an apartment in Bottineau. Her home sold and Brian, her son, and his wife retired to Bismarck. Mona still lives in Bottineau with it’s many pluses, but she misses her wild animal sightings.


Her sons, Brian, Craig and Ross, with the help of her sisters, Elaine and Sister Marlyss, surprised Mona on her birthday last week.


In the photo, Mona is on the left, her younger Sister Marlyss is seated in the middle and her oldest sister, Elaine, on the right.


Now I’ll let Mona tell about her surprise party:


My sisters arrived late Monday afternoon – what a surprise! We had birthday cake that night and just gabbed until midnight. The next day, we looked at the latest pics of my great grandkids; Elaine took us to lunch; we went shopping; and then onto the Dairy Dipper so Elaine could taste the Juneberry ice cream (Cow Pie). That night, as arranged by Brian, Craig, and Ross, we had supper at the Norway House, and yet more cake when we got home. Even though it was a busy time, it was so great to be together again – we haven’t been together for quite a few years – that is, all three of us at one time. Love, Mona
Mona, You gals all look great! Did Maryls or Elaine ever attend school in Dunseith? Where are they living now? It is wonderful that they were able to be with you for the celebration of your birthday. I’ll bet this was a special birthday too. Gary
Dionnne sisters: Mona Johnson, Marlys & Elaine
 
 
 
Guy and Lola (Millang) Knox will be celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary
Posted by Julie Knox Seier (82): Bottineau, ND
 

50th Anniversary Party/Open House for Guy and Lola Knox

 

Saturday, November 20, 2010 at 2:00pm

 

 

Senior Citizen Center in Bottineau

 
 
 
 
Joshua Fulsebakke & Mindy Zietlow engagement/wedding
Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Minot & Bottineau, ND

Joshua Fulsebakke is the son of Jim Jr. (75) and Marlee Rae (Reing) Fulsebakke. Joshua’s grandmother, Marlene Reing and my Brother Darrel’s (Bud) wife Debby are sisters. Gary

 

 
  

10/18/2010

Posted on by
“Dear Heart Lodge” – Owners name correction – Mr. and Mrs.Henry Kotschevar
From Vickie Metcalfe (70): Bottineau, ND.
 

Gary,

In my hurried state, yesterday afternoon, to get the photo of Wes, have it processed and sent into the blog, I totally neglected to double check my facts. I rambled about the name of Dear Heart Lodge and I was incorrect with the names of Mr. and Mrs. Kotschevar.


My apologies to yesterday’s readers. As I read last night’s blog I decided I better get busy and “fess up” to that hasty sloppy contribution……. before someone writes in…. incensed telling me to go “eat crow”. I don’t care for that particular taste!

 

Currently, I am in the process of double checking with Wes my rough draft on his perceptions and recollections of the Schneider neighbors at Deer Heart Lodge, Mr. and Mrs.Henry Kotschevar.

Regards, Vickie

Man Vickie, you were close with the spelling with yesterday’s posting. You know Kotschevar is not a common name. I only wish I was half as correct as you half the time with all of my spelling errors.
 
I was unable to find death records for Henry (1882-1963) and Marion Kotschevar, however I found death records for all of Henry’s sons, Louis, Lendal, Don and Russell. Lucille may be living yet. The Dunseith book does not list her married name. If these folks were still living, they’d be over a hundred years old. Gary
 
 

 

Bill & Gus Hackman stories – Remembrance from Dick Johnson and Larry Hackman

Posted by Larry Hackman (66): Bismarck, ND

 

Gary

I hope this finds you and your family well. We are having a beautiful fall here in the Dakotas. My favorite time of the year. The apples on the trees are large and beautiful this year. We picked some sweet ones and some sour ones off my brother-in-laws trees and my wife made delicious. Yes three huge delicious apple filled pies between golden crusts. I ate half of one in one sitting while it was still warm. DELICIOUS! The other two went into the freezer for later.

Just thought I would send the stories that Dick told everyone that I would send. I would send a pie but being in the service and seeing what condition that stuff arrived in when I was over seas makes me think, that we would both enjoy them pies more if I would just go ahead and eat them. Sounds like a good excuse to me. Beside don’t they have apples over there? I remember eating an apple over there in one them countries that tasted like a pear. It was good but I was expecting the taste of an apple. I can’t imagine eating a pear pie, can you?

Have a good day Gary,

Larry

 

 

Dick

Uncle Bill did love to read. One of my earliest recollections of my Uncle Bill, is him sitting at the table with a kerosene lamp and a newspaper stretched out before him. He would be leaning over the paper, in the yellow glow of that lamp, with a magnifying glass in his hand. Bill and Gus never did get electricity hooked up to their home, even though the line ran right by the house.

Uncle Bill always did take great pleasure in surprising us (my two older brothers and I) as kids, as we explored Grandpa and Grandma Hackman’s farm. When we least expected it, he would turn up with that walking stick as tall as he was and give a little grunt or make some sound to let us know that we were where we weren’t suppose to be. We would take off running for our lives. He would start laughing with that huge booming laugh, that would put wings on our feet.

Whenever we went to their farm we learned to always keep a sharp eye out for Bill. He always kept us a little afraid of him until we got older. Then you couldn’t of found a nicer guy to visit with, and to be with. Of course Uncle Gus was every kids favorite uncle. He always had time to talk and laugh with one or all of us. We never tired of trying to play tricks on him, as he enjoyed the pranks as much as we did. He treated us like grown ups before we were grown up.

Larry


Sent: Tuesday, October 12, 2010 9:09 PM
Subject: Re: Few: Uncle Bill


 

 

Larry,

The last two weeks without rain have been real busy around the area. I finished haying and my renter has finished taking off his crops. They were here over the weekend and cultivated the stubble and I see the fertilizer truck was here today. The next big job for me is hauling the hay to the buyers. One guy by Wolford has bought most of my hay for the past 22 years. Others are more local and they don’t take long to fill. I hate to think about it but snow and cold are only a month or so away. I guess we’ll survive another one!

Dick

On 10/12/2010 9:03 AM, larry & marion hackman wrote:

Dick
I lost the first half of this exchange of stories about Uncle Bill, If you have them and want to send them onto Gary, that is fine with me.
How are you doing with the farming? It sure has been a nice fall since the rains have stopped. I hope this weather lasts all the way until next summer.
You know you talked about the beaver building dams in the ravines and holding back all that water from the rains this fall, and that the water, if it keeps rising could flood your shop. I remember Great Uncle Anton (Tony) Dietrich and his son Joe would go around on their ford tractor in the spring of the year and disappear over the horizon or into the brush and next there would be a huge explosion. Then you might see or hear the tractor moving onto a new location and another explosion, and this would go on for most of the day. They would come back with a pile of beaver, that they would skin and sell the pelts. No problems with water backing up in the ravines? Its amazing what a little dynamite can do. Just an idea on how you could handle them pesky beaver and make some change for your pocket at the same time.
Larry

 
Dick
Suppose to rain again, for the next couple of days, good luck with the haying. The week end forecast is looking good though. When I was a working stiff, it seemed to me, that it only rained on week ends?
We did get the shingling done. Next step is to put in the windows and doors. We just work on week ends, so it kind of drags out the process, but it also gives a old man time for his muscles to rejuvenate and to stand up straight again.
The Hackman family, including his mother always referred to my Uncle Bill, as the The Bill, so that is probably why you misunderstood Uncle Gus, as he was saying to you, that, that is The Bill coming over the hill in the hills.
Uncle Bill was the oldest in the Hackman family and he outlived his brothers. He ended up in the nursing home in Rolette.
Another interesting story about my Uncle Bill, Since most people were kind of scared of him.
I and my wife were sitting in a restaurant in Rugby, and this woman came up to our table and told me, that she would like to thank me for my uncle. I must have looked a little puzzled, and I was.
She explained that her mother was in the Rolette nursing home, at the same time as my Uncle Bill. Her mother was partially blind and could not read. She said that my Uncle Bill would sit beside her mothers bed and read to her, and that she loved it, and so she wanted to Thank me for my Uncle Bill. I was amazed, and really appreciated the gesture.
Thanks for the stories.
Good Luck with the haying.
larry
 

Sent: Monday, September 20, 2010 6:38 AM
Subject: Uncle Bill

Larry,

Did you get the shingling done? Nice weekend to work outside anyway. I just about finished up the baling but with break downs and short days, I still have another day or so. Maybe today!!!!! This summer is one for the books.

Once in the mid 1970s, I had a terrible kink in my neck and had bad pain running down neck and back so I was kind of bent over and could hardly open one eye. I was driving school bus and looked pretty contorted when I reached for the door handle to let the kids off. When I went to drop off Shanon and Archie Metcalfe, who were the last ones on and off, they hit the ground and turned to me and said, “Goodbye Bill” and then laughed and took off for the house! I wanted to say, “You little rug rats, I ought to kick your behinds.” I just had to chuckle as I suppose they were about right. I guess I did resemble Bill Hackman. I just thought it was cute and you might appreciate the stories.

Dick

 
 
 
 
Stella Schimetz’s 80th birthday party
Pictures form Myra Henning Halvorson (72): Bottineau, ND
 
Hello Gary and all,

We had the pleasure of attending Stella Schimetz’s 80th birthday party today. Her kids: Mark, Kathy and Todd were there as well as many of her family members and friends. We enjoyed her famous BBQ’s as well as salads, sweets, conversation and several musical numbers by Art Rude, Here’s a couple pictures from the event.. Myra

 

 

Who is this beautiful young lady with Stella?

 

 

 

Not sure who the young lady is standing in the background

 

Stella Schimetz with the two Art Rude’s (Father and son)

 

 

 

 

Art Rude and Art Rude (Father and Son)

 

 

 

 

Art Rude

 

 

 

 

Facebook posting – Another beautiful picture of Bernadette.

Folks, This is another picture that my good friend, Ken Spurling, found in his albums. This goes back a few years. For many years we had an annual Christmas holiday party at our house, normally with about 70 folks in attendance. Bernadette would have been in country 5 years when this picture was taken. I was a little slimmer and had a bit more hair back then. Gary

 

1983 New Years Eve party at the Stokes house in Bremerton, WA.

Bernadette (Red Dress) and Gary Stokes

  

10/17/2010

Posted on by
Son’s of Norway Banquet – Music provided by the Highway 43 Band
Message from Connie Zorn Landsverk: Bottineau, ND
 

Hi tentatively planning to attend Stella’s 80th b,day party tomorrow. She looks wonderful for 80 huh!

Lastnite I attended the Son’s of Norway Banquet @ the Botno Senior Citizens. Ron Hett, Brenda & Dick Johnson provided the entertainment. The entertainment was awesome The music was very relaxing. Dick told a few Norwegian jokes which brought laughter to all. It was a fun night. Thanks again Brenda, Dick & Ron!!!
 
 
 
Wesley & Ovidia Schneider
Message/Picture from Vickie Metcalfe (70): Dunseith, ND
 
Gary,
Karen Larson at the Spectrum is sending todays photo of Wes
and Buie. My friend Ovidia is ever so camera shy. She is a
self-effacing sweetheart of a lady. She encourages Wes as we
collaborate on stories. It brings her great joy to see him happy and
laughing when he listens to what I and other folks like Dwight Lang
have written from the Gary Stokes and Friends Dunseith Blog.
Of course I respect Ovidia’s wishes when she says to me,
“Just write about Wes, folks know him.” Gary, It makes my heart
glad to be in the company with such a pair. Today the pair of them
shared stories of “Dear Heart Lodge and the Kochevars”.
By the way does any one know, where did the Kochevars get
the name “Dear Heart Lodge?”
were they, the Kochevars; Lillie and Jake, “Dear hearts and gentle people”?
I told Ovidia and Wes, “I will write what they…..hem…Wes
recalls and ask them to edit before i send off to you.”
Haste Ye Back, Vic
Wesley looks great!!!! and your Buie too Vickie. Wesley worked 50 plus years at the Bottineau Co-op Creamery. How well I remember Wesley, Floyd Dion, Joe Houle, Lloyd Jelleberg, Scotty Thompson and others working there from the days of Dad’s cream hauling days. Following Roger Bond’s retirement, Lloyd Jelleberg became the plant manager. Gary
 
 
 
Follow up message from Vickie:
 
Gary and Friends,
The end of September brought me the beginnings of a head
cold. I was out of school for a couple days and the neighborhood
circulation for a bit.
Tonight, I’d just came home from dining out at the local
Chinese diner. I thought. “I best take the dogs out.” As I walked
outdoors on this calm clear fall eve, I looked across the street to a
glowing welcoming light, and asked the boys “Shall we go see Wes and
Ovidia?” Excitedly, Buie pulled on his lead, dashed straight across
to the north. Thor and I regained our footing and scrambled hastily
behind.
The dogs got to the Schneider door with me wound in tangles
of white fur, red and blue leashes. The door opened, Ovidia had
heard us coming…I should say, me yelping.
They just finished their supper. Buie skidded across the
vinyl floor and came to a prompt stop by his friend Wes. Thor, more
shyly, ever the gentleman waited for “Wes treats.” I’ve told Wes
only one. But Wes, Thor and Buie tonight are like a recalcitrant
kids having fun! They were stopped at two. I the stern school
teacher.
Buie clearly the dog of the hour, enjoyed Wes’ attention,
gentle ear scratches and wandering ….clearly snooping in the
sitting room. Ovidia washed up the dishes, Thor stretched out at my
feet while I sat lazy as could be. Ahh, what a night.
We talked about…”winter comin on”. Wes recalled days long
since gone by. Days with the Boguslowski’ neighbor children, about
six to eight of them, who rode the bus.
And he and Warren betting who could run around the longest,
in their bare feet in the snow. Wes said, “The first time they
tried it was shockingly painful.” “Then, they’d get used to the
cold. With the out side sub zero,their feet, going round and round,
making tracks in the snow , then dashed to the house.” “Ouch! ouch!
Oh, boy did the feet hurt when the warm air hit! ” They hopped from
foot to foot, danced around, looked out the window to see their
father come out of the barn with the horses. He stopped, scratched
his head and looked, then followed the foot steps in the snow, gave
up and hooked the team to the school bus.”
Starting school, Wes told me, he didn’t know much English.
His mother didn’t read or write. His father, who could read and
write German, later learned to also read and write English had many
friends among the town folk. At that time, Dunseith,had lots of
different ethnic groups, many first generation nationalities. Mr.
Schneider the elder had many Syrian friends.
Wes said, “His older sister took him to school and signed him
into first grade.” His teacher was very stern, very scary!,
Looking at Ovidia’s orange , gold leaf print place mates on the
table, Wes said, that teacher’s face kind of looked like this,
pointing to an “ugly pointy shape”…….. He had her again for
second grade.”
Wes told me his father would put the team in the barn stable
at the Bergs during the day, go to the pool hall or stores to visit
and pass the time. It sounds like Mr. Schnieder, the elder enjoyed
a good visit.
And Wes, well just a few times… kind of got sick…. Ah
hem, left the school, going to the school bus, put a few pieces of
wood in the stove and curled up and relaxed…….a took a nap until
he…..his dad found him.
Then, Wes recalled a crisp fall day, jumping off the bus with
the Boguslowski children and picking crab apples in their yard. He
said, Eddie would say, as night drew near, “You best get on home
now, the gypsies have come around and they might get you.” Wes said
he’d scurry home, cause he didn’t want the gypsies to get him!
In parting tonight, my boys got final pats from Wes and Ovida
who walked us out to plug in the jack-o-lantern light which glowed us
back across the street. Good night. good night friends.
Vickie Metcalfe
 
  

10/16/2010

Posted on by
Stella Schimetz 80th Birthday Celebration
Tomorrow (Sunday) October 17th
2:00 – 5:00 PM
Dunseith Grade School
 
 

From: David Schimetz
Phone: 701-220-
E-mail: Bismarck, ND
Message:
Good morning,
I’m not sure if anybody has contacted you about this or not. The family of Louis and Stella Schimetz and Richard and Zachmeir family are having a 80th birthday celibration for Stella Schimetz on Sunday October 17th at the place you all remember her best from. The little french cook at the grade school whom most of us surpased in height by 5th grade:) It will start at 2 pm until 5pm and all is welcome to stop by and say hi to mom. For an extra treat Kathy is making Moms awesome Barbeques we all growing up in Dunseith High/Grade School remember. Mom always refered to all the kids she served for so many years as HER KIDS. Everybody seem to show up for Barbeque day especially the jocks whom most had a bottom less pit when it came to moms barbeques. The most barbeques I know that were eaten were 8 by 1 person whom was Lyle Olsen whom out ate more then Sudden Sam Tooke for which was not an easy thing to do:) When you went through the line Mom always had a nack for making you feel special. So we are asking all of her KIDS to stop by on Sunday from 2-5 at the grade school in Dunseith and have a barbeque or cup of coffee,cake or just to say hi. Dick Johnson and Clarence Azure,Don Olsen,David Fugere,Gary larocque,and all the Lavallie boys,Morins,Counts,Petersons,Metcalfs,Aberhamsons ect.ect. I know have room for a barbeque or 2 especially Archie Metcalf as I remember could suck down 5 or 6 not blinking.Hope to see you all on Sunday.
 
 
John Awalt Sr. with Unknown child
Picture from Bonnie Awalt Houle (56): Becker, MN
 

Dear Gary,

In going through pictures from my parents albums I came across this attached picture. Everyone in our family has tried to identify the child on the pony with our Father, John Awalt. We are hoping someone might be able to tell us who the child is, we aren’t certain if it is a boy or a girl. We know the picture was taken sometime in the 1970’s, up in the Turtle Mountains.

Hope someone out there has some guesses. (it is labeled Carl because we first thought it was, but learned we were mistaken).

Bonnie Awalt Houle (56)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alaina Richard, Allen’s Daughter, at homecoming 2010

Picturs from Allen Richard (65): Midland, MI

Allen, Alinaina is a very pretty girl. Like you said, you’ll have to get your shot gun out to run off the boys.

 

 

  

10/15/2010

Posted on by
Bill & Gus Hackman Story:
From Dick Johnson (68): Dunseith, ND
 
 
Gary and Friends,

Larry Hackman and I have had a few email discussions about his uncles Bill and Gus Hackman, who lived a couple miles northwest of our place. One time in the late 60’s, Dad and I were in getting something from the back of Evan’s Hardware and Rod Armentrout was busy working on someones swather engine. Bill and Gus were also there and were watching as Rod was trying to pull a stuck valve out of the engine block. He said he would have to go in and get some kind of a pry bar, but was afraid he may bend the valve stem by prying that hard on it. When he was inside the shop, Bill walked over and wrapped two of his big old fingers around the valve head and pulled it out with a ‘pop’. He never said a word just handed it to Rod when he came out. I remember the look on Rod’s face as he stood there in amazement! Bill used to walk for miles looking for lost or strayed cattle. He always had a walking stick that Larry said was nearly as tall as he was. I do remember that. One time Gus came down to our place with the car looking for some cows that were out. As I was talking to him, I noticed over his shoulder that something was just coming over rise to the north. I commented that there comes something now. Gus turned and said what I thought was, “That’s the bull.” I said,”The bull?” He said, “No, I said Bill.” Larry told me that in the family he was known as ‘The Bill’, so that is most likely what Gus said—makes sense now. Larry, can you fill in the stories about Bill’s reading at home and later? Thanks Gary!

Dick

 
 
 
 

Hans Johnson Story:

From Dick Johnson (68): Dunseith, ND
 
Gary and Friends,

My Grandpa Hans Johnson was not into much into the usual lines of recreation, but he really enjoyed fishing. Many times we went to Gordon Lake or Pelican Lake and a few times to Long Lake. I remember one morning when I was around 11 or 12 years old, Dad got me up real early and we were at the Crystal Cafe waiting for them to open at 6 AM so we could be at the farm early because we had so much work and not many days to get it done. When we got to the farm, the car was gone. Dad went in and asked Grandma where Grandpa was? She said he went fishing about 4:30 this morning and will be home soon. I remember how my dad went outside and threw his cap in the air and swore. He said, “He knows we have work to do and he’s gone fishing!” Well, Grandpa came home in just a short while later with his fish and was ready to put in a day in the field. Dad and I always hit it fast and hard but Grandpa took his time and still accomplished whatever he was doing. When I was about 12, Grandpa Hans took me to a 50 acre field and told me to go in second gear (slow) with the tractor, harrowing . I remember saying, “Fifty acres in second gear, I’ll be here forever!” He said, “Better forever going than forever broke down.” I guess there is a moral to this story. Dad had Rolaids in his pocket and Grandpa had a can of Prince Albert tobacco—go figure! Thanks Gary!

Dick

 
 
Duaine Ernest Dailly (58) passed away
 

Duaine Ernest Dailly

of Port Orchard, WA

Dec. 20, 1940

to Oct. 5, 2010

Veteran

 

Duaine Ernest Dailly, a longtime resident of Kitsap County, passed away surrounded by his family at his Port Orchard home on October 5, 2010 after a courageous 10-month battle with throat cancer.

He was born to Ernest and Lucille Hunter Dailly in Bottineau, North Dakota, on December 20, 1940 and lived in Dunseith, North Dakota until he was 15 years old when his family moved to Bremerton, Washington. He graduated from East Bremerton High School in 1958 and joined the U.S. Army in October of the same year.

While in the Army he received training at various U.S. sites and was then stationed in Nuremberg, Germany until his discharge in October of 1961. He then assumed a meat-cutting position with Safeway and later IGA in the same specialty until 1967 when he began working for Bremerton Ice and Fuel/Jennings Corporation as a wine salesman, retiring in June 2000. He was a member of Teamsters Local 589.

He married Jorgene Anderson Coulon in Kamloops, British Columbia on January 31, 1980.

He loved his cat Pigpen, Lawrence Welk and Willie Nelson music, John Wayne movies, a good game of racquetball, running (ran numerous times in the Bloomsday 10K in Spokane, Washington), and bicycling (rode in the Seattle to Portland ride at least 5 times) but his great love was dirt-biking with his buddies in the Baja (at least 10 trips). He also volunteered on the Mt. Rose Trail Crew on the Olympic Peninsula and participated in many Eagles activities (i.e. painting, serving meals).

He was preceded in death by his father, Ernest Dailly and his sister Juanita Dailly and is survived by his wife Jorgene of the family home, mother Lucille of Bremerton, son Brad (Susan) Dailly, daughter Michelle (Mark) Anderson, son Kurt (Fernanda) Coulon, brother Robert (Arline) Dailly, sister Ernestine Hartley, brother Romaine (Donna) Dailly, brother Toby (Paula) Dailly and sister Carmen (Dan) McDonald. He is also survived by grandchildren Jeff, Kevin, Madisen, Yetzirah and Frida.

The family would like to thank Multi-Care Cancer Center of Gig Harbor and Hospice of Kitsap County for their exceptional care and compassion during Duaine’s illness. Also a big THANK YOU to all of you who visited him and Jorgene during this trying time. They truly enjoyed all of your visits and you kept them smiling.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Hospice of Kitsap County, 3100 Bucklin Hill Road #201, PO Box 3416, Silverdale, Washington, 98383.

A celebration of life will be held at the Eagles Lodge at 6th and Washington in Bremerton, Washington on Saturday, October 23rd, 2010 from 2 to 5 p.m.

Folks, I know many of you remember the Ernest Dailly family. I believe Duaine would have probably attended Dunseith thru his Freshman year before the family moved to Bremerton, WA in about 1955. Please correct me if I’m wrong. This is just a guess. Ernest and Lucille Dailly lived just around the corner from us in Bremerton. I knew Ernest and Lucille well, but their children were all gone when I learned to know them in 1966. Robert Dailly, Duaine’s brother, is married to Arline Lamoureux. Robert and Arline attended the Dunseith Alumni Reunion in May. I remarked to Robert how much he resembles his dad. Gary

 
 
Folks,
 
I have Frequently mentioned Puget Sound Naval Shipyard (PSNS) Where I worked for 37 years. With this being a lighter day I thought I’d share with you a picture that a co-worker and good friend of mine, Ken Spurling, recently posted on facebook. This picture was taken in about 1985. I’m the guy with the red shirt in the 2nd row. We were the scheduling department for the entire shipyard. There were about 40 of us. We scheduled all of the production work inclusive of all the major ship overhauls, Nuclear refuelings, miscellaneous jobs, etc. Bubble charts and bar graphs were our specialties. I was in this department for 25 years and 2 months. I was a supervisor when I retired, but Supervisors and lead schedulers where all paid the same rate, so there was no more pay involved. Gary
 

My friend, Ken Spurling’s, caption with the facebook posting.

PSNS– U.S.

Navy– Production. I worked with these people for a lot of years. Strong people— either fit in or get fed to the hogs. No room for anyone who caused trouble. In a way it was comfortable, because you knew exactly what was expected of you. It was about the end product, with no room for any personal problems. Zero room for excuses. Religion and politics were verboten.

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

10/14/2010

Posted on by
Condolences to the Loeb family

From Marge Longie Langan-Wilcox (56): Vancouver, WA.
 
gary,

i have had a new addition to my family last week.

it is my # 10 great grand child.

he was born on oct 5, 2010

he weighed 8#

 

and i would like to express my prayers and condolences to

the loeb family.

my mother urusla longie and hannah were close friends.

they were both at the 2007 reunion.

 

margeLangan-wilcox

2007 All School Reunion
Hanna Loab & Urusla Longie
 
 

Condolences to the Loeb family

From Allen Richard (65): Midland, MI

To Karen Loeb—Having been married twice, I’ve lost both parents, one mother-in-law and two fathers-in-law. I loved them all and treasure my current mother in law. Loss is painful and long lasting. If there was such a thing as a cyber hug, I’d give you one.

 

Allen
 
 

Condolences to the Loeb family

From Jay (66) & Lola (68) Vanory: Dunseith, ND

To the Loeb families:

 

We are so deeply saddened at Hannah’s passing but are thinking of her now in that bright happy place with her beloved husband. Our hearts go out to you kids- it seems no matter how old they are – it is still very hard to let them go – fondly-Jay and Lola Vanorny

 

 
 
 
Bea, Judy Allery Azure’s sister – added to our Distribution
From Judy Allery Azure (65): Wahpeton, ND.
 
Hi Gary,
Just a short note to have you add my sister Bea to your list of alumni, her
email address is:

I certainly have enjoyed all the daily messages and I pass this along to family
members. I am doing great just getting a little older. I moved last year back
to Wahpeton, ND and am working at the Circle of Nations School, this is a
boarding school for children from grades 4 thru 8. The children come from all
over the U.S, and can be a handful at times. It’s enjoyable to see so many
young faces that are eager to learn and change their lives for the better.

Certainly enjoy seeing your home and the addition you are making, looks like
quite an undertaking.

I spoke with Barb Kalk’ s sisters last evening and Barb sure can use the prayers
from everyone as she is in a battle for her life.

Folks, Barbara Kalk Lopez (65) is battling lung cancer.
Hang in there Barbara. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Gary

 

Follow up reply to Gary’s question from Judy
 
Hi Gary,

She is my sister her full name is Beatrice Allery Raygo, Fargo, ND 58103
phone is (701)235-. She would have been with the Class of 64. Bea is 11
months older than me and 1 yr younger than our brother Clifford Allery. Yes,
you may post her info if you wish. Thanks

Judy

Thank you Judy.
Bea, It is my pleasure to add you to our distribution and alumni. I will add you to the class of 64. For those Alumni that attended other area schools and those that attended Dunseith, but transferred, etc before graduating, I include in their respective class year with the Dunseith listings. That includes all the country schools too. I know, I have a lot of back filling to do, but little by little it gets done. Gary
 
  

10/13/2010

Posted on by
Folks,
 
Our phone with the number that I have posted (360-362-1222) has been on the mend for several weeks now. We could call out, but folks could not call us. I just received a phone call from a friend of mine in Bremerton, so I’m hoping the problem has been fixed. We also a Magic Jack phone that I’d like to permanently switch over to and discontinue our other phone, but there are problems with Magic Jack too. With Magic Jack we are unable to call folks in the “Souris River” phone company calling areas and other rural phone areas. That takes in a whole lot of the ND areas. I’m not sure if you guys with “Souris River” phones can call our magic jack phone or not. Our Magic Jack number is 701-428-8186. Both these numbers are good VOIP numbers to reach us at. You can call anytime of the day. If we are not around just leave a message. These phones do not wake us up.
 
Gary
 
 
 
Hannah Higgins Loeb (39) Passed away
 

 

Message from Karen Loeb Mhyre (65): Bellevue, WA

 

Hi Gary,


Just to let you know, our mother, Hannah Loeb passed away this past Saturday. Here is an email copy I sent to close friends.


Dear Friends,

 

Here we are at the end of our journey. I wanted to let each of you know that our Mother, Hannah Alida Loeb, passed away on Saturday, October 9th at 1:20 PM. We are so grateful for these last few months, not only because it gave each of us time to be with mom, but it also gave us time to spend with each other, a rare gift for three grown-up sisters.

 

Ashley Hannah, Andrew and Jennifer’s youngest (4 month old) was visiting with us when the weekend Hospice nurse arrived.As Andrew arrived to pick up Ashley, the Hospice nurse was examining Mom. At that moment, Mom was gone. She had quietly stopped breathing and faded away, very peacefully and with little pain.

 

The last several days had been very quiet and calm. Turning Mom over, and giving her little sips of water to keep her mouth moist, was all she seemed to want or need. It was a time for each of us to sit closely and hold her hand. On Friday evening, Karen washed her face and Mom murmured “Thank you.”We think those were her last words.

 

Mom wanted to be at home when she died, and we are so happy that we were able to help her do this. Our plan now is to have a private family service this weekend at St. Brendan’s Church in Bothell. In July, we will be attending a family wedding in Minnesota. We will take a little trip to the lake near our parents first home where they were married and started their family. That was some 63 years ago. Our Dad, George Loeb died so long ago in 1975. We know this would make them both happy, together again in the place they were young, healthy and happy!

 

Thank you all for your love and support, your prayers and care. It has been a long four months but also a very rewarding time. Mom would laugh at us as we moved her to her chair, positioned her in bed, and help her with her meals, personal care and the like.She was incredibly patient with our stumbling and incredibly thankful that we were together with her during this time.We watched her favorite films, read from some of her favorite books, listened to a great deal of music and even watched some old “Rockford Files.”We looked at old photos and albums given to her by Drew and Jill, as well as old family albums. We were fortunate that Tom and his family were able to visit from Saudi Arabia in July, and Jill and her little family visited from Michigan around the same time. Frequent visits from Mom’s nieces and nephews and their families, as well as visits by Andrew and his family kept Mom extremely busy and cared for.Our Hannah and my Jim would stop in occasionally, too. It really was a journey for all of us.

In the end, it was as Mom had wanted. We were together at home and she was at peace. What more can anyone ask. We will miss her but she will always be with us.

Please, send no flowers or anything, just continue to donate to your favorite charities and continue to do all the good things I know you do for others. This is what Mom wanted.

And thank you for thinking of us at this difficult time, we knew you were there and it really helped to have this kind of support. Please forgive this method of communicating the news, it is now the simplest way we can share with each other. Mom liked letters best, but had learned to accept our modern ways.

 

All our love,

 

Karen, Jane and Mari

Karen, we are so saddened to hear of the death of your mother. We so enjoyed her visit with you at the 2007 reunion. She was such a sweetheart of a person. She and Art Rude were call mates. Gary

 

 

 

Reply from Sharon Longie Dana (73): MIssoula MT

 

Gary, I would like to thank you again for doing this blog. Without it I would never have seen or been in touch with my high school friend…Brenda Hiatt Parker(73).

I went thru Bismarck this past Friday and was able to have lunch with her and meet her wonderful husband Paul. Brenda and I had a great visist and it was so awesome to re-connect with her. Now i know we won’t ever lose touch again. Thanks again Gary for all you do !!!!

 

Sharon Longie Dana(73)

You are so welcome Sharon. It is my pleasure. It’s wonderful you were able to connect with Brenda. You’ve just added more fuel to my efforts doing this. Gary

 

 

Stella Schimetz’s

 

80th birthday celebration

 

 

 

Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Minot & Bottineau, ND

 

 

 

 
Isaiah Larry Hackman – Larry’s Grandson
Posted by Larry Hackman (66): Bismarck, ND
 

Gary

Talking about additions.

I thought I would introduce our new addition to everyone.

My new grandson (Isaiah Larry) was born On Sept. 28th,

to my son Larry and his wife Lynn.

He is our ninth grandchild.

No plastering of the walls or tiling of the floors necessary Gary, he is fully operational.

Congratulations Larry with the arrival of Isaiah. He is a handsome boy. Gary
 
 
 
  

10/12/2010

Posted on by
Folks,
 
Our new addition is coming along well. The roof is on and the walls will be all plastered, both inside and out, by the end of this week. Next comes the ceiling and then the floor and Bathroom wall tiles. Gary
 
 
 
Neola with her mother: Minot & Bottineau, ND
 

Hi Gary,

 

As you can see from the picture I sent yesterday, Mom looks “good”! Her health improvement is due to all the prayers that were said for her. Please thank your readers for their prayers, as I know many of them included Mom/our family in their prayers. As you can see, one more time, prayers worked!!!!!

 

I know many prayers were prayed for me, too. Those prayers were also answered–thanks! I’m busy making caramels. I need about 175 lbs. in the next couple of weeks, or so. Our condo has turned into a “candy making factory”. :)

 

Neola

Your mother and you too, look great! Gary

 

 

 

 

 
 
Deer Heart Lodge – Tales of Old
 
 
 
 
From Dwight Lang (61): Tucson, AZ
 
 
The Deer Heart Lodge was just North of our cattle pasture, maybe 1/4 mile or so. It was run by a Mr. and Mrs. Kochovar (probably misspelled). I was very young at the time so I don’t remember it all that well. But they had many displays featuring taxidermy items like the gopher wedding in the picture as well as a group of frogs playing cards at a table, all with accessories to boot. They also had some elaborate wood furniture and carvings plus garden displays galore. A very beautiful and interesting place. I think they charged a walk through fee but I can’t imagine how they managed to make a go of it being a ways off Willow Lake Road (not necessarily known as a tourist route).
 
Back to the garden features. I must admit that he had the best and sweetest strawberries I have ever tasted. That might be why I never got to know the gentlemen that well since he wasn’t pleased very much when I unexpectedly and uninvited would show up for a taste or two of those sweet berries from time to time. Reminds me of Arizona where one can run for the border for safety. In my case safety was the pasture to the South.
 
On another occasion, we had this bull, Elmer. Elmer was a social critter and did not respect a three barded wire fence it he had a mind to go visiting, be it the neighbors cows or Mr. Kochovar’s gardens. He apparently had a taste for tulips and on one visit to the Deer Heart Lodge he cleaned out one of Mr. Kochovar’s displays of a hundred plus tulips. I remember him visiting my Dad on this occasion. Dad was not very happy but eventually paid up at a buck or two each tulip (big money back then). Now Elmer, I’m not certain what his fate was to be, but I believe he ended up contributing to the McDonald first million served. Another day on the farm, some come, some go!
 
Dwight Lang
  

10/10/2010

Posted on by
Howard and Ray Wilson Question
 
 
From Erling Landsverk (44): joannanderling@charter.net Portage, WI
 

Hi Gary and Everyone:

 

Howard Wilson used to come to our house in dunseith during the school year, and wanted me to help him learn the guitar. I believe his father was either pastor of a missionary church north of Dunseith or he was an agent for the native American community. I remember Ray Wilson was the Justice of the Peace. I also remember he had a pronounced limp. I got to wondering about them and wondered what became of the family. I never hear their names mentioned. Perhaps someone can fill in the gaps since 1943

 

Erling Landsverk
 
 
 
 
Deer Heart Lodge reply:

 

From Dick Johnson (68): djcars@hughes.net Dunseith, ND
 
Gary and Friends,

In answer to Lois Tweten’s question about Deer Heart Lodge, only some small stonework still remains. They are now in the yard of the Kenny Hill farm. Kenny’s son was living on the farm the last I heard. I think everything else is now gone. There are pictures of what it used to look like in the Dunseith history book—Prairie Past and Mountain Memories. The books are still available at the bank in Dunseith, last I heard. I would also like to thank Lois for the compliment on our music at the Hostfest. The place where we played this year wasn’t the best for us to interact with the audience. Hopefully next year we will be on a better stage—just one of those things. Thanks Lois and Gary!

Dick

 
 
 
 
Quick Story
 
 
From Mel Kuhn (70): St. John, ND
 
Gary,
 
As long as Dick is telling the little quick stories I have one from back in my lumber selling days. Gary this may also be helpful to you seeing as you are in a construction project. This older fellow[probably someone about Dick’s age]came in and said he wanted to buy some 2X4’s. I asked him how long he wanted them. He said he wanted them for a long time cause he was gonna nail them to his house!!
 
Mel

 
  

10/09/2010

Posted on by
Reply from Kay Hosmer (77): Crown Point, Ind
 
To Joe Johnson regarding the photos of the 2 boys: they don’t look like the same person to me. Joe, hello from a childhood classmate – Kay
 
 
 
 
 
Barbara Kalk Lopez (65) Chemo/Radiation treatments
Message from Al Lopez: Inver Grove Heights, MN
 

Gary,

Just an update on Kathy (Barbara Kalk, class of 1965) Lopez:

She finished her Chemo/Radiation to rid her of lung cancer.

She will be scanned on Oct. 29 and her doctors will tell us the

results a week later.

Please continue to keep her in your thoughts and prayers.

God Bless You All.

Hang in there Barbara, Hopefully the worst is over. It’s all uphill from here. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. You have missed the last two reunions. You need to get well so you can attend our next when ever reunion. It would be nice if you and Al could join us on the Dunseith Alumni Caribbean Cruise in February 2012. That would give us an opportunity to meet Al and for a whole lot of us, to see you once again after 45 years. Gary

 
 
 
Another cafe story
From Dick Johnson (68): Dunseith, ND
 
Gary and Friends,

Another old cafe story from the old days. Mom said an older Native American came in to the cafe and sat down in a booth, She said in those days very few of the Native Americans from the older generation ever came in to eat. She went over and asked him what he would like to order? He said, “I want a big steak.” She said, “Sure, we can do that. How would you like it fried?” He looked at her and said, “Damn right I want it fried!” Just another story from the ’40s. Thanks Gary!

Dick

  

10/08/2010

Posted on by
Reply from Orelle & Lois Hiatt Fugere’s son
Delmer Fugere: Bonney Lake, WA
 
Hi Gary It was great to finally put a voice to a face! Sory I can’t be of any help to the two mistery boys, But I will show the pic to my dad (Orelle Fugere) to see if he can help. Also if you or anybody else has any pics of Walter and Julia Hiatt Family or Louie and Alma Fugere Family or just Orelle and Lois Fugere It would be Great! Thanks Delmer
Delmer, It’s so nice hearing from you too. Many of our readers knew your parents, especially your mother. They will be pleased to see your posting.

For those of you that do not recognize Delmer’s town, Bonney Lake, it is located near Tacoma. Mount Rainier, the highest peak in Washington state, is located near by. Many of my former Army Reserve friends live in or near Bonney Lake. Gary

 
 
Clyde Satrang’s (51) Birthday October 13th.
Message from Marjorie (Mrs. Clyde): Mountain Iron, MN.
 
JUST GOT THROUGH DRINKING MY MORNING COFFEE WHILE READING
THE DUNSEITH NEWS. MISSED IT YESTERDAY!!! WE ARE HAVING
GREAT WEATHER HERE IN NORTHERN MN. JUST WANTED TO LET YOU
KNOW IT WILL BE CLYDE’S BIRTHDAY OCT 13TH. THANKS.
Marjorie and Clyde, How wonderful to hear from you guys too.
 
Folks, Clyde was born and raised in the Willow Lake area in the hills. He stayed with a relative, I think an aunt/uncle in Willow City when he went to High School. 51 is his class year though. Mrs. Lawrence Wenstad was his sister, so Clyde is an uncle to all of the Lawrence Wenstad children, many of whom are on our distribution.
 
Happy Birthday Clyde in five days. We will be looking forward to a report. Gary
 
 
 
 
Crystal Cafe Stories
From Dick Johnson (68): Dunseith, ND
 
Gary and Friends,

A couple days ago I remembered a cute story from the old days in Dunseith. Mom was working as a waitress in one of the cafes and one of the business owners came in after having a few too many next door. She said he was a stutterer and even though most stutterers have less trouble when they are ‘relaxed’, he was the opposite and got worse. She said he told her, “M-M-Make m-me some tttt tea and put in ttttt two,–put in tttttt two, put in tttttt two—AH hell, make it strong!” We were talking about something else and it reminded me of the story from the mid 40s. I bet the old Crystal Cafe has lots of stories to tell—-I only know a few. Thanks Gary!

Dick

 

 

  

10/07/2010

Posted on by
No Blog yesterday:
Folks, I was unable to get a blog posted yesterday. It was our bowling day and I was tied up with a bunch of things that needed my immediate attention with our building project yesterday morning. Gary
 
 
 
Surprise Visitor at the Aime Casavant home:
Fern Pladson Beaver (67): Devils Lake, ND
Message from Aime Casavant (66): Jamestown, ND
Aime & Fern, it’s these kind of encounters that make these daily blogs so interesting. Most of our readers know both the Casavant and Pladson Families. That’s what makes it so neat. Aime, Fern’s brother Keith, was in your class too. Gary
Gary,

This is an account of one of those experiences in life – that can come
only from former classmates.

One friday, this lady knocked on my door – I was the only one home.
She introduced herself, that she was Fern Beaver and she had come to
pick up some children from bible summer camp that my wife Brenda was
bringing to our house. I invited the lady in – she was very friendly
and pleasant. We sat at the counter in our house and visited for
about 20 minutes – my wife was late. Then the lady said “You don’t
know who I’am, do you? I know you, your Aime Casavant.

I said, uh, well, uh, (embarassing), not really, I’m not sure who you
are. She said I went to Dunseith High School with you. Totally
surprised I said – really! She said yes, I was a grade below you.
All this time we had been visiting and she knew exactly who I was and
I did not know her. She kept smiling. I said, “well, I can just
remember one girl with the name of Fern and it was Fern Pladson. ”
She said “yes – thats me.” But my name is now Fern Beaver. We had a
good visit.

Several years ago, I went to a stage theatre production in Devils
Lake, driving a charter bus there. The musical was “My Fair Lady.”
The production was outstanding, the actors and singers just great.
There is a little old grandma in the musical. I looked at the list of
cast and there in the list was Fern Beaver playing the part of the
grandma. She was fantastic ! The show was as good as anything I
have seen on Broadway in NY. After the show the actors stand in
line. I walked through the line, met Fern once again and gave her a
big hug. This was just an interesting encounter I wanted to share.

 
 
 
 
Message from DeAnn Gottbreht O’Hara: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/deanngottbreht
 

Hello again! The last month or so has been really busy preparing for Patrick and I’s wedding this weekend. I am so glad the day is finally almost here! I am also looking forward to spending time with all of our family and friends coming to share this special day with us. Our wedding will be at 5pm at the Metigoshe Ministries Lakeside Christian Center up at Lake Metigoshe.

I had another hormone treatment this last Monday. The treatment 3 weeks before had my feeling pretty lousy the next day so I am back on steroids before each treatment to help fight the side effects of the treatments. Unfortunately steroids have their own side effects but I felt a little better after this last treatment so I guess it’s worth it. The steroids cause my face to get really red, cause trouble sleeping, increased weight gain and so on. Other than that I am doing pretty well. My hair is really coming back now, and of course it appears to be as curly as before! I look in the mirror some days and wonder who this person with such short hair is looking back at me but I suppose I will get used to it over time. Life in the last year sure has brought many changes! Also my energy is improving a little but I’m sure it will be awhile yet before I feel somewhat back to normal again.

Connor is doing great! He was at the doctor this last week for shots and is now up to 16 lbs! That of course is a little on the small side for a 7 month old but he is growing and changing everyday. He loves to lay on the floor and play now and manages to roll himself all over the room when he wants to. I look up from doing something and say Hey how did you get way over there! He just looks at me with his wonderful smile. He is always such a happy boy! He is also starting to enjoy eating baby food. Last night he enjoyed some sweet potatoes and unfortunately managed to get them all over his face and a little on his shirt and pants as well! He thinks he needs to help me put the spoon in his mouth which always leads to a mess!

I hope you all have a great week! I know it will certainly be a wonderful one for my family and I. Take care.

Love DeAnn

DeAnn, Congratulations to you and Patrick with you wedding this week-end. I Know your Aunt Evie is already there and I believe your Aunt Sharron will be arriving as well. You must be special for them to travel such long distances. We’d love to see pictures too. Gary
 
 
 
 
Unknow Pictures
Reply from Dick Johnson(68): Dunseith, ND
 
Gary,

The pictures posted by Ele of two young boys sure look like they could be relatives of the Hiatts. I wonder if they could be Lois Hiatt Fugere’s boys? Being that they were found in the attic of Cam and Sherri Millang’s house, they could most likely have been placed there when Freddie Hiatt’s family lived there. They appear to be wearing shirts from that time period too—mid ’60s. If I look at the top picture, I can see the resemblance to Lois—if only in my mind. To my knowledge, after Bennie Johnson lived in the house only the Freddie Hiatt family lived there until Charles Hagen bought the place. I doubt that he would have put these pictures in the attic. I spent several days and nights in the house with the Slyter boys and we were in every inch of the house. After Charlie Hagen bought the place, he cleaned out the attics and called my mom and asked her if she wanted some old boxes that were in the attic. If not, he was going to throw them out. She went over and got a large wooden box with a lid and a round crate of some kind. The wooden box was full of Grandma Johnson’s old newspapers and some other papers from the old days. We have the wooden box upstairs in our house and it is now used as a stand for an antique radio and lamp. It has homemade leather straps for hinges and is a keepsake for me. Gary if you could post Lois’s picture with the one of the top boy, you can see the resemblance.I could be wrong too. Thanks!

Dick

Dick, I just talked to Delmer Fugere del3290@comcast.net, Lois and Orelle’s son. He has been following the Blog and he said these two boys are not he and his brother Dana. I can sure see the resemblance. I will post Lois’ pictures though. It’s time for another posting of the Walter Hiatt family too. Lois has been gone nearly two years now. Maybe these two guys belong to some of the other Hiatt’s? The number two boy looks like a Salmonson to me?
 
Delmer, please forgive me for not checking my records to see if you are on our distribution before I called you. It was nice chatting with you.
Note: I would have still called you even if I had checked my records first. Gary
Unknown Boy #1

 

 

 

Unknown boy #2

 

 

 

Lois Hiatt Fugere(56)

Diseased Nov. 08

 

 

Walter & Julia Hiatt Family:

Back Row: Freddie, Delores, Eldon

Front Row: Bernard, Julia, Lois, Walter, Wallice

 

 

 

Cheerleaders 55-56: Lois Hiatt, Janice Leonard,

Mickey Haagenson & Bonnie Awalt

 
  

10/05/2010

Posted on by
Message from Lyle Olson (75): West Fargo, ND


From: Lyle Olson
E-mail:
Message:
Gary:

Please change my e-mail address from to

Thanks for all you do, and I look forward to meeting your and your lovely wife on the 2/12 cruise. I am hoping to get many 1975 classmates to go along.

Lyle Olson

Lyle, I have updated all my files with your new email address. We too are looking forward to meeting you on the cruise in 2012. It will be so nice if a lot of your class of 75 folks can join us as well. We are expecting a lot of folks for this cruise. Dunseith will be rocking the boat. It’s always so much more fun with a group and in this case a group of Dunseith Alumni from all around the nation and the globe. Your friends are welcome to join us too. I got some really good positive feed back from the friends of our Alumni that joined us on the Alaska Cruise last year with just how friendly the Dunseith folks are. Our reputation follows us.
 
Folks, Please contact Gina at 1-866-870-6986(toll free) to make your reservations for the Dunseith Caribbean Cruise in February 2012. The earlier the better to get your desired cabins. When they are gone they are gone and you are left with the left overs. Your deposit is refundable. Gary
 
 
 
New York City Photo’s posted by Brenda Hoffman several days ago
Reply from Aime Casavant (66): Jamestown, ND
Yes, Brenda – I agree with Aggie on the picture of NYC. Its amazing
how many interesting places there are in the U.S. – and NYC alone. I
have read about so many from DHS who have traveled – not only America
but many places in the world that are so interesting. After reading
Nancy Hosmer writing about Santa Fe, NM, I want to go there and
visit. Each place has its own personality – for better for worse. I
have been back to NYC about 6 times and in retirement I have driven
charter buses there on tours – I think its one of the few vehicles
that has an edge over those yellow taxis that move like they own the
streets. A bright, young Jamestown College student put it perfectly
in her description of traffic as we moved through the city. She said,
“I think traffic rules here are just theory.”

I was fortunate in that I visited the city once again, about a month
before 9/11 and as part of the tour, went into the towers. My
daughter Vanessa who lived there was at the building site when the
attack occurred and she was evacuated. My wife and I just sat at home
waiting for the phone call from her because we knew she was probably
in the gym there at that time. The call came from Vanessa at about
11:00AM – home in Washington Heights. A lot of tears.

That was the day Vanessa decided she would no longer live in NYC. She
completed her degree at CUNY and moved to Seattle where she is now.
She loves it there and it is also a very nice place – but I little bit
too cloudy for me. She only goes back to NYC to visit. It is great
to visit but always great to come back. Visiting is great – living
there – no.

 
 
 
 
Reply to photo’s posted by Ele Dietrich Slyter (69)
From Joe Johnson (77): Lindstrom, MN

Gary,

After closely reviewing the photos sent by Ele Slyter, I believe both photos are of the same boy but about 3 years (+/- 1 yr) between the photos. Sorry, I can’t help identify the handsome young boy though.

Joe Johnson (77)

Joe, I agree, I think this may be the same boy.

Folks, do any of you have any guesses as who this may be? Gary

 

 

  

10/04/2010

Posted on by
Happy Birthday Gloria Robillard Patnaude (69): Belcourt, ND
 
Gloria, I beleive today, October 4th, is your birthday. We all wish you a very happy birthday, Enjoy. Gary
 
 
 
Hilltop school Picture posted yesterday
Reply from Denise Lajimodiere: Morehead, MN
 
I’ve never seen a picture of Lillian Lajimodiere. Would love to have a copy!
Denise Lajimodiere
 
Follow up reply from Denise
Thank you for the pic of Lillian! My great-grandfather, Modeste, who settled north of Dunseith, had three wives and 21 children. (He remarried after each wife had died.) I’ve had a difficult time keeping track of the females in the family because of name changes. Modeste’s father, Joseph was an uncle to Louis Riel, (Riel’s mother was a Lajimodiere) and fled Canada after he was hung. He settled in the Walhalla area, Modeste moved the family to Dunseith, and his son, Benjamin moved us to Belcourt. My dad Leo disliked Belcourt, lived in Dunseith and both my parents and Modeste and other Lajimodierea are buried there. Our last name is spelled differently on many of the headstones! I hope I will also be buried there.
Because we ‘relocated’ to Oregon in the mid-fifties, I missed out on knowing many of the old family members. I would love to hear any stories about Lajimodiere of Dunseith.
Denise
 
 
 
Art Rude & his Dog Sadie on America’s Funniest Home Videos
Reply from Eileen Brudwick: Goodyear, Arizona
 

Gary,
 
Mike & I seen Art Rude & Sadie tonight. They took 3rd place!! :-)

Eileen

Congratulations Art! We get reruns of the show, so in time hopefully we will see you guys. Gary
 
 
 

Hostfest

Comments from Lois Tweten: Helena MT
 
Gary and blogger followers!
Hi from North Dakota all you bloggers! I went to the H◘stfest. Two mornings I had my breakfast at Stockholm Hall to hear Higway 43! They are sure good! My cousins, on my Mom’s side, and I would sit there eating our “rice pudding”, visit, and enjoy their great music! We all loved the music…Mange Takk (Many Thanks!) I couldn’t Also enjoyed Alan Jackson, Vince Gill, Daniel O’Donnell, Oak Ridge Boys and Bjoro Holland to name a few groups. Wow it was fun.
I’m in my wonderful birth state of ND for a few weeks and will get around to see many of my family in this area after spending a week in Minot I’m now in Rugby.
Does anyone know about Deer Heart Lodge near Dunseith?
Lois Tweten
 
 
 
 
Hostfest
Comments/Picture from Dick Johnson (68): Dunseith, ND
Gary and Friends,

We just spent four days at the Hostfest in Minot. What a neat deal! We played music there but also enjoyed the many displays of crafts and foods from the Scandinavian countries. We were walking through the halls between our performances and met Diane Larson Sjol. She was wearing a Norwegian costume called a ‘bunad’ and was the absolute picture of Norway. She said the bunad was owned by an older friend of hers who was unable to attend and had asked her to wear it. Brenda also has a bunad from the Voss area of Norway. Each area has a certain style of dress and jewelery that is characteristic of that region only. The one Diane was wearing was from the Tromso region in northern Norway. She told us that her dad’s family was actually from the same region so the bunad was even more correct. I hope Diane has a picture of herself wearing this traditional costume that she would post for us. Until last year I didn’t know or care that much about these fancy costumes, but with a little more knowledge of their purpose and meaning I actually find them interesting. Brenda’s grandmother went back to Norway several times and each time she returned, she brought back the correct fabric and jewelry for a bunad for Brenda. Some of the jewelery the women were wearing in Minot was over 250 years old. I will attach a picture of Brenda at last years Hostfest wearing her bunad. She tells me that she hadn’t yet put on the jewelery when the picture was taken. Thanks Gary!

Dick

Dick, this is most certainly a beautiful picture of a beautiful lady, both inside and out. You are so blessed. Gary
 
Brenda Johnson
 
 
New York City Pictures Posted by Brenda Hoffman several days ago.

 

 

Reply from Aggie Casavant (69): Fort Mill, SC
 
Brenda thanks for the awesome pictures of New York City. Aime,his wife Brenda and I spent 3 days there, when we took their daughter Vanessa there for school, like 11 years ago. New York City is one of those places that everyone should expierence…even if your the type of person who hates big cities. There is just something so special about it…..just something so great…Aggie
 
 
 
 
Unidentified pictures
From Ele Dietrich Slyter (69): Dunseith, ND.
 

I am hoping that you and your readers can identify these two boys..thank you for trying..pictures were found in Cam and Sherri Millang’s attic hidden behind a board.

ele

 

 
 

10/03/2010

Posted on by
Art Rude’s dog – America’s Funniest Home Videos:
Posted by Art Rude (71): Bismarck, ND
 
Art Rude Sunday (today) is the day that my dog Sadie is on America’s funniest home videos. If you watch, Grace, Hannah, and Gavin will be there representing the family. I couldn’t go because it was the first day of classes. Check the local time for broadcast by your local ABC affiliate. They can broadcast it at different times.
 
 
 
 
Old Drug Store Picture posted Yesterday
Question from Ron Longie (65): Yakima WA
 
Gary,
What is the name in the window of the store thought to be “WILLIAMS”
Ron
Ron, “Malted Milk”, That brings back some good memories. Gary
 
 
 
Old Drug Store Picture posted Yesterday
Reply from Marie Iverson Staub (60): Seattle, WA.
 
Gary,
 
Love the pictures of the old drug store. I want to buy the old ice cream set. The only drug store I remember was the Shelver Drug.
Brenda, great pictures of New York. I have never been there and it is a little larger than Dunseith. I always though Seattle, Wash. was large but not compared to New York.
Gary, Hope everything is going well with the building. Looks like it will be nice when it is finished.
 
Marie Iverson (Staub) 60
 
 
 
 
New York City Photos
Reply from Lynn Halvorson Otto (75): Boonton, NJ
 
Hi: This is for Brenda Hoffman! A big thank you for the link to the NYC pictures. My husband works there so we go into the city often. It’s great to see it from this advantage.
Lynn Halvorson Otto
 
 
 
 
Hillside school photo & “Horsetail” story
From Vickie Metcalfe (70): Bottineau, ND
 

Gary and friends,

I hope you received the story of Clayton Bergan, “A Horsetail or Horse Tale.”……….I knew, I needed to revisit that story with another tale of “The Kids of Hill Side”.

In the photo entitled “The Kids of Hill Side”, young,Clayton Bergan is there! I don’t know if the children of Clayton Bergan have this photo. A while back I wrote “Horse Tale” down for Jan (Bergan) Evan’s. I have many times retold the tale to my nieces and nephews. When Jan, e-mailed me and said she knew little of her dad’s growing up. I wanted her to know one my dad’s stories about Clayton.

This past week my cousins, Kenny and Eleanor identified “The Kids of HillSide ” I decided to put another piece of the story in place. Haste Ye Back! Sincerely, Vickie Metcalfe
 
A Horsetale From Dad (Cliff Metcalfe)

The moral of this story told to me often, probably could be from a saying often quoted by my dad, Cliff Metcalfe.
“One boy, half a man. Two boys ain’t worth a______.”
The Louis Bergan family and William (#1) Metcalfe family were friends and neighbors in Hillside Township for many years from the early 1900’s-1935.
Emil Metcalfe and Clayton Bergan were about the same age and enjoyed an easy and life long-lasting friendship.
Quiet and gentle Emil (Cliff fondly called him ‘Joes’) allowed Cliff who was younger by about three years tag along on his ventures with Clayton.
A July /August adventure very quickly turned to be an almost fatal disaster.
One sunny Sunday afternoon, in the early 30’s, the three “boys” were left to their own devices. They were all left together for some reason. “Boys will be boys”, who want to prove their worth as men.” (William)Bill Metcalfe had a yearling colt which was broke to lead but someday he planned to brake to drive.
Clayton and ‘Joes’ through talking came up with clever idea. Hmmm. No one else was around, and were very through convincing each other as they talked the idea through. Clayton and Emil were “men” enough for this job! They had seen horses broke by other men. They were big enough to do the job! And Cliff decided he was big enough to help them.
After catching the green broke gelding,Cliff hung onto the halter, while the other two managed to collar and pull on a harness. The horse became a nervous, sidestepping mustang! Around and round and shied. With much effort he was finally quiet and hooked up solo to the springbox wagon.
The boys were quite certain, that now, was the easy part. Just jump in the wagon and go for a Sunday drive. And return to the farm with that horse pulling the wagon. Ah, show everyone what they had done. And imagined, How proud Bill Metcalfe would be.
Emil was first to crawl up on the wagon seat. In his broad capable hands, he took up the reins. Clayton, a slender sandy haired young fellow, climbed up to next to ‘Joes’ to ride shot gun and specifically give advice on how to accomplish the job.
Cliff let go of the horse, moved quickly as not to be left behind, jumped into the box to stand behind the two older boys.
Suddenly the horse gave a mighty leap,with a snort and a squeal burst into a mad gallop. An immediate runaway! The wagon took off bouncing up and down, up and down! To and fro over the trail then across the trail! NO brake! What a ride with three boys hanging for dear life onto the careening seat!
Try with all his might, there was no easy way ‘Joes’ could slow the horse down. Finally! A bright idea! Clayton pointed toward two lone trees,and stutteringly yelled, “Pu—put him–wite– be-tween d–d–does too tw—ees…..” ‘Joes’ put all his weight into the reins and with both hands steered. Cliff hung on as the horse leapt between the two trees, the harness snapped, next the single tree went, and off gallopped the horse the reins trailing along behind. The wagon jarred to a sudden stop! A blunt stop, stuck right between the two trees! The three boys sailed out quick as a whistle, over the wagon onto a rock pile………………………..
………………….Hot, hot hot. The sun was hot overhead.
The next thing Cliff recalled, he woke up, walking, slinking along in the shade of the horse all the while holding his throbbing head. ‘Joes’ groaned and moaned as he led the horse holding onto his ribs. And, Clayton? Clayton with nary a scratch, un harmed, took off in another direction for home.
The boys did not brag to anyone of their adventure or complain about their injuries. Nor were they punished for this adventure. William Metcalfe was a man who somehow knew the boys had learned a lesson that Sunday afternoon.
Years later during W.W.II, ‘Joes’, in the army air corp., and Cliff in the navy,were told separately, one on the Atlantic Front, the other on the Pacific Front. Emil, was told that he’d broken his ribs sometime. Cliff was told he’d had a severe concussion at some point in his life.

Years later when they were discussing this together. Emil told Cliff he landed on his chest on a big boulder and Cliff had landed on his head unconscious. And, Clayton rolled. Emil and Clayton caught the horse and got Cliff up and walking.

They chuckled heartily, as they remembered the day when three boys discovered they were not yet men. And they, the boys of Hillside….always enjoyed their life long friendship.

This is story I’ve told to my nieces and nephews, I tell them it’s a tale from their Grandpa Cliff. Vickie Metcalfe/November 2009

Gary,
For what it’s worth;
Attached is a story about three friends I wrote last November.
Also attached is a photo of the children of Bergan School ie
Hillside School. Kenny Nerpel’s Mom, my cousin, Eleanor Rose
(Metcalfe ) Nerpel identified the students;

“‘Vickie.

After much deliberation Mom identified the folks in the picture.
I’m thinking this photo was probably taken more than 75 years ago.

L to R and top to bottom:

Madeline LaRocque, Lilly Lajimodiere, Agnes Belgarde
Clayton Bergen, Leona Metcalfe, Martin Belgarde
Nellie Evans, Clifford Metcalfe, Ole Evans
Arne Evans, Eleanor Metcalfe
Clarence Martinson, Emil Metcalfe

Kenny “

Friends; My dad’s story Of Friendships of Yesteryear.
My Dad, Cliff was seven when he started school at
Hillside/Bergan School with his niece Eleanor Rose Metcalfe,she was
age six. My Uncle Bill (William II) and Aunt Mary lived just across
Rabbit City Lake from William Metcalfe (the elder). The Martin
Evan’s, the Jim Anthony’s, the Louis Bergans, the Lajimodieres ,
William Metcalfe’s I & II, and the Poitra’s all lived close by that
lake. They were a little community of friends and helpful neighbors.
I think the photo is about that time. My dad was fond of his
memories of Hill SIde School. Many times in he’d break into his
tenor voice; singing,

“Hill Side will shine tonight, hillside will shine,”

Dad said, “Of all the kids in school there was one he
wasn’t too fond off. Arnie Evans.”

Then, he tell me the story of a hot, awful day in
late July 1935. “He had just turned twelve. “The children of
Hillside were all leaving the school house, friendly visiting after
a days work. Ah, on the way home on a bright sunny day. Someone met
them saying, ” Billy Metcalfe died”.

“All of the children took off, on a run, for their homes.
They left Cliff far behind. Cliff, running blindly with no
direction. Stumbled through the woods sobbing. Not seeing. Not
hearing. He RAN. And Ran and ran. . . When out of now where.
HUMph! “Clotheslined!” across the foreneck , a jarring fall. He
laid on the ground dazed, then caught his breath. He snottered and
wept for some time. A small hand came out of now where, gently
patted and rubbed his back. Then, finally a voice, came with the
hand. …. Arnie Evan’s soothing voice, ” Lean on me Cliff, I’ll
walk with you home.”

My father said, “before that day I had not been too fond of
Arnie. But Arnie’s gesture came when the now fatherless boy was in
desperate need of a friend.”

And I? Whenever I hear a certain song, I think of a hot
day in July and the boys of Hill Side, “LEAN ON ME”. When your’e not
strong, ……..I’ll be your friend………….

Haste Ye Back. Vickie Metcalfe

L to R and top to bottom:

Madeline LaRocque, Lilly Lajimodiere, Agnes Belgarde
Clayton Bergen, Leona Metcalfe, Martin Belgarde
Nellie Evans, Clifford Metcalfe, Ole Evans
Arne Evans, Eleanor Metcalfe
Clarence Martinson, Emil Metcalfe

  

10/02/2010

Posted on by
Stella Richard Schimetz’s 80th Birthday celebration
Reply to Mark Schimetz from Randy Flynn (70): Portland, OR.
 

Mark,
 
I wish I could attend. Thank you for informing me of the event. I can imagine you will have a blast with all of your relatives and the Dunseith folks. I will send cards and messages next week.
 
I know you will be busy, however, please have someone take some great pictures. You usually do that yourself but you need to enjoy the day.
 
Randy Flynn –
Portland, Oregon
Mark, As Randy requested, please take pictures to share with us. Thanks, Gary
 
 
Message/Picture from Sharron Gottbreht Shen (59): Everett, WAI’m not sure if I posted this picture of Dale Gottbreht, taken about 1955. It was among mother’s collection that she held until her last year with us. I think Dad looks so pleased with life and ND; relaxed and confident. Adam, the pilot in the picture, is the fellow who purchased the flax field I wrote of previously.

I want to thank Gary Metcalfe for the complimentary remarks made about the family and Dad in particular. I am all ears whenever Dale is mentioned. Believe me when I say, we hardly knew him. Family was central for him of course, but he was also a captive of enterprise and moved toward one success and then the next and the next. Gary was correct in saying Dale did not complete Highschool. There were never enough hours attented to advance forward. I have his 1943 school record; 75 hours 1934, incomplete. That was the same year his sister Arla and girlfriend Alma graduated. He would like that to have been differnent and held education and especially educators in high regard. Dad identified with the Class of 33 and 34. He wore the Dunseith School ring for years – we think it might have been Mom’s ring. I think the ring was removed when his left hand was injurded harvesting by the Rugby ER staff – it is however, lost to us.

Old issues of TMS gives a number of glimmers about the young Dale. One that I prise is a December report on the recitations and songs presented by the 8th grade for the towns enjoyment wherein Dale Gottbreht preformed a piano solo. Not one of us knew that the old piano that followed the family through several moves was probably that which belonged to George and Evelyn. Dad was born Jan 2, 1916; grandma Evelyn saw to it that space was cleared on the ice at Lake Shutie for skating, a huge fire built, and songs sung.

Thanks Gary. Sharron

1955 – Dale Gottbreht and Adam (Pilot)


 
 
 
 
Question from Bottineau Courant Editor, Scott Wager
Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Minot & Bottineau, ND
 

Hi Everyone,

 

Scott Wagar, Courant, sent this picture to me, wondering if I recognized the store. A couple of people think it might be the cafe that was where Williams’ Drug was. The first store I remember in that location is Williams’ Drug. To me, Williams’ Drug was a long, narrow store; I could be wrong about this.

 

Any opinions????

 

Neola
 
 
Beautiful aerial New York City Photo’s
From Brenda Hoffman (68): Greenville, NC
 

Sent to me by a new friend in Greenville from NYC who is visiting there this week. Told her that the aerial view of Dunseith, ND doesn’t quite look like that.

 

Hope you can open this one…… http://blogs.denverpost.com/captured/2010/07/13/captured-new-york-city-from-above/2331/
Home sweet home…….;)

Brenda, these are absolutely splendid. Thank you for sharing. Gary
 
  

10/01/2010

Posted on by
Thank you
From Bill Hosmer (48): Tucson, AZ
 
Gary, If you can, please include the following in one of your postings.

I am back in Arizona after bringing my wife’s remains back to the Dunseith Cemetery. When I got my North Dakota bank statements there were several very generous deposits to my account from those terrific people who supported the benefit golf tournament and contribution effort to help me pay the bills that were not covered by my insurance plan. Those costs were for the nursing assistants I hired from an agency here giving home care for those who need it. The cost was just short of 11,000 per month. The help that my Rolette County, Bottineau County, and the Province of Manitoba friends was meaningful and appreciated more than words can convey. There were just a few of the names which were included on the deposit entries which I could read. I am so grateful to all, for this generosity my friends and relatives revealed in their continuing outreach during my challenging period of time. Without this loyalty, life would be a drag instead of the optimism I feel about the future and how I can help repay some of the kindness that came to me. My heartfelt gratitude and appreciation and yes, love, for being the people you are, and what you do for one another, and how you demonstrate all the valuable characteristics that our country and our Christian faiths inspire. Thank you from my heart. Bill Hosmer

Bill, Again our condolences are with you. It’s not easy loosing a loved one. You comforted Pat making her final days as comfortable and as pain free as possibly could be done. You are to be commended. You were a wonderful spouse and you are most certainly a wonderful guy. One that we all look up to. Gary
 
 
 
Stella Schimetz 80 birthday celabration:
From Mark Schimetz (70): Rolette, ND
 
Yes Gary for hard copy cards etc. you can mail them to
 
Stella Schimetz
PO Box 184
Dunseith ND 58329
 
PS: Stella would like to hear from all her kids as she calls them, everyone is welcome to stop in at the Grade school Cafeteria between 2 and 5 pm. These hours are not set in stone.. we will have coffee and David Todd’s wife Katie has ordered a birthday cake large enough to feed 96 people. I cant wait to see that one.
Previously posted by Mark
We will be Celebrating Stella Schimetz’s 80 th Birthday at the Dunseith Elementary School Cafeteria Sunday, October 17th between the hours of 2 and 5 p.m. Realizing that many of Her Kids live to far away to attend. I know she would love to hear from all of you. Congratulation’s and such can be sent to me to forward on, or by cards. Mom loves cards. For those you can attend all are invited to join us.