2/27/2013 (1729)

Natalie (Knutson) Ulberg
Request from Debbie Fugere Fauske (’75):  Minot, ND
 
Hi Gary:
 
Can you please add Natalie Ulberg to your email list.  She lived in Dunseith for a few years, was Natalie Knutson then and worked at Security State Bank.  I now work with her here at First Western Bank & Trust in Minot.  Her grandparents were Darlings from Rolette.  She can fill you in a little more on her relatives, etc.   
Thanks for all you do Gary!
 
Debbie (Fugere) Fauske
 
Debbie, It is my pleasure to add Natalie to our distribution list.
 
Natalie, Please fill us in about youself and your connections to Dunseith.
 
Thanks,  Gary
 
 
Reply to Paulette LaCroix Chisholm
From Gwen Struck Dumas (’68): Havre, MT
 
Great picture of Paulette!

Gwendolyn

 
 
 
Show Horse
From Trish Larson Clayburgh (’73):  Portola Valley, CA 
Hi Gary,

 
I just wanted to show you pictures of my wonderful horse, Midnight.  He stole the show at the hunter pace competition this past weekend – took 3 firsts, a second, High Point Winner, and a trophy.  It was a dream come true for me, and represents a big investment in a lot of hard work, lessons, and butterflies in my stomach!  As it turns out, Midnight is a perfect hunter – even tempered, obedient and athletic.  
 
So begins the show season!  This is my first year of “showing” my horses, and I’m excited for the young riders who will be competing with them, including a young girl who has cerebral palsy and is living her dreams on my Morgan mare, Maggie.
 
Lots of fun, so I thought I would share.
 
Trish
 
Joke of the day

  While on a road trip, an elderly couple
stopped
at a roadside restaurant for lunch.
After finishing their meal, they left the
restaurant, and resumed their trip.

When leaving, the elderly woman unknowingly
left her glasses on the table, and she didn’t
miss them until they had been driving for about forty minutes. 

By then, to add to the aggravation, they
had to travel quite a distance before
they could find a place to turn
around,
in order to return to the restaurant
to retrieve her glasses.

All the way back, the elderly husband
became the classic grouchy old man.
He fussed and complained, and
scolded
his wife relentlessly during the
entire return drive. The more he
chided her,
the more agitated he became. He
just wouldn’t let up for a single minute.

To her relief, they finally arrived at the restaurant.
As the woman got out of the
car, and hurried inside to retrieve
her glasses, the old
geezer yelled to her, 

While you’re in there, you might as well
get my hat and the credit card.


This coming week is National Senior Mental
Health Week. You can do YOUR part
by
remembering to contact at least one
unstable Senior to show you care..
I have now done MY part.

 

2/26/2013 (1728)

No Blog yesterday
 
For the record I did not get a blog posted yesterday.
 
Gary
 
 
Happy Birthday Paulette LaCroix Chisholm (DHS ’68): Newark, DE.
        
    
 
Bottineau First Lutheran High School class of 1958 confirmation picture
Provided by Neola Kofoid Garbe:  Bottineau & Minot, ND
 
Beverly Lemieux and I should have been in this confirmation class, but for some reason, we didn’t attend confirmation this year and were confirmed with the confirmation class of 1958.  I also officially graduated with the high school class of 1958.
 
I think EdnaMae and Lavonne/Vonnie Nelson attended/graduated from Dakota Lutheran Academy (high school) in Minot.
 
Marlis Nelson was Lloyd Nelson’s sister.  She passed away many years ago; I’m not sure what the cause of death was. 
 
Neola
 
 
baseball team picture from 1953 posted the past couple of days
Reply from Lloyd Awalt (’44):  Bottineau, ND
 
Hi Gary  
 
The base ball picture 1953.  That sister of mine can’t even tell her brothers apart any more. That is still me in the picture  Marshall never played base ball but I’ll forgive her.
L to R Standing:  Donald Fassett, Duane Fugere, Guy Knox, Roger Johnson, Virgil Vanorny
Front Row L to R:  Bob Leonard, Jim Footit, Darrald Grenier, Lloyd Awalt, Cliff Johnson, Darrel Fassett.
Mascot:  Johnny Leonard.
 
 
 
Stokes Residence in Cebu this afternoon
 
These gals and Art Hagen too, visited Bernadette and me too, this afternoon. They notified us last night that they would be coming at about 1:00 PM. Bernadette decided to prepare dinner for them. We let them know not to eat before coming too. After dinner they spent their leisure time outside playing cards, chatting and of coarse chatting on Face Book. Art and I were sitting on the upper level out of this picture. For you ND folks, take note of the fan in the lower picture. This is February.
 
Gary  
 

 
 
Joke of day
Posted by Art Hagen (’72):  Cebu, Philippines & Bottineau, ND
 
A Norwegian and a German entered a chocolate store. As they were busy looking, the German stole 3 chocolate bars.

As they left the store, the German said to the Norwegian, “Man I’m the best thief, I stole 3 chocolate bars and no one saw me. You can’t beat that.”

The Norwegian replied: “You want to see something better? Let’s go back to the shop and I’ll show you real stealing.”

So they went to the counter and the Norwegian said to the shopkeeper, “Do you want to see magic?”

The shopkeeper replied, “Yes.”

The Norwegian said, “Give me one chocolate bar.”

The shopkeeper gave him one, and he ate it.

The Norwegian asked for a second bar, and he ate that as well. He asked for the third, and finished that one too.

The shopkeeper asked: “But where’s the magic?”

The Norwegian replied: “Check in my friend’s pocket, and you’ll find all three bars of chocolate.”

You just CAN’T beat a Norwegian!

 

2/24/2013 (1727)

Happy Birthday Bobbie Slyter (DHS ’70): Wichita, KS
              
 

 

           Wesley Schneider

   

  Dec. 27, 1920-Feb. 20, 2013

Wesley Paul Schneider, 92, of Bottineau, died Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2013, in a Bottineau hospital.

Wesley Paul Schneider, a son of Peter and Elizabeth (Koch) Schneider, was born Dec. 27, 1920, at Dunseith. He was reared and educated in the Dunseith area. Wes was the ninth of 12 children six boys and six girls. Growing up on a farm by Dunseith, they learned to entertain themselves with music; Wes could play accordion, violin, harmonica and guitar at a very early age. After his education he worked on the family farm. Wes began working for Pride Dairy in Dunseith in the early ’40s taking a year off to work for a farmer in Grand Forks and then returning to Pride Dairy in Bottineau from which he retired in 2007. In 1944 he was married to Evelyn Hiatt. They had five children. Evelyn died in 1963. In 1972 he married Ovidia Forde Sletten. They have resided in Bottineau since.

He was a great jokester with a quick wit. He loved fishing, hunting, woodworking and gardening, growing enough to provide for lots of canning and to give to family and friends. Wesley was a member of United Parish in Bottineau.

He is survived by: his wife of 40 years, Ovidia; his children, Paul, Allan, Dale (Les), Diane Sedlack, Pamela (Bob) Ryan; and stepchildren, Ruth (Ron) Gust, Barb (Mike) Davis, Karen (Larry) Larson, and John (Judy) Sletten; 17 grandchildren; and 12 great grandchildren; his sister, Dorothy Hardy.

He was preceded in death by: his parents; 10 brothers and sisters; and stepdaughter, Nancy Steigerwalt, and her husband, Chester.

Funeral service will be held on Saturday, Feb. 23, at 10 a.m. in the United Parish.

Burial will be at the Oak Creek Cemetery in the spring.

Visitation will be today, Friday, from 1 to 9 p.m., with a prayer service at 7 p.m., all in Nero Funeral Home, Bottineau.

 
Wes Schneider Memories
Posted by Vickie Metcalfe (’70):  Bottineau, ND
 
It is a beautiful day here in Bottineau. 
 WOW +28.  
Visiting with my brother,Shan last night  we agreed,
if we follow that old wives tale.
 We will get one heck of a March.
( An old wives TALE  sayeth 90 days after fog. Rain.
 
Well, about ? days ago we had weeks of fog.
 The hoarfrost kept growing day after day. 
Actually, naturemade, quite serene and  beautiful.
But,on the minus side,
The hoarfrost grew on the electrical wires,
and took out electricity at the farm.
 
So we’re expecting lots of  March s-n-o-w.
 
This morning I went to Wes Schneider’s funeral.
I never knew him until I moved across the street from he and Ovidia.
 
The first time I met Wes, he asked if I could box.
Then, recalled stories of the Metcalfe boxers. 
 
He also told stories of Uncle Jim Metcalfe,
 and his brother Sal breaking horses.
 
He remembered after Grandpa Metcalfe died, 
his  father Peter I would go get my Grandma Rose and take her to church
then, take her and her younger children to their  farm for Sunday dinner.
 
He said Grandma was a wonderful singer
And tell me the two specific hymns he liked to her sing.
 
Wes was born 20 years after his eldest sibling Peter II.
Pete’s daughter Betty Jane, is my Uncle Willard’s widow. 
 
I’m so blessed to have known Wes, 
 and counted on he and Ovidia as good neighbors.
 
I’d  always think as I’d see the two of them hand in hand, 
walking from their garden or on an evening walk,
they were always a caring couple.
 
“That is what I want! “
One fine  role model couple.
 
Later. Vickie
 

 

 
Lois Ann Tweten, Age 71, of Helena
    
December 22, 1941 – February 20, 2013

Lois passed away on Wednesday, February 20, 2013 at her home in Helena, Lewis & Clark County, Montana. Lois Ann Tweten was born December 22, 1941 in Rolette, Rice County, North Dakota, the daughter of Kenneth William Tweten and Anna (Shjerve) Tweten Skjervem.

She was born with sparkling blue eyes that could light up a whole room. As a girl she was shy, but with age came wisdom. As a mother, grandmother, and friend, she was happy to give you her lovingly opinion, tempered by great life experience and accompanied by, and often evoking, a laugh or knowing smile.

Lois was raised in North Dakota and graduated school from Hillcrest Lutheran Academy in Fergus Falls, Minnesota. She felt blessed by the relationships she developed with many of her cousins who attended Hillcrest with her and considered them brothers and sisters.

In September 1961, she married Henry Joseph Felix in Rice, MN. They settled in Arizona and had three sons. In September 1971, she married Dwayne Garvin Matz in Shelby, MT. They had one daughter and lived in Dutton, MT.

In 1980, she made her home in Helena, MT. Lois was a faithful attendee of Helena First Assembly of God Church where she made many dear lifetime friends. She retired from the State of Montana in 2004, where she left lasting imprints of friendship. She gave of herself for the benefit of others without a second thought. “Mommy”, “Grandma”, “Great Granny” were defining terms for Lois. Family was her priority, but her generosity extended beyond her immediate family. Lois was one amazing woman and will be greatly missed here on earth. But as her niece said, “I can see her happily dancing her way to heaven!”

Lois was preceded in death by one son, Craig Roger Felix, her parents and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Lois is survived by her three children, Joel Felix of Helena, MT, Jeffrey Felix of Great Falls, MT, and Michelle (Matz) Patterson of Cheyenne, WY; grandchildren, Devin Felix, Jade Felix, Sierra Felix, Mathias Patterson, Michaila Patterson, and Kinsey Patterson; great grandchild, Addison Felix; five brothers, Johnny Tweten, Bob Skjervem, Harley Skjervem, Duane Skjervem, and Howard Skjervem.

A memorial service celebrating Lois’ life will be held at 1:30 p.m. Monday, February 25, 2013 at the First Assembly of God Church, 2210 Dodge Ave, Helena.  A reception will be in the fellowship hall of the church immediately following the memorial service.  Interment will be in Rolette, North Dakota at a later date.  Please visit below to offer the family condolences or share a memory of Lois.

http://helenafuneralhome.com/obituaries/lois-ann-tweten-age-71-of-helena/ 

 
Posted by Young Art Rude (’71):  Bismarck, ND 
           Recent Photo of Art Rude
  
 
 
baseball team picture from 1953 posted yesterday
Reply from Bonnie Awalt Houle (’56):  Becker, MN
 
Good Morning Gary,
    The Baseball Picture of 1953, should have Marshall Awalt instead of Lloyd Awalt.
 
Bonnie Awalt Houle (56)
 
L to R Standing:  Donald Fassett, Duane Fugere, Guy Knox, Roger Johnson, Virgil Vanorny
Front Row L to R:  Bob Leonard, Jim Footit, Darrald Grenier, Marshall Awalt, Cliff Johnson, Darrel Fassett.
Mascot:  Johnny Leonard.
 
Corny Puns
Posted by Vickie Metcalfe (’70):  Bottineau, ND
 
Ok, I love corny puns, they make me groan, but I’m smiling all the while.

I tried to catch some Fog. I mist.

When chemists die, they barium.

Jokes about German sausage are the wurst.

A soldier who survived mustard gas and pepper spray is now a seasoned veteran.

I know a guy who’s addicted to brake fluid. He says he can stop any time.

How does Moses make his tea? Hebrews it.

I stayed up all night to see where the sun went. Then it dawned on me.

This girl said she recognized me from the vegetarian club, but I’d never met herbivore.

I’m reading a book about anti-gravity. I can’t put it down.

I did a theatrical performance about puns . It was a play on words.

They told me I had type A blood, but it was a Type-O.

A dyslexic man walks into a bra and ordered a martini.

PMS jokes aren’t funny, period.

Why were the Indians here first? They had reservations.

Class trip to the Coca-Cola factory. I hope there’s no pop quiz.

Energizer bunny arrested. Charged with battery.

I didn’t like my beard at first. Then it grew on me.

How do you make holy water? Boil the hell out of it!

Did you hear about the cross eyed teacher who lost her job because she couldn’t control her pupils?

When you get a bladder infection, urine trouble.

What does a clock do when it’s hungry? It goes back four seconds.

I wondered why the baseball was getting bigger. Then it hit me!

Broken pencils are pointless.

What do you call a dinosaur with a extensive vocabulary? A thesaurus.

England has no kidney bank, but it does have a Liverpool .

I used to be a banker, but then I lost interest.

I dropped out of communism class because of lousy Marx.

All the toilets in New York ‘s police stations have been stolen. Police have nothing to go on.

I got a job at a bakery because I kneaded dough.

Haunted French pancakes give me the crepes.

Velcro – what a rip off!

Cartoonist found dead in home. Details are sketchy.

Venison for dinner? Oh deer!

Earthquake in Washington – obviously government’s fault.

I used to think I was indecisive, but now I’m not so sure.

Be kind to your dentist. He has fillings, too.

Sorry, someone sent them to me so I sent them to you!

 
 

2/23/2013 (1726)

Lois Tweten’s Obituary
Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe:  Bottineau & Minot, ND

TWETEN, Lois A., age 71 of Helena passed away Wednesday, February 20, 2013.  A memorial service celebrating Lois’ life will be 1:30 p.m. Monday, February 25, 2013 at the First Assembly of God Church, 2210 Dodge Ave, Helena.  A reception will be in the fellowship hall of the church immediately following the memorial service.  Interment will be Rolette, North Dakota at a later date.

 
 
John and Emma Brudwick Kofoid
Picture posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Bottineau & Minot, ND
 
I happened to see this picture/decided to send it again. :)  As you know, neither Mom nor Dad is living.  I think this picture is “a hoot”!

 
Neola
 
 
 
Book – Prairie Peddlers, The Syrian-Lebanese in North Dakota
Message from Vickie Metcalf (’70):  Bottineau, ND
 
 
Gary and friends,

Recently, my sister Nancy shared she was reading a  book ordered through her public library in Minnesota.  She said she started reading and was reluctant to put down this book. 

On her recommendation, I found myself writing the information down and ordered it  through the local inter-l ibrary loan here in Bottineau..

Prairie Peddlers, The Syrian-Lebanese in North Dakota

Authors; William C. Sherman. Paul L. Whitney and John Guerrero

This book  portrays people of Arabic background, Muslim and Christian who settled on the Northern Plains.  A large group  in rural N.orth Dakota.  i.e.

Turtle Mountains, Ross and Rugby. Many names ware  familiar to  former area residents.

The purpose of the book is to preserve for  future generation information that may be lost or overlooked, understand life as  it was lived by people with non- European background  who were pioneers to the prairie.  It  focuses on the  time period from 1900 to 1950 .  This book would be valued for those seeking genealogical information.

I picked up the book yesterday and perused though it into the wee hours this morning. 

It was fun to take to school this morning and pass  it on to Julie (Eller) Dahl.

I believe  any one who enjoys  history will find  it to be a   fascinating discovery, uncovering contributions of the Lebanese –Syrians , many who were known to many local Rolette County residents.

I found myself refreshing  my knowledge of Social Studies….Turkish Ottoman Empire.

I believe each of us needs to honor ……….our roots. 

With the knowledge, they were good.

Thanks.

Vickie

 
baseball team picture from 1953 posted yesterday
Reply from Dick Johnson (’68):  Dunseith, ND
Gary and Friends,        The last picture of the Dunseith Gardners baseball team has one
correction in the line up.  Crystal had posted it back some time ago and
it had the same names as Susan’s post today.  The guy on the right
identified as Gary Morgan is in fact my uncle Cliff Johnson. I contacted
both Gary Morgan and Cliff at that time and they both agreed that it was
Cliff.  Gary said,  “Gosh,  I never remembered being a member of that
team.”  Cliff said he was on the team and remembered all the guys etc.�
It’s no big deal but it is nice to have things correct.  Thanks Susan
and Gary!

Dick

 
L to R Standing:  Donald Fassett, Duane Fugere, Guy Knox, Roger Johnson, Virgil Vanorny
Front Row L to R:  Bob Leonard, Jim Footit, Darrald Grenier, Lloyd Awalt, Cliff Johnson, Darrel Fassett.
Mascot:  Johnny Leonard.
 
 
Main Street – Bottineau, ND
Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe:  Bottineau & Minot, ND
 
 
Joke of the day
Posted by Florence Hiatt Dahl (’50):  Anchorage, AK

Single Black Female

This has to be one of the best singles ads ever printed. It is reported to have been listed in the Atlanta Journal.

Love the response this ad got!!

SINGLE BLACK FEMALE seeks male companionship, ethnicity unimportant. I’m a very good girl who LOVES to play. I love long walks in the woods, riding in your pickup truck, hunting, camping and fishing trips, cozy winter nights lying by the fire. Candlelight dinners will have me eating out of your hand. I’ll be at the front door when you get home from work, wearing only what nature gave me….Call (404) 875-6420 and ask for Annie, I’ll be waiting…..

 


Page down



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Over 150 men found themselves talking to the Atlanta Humane Society.

 

 

2/22/2013 (1725)

Happy Birthday Alan Poitra (DHS’76): Bloomington, MN
    
 
 
Obituary

Wesley Paul Schneider
(December 27, 1920 – February 20, 2013)

 
 
Lois Tweten, Helena, MT, formally from Rolette, Passed Away
Kim Fugere Ogilvie:  Renton, WA
 
It is with much sadness that I must say that I received an email tonight from Michelle Matz Patterson saying that her Mom (Lois Tweten) passed away today. She asked me if I would let everyone know without posting it on FB. Please let anyone know that I missed sending this email to.
Gary’s comment
I am so sorry to hear of Lois’ passing. She met Bev Morinville Azure in the log house in June 2009. Bev introduced her to us. Bev is no longer with us either. Since that time, Lois has posted a number of messages on our daily blog too. Lois was a very kind hearted giving soul. With her generousity, she sent me a number of checks, pretty large sums too I might add, to help the needy Filipino folks in our area.
 
Our condolence are with Lois’ family with her passing. She will be missed.
 
Gary 
 
Posted with message 491 on June 17, 2009
Reply from Lois Tweten:  Helena MT
Folks, Lois, originally from the Rolette area, is the lady that Bev Morinville Azure met at the Log House in Dunseith several weeks ago.  When Bev told her about us, she requested to be on our distribution list. Lois, it’s a pleasure adding you to our list and thank you so much for this reply.  I’m sure that many of our readers will remember your family and you too.  Gary
Hi Gary & Bev,

Bev it was so nice to meet you. As I said before you’re the perfect
person to work there as you are so friendly and gracious and made me
feel like I was coming home! And to think your folks remembered the
accident.

No I’m not the Lois from Grand Forks….I’m Lois Ann Tweten (returned
to my maiden name some years back), 907 N Washington St in Helena MT.
I have lived here for 30 years and retired from the MT State Health
Dept as an accountant for the Special Children’s Services five years
ago. So since then I enjoy traveling around, thus the trip to ND with
my brother. Carol Sletto Johnson, 5 miles S of  Overly is my lst
cousin and I stayed with her. Also the Tweten Hereford Ranch was 2
miles S of Rolette that my Aunt Eleanor Tweten Mattson lives on now.
So it’s the Mattson, Follansbee, Martinson’s that are my clan in the
Rolette area. Many of my Mom’s (Ann Shjerve Tweten Skjervem-now
deceased), relatives are in the Rugby/Barton area.

Will chat later, in “coming home” friendship, Lois Tweten

 
 
Dunseith Picture
Reply from Diane Larson Sjol (’70: Lake Metigoshe, ND

Thank you Dick, for posting the picture.  It puts it in perspective now.  You should write a book…you are such a great historian.  Rod, I loved the joke!  Well, I went to the dentist this morning…a nice calm morning..came out and it is snowing so hard!  Kind of pretty really if you don’t have to go anywhere.  Have a good day all.

Diane

 
 
Here is another baseball team picture from 1953.
Posted by Susan Fassett Martin (’65):  Spearfish, SD
 

Thanks to Dick for comments on the boy band picture.   That was sent to dad from John Float who was an old army buddy of dad;s .  I don’t know how he got the picture but it was in dads stuff.   Hope someone of the “older” generation can identify some of the kids.  Thanks all.  Hugs,  Susan
 
L to R Standing:  Donald Fassett, Duane Fugere, Guy Knox, Roger Johnson, Virgil Vanorny
Front Row L to R:  Bob Leonard, Jim Footit, Darrald Grenier, Lloyd Awalt, Gary Morgan, Darrel Fassett.
Mascot:  Johnny Leonard.
 
 
Cebu Monthly Expat dinner last night at the Radisson Hotel
 
Last night was our monthly dinner at the Radisson. Outside of our home, this was Bernadette’s first major social gathering in two months. I thought she would get tired, but she did not. We were the very first ones to arrive at 6:00 PM and the very last ones to leave at 10:00 PM. Rose and Art Hagen arrived several minutes after us and left the same time as we did as did a whole lot of other folks too. We had a great turn out last night too with 40 plus folks.  
 
 
 
Joke of the day
Posted by Larry Hackman (’66):  Bismarck, ND
 
NORWEGIAN FIRE DEPARTMENT
One dark night outside the small town St. Peter, Minnesota, a fire started inside the local chemical plant, and in a blink of an eye it exploded into massive flames. The alarm went out to all the fire departments for miles around.
 
When the volunteer fire fighters appeared on the scene, the chemical company president rushed to the fire chief and said, “All our secret formulas are in the vault in the center of the plant. They must be saved. I will give $50,000 to the fire department that brings them out intact.”
But the roaring flames held the firefighters off.
Soon more fire departments had to be called in as the situation became desperate. As the fire fighters arrived, the president shouted out that the offer was now $100,000 to the fire department who could bring out the company’s secret files.
From the distance, a lone siren was heard as another fire truck came into sight. It was the nearby Norwegian rural township volunteer fire company composed mainly of Norwegians over the age of 65. To everyone’s amazement, that little run-down fire engine roared right past all the newer sleek engines that were parked outside the plant.
Without even slowing down it drove straight into the middle of the inferno. Outside, the other fire fighters watched as the Norwegian old timers jumped off their truck in the middle of the fire and fought it back on all sides. It was a performance and effort never seen before.
Within a short time, the Norske old timers had extinguished the fire and had saved the secret formulas. The grateful chemical company president announced that for such a superhuman feat he was upping the reward to $200,000 and walked over to personally thank each of the brave fire fighters.
The local TV news reporter rushed in to capture the event on film, asking their chief, “What are you going to do with all that money?”
“Vell,” said Ole Larsen, the 70-year-old fire chief, “Da first thing ve gonna do is fix da brakes on dat damn truck!”
 
 
 

2/21/2013 (1724)

Wesley Schneider Passed away
Posting from Wesley’s step daughter Ruth via Neola Kofoid Garbe.
 
Wesley’s funeral will be Saturday morning at 10:00 at the United Parish on Main Street in Bottineau, with a dinner following. There will be a family service at the funeral home chapel on Friday night that will be led by Kenny Schneider. No time has been given for this at this time.  Mom’s address is ….  1212 Elm Street, Bottienau, ND 58748. If you have any questions, please email or call me at 701-359-4434.  Ruth
Our condolence are with Wesley’s family with his passing. Wes was a good guy. I will always remember him and have known him my entire life. He will be missed dearly by his family and friends too.
 
 

Gary

 
Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe:  Bottineau & Minot, ND
 
 
Joke of the day
Posted by Pam Fassett Faust (’65):   Lilburn, GA
 
 love stories with good morals at the end…

She walked up and tied her old mule to the hitch rail. As she stood there, brushing some of the dust from her face and clothes, a young gunslinger stepped out of the saloon with a gun in one hand and a bottle of whiskey in the other.

The young gunslinger looked at the old woman and laughed, saying, “Hey Old WOMAN, have you ever danced?”

The old woman looked up at the gunslinger and said, “no, i never did dance… Never really wanted to.”

A crowd had gathered as the gunslinger grinned and said, “well, you old bag, you’re gonna dance now,” and started shooting at the old woman’s feet.

The old woman prospector – not wanting to get her toe blown off – started hopping around. Everybody was laughing.

When his last bullet had been fired, the young gunslinger, still laughing, holstered his gun and turned around to go back into the saloon.

The old woman turned to her pack mule, pulled out a double-barreled shotgun, and cocked both hammers.

The loud clicks carried clearly through the desert air. The crowd stopped laughing immediately.

The young gunslinger heard the sounds too, and he turned around very slowly. The silence was almost deafening.

The crowd watched as the young gunman stared at the old woman and the large gaping holes of those twin barrels.

The barrels of the shotgun never wavered in the old woman’s hands, as she quietly said, “son, have you ever licked a mule’s butt?” the gunslinger swallowed hard and said, “no mam… But… I’ve always wanted to.”

THERE ARE A FEW LESSONS FOR US ALL HERE:

1 – Never Be Arrogant..
2 – Don’t Waste Ammunition.
3 – Whiskey Makes You Think You’re Smarter Than You Are.
4 – Always, Always Make Sure You Know Who Has The Power.
5 – Don’t Mess With Old Women; They Didn’t Get Old By Being Stupid…

I JUST LOVE A STORY WITH A HAPPY ENDING, DON’T YOU?

2/20/2013 (1723)

Wesley Schneider is not well
Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe:  Minot & Bottineau, ND
 
Hi,
 
This email came from Ruth Sletten Gust; her mother is married to Wesley Schneider.  She said it’s OK to share this news in your newsletter, Gary.
 
Neola

Wesley is still in the Bottineau Hospital.  He was switched to long term last week, but is now getting what they refer to as “care and comfort”. He hasn’t really known Mom these last couple days, and sleeps most of the time. His kids will be coming on Wednesday.
 
 
Rendahl Church Picture – 1940
Reply from EdnaMae Nelson Olufson-Smith:  Borrego Springs, CA.
 
Hi Gary:  Neola forwarded the names of my sisters and Carlyle on the Rendahl picture.  As you know, only Lauretta and Evelyn graduated from Dunseith High School.  Ramona was in Glasgow, MT and Carlyle from Bottineau High School.  LaVonne and I were at Dakota Lutheran in Minot all four years.  Good memories to see these “old” pictures from Rendahl.  How is Art Rude these days?  Thanks, EdnaMae (Nelson) now Olufson-Smith
EdnaMae’s reply to Neola:
Hi Neola:  I have had trouble sending to you as we haven’t had very good internet connections.  Tried a few days ago and now we are hooked up to Harvey’s iphone, so hope this works.  I was so excited to see the Rendahl picture.  The tall man in back of my sisters is our dad (Abe Nelson).  The three oldest sisters and Carlyle are on the picture.  Mona has the hat, next to her Etta, and in front with curly hairdo is Evie.  Hannah Rude is in the “corner”.  Brother Carlyle in the front left and depending on how old you think he is, Vonnie and I were probably babes with our mom somewhere.  Mona was 10 when I was born in 1940, so she looks a little older, but Carlyle was 7 when I was born (1940) and does he look 7?  If they saw the picture they could probably tell us when it was taken – or do you know?  Very fun  Mona is Ramona Hultman, Lauretta Mundy deceased, and Evelyn Kriz.  We are enjoying sunny central coast of California until next week when we move to the desert at Borrego Springs.  Love, EdnaMae  
The Norma would be Atherton, same age as Mona and either Mildred or Mavis, and Alice is the shorter one.  They are our first cousings.  Mom’s were sisters – Mary Evenstad Nelson and Anna Evenstad Atherton.
Gary’s Reply to EdnaMae:
Thank you EdnaMae for these replies. How well so many of us remember the Abe Nelson family, as I remember, living on the Willow Lake Road south of the Willow Lake School. I was never to your farmsted, but that is where I always invissioned your place being.
 
I have now added you to our distribution list too, so feel free to reply to any of these daily messages. Your input is/will be far more appreciated than you will ever realize.
 
You were asking about Art Rude? I will let young Art Rude fill you in about his dad. I can tell you though, from my reports, he is doing OK. I have included a picture below of Art and me that was taken in 2010.
 
 
Rendahl Church – 1940
Back Row: Alpha Gunderson, Ed Gunderson, Abe Nelson, Hannah Rude
Middle Row: Francis Atherton and  Ramona, Loretta & Evelyn Nelson
Front Row: Carlyle Nelson and Mavis, Norma & Alice Atherton.
 
 
 
 
Dunseith Picture
Reply from Dick Johnson (’68): Dunseith, ND
 
Gary and Friends,

      The picture Susan posted of the kids with band instruments hasn’t had any replies so here goes my guess.  I think the building behind them might be the building just north of Marie’s Beauty Shop that was once the home of the Hassan Murray family.  Murray’s lived upstairs in the living quarters in later years. The downstairs was once Herbie or Vern Gagner’s Recreation.   It looks to be sitting very near to a wide road which would probably be Dunseith’s Main Street,  still gravel in 1915.  In the background,  I think is what appears to be the distant Turtle Mountains to the northeast.  I lived just behind and to the northeast of this building and rode my bike between it and Marie’s Beauty Shop nearly every day in the ’50 and ’60s as I headed uptown or across town.  It just surely reminds me of that building anyway.  Lloyd Awalt or Floyd Dion might know better than I do.  Thanks Gary!

Dick

 
 
 
Reply to Diane Larson Sjol’s (’70): question
from Dick Johnson (’68): Dunseith, ND
 
Diane,

      Steve Cook’s Turtle Mountain Restaurant became McCoy’s Bar in
later years and was just south of Hosmer’s Store,  with an open lot
between them.  I’ll attach a picture of McCoy’s Bar and you can see the
south edge of Hosmers in the picture.

Dick

  
 
 
Thank you letter from the Campbell’s
Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe:  Minot & Bottineau, ND
 
 
San Haven Photo’s
Posted by Susan Fassett Martin (’65):  Spearfish, SD
 
These are from a picture postcard album.   It is not dated but the postage on the card is 1 1/2 cents.    Any guesses as to the year.   Thought all would enjoy.    Hugs,  Susan
 
 
 
Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Minot & Bottineau, ND
 
 
 
Joke of the day
Posted by Rod Hiatt (’69):  Bottineau, ND
 
The train was quite crowded and a U. S. Marine walked the entire length
looking for a seat. There seemed to be one next to a well-dressed French
woman, but when he got there, he saw it was taken by the woman’s poodle.
 
The war-weary Marine asked, “Ma’am, m…ay I have that seat?”
 
The French woman sniffed and said to no one in particular, “Americans are
so rude. My little Fifi is using that seat.”
 
The Marine walked the entire train again, but the only seat available was
under that dog. “Please, ma’am. May I sit down? I’m very tired.”
 
She snorted, “Not only are you Americans rude, you are also arrogant!”
 
This time the Marine didn’t say a word; he just picked up the little dog,
tossed it out the train window and sat down.
 
The woman shrieked, “Someone defend me! Put this American in his place!”
 
An English gentleman sitting nearby spoke up. “Sir, you Americans seem to
have a penchant for doing the wrong thing. You hold the fork in the wrong
hand. You drive your autos on the wrong side of the road. And now, Sir, you
seem to have thrown the wrong bitch out the window.”
 
 
 
 

2/19/2013 (1722)

Happy belated (2/15) Clarice Hackman (DHS ’67): Fargo, ND
                    
                             
 
Steve Cook’s Turtle Mountain Restaurant
Question from Diane Larson Sjol (’70):  Lake Metigoshe, ND

I was very impressed with the Turtle Mountain Restaurant.  Where was it located?

Diane

 
 
Pictures
Posted by Trish Larson Clayburgh (’73): Palo Alto, CA.
 
                    George Malaterre (’73): Dunseith, ND
 
 Frank (’68) and LaRae Hagel (’73) Evans with Lynn Gillis Sheffield (’73)
 
 
 
San Haven Photo’s
Posted by Susan Fassett Martin (’65):  Spearfish, SD
 
 
Cebu, Philippines
Bernadette playing cards
 
Lately Bernadette has been play cards many hours each day. It is something she loves to do and it is good for her mind too. He condition has stabilized some now, so that is good.
 
In the picture L to R: Our helpers Tata & Gaga (Sisters), Neighbor with back to picture, Bernadette, Bernadette’s niece’s little girl, Bernadette’s sister Berlinda and Berlinda’s daughter, Novie.
 
We have hired Novie to be with Bernadette from noon until 9:00 PM each day. Most of the time she is here until past 10:00 PM, so she is no hurry to leave. She just lives next door in one of our apartments too, so she doesn’t have far to come. Whenever we go out Novie is along too, to assist Bernadette. It’s not always that Bernadette needs assistance, but there are times that she does. Novie is always there to assist and pamper wherever needed. Bernadette really likes Novie too. If she didn’t she’d be out the door.  
 
 
Joke of the day
Posted by Brenda Hoffman (’68):  Greenville, SC
 
Subject: Frank Feldman

A man walks out to the street and catches a taxi just going by.
He gets into the taxi, and the cabbie says, “Perfect timing.
You’re just like Frank.”
Passenger: “Who?”
Cabbie: “Frank Feldman.. He’s a guy who did everything right all the time.
Like my coming along when you needed a cab, things happened like
that to Frank Feldman every single time.”
Passenger: “There are always a few clouds over everybody.”
Cabbie: “Not Frank Feldman.
He was a terrific athlete.
He could have won the Grand-Slam at tennis.
He could golf with the pros. He sang like an opera baritone and danced like a Broadway star
And you should have heard him play the piano.
He was an amazing guy.
Passenger: “Sounds like he was something really special.”
Cabbie: “There’s more. He had a memory like a computer.
He rememberedeverybody’s birthday.
He knew all about wine, which foods to order and
which fork to eat them with.
He could fix anything. Not like me. I change a fuse, and the whole street blacks out.
But Frank Feldman, could do everything right.”
Passenger: “Wow, some guy then.”
Cabbie: “He always knew the quickest way to go in traffic and avoid traffic jams.
Not like me, I always seem to get stuck in them.
But Frank, he never made a mistake, and he really knew how to treat a woman and make her feel good.
He would never answer her back even if she was in the wrong; and his clothing was always immaculate, shoes highly polished too –
He was the perfect man! He never made a mistake.
No one could ever measure up to Frank Feldman.”
Passenger: “An amazing fellow. How did you meet him?”
Cabbie: “Well, I never actually met Frank,
He died and I married his  wife.”

 
 

2/18/2013 (1721)

               Happy Birthday Bob Hosmer (DHS ’56): Lynnwood,WA                                              

  
Reply from Joan Richard:  Dunseith, ND
 
It’s so nice to see these pictures of people who made Dunseith a real community.
I really enjoy the ongoing info and entertaining stories.
 
 
San Haven Photo’s
Posted by Susan Fassett Martin (’65):  Spearfish, SD
  
 
 
 
 
Om El Akheil, The white horse in the photo
Reply from Trish Larson (’73):  Portola Valley, CA
 
 
Thanks for the nice compliments on the blog, Gary.  

That was a photo of my wonderful horse Om El Akheil, who sadly died in August 2012 after a wonderful year and a half together.  I bought him at the LA Equestrian Center in May 2011, where he had been living in a stall for 8 years.  He had been ridden about 3 days a week, and well loved, but had spent little time out in nature.  
With us, he got to explore wilderness areas in California, Oregon, Washington, and Idaho, living with a herd for the first time in his life.  He was in love with my mare, Maggie.  He got to swim in the ocean, strut in parades, run on the beach, see the view from mountaintops, camp in 6 states, dance in a bar, and walk big city streets.  

He seemed happy, but had a number of issues including some metabolic issues that eventually ended his life.
 
I was sorry to lose him, but feel very lucky to have had shared the short time we had together.  He was a wonderful purebred Arabian – 1/2 Spanish Arab and 1/2 Egyptian Arab.  They call that “the golden cross” because it produces such a beautiful combination of courage, athletism, size, beautiful disposition, and intelligience.  He was all of those things.

At the time of his sudden death, I transported him to UC Davis Vet school, one of the finest equine hospitals in the world, near Sacramento.  They could not save him, and he died in my arms a few hours later.  An autopsy was performed, and they never could figure out the cause of the “hemorrhagic colitis” that caused him to bleed to death internally.

Ultimately, we’re all born with a death sentence, and it was his time to go.

He was a great friend, and many loved him.  I think of him every day, and I will always fondly remember the great times we had together.  I have many photos, and from time to time, I post them on Facebook in his memory.  There are many stories and photos of Akheil painted like a zebra.  

He seemed to love being “a horse of a different color”.  

The photo you posted to the Dunseith blog was an early jumping lesson.  

Nowadays, I wear a helmet because the fences are getting higher…

Trish
Trish,
 
I am sorry to hear of your loss of such a beautiful horse. I can tell that he was indeed a show horse.
 
Trish, I am not sure how you manage all that you do. I just wish that I had a fraction of your well rounded abilities. Not only are you a good horseman and Nurse, but an excellent writer and communicator too among a host of other abilities also.
 
Gary 
 
 
Ole and Regina Larshus’s Golden ‘Wedding anniversary celebration in 1938
Reply from Dick Johnson (’68):  Dunseith, ND
 
Gary and Friends,

       In the Larshus  family picture,  there a few I think I can identify.  Because they are related to the Halvorson,  Rudes,  and other Rendahl area families I looked for members of those families and this is my guess:  In the left of the picture and directly at the edge of the house wearing a dark suit,  I am pretty sure is Ingolf Medlang.  The tall guy next to him is Cliff Halvorson.  On the other side of the center of the picture (right of center)  there are a bunch of kids sitting on a bench with an older lady.  The first boy from the left is Art Rude and the fifth person from the left and wearing a dark suit,  is Otis Rude.  This is just my opinion, judging from old pictures I have seen of Art and Otis as kids.  Art would have been about 15 in 1938.  He graduated from DHS in ’39 at age 16.  I would guess there are probably members of my extended family (Johnson,  Olson,  Berg,  Lagerquist, etc.)  in the picture too but I can’t pick any of them out.  Thanks Gary!

Dick

 
 
 
Joke of the day
Posted by Rosemary Smith:  Bottineau, ND
 
NORTH DAKOTA DECLARES WAR ON USA

President Barack Obama was in the Oval Office when his telephone rang.

“Hello, President Obama,” a heavily accented Norwegian voice said. “‘Dis
here is Sven, over here at the VFW bar in Larimore , North Dakota .

Ve don’t like some a yer policies so I am callin’ to tell ya that we are
officially declaring war on ya!”

“Well, Sven,” Barack replied, “This is indeed important news! How big is
your army?”

“Right now,” said Sven, after a moment’s calculation, “there is myself, my
cousin Knute, my next-door-neighbor Ole, and the whole dart team from the
VFW.”

Barack paused, “I must tell you Sven that I have one million men in my
army waiting to move on my command.”

“Wow,” said Sven, “I’ll haf ta call ya back!”

Sure enough, the next day, Sven called again. “Mr. Obama, da war is still
on!

We have managed to acquire some infantry equipment!”

“And what equipment would that be, Sven?” Barack asked.

“Vell sir, ve got two combines, a bulldozer, and three big farm tractors.”

President Obama sighed. “I must tell you Sven, that I have 16,000 tanks
and 14,000 armored personnel carriers. Also I’ve increased my army to one
and a half million since we last spoke.”

“All right den, said Sven. “I’ll be getting back to ya.”

Sure enough, Sven rang again the next day… “President Obama, da war is
still on! We have managed to git ourselves airborne! We up an’ modified
Ole’s ultra-light vit a couple’a shotguns in da cockpit, and four big boys
from the Norskie Cafe haf joined us as vell!”

Barack was silent for a minute then cleared his throat.

“I must tell you, Sven, that I have 10,000 bombers and 20,000 fighter
planes. My military complex is surrounded by laser-guided, surface-to-air
missile sites. And since we last spoke, I’ve increased my army to TWO
MILLION!”

“Two million you say?,” said Sven, “l’ll haf’ to call you back.

Sure enough, Sven called again the next day. “President Obama! I am sorry
to have to tell you that we have had to call off this here war.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” said Barack. “Why the sudden change of heart?”

Vell, sir,” said Sven, “we’ve all sat ourselves down and had a long chat
over a few beers, and come to realize that there’s yust no vay ve can feed
two million prisoners.”

NORTH DAKOTA’S CONFIDENCE CANNOT BE SHAKE

 

2/17/2013 (1720)

Happy Birthday Cheri Metcalfe Evans (’74): Dunseith, ND
      
 
 
Photo’s
Provided by Susan Fassett Martin (’47):  Spearfish, SD
 
Dunseith Gardeners  1949/50
Back Row:  Hazel Olson, Lloyd Awalt, Bob Leonard, Jim Footit, Guy Knox, Bill Peterson
Front Row:  Laret Foster, Bill Fassett, Darrel Fassett, Virgil Vanorny, Don Fassett, Harold Larson
Batboy:  Lowell Leonard.
 
 
I need some identification on these pictures.    The kid band is dated 1913-1915  and says “are there any Fassetts in this group”  so I assume it was taken in Dunseith.   Interesting that two of the boys are in blackface.  
 
The Dunseith Restaurant picture is Steve Cook’s Turtle Mountain Restaurant.   That is Steve Cook at  the bar ,  middle woman unknown , Hilda Wridberg and Paul LaFazar stading by the plant.   This building was just south of Hosmers Store on Dunseiths main street.  It later became McCoys Bar.
 
The group picture is Ole and Regina Larshus’s Golden ‘Wedding anniversary celebration in 1938.  Not many are labeled but I am sure there are descendants of many of those people on this blog.  Lets see who knows who’s who. 
 Hugs!!   Susan
 
    Dated 1913-1915  and says “are there any Fassetts in this group” 
 
 
 
Steve Cook’s Turtle Mountain Restaurant.  
Cook at  the bar ,  middle woman unknown , Hilda Wridberg and Paul LaFazar stading by the plant
 
 
 
The group picture is Ole and Regina Larshus’s Golden ‘Wedding anniversary celebration in 1938.  Not many are labeled but I am sure there are descendants of many of those people on this blog.  Lets see who knows who’s who. 
 
 
 

2/16/2013 (1719)

Folks,
 
Kind of light today, but I will post what I have.
 
Bernadette and I are invited to a friends house for dinner this evening. Not sure how many guests are invited though. The hosts sister and think her husband too, are here visiting from Sweden. We’ll find out tonight. For Bernadette’s well being, we are taking her niece, Novie, with us. Bernadette will feel more comfortable with Novie along for  assistance, if needed. Novie is with her everyday from Noon until 9;00 PM or later. Our friends like Novie, so having her along is not a problem.
 
Gary
 
 
 
Happy Birthday Clayton Parrill (DHS ’72): Bottineau, ND
               
                             
 
Happy Birthday David Schimetz: (DHS ’79): Mandan, ND
            
                            
 
Face Book captions from Susan Fassett Martin (’65):
 
 
 
 
Cebu: Stokes residence
Bernadette’s niece, Edelyn, with her 2 year old daughter, Shikira

2/15/2013 (1718)

No blog yesterday
 
Folks,
 
For the record I did not get a blog posted yesterday.
 
Gary
 
 
Happy birthday Patty Spaeth Espe (DHS ’61):  Lake Havasu City, AZ
 
  
Rose and Art Hagen’s 5th wheeler in Bottineau
 
Seeing this picture I think they are glad to be wintering in Cebu
 
 
 
Face Book Capture of Trish Larson (’73) on her horse
 
What a beautiful horse and I might add with a beautiful rider too. 
Trish, this is a show horse.
 
 
 
Stokes garage in Cebu.
 
Folks,
 
As of yesterday the construction of our new garage and passage from the garage to the house is complete. I have had two guys working on this project for 11 months. All work including the leveling of the lot was done by hand. All total there was more than 80 cubic meters of cement poured all of which was mixed by hand. 80 cubic meters of cement equates to more than 400 bags of Portland cement. This garage gives us access to our property from the road. We no longer have to park our car in our other garage up on the road and then walk down to the house.
 
 
Entrance to the 30′ long  passage to the garage from the house side.
  
Exit from the Garage passage on the house side.
 
 
Joke of the day
Posted by Larry Hackman (’66):  Bismarck, ND
 
Tim decided to tie the knot with his long-time girlfriend. One
evening, after the honeymoon, he was cleaning his golf shoes.
His wife was standing there watching him. After a long period of
silence, she finally speaks. “Honey, I’ve been thinking, now that we
are married I think it’s time you quit golfing. Maybe you should sell
your golf clubs.”

Tim gets this horrified look on his face.

She says, “Darling, what’s wrong?”

“There for a minute you were sounding like my ex-wife.”

“Ex-wife!” she screams, “I didn’t know you were married before!”

”I wasn’t!“

 
 

2/13/2013 (1717)

Rendahl picture
Lloyd Awalt (’44):  Bottineau, ND
 
Hi Gary,
 
Myron you are right of some of the kids on Rendahl church.  The three sisters in the second row are the nelsons Loretta, Evelyn I cant put a name on the last one but I went to school with them.       Lloyd  Awalt
 
 
Rendahl picture
Reply from Dick Johnson (’68):  Bottineau, ND
 
Gary and Friends,

          I just got a chance to look at the Rendahl picture and would
like to add a comment.  I am quite sure the three girls in the middle
row are Abe Nelson’s daughters and the tall boy to their left is Francis
Atherton.  The little boy in the front is more than likely Carlyle
Nelson.  I think Hannah Rude is on the right in the back row but I don’t
know the other older people. My mother and aunt used to say that they
thought the Nelson sisters,  when they were older, were the prettiest
girls in the area and they used to try to fix their hair the way the
Nelsons fixed theirs.  Back in those days they all lived along the
Willow Lake road and not too far apart. This is just a guess on my
part.  Thanks Gary!

Dick

 
 
Rendahl picture
Reply from Art Rude (’71): Bismarck, ND

 

On the Rendahl picture, the tall guy on the left is Francis Atherton, and the guy in back is Abe Nelson. I think the rest are all correct.
 
 
Rendahl Church – 1940
Back Row: Alpha Gunderson, Ed Gunderson, Abe Nelson, Hannah Rude
Middle Row: Francis Atherton and Lauretta, Evelyn & Ramona Nelson
Front Row: Carlyle Nelson and Mavis, Norma & Alice Atherton.
 
 
 
Joke of the day
Posted by Geri Metcalfe Munro (’59): Fargo, ND
 
Dan was a single guy living at home with his father
and working in the family business. When he found out
he was going to inherit a fortune when his ill father died,
he decided he needed to find a wife with whom to share his fortune.
One evening, at an investment meeting, he spotted the most
beautiful woman he had ever seen. Her natural beauty took his breath away.
“I may look like just an ordinary guy,” he said to her, “But in just a few months my father will die and I will inherit $200 million.”
Impressed, the woman asked for his business card
and three days later, she became his stepmother.
Women are so much better at financial planning than men.
 
 

2/11/2013 (1716)

No Blog yesterday
 
Folks,
 
For general info, I did not get a blog posted yesterday.
 
Gary
 
 
Happy Birthday Laurel Wenstad: Dundas, MM   
 
 
Open house for Vida Peterson Hiatt’s 87th Birthday this coming Saturday
Posting/Picture from Rod Hiatt (”69): Bottineau, ND
 
Gary
It will be by mother, Vida’s birthday on the 16th. Mom will be 87, she still lives on the farm, volunteers two days a week to help at the Good Samaritan  Home in Bottineau, and still cooks the best breakfast in the area. The picture is of Mom and her grandson, Eric(my youngest)
We are having coffee and cake at the farm on Sat. afternoon(2-4), so if anybody that may be driving by wants to stop and have a cup of coffee and wish Mom a Happy Birthday, they are more than welcome.
 
Nice picture of your mother Rod.
 
Vida has always been a nice looking lady and I can see that the added years have not hampered her beauty one bit.
 
As I remember your mother’s farm is located about 5 miles east of Bottineau, near the intersection of Highway 60 (Willow City Road) on the north side of road. She used to have a large wrought Iron horse at the mail box.
 
It has been a number of years now since I have seen your mother. That last time I saw her was in the Bottineau Bowling Alley with your dad Howard. At the time your dad was on Dialysis and your mother was doing the driving. We had a nice chat.
 
Please give your mother my regards when you see her.
 
Gary
 
 
 
 
Rendahl picture
Reply from Myron Langehaug:  Bottineau, ND
 
Norma, Looking at that picture leads me to believe that the middle row is of the Nelson girls, Abe and Mary Nelsons daughters. The boy on the left side could be Francis Atherton. The front row left I believe to be Carlyle Nelson and then the the three girls could be Mavis, Norma and Alice Atherton. The Athertons and Nelsons were first cousins. They did go to Rendahl church and the year 1940 seems to match the ages pretty close.  My mother Mildred is not in the picture that I can see, she would have been the oldest Atherton girl at 16. I tried to email Gary and it all bounced back so I must not have a good address.  It would be great to get a good copy of this photo as some in the picture are in the area..   Thanks  Myron Langehaug
 
Thank you Myron for this reply.
 
Susan Fassett is the holder of this Picture. I am very sure we can get a good copy.
 
If there was a way we could get a copy of this photo to Carlyle Nelson, I am sure he would know all in this picture. Last I knew he was still living in Bottineau.
 
Myron, with the Atherton girls being your aunts, I believe your hunch is right with that being Mavis, Norma and Alice Atherton.
 
Gary 
 
Rendahl Church – 1940
Back Row: Alpha Gunderson, Ed Gunderson, Ovitt?, Hannah Rude
Middle Row: ??, ??, ??, ??
Front Row: Carlyle Nelson and Mavis, Norma & Alice Atherton.
 
 
Larry Hackman’s Grandson Took 3rd in Reginal wrestling
Posted by Larry Hackman (’66): Bismarck, ND
 
Gary
Elijah our grand son, the son of Larry Jr. and Lynn took third in regional wrestling today
and is headed
to wrestle for a state championship next weekend at Fargo, ND.
We are proud and excited.
  
Darn good for a seventh grader.
Larry

 
 
 
Turtle Mountain winter scenes copied from Glenore Larson Gross’ FB pictures
 
The Lake road south of Lake Metigoshe. This road should be familiar to a whole lot of you. The Ledolph Larson farm is located just over the crest of this hill and to the East (Right). The Manford Cain farm is located a short distance down the hill beyond the Larson farm also on the right. The Roland School was located on the west side of the road just north of the lake in this picture. There was a school in there and I think it was the Roland school? You can almost see the intersection of Highway 43 at the end of the road in this picture.
  
 
Ledalph Larson farm. Ledolph’s daughter, Glenore, is living there now.
 
 
 
Joke of the day
Posted by Larry Hackman (’66): Bismarck, ND
 
Subject: The Wife

 
 
She knew how to, out fox him. 

An old man and woman were married for many years. 

Whenever there was a confrontation, yelling could be heard deep into the night. 
The old man would shout, “When I die, I will dig my way up and out of the grave
and come back and haunt you for the rest of your life!”
Neighbors feared him.  The old man liked the fact that he was feared. 
To everyone’s relief, he died of a heart attack when he was 98.
His wife had a closed casket at the funeral. 
After the burial, her neighbors, concerned for her safety, asked
 “Aren’t you afraid that he may indeed be able to dig his way out of the grave
and haunt you for the rest of your life?” 
The wife said, “Let him dig. 
I had him buried upside down, and I know he won’t ask for directions.”
 
 
 
 
 

2/10/2013 (1715)

         Happy Birthday Tammy Azure: Dickinson, ND
 
 
 
Cebu Philippines: Fiesta at the Stokes residence
 
Our fiesta went over very well last night. Fiesta’s are catholic religious events celebrating Saints. Not sure if it is the birthday’s or death dates of the saints that are celebrated. Bernadette’s saint is Lourdes. Lourdes’ month is February. A fiesta includes nine days of evening prayers with a large dinner for family and friends on the ninth day. Yesterday was the ninth day. Often times Bernadette has a scaled back meal on the ninth day, but this year we included our expat group of friends and many of the locals in our area. We had about 140 guests total. We had the meal catered, so that part of the event was stress free. They only provided one beverage (Coke/Sprite) per head. We supplemented that with a verity of about 25 cases of other beverages. The carters did a fantastic job too. They arrived at about 2:00 PM to set up all their tables and chairs. At 5:00 PM the food arrived and was ready to be served at 6:00 PM. They took charge of dispensing all the beverages too. Bernadette hired disco music too for everyone’s enjoyment.
 
Gary
 
 
 
 
 Bernadette’s Niece’s little two year old girl.
 
Rendahl Church picture
Reply from Norma Manning (Ruth Peterson’s daughter):  Princeton, Illinois
 
Good morning  Gary!! The lady on the far right is Hannah Rude. She was my G-pa Oscar Larshus sister.
That is all I can add
Norma
 
Rendahl Church – 1940
Back Row: Alpha Gunderson, Ed Gunderson, Ovitt?
Middle Row: ??, ??, ??, Hannah Rude.
Front Row:
 
 
USS Arizona surviors return to be with their shipmates
Posted my Travis Metcalfe (’76):  Mesa, AZ
 
Hi Gary…Has this been sent out on the blog before??  I have seen it before but do not remember if it was on the blog…If not then please include it…great tribute.

THX, TRAVIS

Subject: USS Arizona surviors return to be with their shipmates

1905 Norwegian post card mailed to Peder Carlsen at Kevin, ND
Posted by Don Aird: (Peder Carlsen’s Grandson) St Louis, MO

This is an explanation for the Norwegian post card I sent you.  I got this from my cousin who lives in Mayville, ND.

Subject: Peder Carlson information from Clarissa’s cousin, Betty Knudson Roberts

Hi Don, 

A few days ago, my husband and I looked through a collection of old papers and among the papers was a picture postcard that had been sent from Vesterålen to Mr. Peder Carelsen at Kelvin PO, Nord Dakota, U. S. Amerika.  The postcard was sent by a Magda Holgersen prior to Christmas in 1905 and was apparently received by Peder in North Dakota in 1906.  Norway’s Queen and King, Maud and Haakon VII are on the postcard as well as a baby, future King Olav V.  On the front is written “died Nov. 20–1938 69 yrs old.”  This was handwritten in ink on the front of the postcard and obviously was added at a later date–it  refers to the fact that Norway’s Queen Maud died in November of 1938.  After we checked the Internet for information, we knew the postcard had been actually sent to your grandfather, Peder Carlsen.  The woman who wrote on it and sent it to Peder Carlsen was born in Øksnæs as was Peder. 

After checking through many of the old Nordland church records–Hadsel, Bø and Øksnæs, I have learned that Magda Holgersen was Peder Carlsen’s cousin.  I now have accumulated some historical background on the family of Jensine Ursella Jonsdatter, Peder Carlsen’s mother.  If you or Christine are interested, I would be happy to write down the information and e-mail it to you.     

From what I was able to translate at a glance, in the postcard Magda was greeting Peder from his mother, and she asks whether Peder is married.  She adds Merry Christmas & Happy New Year.  I haven’t actually written down all of the Norwegian words to completely translate the message–it is very short and that probably is the gist of it. 

In my research, I found proof that Ove Johnson Woie in Clifford, North Dakota was Peder Carlsen’s uncle.  That’s why Peder came to Clifford, no doubt, and met Christine there.  My mother had either written or mentioned that Peder was Ove Woie’s nephew and today, I found information in the Norwegian church records that matched some of what had been written in Clifford’s history book, Prairie Portraits.   

I don’t know how this picture postcard happened to end up with the Knudson family.  Sometimes, people would give Mom things that were written in Norwegian.  Maybe someone in the Carlsen family gave it to her after Peder and Christine had passed away.  In any case, if you’d like, I could mail the postcard to you.  I thought it was a pretty special item since it is 105 years old (and will be 106 years old in December). 

Best regards and Happy Easter,

Betty

 
 
Joke of the day
Posted by Marie Iverson Staub (’60): Seattle, WA
 
      “Hello, President Obama,” a heavily accented
                Norwegian voice said. “‘Dis
                    here is Sven, over here at the VFW  bar in Larimore,
                North Dakota. Ve
                    don’t like some a yer policies so I am callin’ to
                tell ya that we are
                    officially declaring war on ya!”

                    “Well, Sven,” Barack replied, “This is indeed
                important news! How big is
                    your army?”

                    “Right now,” said Sven, after a moment’s
                calculation, “there is myself, my
                    cousin Knute, my next-door-neighbor Ole, and the
                whole dart team from the
                   VFW.”

                    Barack paused, “I must tell you Sven that I have one
                million men in my
                    army waiting to move on my command.”

                    “Wow,” said Sven, “I’ll haf ta call ya back!”

                    Sure enough, the next day, Sven called again. “Mr.
                Obama, da war is still on!

                    We have managed to acquire some infantry equipment!”

                    “And what equipment would that be, Sven?” Barack  asked.

                    “Vell sir, ve got two combines, a bulldozer, and
                three big farm tractors.”

                    President Obama sighed. “I must tell you Sven, that
                I have 16,000 tanks
                    and 14,000 armored personnel carriers. Also I’ve
                increased my army to one
                    and a half million since we last spoke.”

                    “All right den, said Sven. “I’ll be getting back to
                ya.”

                    Sure enough, Sven rang again the next day…
                “President Obama, da war is
                    still on! We have managed to git ourselves airborne!
                We up an’ modified
                    Ole’s ultra-light vit a couple’ a shotguns in da
                cockpit, and four big boys
                    from the Norskie Cafe haf joined us as vell!”

                    Barack was silent for a minute then cleared his  throat.

                    “I must tell you, Sven, that I have 10,000 bombers
                and 20,000 fighter
                    planes. My military complex is surrounded by
                laser-guided, surface-to-air
                    missile sites. And since we last spoke, I’ve
                increased my army to TWO
                    MILLION!”

                    “Two million you say?,” said Sven, “l’ll haf’ to
                call you back.

                    Sure enough, Sven called again the next day.
                “President Obama! I am sorry
                    to have to tell you that we have had to call off
                this here war.”

                    “I’m sorry to hear that,” said Barack. “Why the
                sudden change of heart?”

                    Vell, sir,” said Sven, “we’ve all sat ourselves down
                and had a long chat
                    over a few beers, and come to realize that there’s
                yust no vay ve can feed two million prisoners.”

 

2/8/2013 (1714)

No Blog Tomorrow (Saturday)
 
Tomorrow we are having a fiesta, hosting about 140 folks for dinner at our house. We are having it catered, so that relieves a lot of the stress and work on Bernadette’s part preparing all the food. With Bernadette’s health issues, it would be quite a stress if she was to do all the preparations. Half of our guests are our Expat friends. The other half is local friends and folks that live in our immediate area inclusive of Bernadette’s relatives, our helpers and their families. We have hired disco music too, so it should be a fun evening. 
 
With all this going on tomorrow, I will not get a blog posted.
 
Gary
 
 
              Happy Birthday Sue Pladson: Fargo, ND
                               pladsonsue@yahoo.com
 
 
Happy Birthday Nancy Bedard Olson (DHS ’67): Hillsboro, ND
                     
                                            
 
Rendahl Church Picture
Posted by Susan Fassett Martin (’65):  Spearfish, SD
 
This has no names on it.  On the far left is Alpha Gunderson and the man in the white shirt is Ed Gunderson.    Is there anyone out there that recognizes anyone else?  It is taken at Rendahl Church grounds in 1940.
Susan,
The guy on the fare right in the back looks like Rodney Ovitt. Could it possibly be his dad?
Gary
 
Rendahl Church – 1940
Back Row: Alpha Gunderson, Ed Gunderson, Ovitt?
Middle Row:
Front Row:
 
 
 
Salem Church Renovation pictures
Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: neola Bottineau & Minot, ND
 
Folks,
 
Leonard and Arliss Rude Hagen did a fantastic job renovating Salem Church in the summer of 2004. Preserving the natural architecture of the church, they did a total renovation of the church both inside and out.
 
Arliss is a sister to LaVarne and Glen Rude. Their parents were Albert and Gladys Bjornseth Rude. Their home was about 1/8 mile east of Salem on Highway 43 on the south side of the road. Glen is still living on the home place.
 
Gary
 
 
 Joke of the day
 
Mule Trading

Curtis & Leroy saw an ad in the Starkville Daily in Starkville , MS and bought a mule for $100. 

The farmer agreed to deliver the mule the next day.

 

The next morning the farmer drove up and said,”Sorry, fellows, I have some bad news, the mule died last night.”

 

Curtis & Leroy replied, “well, then just give us our money back.”

 

The farmer said,”Can’t do that. I went and spent it already.”

 

They said, “OK then, just bring us the dead mule.”

 

The farmer asked, “What in the world ya’ll gonna do with a dead mule?”

 

Curtis said, “We gonna raffle him off.”

 

The farmer said, “You can’t raffle off a dead mule!”

Leroy said, “We shore can! Heck, we don’t hafta tell nobody he’s dead!”

 

A couple of weeks later, the farmer ran into Curtis & Leroy at the Piggly Wiggly grocery store and asked.

 

“What’d you fellers ever do with that dead mule?”

 

They said,”We raffled him off like we said we wuz gonna do.”

 

Leroy said,”Shucks, we sold 500 tickets fer two dollars apiece and made a profit of $998.”

The farmer said,”My Lord, didn’t anyone complain?”
Curtis said,“Well, the feller who won got upset. So we gave him his two dollars back.”
 
 
 

2/7/2013 (1713)

Joseph Dietrich – Larry Hackman’s (’66) message to Dick Johnson (’68)
 
Dick
 

Clarice found this information, in the Turtle Mountain Star concerning the death of our Great Grandfather Joseph Dietrich.
They make reference to Great Uncle Ed Dietrich and Great Aunt Rose Wellborn in the article.
The Cain Place that is mentioned was a mile north of Kelvin and was eventually owned by our Uncle Gus Hackman.
They seemed to have misspelled the names of Dietrich and Wellborn.
But switching from German to English has always presented some problems
in particular with the heavy German slang.
Like you say, interesting.
 
Larry
 
Link to the Turtle Mountain Star Archives (Note: Good link to add to your favorites, Gary)
 
Dick’s reply to Larry
 
Larry,

     Thanks again to you and to Clarice for the information.  The old newspaper articles are interesting too.  I didn’t know the land Gus owned by the corner of highways 3 and 43 was known as the Cain place.  Never heard that said before.  There are lots of misspelled words in the old newspapers from long ago.  I suppose they couldn’t all have had Anna Fish for English.  I now see the connection between the Dietrich, Hackman,  and Wellborn families  that I didn’t fully understand before.  I think it’s rather amazing that so many Wellborns are still living in Sifton, Manitoba where they went so long ago.

   On the German to English problem—long ago an old Norwegian came into the grocery store in Sherwood,  where my in-laws live,  and asked to open a charge account.  The store keeper said that was fine and asked the old Norskie what his name was?  He said,  “Oscar Wig”.  The store keep wondered about the brogue so asked him how to spell his last name.  It actually was ‘Vig’  but the Norskies mix up the pronunciation of  the ‘W’ and the ‘V’ as well as the ‘J’ and the ‘Y’.  Old Oscar said,  “It’s  We I G,  wit a capital We.”  It’s not chust the Chermans dat hass dat progue problem.  Grandpa Hans said,  “I yust learned to say ‘telewision’ and now day call it a ‘T We’.”

 
 
 
Bill and Irene Fassett’s wedding pictures
Copied from Susan Fassett Martin’s FB Pictures
 
 
 
Bill and Irene Watkins Fassett’s wedding party
???, ???,  ???, Bill & Irene Fassett, ???, ???, ???
 
 
Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe:  Bottineau & Minot, ND
 
 
Joke of the day
 
Worst 1st Date Ever…

If you didn’t see this on the Tonight show, I hope you’re sitting down when you read it. This is probably the funniest date story ever, first date or not!!! We have all had bad dates but this takes the cake.

Jay Leno went into the audience to find the most embarrassing first date that a woman ever had. The winner described her worst first date experience.

There was absolutely no question as to why her tale took the prize!

She said it was midwinter…Snowing and quite cold… and the guy had taken her skiing in the mountains outside Salt Lake City, Utah.

It was a  day trip (no overnight). They were strangers, after all, and had never met before. The outing was fun but relatively uneventful until they were headed home late that a fternoon.

They were driving back down the mountain, when she gradually began to realize that she should not have had that extra latte. ! ! They were about an hour away from anywhere with a rest room and in the middle of nowhere! Her companion suggested she try to hold it, which she did for a while. Unfortunately, because of the heavy snow and slow going, there came a point here she told him that he had better stop and let her go beside the road, or it would be the front seat of his car.

They stopped and she quickly crawled out beside the car, yanked her pants down and started. In the deep snow she didn’t have good footing, so she let her butt rest against the rear fender to steady herself. Her companion stood on the side of the car watching for traffic and indeed was a real gentleman and refrained from peeking. All she could think about was the relief she felt despite the rather embarrassing nature of the situation.

Upon finishing however, she soon becam e aware of another sensation. As she bent to pull up her pants, the young lady discovered her buttocks were firmly glued against the car’s fender. Thoughts of tongues frozen to poles immediately came to mind as she attempted to disengage her flesh from the icy metal. It was quickly apparent that she had a brand new problem, due to  the extreme cold.
  Horrified by her plight and yet aware of the humor of the moment, she answered her date’s concerns about’ what is taking so long’ with a reply that indeed, she was ‘freezing her butt off’ and in need of some assistance!  He came around the car as she tried to cover herself with her sweater and then, as she looked imploringly into his eyes, he burst out laughing. She too, got the giggles and when they finally managed to compose  themselves, they assessed her dilemma. Obviously, as hysterical as the situation was, they also were faced with a real problem.

Both agreed it would take something hot to free her chilly cheeks from the grip of the icy metal! Thinking about what had gotten her into the predicament in the first place, both quickly realized that there was only one way to get her free. So, as she looked the other way, her first time date pr oceeded to unzip his pants and pee her butt off the fender.
  As the audience screamed in laughter, she took the Tonight Show prize hands down. Or perhaps that should be ‘pants  down’. And you thought your first date was embarrassing. Jay Leno’s comment… ‘This  gives a whole new meaning to being pissed  off.’

Oh and how did the first date turn out? He became her husband and was sitting next to her on the Leno show.

 
 
 
 
 

2/6/2013 (1712)

   Happy Birthday Joan Wurgler Salmonson  (DHS ’61): Dunseith, ND 
                                                   
 
Jason St. Claire
Request from Dave Slyter (’70): Sabin, Mn
 
Gary:

Could you had Jason St. Claire to the list on your blog.   He is a graduate of Dunsieith High School in the 90’s but I don’t know what year.    His e-mail address is
jayclaire75@hotmail.com.   He is the son of Sandra St. Claire, now married to Randy Will who was a teacher at one time in  Dunsieth.  They live in Bismarck.     Thank You

Dave Slyter(70)
 
Dave, It is my pleasure to add Jason to our distribution list
Jason, for our records, what year did you graduate from Dunseith?
 
Thanks,
 Gary
 
 
 
Velma Wondrasek’s (Bottineau Photography Studio) 95th Birthday
Celebration on Feb. 3rd. Birthday on Jan. 29th.
 
Posted by Art Hagen (’72):  Cebu, Philippines & Bottineau, ND
 
 
 
Posted by Iris Wolvert:  Willow City, ND
 
Roy James Douglas
(Died January 30, 2013)

Guest Book| Sign Guest Book
  

Dr. Roy Douglas, age 90 of Minot, formerly of Bottineau, died Wednesday in a Minot nursing home. Funeral will be held on Monday at 2:00 pm at the United Parish in Bottineau. Visitation will be held on Sunday from 1:00 pm until 9:00 pm at the Nero Funeral Home in Bottineau. Burial will be at the Oak Creek Cemetery in Bottineau.

Roy James Douglas, Jr. was born on November 23, 1922 in Dunseith, ND, son of Roy Douglas, Sr. and Edyth Bonine Douglas (Bonnie). He lived in Dunseith, Southam and Grand Forks. He graduated from Grand Forks Central H. S. in 1940. He attended UND until 1943 and then served in the medical department of the US Navy until 1946. He returned to UND and graduated with a B.S. degree in 1947. He then attended optometric college in Chicago, graduating in 1950. He opened a practice of optometry in Bottineau, ND, in 1951 until retirement in 1984. In 1965 he married Adele Korman Brandt of Bottineau.

He served as director of the Bottineau Chamber of Commerce, the Bottineau Concert Series, was a member of the American Legion and Masons. In the 50’s he joined the Metigoshe Flying Club and enjoyed flying his plane to many fishing areas He served as elder in the Presbyterian Church for many years and was a member of the United Parish. In 2010 he was a member of the Honor Flight to Washington, DC to see the World War II Memorial which he enjoyed so much.

He is survived by his wife Adele; four stepdaughters; Diane (Jay) Kersten of Minot, Colleen (Robert) Korn kven of Bottineau, Bonnie (Steve) Lodoen of San Jose, CA, and Susan (Richard) Geiger of Grafton, ND; six step grandchildren, Stephanie (Kelly) Heinert, Kelly David Newberger, Katie (Kevin) Kersten-Tyler, Angela (Brian) Volk, Mark (Angela) Kornkven, Amy (Dalyn) Vollrath; eight step great grandchildren, Taylor Ann Heinert, Jacob Heinert, Joseph Heinert, Dayton Tyler, Riley Tyler, Keegan Volk, Kyra Volk and Devon Vollrath; his brother-in-law, Bill MetCalfe of Arizona and four nephews, Mike, Scott, Chris and Jeff.

He was preceded in death by his parents Roy J. Douglas, Sr. and Edyth Bonine Douglas; sister, Fay Metcalfe and 2 step grandsons, Stephen Headsten and Jeff Lodoen.

Arrangements were with Nero Funeral Home in Bottineau. Friends may sign the online register book at www.nerofuneralhome.net.

 

 
Joke of the day
Posted by Don Malaterre (’72):  Sioux Falls, SD

During a recent physical examination, Ole was asked by the doctor about
his physical activity level.

He described a typical day this way: “Vell, yesterday afternoon, I took a four hour
walk, about 5 miles, through some pretty rough terrain. I waded along the edge of
a lake. I pushed my way through brambles. I got sand in my shoes, eyes and hair.
I avoided getting bit by a snake, I climbed several rocky hills, and took a few leaks
behind some big trees. The mental stress of it all left me shattered. At the end of it
all, I drank eight beers.”

Inspired by the story, the doctor said, “You must be one hell of an outdoors man!”

“Actually, I’m not,” He replied, “ I’m just a crappy golfer.”

 

2/5/2013 (1711)

Bernadette’s sister is here visiting.
 
Bernadette’s sister Allotte, arrived from Japan yesterday along with her daughter from Manila. They will be here for two weeks. Allotte was just here in November, but because of Bernadette’s health issues, she came back to see her.  Bernadette was very happy to see her too.  
 
Gary
 
 
Condolences to the Campbell Family
From Mark Schmitz (’70): Rolette, ND
 
My sincere Condolences to the Campbell, Family, It was so nice to see most of the Campbell family at Armand Mongeon funeral, and just the next week we lost George Azure. The active members of the Archie Jardine Post #185 of Dunseith ND. is now limited to Floyd Dion, Roger Counts and myself. It is so sad too see our friends of the Great Generation fall away. All we have now is many Fond Memories. Of Alan Campbell I remember Simonizing his 1958? Edsel, he was quite proud of that Auto.
 
Snagged from Cathy Campbell’s FB account
Campbell Family – Taken, I think, at Alan’s Memorial Service?
 
 
 
Arlin Melgaard Passed away
Message from Larry Liere (55)  Devils Lake, ND & Mesa, AZ
 
 
 
Gary
 
The following is the Arlin G. Melgaard Obituary.  Since he was from Bottineau I thought you may want to post it on your blog.  I knew Arlin for the past 50+ years through the North Dakota Army National Guard.  During the time he worked at Camp Grafton we got to be good friends.  After he moved to Fargo and joined the Guard Band he would come back to Camp Grafton with the complete 188th Army Band and some times with his Roughcut Band so I would get to see him about two to three times a year.  After he retired I would see him at are retirement reunions every Fall.  He was a very fun guy and always had a smile on his face.  Wish I was back in North Dakota I would attend his funeral.  My condolences to his family and I can tell them Arlin was a great guy, a good friend and I loved his Roughcut Band.
 
 
Sent: Monday, February 04, 2013 1:40 PM
Subject: Arlin Gene Melgaard Obituary
 
Arlin Gene Melgaard, age 71, of Bemidji, Minnesota, was born on July 3rd, 1941, to Harold and Edith (Lunde) Melgaard at Bottineau, North Dakota. He passed away Feb. 2, 2013 at Sanford Bemidji Medical Center in Bemidji.   Funeral Services will be 2:00 p.m., Saturday, February 9, 2013 at First Lutheran Church, Bemidji with Pastor Linnea Papke-Larson officiating. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m., Friday, February 8, 2013 at Olson-Schwartz Funeral Home with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. and one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in Greenwood Cemetery, Bemidji.Arlin attended school in Bottineau and graduated from Bottineau High School in 1959. He received a 2-year degree from the Bottineau School of Forestry in 1961. Following graduation, he enlisted in the North Dakota National Guard and was called to active duty during the Berlin Crisis and was stationed at Fort Lewis, WA. He and Judy Koland were married Nov. 24, 1962, in Bottineau and they had two children. He served full-time as an Administrative Supply Technician in Bottineau, Jamestown, Rugby, and Bismarck, ND for 13 years and was the summer Operations Officer for Officer Candidate School in Camp Grafton at Devils Lake, ND, and also in Fort Carson, CO.

In 1978, he joined the 188th Army Band, and formed “Roughcut” a country rock band within the 188 Army Band. Roughcut performed at various military functions both locally and overseas, including Jamaica and Australia. He continued his National Guard affiliation until he retired with 40 years of service in 2001.

Arlin and Wanda (Axvig) Bartsch were married May 19, 1976, in Bismarck, ND. They moved to Fargo, ND, where Arlin earned a degree in Human Resource Management from NDSU in 1979. After moving to Bemidji, MN, Arlin received his master’s degree in Career and Technical Education from Bemidji State University. He spent 25 years as an administrator with Pine to Prairie Co-operative Center in Red Lake Falls, MN, and North Country Vocational Co-operative in Bemidji, MN. Arlin also was an adjunct faculty member at BSU for 6 years. In 2004-2005 he served as president of the Minnesota Association of Career and Technical Administrators. Arlin received the Outstanding Career and Technical Educator of Minnesota Award in 2002.

Arlin was a member of First Lutheran Church in Bemidji, the American Legion, and served on the Board of Directors for the BSU Alumni Association. During his active Jaycee membership, he served as the National Chairman for Operation Threshold for the U.S. Jaycees.

Arlin will be remembered for his great sense of humor and his positive outlook on life. Everyone he associated with will miss his infectious laugh which brought joy and happiness to everyone. His hobbies included golfing, gardening, woodworking, and fishing.

Arlin is survived by his wife Wanda of Bemidji; his daughter Angie (Kirk) Kamin and girls Jessica & Emily of Mapleton, ND; two sons Cordell (Nikki) Melgaard and children Izzy & Liam of Owatonna, MN, and Chris (Julia) Bartsch and children Haley & Gavin of Cathedral City, CA. He is also survived by a brother David (Beve) Melgaard of Audubon, MN, and their children Kaaryn (Joe) Altobelli and Karsten (Steph) Melgaard; a sister Joann (Jerry) Metzgar of Bottineau, ND, and their son Michael (DeAnn) Metzgar; and several aunts, uncles, and cousins. Arlin was preceded in death by his parents.

 
 
Reply to Winifred Eurich’s photo posted yesterday
From Sharon Zorn Gerdes (’62):  Windsor, CO
 
I was so happy to see the photo of Winifred Eurich, plus amazed at how much Jean resembles Mary.  But then Mary, and Eileen look a whole lot like Winifred too.  When I was a teenager I would ride my horse up to their farm and we would make a cake (homemade of course) on the old wood stove- and ride horses and talk.  I have wonderful, precious memories of those times.  Dave Eurich always knew so much about horses and I loved my horse.  Another person who had a magnificent horse was Patsy McKay- his name was Viking and he ran like the wind.  But Mary and I spent many hours on our horses- I think Eileen still has horses.  Good times — good friends.  Sharon Gerdes (63
 
 
 
San Haven Follow up message
From Brenda Hoffman (’68):  Greenville, SC
 
Dear Gary,

I neglected to tell you that the Boguslowski’s (Alan and John) also lived in the Children’s Building. The Boguslowski’s had the first TV that I remember at the San and we kids used to watch shows like “Sky King” etc in their living room. One of my first remembered lessons in etiquette was learning from Mom that I couldn’t just wonder into their apartment (I don’t think anyone locked their doors) to watch TV. Before the Boguslowski’s moved into that large second story apartment, it was the Jeff Olson and family apartment. Jay Vanorny is also a Children’s Building alumni. As are Jeanne Nicholson (sp?) and the Thiefold (sp?) kids – Mona, Darlene and Raymond. 

There were about twenty children and their families living at the San. We took over the large open grass area beside the Children’s Building to play softball and croquet, the sidewalks for bike races and roller skating and often the commissary bathroom for water balloon fights. We marveled at the large room above the dining room with it reels of film and the film projector and played house in the apartments above the commissary. Jay V. was a whiz at drumming up extra business for our kool-aid stand – strategically placed to capture the hospital workers – by bringing his stuffed animals to draw in the customers. Summer seemed to last forever.
Brenda (Class of 1968)
 
 
San Have Articles published in the Bottineau Courant
Provided by Scott Wager from the Bottineau Courant
 
Series Seven of Seven
 

By SCOTT WAGAR Bottineau Courant

Dr. Fannie Dun Quain and Dr. James Grassick are two of the most important individuals in caring for tuberculosis in the state of North Dakota.  These two individuals established the North Dakota Tuberculosis Association in 1909 and went on to lobby for a state run sanatorium, which opened as San Haven in November of 1912.

Quain and Grassick each lived distinctive and remarkable lives that lead to their partnership in lowering the number of TB cases in North Dakota, which they were successful in through education and proving that a sanatorium could save lives.

 DR. FANNIE DUNN QUAIN:

Dr. Fannie Dunn Quain was born in 1874 in Bismarck while North Dakota was still a territory. Her father, John Dunn, was a pharmacist and her mother, Christina Seelye Dunn, was dress and hat maker.

Quain went to school at Bismarck High School and earned her teaching degree from St. Cloud State University in Minnesota. Although an educator, Quain’s interest was in medicine and she wanted to pursue a career as a physician, but women in this time were deeply frowned upon in pursuing a medical degree and her parents were of humbles means and could afford to send her to medical school.

However, Quain was a determined person with aspirations in attending medical school. To do raise the money, she taught school while at the same time working other jobs. In 1894, she entered the University of Michigan Medical School at Ann Arbor, MI and graduated from the institute in 1894, making her first female from the State of North Dakota to hold a doctor of medicine degree.

After graduating from medical school, she conducted her internship in Minneapolis, MN, and then moved back to North Dakota to practice medicine.

In the beginning of her medical career, she traveled throughout the state caring for patients, often in some of the worse winter weather the state had seen in its history.

One of the best stories about Quain and the seriousness she held in caring for patients took place when a man was traveling on Northern Pacific railroad and came down with an acute appendicitis and needed medical immediately.

Quain was informed of the medical incident. To treat the man she obtain a railroad hand car and cranked the 600 pound car by herself down the track six miles, over the Missouri River on the Northern Pacific Railroad Bridge, to the train coming down the rail line. She then escorted the man to the local hospital and saved his life.

While working at St. Alexius Hospital in Bismarck, Quain was introduced to Dr. Eric Peer Quain, a surgeon in the medical facility. The two married in 1903. (Dr. Eric Quain was one of the founders of the Quain and Ramstad Clinic, which today is known as the Q&R Clinic in Bismarck.)

Quain continued to practice medicine after she married and became a major player in the fight against TB in the state due to an appointment made by Governor John Burke who sent Quain as a delegate to the First International Congress on Tuberculosis, which was held in Washington D.C. She was accompanied to the conference by Grassick and it was there the two them found an enthusiastic interest in eradicating TB from their home state.

Quain was so impressed with the conference and its’ exhibits she personal bought all the exhibits and had them shipped back to North Dakota. She then originated a traveling exhibit which traveled throughout the state educating individuals about TB.

 In 1909, she and Grassick established the North Dakota Tuberculosis Association. She served as the association’s secretary from 1909 to 1921, vice president from 1921 to 1928 and 1948 to 1950, president from 1928 to 1936. She also was the treasurer of the organization from 1939 to 1948.

In 1909, Quain and Grassick began lobbying state legislatures for a state run sanatorium and were able to acquire funding to purchase property for a treatment facility. In 1912, San Haven opened in the Turtle Mountains due to the location personally chosen by the two physicians.

Quain work in TB continued after San Haven was established through public awareness of the disease and promoting victims of the disease to be treated at the San.

She also served on the North Dakota State Board of Health from 1923 to 1933 and was the board’s president for a number of years.

To assist women in the medical field, she became the regional director of the Medical Woman’s National Association from 1933 to 1934 for the states of North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota and Iowa.  

To improving nursing training in the state, Quain chaired the Nurses Training School Committee at Bismarck Evangelical Hospital from 1920 to 1940 and was the president of the training school in the 1930s.

Along with TB, children had a special place in heart of Quain, so much so, she established the first baby clinic in the state.

Quain passed away on Feb. 2, 1950, at the age of 75 in Bismarck.

 DR. JAMES GRASSICK

Dr. James Grassick was born in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, on June 29, 1850. His father, Donald, passed away in 1851 and his mother, Helen Edward Grassick, migrated to Huron County, Ontario, with her eight children where he attended public school in Stanley, ON, where he graduated from high school.

Grassick became a teacher in Huron County for a number of years, but his goal in life was to become a physician. While teaching, Grassick studied medicine through the office of Dr. J. McDiarmid of Hensall, ON. He went on to attend Rush Medical College in Chicago, IL, and graduated from the school in 1885.

After graduating from medical school, Grassick spent the summer of 1885 attending lectures and clinics in two hospitals in Toronto before moving that fall to Buxton, N.D. where he practiced medicine for 20 years and became the first permanent physician in the community.

Grassick was a kind and caring physician and dedicated to his job which sent him throughout the Buxton area. This was shown in the late 1800s when he was called to a rural farm one night to care for a sick individual in the wintertime during an extreme cold spell that had hit the area. Grassick set out for the farmstead with sleigh and horses and was overcome by a blizzard that came up quickly.

Due to the heavy snow fall and winds, the trail he was on became invisible due to a white out, but he continued on his way. With no visibility, the horses fell into a ravine where the sleigh became lodge.

Grassick unhitch the horses and let them go, and he continued on his own in hopes of finding shelter. After hours of walking he began to lose his strength and started to fear death, but as he lost hope he heard a mule. First, Grassick though he was dreaming but then heard the mule again and followed the sound of the animal until he walked into the farmyard the animal was in. He first noticed his horses and then went to the door and knocked.

The homesteaders of the farm house opened a door with a lamp in hand and asked who it was in Norwegian. Grassick stepped inside and collapsed. The next day he awoke in the cabin still weak from the night before. He spent a few days recovering and after going back to work, Grassick return to the farmstead to thank the homesteaders and the mule which saved his life.

The mule’s name turned out to be Ole and his reward in saving Grassick’s life was a bundle of corn, which Ole enjoyed greatly. Because the mule enjoyed the corn, Grassick, throughout the remainder of the winter, made sure the mule was supplied with corn for his kindness to him.

In 1889, Grassick married Christina McDougal of Brucefield, ON, and the couple had two children, Donald and Jessie Christina.

In 1905, Grassick moved his practice to Grand Forks and within a two year period Burke named Grassick the superintendent of the North Dakota Public Health Office, an position he held for six years.

In 1908, he attended the First International Congress on Tuberculosis with Quain. It was here where Grassick gained a great insight on TB and dedicated his life to ending this disease in North Dakota. He stated in his personal journal that the conference made a “direct influence in shaping the activities in my life.”

Once back in the state, he and Quain established the North Dakota Tuberculosis Association where he serve as its’ president and they went on to establish San Haven.  

He became the editor of the “Pennant” a monthly periodical that focused on the caused, prevention and cure of TB. The “Pennant” had a circulation of 4,000 and sent to every state in the county and all the provinces of Canada.

 Grassick also established a traveling clinic where he and nurse traveled across the state diagnosing patients with TB while educating the public on prevented measures with the disease.

Grassick had a love for children like Quain, and in 1928 Camp Grassick was established, which was a summer camp for underprivileged which were more susceptible to TB.     

Beyond of TB, Grassick was appointed the University Physician at UND in 1917, a position he held for numerous years where he was a special lecturer. He also originated the University Dispensary for students to seek out advice, be given physical examinations and treatments at no cost. Grassick was appointed the university’s contract surgeon for S.A.T.C Contingent and served in that capacity during one of the worse epidemic known in the world, the 1918 Flu.

In 1923, Grassick was elected the president of the North Dakota Medical Association and he also served as a board member and director for Buxton’s First State Bank for a long period of time, even after he left Buxton for Grand Forks.

On Dec. 20, 1943, Grassick passed away at the age of 90.

Even though Quain and Grassick are no longer amongst us, their early beginnings with eradicating TB can still be seen in North Dakota. The North Dakota Tuberculosis Association is now the American Lung Association of North Dakota and Camp Grassick is still in operation caring for children with lung aliments.

Through the Quain and Grassick’s hard work they also eliminated around 99 percent of TB in the state, but with them leading the way TB is now a controllable disease with very little chance of taking anyone’s lives in the state, which says a lot about these two pioneer physicians who feared who faced danger straight in the face and made a difference
 
 
Rose and Art Hagen
Happy couple. They’ve got the world by the tail. Where you see one
you will see the other. Always together and I must say in many
different places too. I will see them at Bowling tomorrow.
 
 Joke of the day
Posted by Doreen Larson Moran (BHS ’61):  Usk, WA & Hazelton, ND
 
Ole Fills In

A doctor in Duluth , Minnesota wanted to get

off work and go hunting, so he

approached his assistant.

“Ole, I am goin’ huntin’ tomorrow and don’t want to close the clinic.. I want you to take care of the clinic and take care of all my patients.”

“Yes, sir!” answers Ole.

The doctor goes hunting and returns

the following day and asks: “So, Ole,

How was your day?”

Ole told him that he took care of

three patients. “The first one had a

headache so I gave him TYLENOL.”

“Bravo, mate, and the second one?”

asks the doctor.

“The second one had stomach burning and I gave him MAALOX, sir,” says Ole.

“Bravo, bravo! You’re good at this and what about the third one?” asks the Doctor.

“Sir, I was sitting here and suddenly the door opens

and a woman enters.

Like a flame, she undresses herself,

taking off everything including

her panties and lies

down on the table and shouts:

‘HELP ME – I haven’t

seen a man in over two years!!’”

“Tunderin’ Lard Yeezus, Ole,

What did you do?” asks the doctor.

“I put drops in her eyes!!”

You thought I was sending a dirty joke!!

NOT ME!

 
 

2/4/2013 (1710)

San Haven
Reply from Brenda Hoffman (’68):  Greenville, SC
 
Dear Gary,

Dave and I are in the midst of a move to our new home in Greenville, SC so I am a little behind on emails. I just read Scott Wagar’s excellent overview of schooling children with TB.

Sometime in the mid-1950’s, the books in the Children’s Building library were thrown or given away. My mom saved a large laundry basket of books for us including a full set of The Bobbsy Twins, Pollyanna, Anne of Greene Gables and many others from the early 1900’s – including All Quiet on the Western Front – that I read from cover to cover. I still love book artwork of the early 1900’s.

My Dale and I, Charlene, Sharon and Carol all lived in the Children’s building then. The restrooms we used were across the hall from our apartment and there was one telephone in the hallway for either the entire building (two stories of apartments, plus the penthouse where Charlene and Sharon lived) or the first story where our apartment was.

The Children’s Building was attached to the tunnel system so we walked thru the tunnels for meals during cold weather. Charlene’s family eventually moved to a cottage with an entrance to the tunnels so I often knocked on that tunnel entrance door. The Children’s Building was also the school bus pick-up location. We all stood near the front entrance mostly beside the hot water heater in the hall.

Brenda Hoffman (class of 1968)

 
 
Son’s of Norway Picture
Reply from Dick Johnson (’68):  Dunseith, ND
 
Gary and Friends,

      I can identify the folks in the Sons of Norway picture for the
readers.  It was the group of members who took the class in rosemaling,
which is a very old art of Norwegian decorative painting.  The
instructor was Alan Pearson who at one time was a teacher in the
Dunseith School system.  They had several classes and many became quite
good at it.  My wife took the class and has several articles she painted
now decorating our house.  It’s nice stuff—at least we Norskies think
so.  From left to right:  Alan Pearson,  Clarene Vestre, Glen Rude,
Eloise Boppre,  Kathleen Sebelius, Carol Nelson,  Glenda Fauske,
Russell Fauske,  Brenda Johnson,  and Lloyd Nelson.  I’ll attach a
picture of one of my wife’s projects.  This translates from ‘Velkommen’
in Norwegian to ‘Welcome’ in English.  Thanks Gary!

Dick

Alan Pearson,  Clarene Vestre, Glen Rude,
Eloise Boppre,  Kathleen Sebelius, Carol Nelson, 
Glenda Fauske,  Russell Fauske, 
Brenda Johnson,  and Lloyd Nelson
 
 
 
Frozen Fingers – Highway 43 will peform at 2:30 Saturday afternoon.
Replly from Neola Kofoid:  Bottineau & Minot, ND
 
Hi Gary,
 
Thanks for including the Frozen Fingers poster.  I should have added Dick, Brenda, and Ron Hett (Highway 43) perform at 2:30 Saturday afternoon.  Would you add this info, please?  Ron and his wife are back (from FL?) for this event.  It should be a good event!!  There’s even a POSSIBILITY I might even be able to attend!  I’m busy making caramels for door prizes at the event.  My donating caramels for Frozen Fingers Festival has become a tradition.  I didn’t think I was going to be able to continue the tradition this year, but God continues to work “miracles”–even if some of them are small. :)  God is good!
 
Neola
 
 
Winifred Pritchard Eurich – FB capture from Wendy Strietzel
 
Folks,
 
With the Pritchard’s being mentioned in numerous posting the last while, I thought I’d include this one of Winifred with her daughter Dorothy and Granddaughter Wendy.
 
Winifred was a sister and the only sister too, to Robert, Corbin, John, Norman and Lincoln Pritchard. The Eurich’s were a pretty well known family in the Dunseith community.
 
The last time I saw Winifred was at my mothers funeral in 2004. She was with her daughters Mary Knutson and Eileen Nelson.
 
Gary
 
  Jean Eurich Roland Daughter), Wendy Strietzel (Granddaughter) & Winifred Pritchard Eurich
 
 
 
Story #3 of Eleanor Metcalfe Nerpel’s story
Posted by Vickie Metcalfe (’70:  Bottineau, ND

By the time the twenties  ended, it seemed everyone they knew, had not
much.

Everyone was used to frugal living.

Her mother, Mary was gifted with the innate ability to cook a
delicious meal with very little.

Where ever berries ripened, Mary would venture any distance to go
picking.

One June day Mary was quite insistent to go berry picking to go to a
place she was quite fond.  The wagon was hitched and they traveled
many miles through the hills.

Mary always laughed in re-telling the story, in the midst of berry
picking, baby Alice arrived at Butte St. Paul.

Eleanor said, like many farm families, her family lived off the land. 
Her parents raised gardens, and always kept a milch cow.

A person didn’t need a license to hunt.  Her father had a gun which he
hunted deer, partridge, and ducks.  He also snared or shot rabbits.

Water was becoming scarce, the rains didn’t fall.  Produce from the
gardens was insufficient.   Folks did what they could to survive. 
Eleanor’s father somehow got some copper tubing and a copper boiler.

Under a big window which always had a little breeze in the summer was
Eleanors sleeping place.  One night she woke to the sound of a voice,
“Here it comes!” She peeked and saw a drip, drip, drip.  She went back
to sleep whilst it was made.

A  significant memory, because, after few days her father borrowed her
Grandma Rose’s little black mare and driving buggy.

Eleanor was to told she could accompany her father to town.  A special
day with just she and her dad.

They arrived into and drove to the back of the general store.  The
horse was tied and she followed her father when he took the big jug
out of the wagon and went through the back door where they were met by
the storekeeper. She thinks his name was Mr. Beeson.

The storekeeper, took the jug from her father. She noticed the old
shopkeepers hand trembled and shook as  he reached for little flasks
which he filled from the jug.

Once the flasks were full, they were tucked away out of sight.  And
her father was able to purchase necessities, including flour,sugar,
salt.

With  little money left, Eleanor’s father said, “We are not going home
yet.  Come with me.”

Eleanor said, “Her father walked her to the Althea Theatre where he
paid for two tickets. Enter ing they sat down and watched the silent
movie.  On the way home, her father said, “Remember this Eleanor,
someday, tell your grandchildren, you saw the last silent picture show
in Dunseith with your father.”

  Thank You Eleanor for the story of your dear humble parents, Bill
and Mary.

Thanks Gary and friends.

Vickie =
 
 
San Have Articles published in the Bottineau Courant
Provided by Scott Wager from the Bottineau Courant
 
 
 
Series Six of Seven
By SCOTT WAGAR Bottineau Courant

When San Haven opened in 1912, the primary treatments for the tubercular patients were fresh air, rest and a well balanced diet. As the decades went by at the sanatorium the primary treatments continued on throughout its’ history, but different treatments came and went.

Over the years, patients were given sun treatments, which were proven not to work and discontinued at the San. There were numerous surgical procedures conducted that collapse patients’ tubercular lungs and allowed them to rest, which saved a large number of lives at the sanatorium, but were grueling surgeries to go through, because the patients were awake through the all the procedures without general anesthetic because their lungs and health were too poor to take anesthetic without killing them.

As the sanatorium continued to treat their patients on a daily basis, researchers throughout the world were working on trying to find a cure for TB. A major breakthrough came in the 1940s when researchers discovered antibiotics that slow growth of, and in some instances, in sufficient concentration, eliminated TB.

The first major break through happened in 1943 when Dr. Selman Waksman, a microbiologist at Rutgers University, along with his colleague, Albert Schatz, were examining soil brought into their lab by a farmer who claimed his poultry was becoming ill because of the soil on his farmstead. In the soil, Waksman and Schatz discovered a fungus called Stretomyces griseus.

The two researchers began experiment with the fungus and discovered that certain strains of the fungus produced a chemical agent that slow or eliminate certain pathogens, which included TB. Waksman and Schatz called their new pharmaceutical Streptomycin.

Scientists continued their work in finding other pharmaceuticals to assist with TB and in the late 1940s discovered aminosalicylic acid and isoniazid.

On July 1, 1949, with the medications approval of being able to eliminate TB, San Haven began to use the antibiotics. By 1958, the number of beds being used at the sanatorium declined greatly.

In that same year, the state determined that Grafton State School, an institution for the mentally handicapped, was overcrowded. With open beds at the San, patients from Grafton were moved into the sanatorium with a portion of the San being used to treat TB patients, and the remainder of facility to care for the mentally ill, which consisted primarily of hydrocephalics.

On July 1, 1973, the North Dakota Tuberculosis Sanatorium officially closed as a state institution for the treatment of TB. With antibiotics, and local hospitals treating TB, there were no reasons to keep the San open for TB patients. With it closure, Grafton took over the facility and operated it as institution for the mentally handicapped.

Grafton ran the operations of the grounds until December 21, 1987, due to a judicial decision. In the summer of 1985, U.S. Distric Judge, Bruce Van Sickle, ruled in favored of a case brought before the court by the Association for Retarded Citizens, to deinstitutionalize the mentally handicapped and place them in the private sector. Governor George Sinner was order by the court to remove all patients from San Haven.

On that December day in 1987, the last seven patients were removed from the facility and the state closed down the institution.

Shortly after San Haven was close, a variety of companies from the private sector rented space within the grounds for a short time. After companies left the institution, the state was unable to care for sanatorium due to budget cuts. In 1993, The Turtle Mountain Chippewa Indian Reservation purchased the institution for $1,100 with plans to renovate the buildings for other uses.

As the grounds stood empty during through the 1990s, and against the wishes of the tribe, individuals trespassed into the former sanatorium and stole any items of value. Worse, in their efforts to steal from the San they caused mass destruction of the facility.

It also became a place for young people to party and in 1999 while in the Infirmary Building two kids entered into an open elevator shaft where one was killed and the other seriously injured.

Since that time, the buildings at San Haven have started to deteriorate and are slowly falling in on themselves.

In December, San Haven will be 100 years old. In the 61 years that it was state sanatorium, the San went from one building on 260 acres of land to 20 plus buildings on 940 acres of land.

It has been said that the sanatorium did not help in eliminating TB in our state. However, thousands of individuals were diagnosed with TB in North Dakota and only small fraction of those people passed away from the disease. San Haven did a tremendous job in caring for those with TB and in the process saved thousands of people’s lives in our state.        

 
 
 

2/3/2013 (1709)

Georgette Bedard Nader (DHS ’37) passed away.
Posted by Iris Wolvert:  Willow City, ND
 
Would you please put this on your site..Georgette Bedard passed away today Jan.2nd..She resided in a Nursing home in Novi Michigan..She was 94 years of age and suffered from Congestive heart failure..She married George Stienmeier from Bottineau..After he died she remarried George Nader..Mr. Nader died several years ago..Georgette retired from being a private Secretary to the President of Bulldog Electrict in Detroit Michigan..She attended the Bottineau School of Forestry ..No children were born to her first marriage..Georgette has a Stepdaughter Maggie Nader and one Grandchild..She has many relatives from the Dunseith area..She was preceded in death by her Father, John Bedard and brothers Lucien, Rene and Albert. Sisters, Jeannette, Bella,Antoinette and Marvel..Rest in Peace Auntie.Georgette.
 
 
 
           Ingolf Medlang
 
 
Reply from Dale Pritchard (’63): pritchard@cebridge.net Leesville, LA

Thank you, Neola, for bringing back memories with a picture of another good neighbor, Ingolf Medlang.  I haven’t heard that name for years.  He and my Dad were good friends.  Thanks again!

Dale Pritchard

 

 
Frozen Fingers Festival to be held Feb. 8, 9, 10 at Sleep Inn in Minot
Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Bottineau & Minot, ND
 
Hi Everyone,
 
It’s time for the annual Frozen Fingers Festival to be held Feb. 8, 9, 10 at Sleep Inn in Minot.  I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to send this.
 
The weather on Friday/Saturday/Sunday is supposed to be fairly warm, so I hope many of you will be attending this event–those of you who live in this area, of course, OR are visiting in this area! LOL! 
 
Spread the word, please!!!!!
 
Neola
 
 
Rita and Richard Langer Photo: Belcourt, ND
Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe:  Bottineau & Minot, ND
 
 
 
Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe:  Bottineau & Minot, ND
 
 
Musical Jamboree Honoring Mr. Hubert Allery
Posted by Richard Langer:  Belcourt, ND
  
Picture posted by Neola
 
Gary:  Could you please post this attachment on your blog?  I believe that most of your subscribers remember Hubert Allery.  I thought that a lot of them may be interested in this up-coming event.  I feel that this is really nice to honor these talented people while they are still here to enjoy it.  I cleared this with all involved and it is OK to post it.  Thanks    and the best to you folks from Rita and I.     J.R. Langer
 
 

MUSICAL JAMBOREE

On Thursday, February 21st at 6PM there will be a Musical Jamboree

Held at the Turtle Mountain Community College in Belcourt honoring

Mr. Hubert Allery.  This is an annual doings which pays tribute to some of the elder living musicians of the area.  Theresa (Keplin) Marcellais, her sister Rita Gable and Sandra Poitra first initiated this event in 2011.

The first Jamboree in 2011 honored Mr. Eddy “King” Johnson, with the second year going to Mr. Mike Page.   Hubert has been singing and playing the Guitar since he was at a young age of 8 or 9.  During the 1960’s thru the 1980’s he was one of the finest Traditional Country singers around, he played with numerous Bands around the Dunseith and Belcourt areas.  He now resides in Fargo ND and operates an Antique Shoppe.

 
 
New York Times ND article
Comment/Posting from Vickie Metcalf (’70):  Bottineau, ND
 
Gary,
 
Reading the NY times article, I find the comments people wrote in response especially interesting.

I recognize some folks responding who have a true connection to the land.
Other’s who see wasteland and $. 

When I lived in E. Montana I enjoyed it’s quiet, stark beauty.
A quote at the time,  “Any one can see and appreciate the  mountains……,
it takes a real eye to behold the beauty in the starkness of the vast prairies and Missouri Breaks.”  

Looking forward to the longer days of February!
Later, Vickie

 
 
 
San Have Articles published in the Bottineau Courant
Provided by Scott Wager from the Bottineau Courant
 
Series Five of Seven
 

By SCOTT WAGAR Bottineau Courant

When it came to caring for the patients with tuberculosis at San Haven, physicians and nurses played an important role at the sanatorium and often placed their lives in danger treating the patients with the deadly disease.

Physicians at San Haven held strict duties while on the job. During the Great Depression, it was noted in the Biennial Report of the Superintendent of the North Dakota Tuberculosis Sanatorium ending June 30, 1936, that on Sunday, Monday and Wednesday morning were surgical days for the physicians who conducted surgical procedures on the patients’ lungs so that their lungs rested and did not spread TB in their lungs.

The report also stated that on Tuesday and Friday mornings the doctors of the San attended to patients who had treatments done to them, while Thursday afternoons the doctors read, interpreted and dictated x-rays that were taken of patients outside the sanatorium who were referred to the medical facility.

On Friday afternoons and Sunday mornings, the physicians would volunteer their time to see people from around the state to have mantouxs (a skin test for TB) and x-rays performs on them for diagnostic purposes.

When it came to nurses at San Haven, their duties to the patients were numerous.    

A normal day for the nurses in San Haven were to conduct a variety of task, some of which included taking patients’ vitals, giving medication, charting, changing their bedding, emptying sputum bags that patients would cough and spit in from their TB and caring for the patients personal needs.

One of the personal needs the nurses care for in the winter months at the San was to keep the patients’ warm during their open air treatments, which meant having the windows of sanatorium open 24 hours a day so that outside air could circulate through the rooms.

In order to do keep the patients’ warm, nurses provided patients with hot water bottles along with half a dozen or more blankets for each patient. When it came to the water bottles, the Biennial Report of the Superintendent of the North Dakota Tuberculosis Sanatorium ending June 30, 1932 stated that on an average night in the 1930s nurses would go through 55 water barrels of hot water to provide the patients’ warmth in the cold nights that some time dipped to minus 40 below outside. Eventually, water bottles would be replaced with electric blankets for the patients.

The sanatorium also educated nurses. On Jan. 1, 1922, a one year nursing training school was opened at San Haven to train nurses on tuberculosis care, which brought nurses from a diverse number of places to be trained.

In the beginning at San Haven, nurses cared for patients without any protection for themselves, which often placed nurses in a dangerous position of getting TB.

As researchers learned more about TB and how it was spread, growing and masking was introduced to the San which protected the nurses from the patients’ TB and the patients from the nurses who brought any infectious diseases into the sanatorium.

According to Bottineau resident, Lorraine Millang, who worked in San Haven’s laboratory as young adult and participated in the State Historical Society of North Dakota’s Oral History Project on San Haven in 1996, gown and masking was no easy task for the nurses and all the staff members of the San. Upon entering San Haven, the nurses and other employees would have to shower, dress in their uniforms and then gown and mask themselves before going to work in the sanatorium.

After their shifts were over, they would remove their gowns and masks, their uniforms and would shower again before leaving the medical facility. (It should be noted here, Millang also stated in her oral history that all staff members who came on the patients’ floors at the San had to gown and mask. Depending on the type of work one did at the sanatorium, staff members at times would have to double gown (kitchen employees bringing food to the patients) or triple gown themselves (lab technicians working in the labs).

The nurses were also the largest staff at the sanatorium. In order to accommodate all the nurses at the San, the state constructed in Nursing Home in 1930 to house all the nurses and some of the female employees at the San Haven.

Unfortunately, the first and only murder to take place at San Haven happened within the nurses’ building. The structure was located on the west side of the San near a grove of trees that surrounded the sanatorium. One nurse, who mistakenly forgot to shut her windows blinds one evening, was observed by a man from the Turtle Mountains who noticed she was alone. He slipped into the building through a basement window, then into her room where he raped and murdered her before escaping out of her window.

The man, who wore a unique and different cap, dropped his hat at the window as he made his escaped, which was discovered by the local authorities. He was arrested, charged, found guilty of his crimes and was sentenced to the state penitentiary.

Physician and nurses (an all staff members) at San Haven had to deal with acquiring TB while working at the sanatorium, of which some of the staff members were diagnosed and had to become patients within the medical facility.

However, these physicians and nurses, in their duties and oaths and medical providers, placed their own safety aside to treat patients with TB in the state. Of the entire medical personal in the history of North Dakota, the physicians and nurses who worked at the San can be considered the bravest and most self-sacrificing physicians and nurses in the state amongst one of the most contagious disease to ever enter into North Dakota.    

 
 
Posting of the day
From Doreen Larson Moran (BHS ’61):  Usk, WA & Hazelton, ND

 

The Stranger

A few years after I was born, my dad met a stranger who was new to our small town. From the beginning, Dad was fascinated with this enchanting newcomer and soon invited him to live with our family.

The stranger was quickly accepted and was around from then on.

As I grew up, I never questioned his place in my family. In my young mind, he had a special niche.
My parents were complementary instructors:
Mom taught me good from evil, and Dad taught me to obey.
But the stranger … he was our storyteller. He would keep us spellbound for hours on end with adventures, mysteries and comedies.

If I wanted to know anything about politics, history or science, he always knew the answers about the past, understood the present and even seemed able to predict the future!

He took my family to the first major league ball game.

He made me laugh, and he made me cry.

The stranger never stopped talking, but Dad didn’t seem to mind.

Sometimes, Mom would get up quietly while the rest of us were shushing each other to listen to what he had to say, and she would go to the kitchen for peace and quiet.

(I wonder now if she ever prayed for the stranger to leave.)

Dad ruled our household with certain moral convictions, but the stranger never felt obligated to honor them.

Profanity, for example, was not allowed in our home – not from us, our friends or any visitors.

Our long time visitor, however, got away with four-letter words that burned my ears and made my dad squirm and my mother blush.

My dad didn’t permit the liberal use of alcohol but the stranger encouraged us to try it on a regular basis.

He made cigarettes look cool, cigars manly, and pipes distinguished.

He talked freely (much too freely!) about sex.

His comments were sometimes blatant, sometimes suggestive, and generally embarrassing.

I now know that my early concepts about relationships were influenced strongly by the stranger.

Time after time, he opposed the values of my parents, yet he was seldom rebuked … And NEVER asked to leave.

More than fifty years have passed since the stranger moved in with our family. He has blended right in and is not nearly as fascinating as he was at first. Still, if you could walk into my parents’ den today, you would still find him sitting over in his corner, waiting for someone to listen to him talk and watch him draw his pictures.
His name?….
We just call him ‘TV.

(Note: This should be required reading for every household!)
He has a wife now … we call her ‘Computer.’

Their first child is “Cell Phone”.

Second child “I Pod ”

And JUST BORN THIS YEAR WAS a Grandchild: IPAD

OH MY — HOW TRUE THIS IS!!!

 

2/2/2013 (1708)

No Blog posted yesterday
 
Folks,
For the record, I did not get a blog posted yesterday.
Gary
 
 
Happy Birthday Loretta Neameyer Wall (DHS ’72): Bottineau, ND
                                    
                                       
 
Note: Kevin is Debby (Darrel) Stokes’ brother
 
I know many of you know both Deb and Kevin. Debs mother, Millie Lindstrom and my dad
were first cousins.
 
Kevin is retired from the Trident Submarine Navy. If memory serves me right he was on the
USS Jackson (SSBN-730). He was Chief of the Boat. That much I do remember for sure.  
 
                    Happy Birthday Kevin Lee (BHS ’67): Eagle, ID
 
 
 
Condolences to the Campbell Family
From Gary & Pennie Kester Grenier (’69):  Rolette, ND

I’m sorry to be so late getting a note off to your family.  Your Dad and husband has been remembered by many with respect and stories of kindness and generosity. I don’t ever remember seeing him without a smile.  I hope all the kind  stories and memories help you in this difficult time.  Hope all your families are well and enjoying this fine winter weather!

Gary and Pennie Grenier

 
Musical Jamboree Honoring Mr. Hubert Allery
Posted by Richard Langer:  Belcourt, ND
 
Gary:  Could you please post this attachment on your blog?  I believe that most of your subscribers remember Hubert Allery.  I thought that a lot of them may be interested in this up-coming event.  I feel that this is really nice to honor these talented people while they are still here to enjoy it.  I cleared this with all involved and it is OK to post it.  Thanks    and the best to you folks from Rita and I.     J.R. Langer
 

MUSICAL JAMBOREE

On Thursday, February 21st at 6PM there will be a Musical Jamboree

Held at the Turtle Mountain Community College in Belcourt honoring

Mr. Hubert Allery.  This is an annual doings which pays tribute to some of the elder living musicians of the area.  Theresa (Keplin) Marcellais, her sister Rita Gable and Sandra Poitra first initiated this event in 2011.

The first Jamboree in 2011 honored Mr. Eddy “King” Johnson, with the second year going to Mr. Mike Page.   Hubert has been singing and playing the Guitar since he was at a young age of 8 or 9.  During the 1960’s thru the 1980’s he was one of the finest Traditional Country singers around, he played with numerous Bands around the Dunseith and Belcourt areas.  He now resides in Fargo ND and operates an Antique Shoppe.

  
2nd part of Eleanor Metcalfe Nerpel’s story
Posted by Vickie Metcalfe (’70: Bottineau, ND
 
” The Root Cellar’s Secret”

Eleanor’s  memory which happened long before,  she started school.

One dark night,  “The Ridgerunner”  rode his horse around the area, hollering, “REVENUERS”!

Her parents jumped,  scrambled, shutting a door.

     Quickly a horseblanket was thrown over that spot__in_the_ middle of the kitchen floor.

Deftly,  Eleanor was placed on the blanket with,a shh_hhh, “SIT!,  shhhh. don’t_ say_ a_ word_.

          The patter of  horse cantering into the yard, snorted as it stopped, followed by footsteps,

then,  a hard sharp knock at the door.  Eleanor was still on the horseblanket.
Her daddy opened the door.  Strangers , entered.  They spoke with her daddy.

Eleanor quiet, not saying a word.  She made not a movement.

           The men left.

Listening until there was no sound but the rustling of the trees.

and the silence of the house.

Daddy said, she was a good girl.
Eleanor never once uttered a word about what she witnessed,  under the door in the dirt cellar…….

Years later whenever the   “Kin” of Bill and Mary  gathered. as they did.

For laughter, for visiting and sharing of  food,   finally,  tuning of the instruments.

Maybe, another visit to the water bucket.

The guitar would strike a chord. The banjo would ring. A fiddle string would be plucked.

Perhaps Emil, or Lorraine or Larry  or Charlie  or Jack or Billy would…

voice would tune, hmmmmmmm…..”My Uncle Bill had a still on the hill………”

Always  kids throughout the house would stop playing and,

join in song,  the chorus,…”and they call it Mountain Dew….You Hoo……”

Eleanor would be quiet in the kitchen as Uncle Bill  listened___

Thank you  Eleanor for telling me stories,

and   Gary and Friends.

until later,”I’ll shush …” Vickie

 
 
Sons of Norway Photo
 
 
Folks,
 
This photo was forwarded to me by Larry Hackman. It was forwarded to him by Terry Martinson. With the vests, I know it is a Son’s of Norway photo. Looking closer I recognize Glen Rude, Russell & Glenda Fauske and Lloyd Nelson, so I know it is Bottineau. With an enlargement, I am sure I could pick out a few others too. Terry or anyone, can you please forward a larger copy of this picture?
 
Thanks,
 
Gary
 
 
 
Dunseith Commercial Club
Posting From Susan Fassett Martin (’65):  Spearfish, SD
 
Just ran across this article and thought some of the Dunseith Bloggers would be interested.   I find it amusing that my dad is listed as the secretary, when he couldn’t write anything that was very legible.  He typed most everything .    Susan
 
 
 
Newspaper clippings
Bottineau & Minot, ND
Thank you Neola for these Clippings.
 
From my associations with both Debbie Fugere Fauske (’85) and Rich Campbell (’68), I know they are both well deserving of these advancements. They exemplify the outstanding characteristics of the good stock they came from.
 
Congratulations Rich and Debbie.
 
Gary 
 
 
 
          
 
Neola’s comment
 
FYI: Ingolf’s sister, Inga, was married to Arnold Bjornson, my 6th grade teacher.  Arnold/Inga have two children: Duane (’60–Brother Jim’s class) and Sharon, Class  of ’65.  Duane has lived/taught school in Alaska for MANY years.  Sharon works/worked for social services at the Bottineau Courthouse.
 
NY Times on ND oil Boom
Web Link posted by Brenda Hoffman (’68):  Greenville, SC
 
 
  
San Have Articles published in the Bottineau Courant
Provided by Scott Wager from the Bottineau Courant
 
Series Four of Seven
 
By SCOTT WAGAR Bottineau Courant

As tuberculosis spread rapidly across North Dakota in the early part of the 1900s, one group from the state was very susceptible in getting TB, the children of the state.

The children of North Dakota afflicted with TB had a special place in the heart of the people of the state and when the sanatorium first opened kids were readily accepted into the sanatorium and were housed in the Administration Building with the adults.

The children were given the same treatments as the adults, which included fresh air, rest and well-balanced diet.

One difference for children, unlike most of the adults they were treated with, did not have the opportunity to just rest and be treated or their TB. The kids, like all students in the state, had to continue in their studies.

School for the young students at the San was also quiet different than their friends back in their hometowns. There friends attended school inside, but the kids of San Haven had to be attended school in the outside elements due to their fresh-air treatments, even in the wintertime.

Although school wasn’t taught in the first three years at San Haven, in 1915 the North Dakota Anti-Tuberculosis Association raised funds through their Christmas Seal Campaign to open the first Open Air School in the state of North Dakota.

The first schoolroom was located on the west side of the Administration Building and was one of the open air porches, which was used by the patients for fresh-air treatments, sleeping rooms and dressing rooms.

On January 1, 1916, the open air school began with eight students. The student’s instructor was Fred Humphrys who was a patient himself at the sanatorium, described the school and the regimental routines the children had to follow.

“We did not miss one day of owing to extreme cold weather, and there were several days when the mercury stood at forty below zero. In wintertime, each pupil is equipped with enough blankets to keep warm, a hot water bottle and a reclining chair,” Humphrys wrote in John Lamont’s Biennial Report of the Superintendent of the North Dakota Tuberculosis Sanatorium for the period ending June 30, 1916. “School commences at 9:30 and continues until 10:30 when lunch is served consisting of hot milk and crackers. We resume studies at 10:45 and proceed until 11:30 when we have dinner. We take rest hour from 12:30 to 3:00 and then proceed with school until 5:00 at which time school is dismissed for the day. The same text books and courses of study are used here as in all North Dakota Public schools.

The sanatorium had no problems finding teachers to teach in the open air school at the San Haven because a number of teachers were patients at San Haven. The state in 1906 had so many teachers who were tubercular that the State Board f Health in North Dakota stepped in and made ordinance who were diagnosed with TB to teach on the public school system.

Throughout the time the San was opened, numerous teaches came to the sanatorium to be treated for TB. Twenty-three school teachers alone were admitted to San Haven between 1934 through 1936.

As new structures were built, additions were added on and patients numbers increased at the San, the students’ classroom was moved to a variety of buildings, one specifically named after the kids of the sanatorium.  

In 1927, the sanatorium constructed the Children’s Building, a preventorium at a cost of $65,000. The structure included patient rooms, dinning area, treatment rooms and decks for fresh air and sun treatments. 

The preventorium was a building for children who were exposed to TB or those who were already diagnosed with the disease. Charles MacLachlin, the administrator of san Haven in 1936, wrote about the Children’s Buildings in the Biennial Report of the Superintendent of the North Dakota Tuberculosis Sanatorium for the period ending June 30, 1936.   

“Between the ages of six months to fourteen years of age, 73 children were admitted for care to the preventorium of the sanatorium, comprising for the great part those who fathers and mothers were concurrently under treatment as bed patients in the infirmary as open cases of pulmonary tuberculosis. Seven of the children admitted had no clinical tuberculosis and were discharged after a short observation. Sixty-six were diseased,” MacLachlin wrote. “Here at the sanatorium by provision of the right surroundings with regular rest hours, nourishing food, including goats milk and vegetables, sunlight on porches and artificial light administrator under the group plan indoors and open air school hours tries to prevent the disease from becoming more serious and to build up the highest resistance possible. Usually within a year, the disease becomes quiescent, the children gain in weight and returned to their homes with their health restored.”

Through the treatments of San Haven, fund raising and educational promotions of Anti-Tuberculosis Association of North Dakota and decision made about TB children by the North Dakota State Board of Health the number children first admitted to the San decline quickly over the years.

Children in the state were still diagnosed with TB, but the numbers were so small, the Children’s Building eventually closed a preventorium and the young patient of North Dakota were admitted into the Infirmary Building

 
 
Posting of the day
From Larry Hackman (’66): Bismarck, ND
 

Now that I’m older here’s what I’ve discovered:

1. I started out with nothing, and I still have most of it.

2. My wild oats have turned into prunes and all-bran.

3. I finally got my head together, and now my body is falling apart.

4. Funny, I don’t remember being absent-minded.

5. Funny, I don’t remember being absent-minded.

6. If all is not lost, where is it?

7. It is easier to get older than it is to get wiser.

8. Some days, you’re the dog; some days you’re the hydrant.

9. I wish the buck stopped here; I sure could use a few.

10. Kids in the back seat cause accidents.

11. Accidents in the back seat cause kids.

12. It’s hard to make a comeback when you haven’t been anywhere.

13. The only time the world beats a path to your door is when you’re in the bathroom.

14. If God wanted me to touch my toes, he’d have put them on my knees.

15. When I’m finally holding all the cards, why does everyone want to play chess?

16. It’s not hard to meet expenses . . . they’re everywhere.

17. A whale swims all day, only eats fish, drinks water, and is fat.

18. These days, I spend a lot of time thinking about the hereafter . . I go somewhere to get something, and then wonder what I’m hereafter

19. Funny, I don’t remember being absent-minded.

20. DID I SEND THESE TO YOU BEFORE……….??????