Thank you Dick for giving me the dubious honor of being named the “Pinball Wizard”. Unfortunately. I painfully found out that these pinball skills are not that effective to beat a casino slot machine.
Now about the snow planes: They were not only for fun and games. During the winter of 49 my parents went to Dunseith. I think for a grocery run or something similar. But my brother, DuWayne, and myself were left on the farm. He would have been about ten years old and I, six. Anyway, a real ND blizzard blew up and my parents were stuck in town. This was before we had electricity or a phone on the farm. We did have cattle of course and DuWayne and I were left with the watering and feeding. We ran out of hay in the barn after a few days and ended up carrying grain several hundred yards (it seemed like a mile) through deep snow to keep them nourished. We had a set of snow ski to use or it would have been near impossible. Of course to water the cattle, we had to break the ice in the tank and manually pump (not fun!) the well. Now all was not pain and suffering. DuWayne, during a stretch of boredom, thought up a new game. Take the shotgun with two shells and go back in the trees and see how many sparrows you could come back with. Again I can’t remember if the shotgun was a 16 or 12 gage. But I do recall being knocked on my butt in the snow and the sore shoulder this six year old got from this new game. I quit after on go around.
The blizzard blew for a couple days but then it cleared up but all the roads were impassable. I believe it was after about five days we heard a distant roar. It turned out to be a snow plane with our Dad, Adam, on board with some groceries. I can’t remember whose snow plane it was (I think it was Dale Gottbreitt’s) but I was sure happy to see it. Also, I can’t remember if our Mother, Charlotte, was along or if she came later. I do recall that the US Army came to our rescue by pushing snow out from around the barn and the haystacks whereas we could harness old Chubb and Nancy and haul in some hay. What a winter! Sure glad I’m in Tucson, AZ during the winters when I think back on those good old days.
Well, this story has gotten long enough. Just want to say “Hi” to the rest of the survivors.
Dwight AKA “Pinball Wizard”
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From Dick Johnson (68):
Gary and Friends
The picture of Pam Fassett’s birthday party reminded me of a few years
later when I was at Mark Anderson’s in the back of the Gamble store. He
had the neatest toy I had ever seen up until then. It was a complete
Standard gas station with pumps and all the stuff you would have seen in
a real station. It had two garage stalls and real windows and doors. It
was made from tin, as plastic was not the norm yet. I remember playing
all afternoon with this little station and thinking it was more fun than
anything I had ever played with. I hated to go home that day! It’s funny
how these old pictures can trigger the memory to remember things from
over 50 years ago! Thanks Crystal and Gary!!
Happy 66th Birthday to my Lovely Wife, Bernadette Stokes.
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Today is a special day in our house. For the next three weeks Bernadette and I are the same age.
Bernadette had kind of a sad event happen yesterday that actually turned out kind of funny.
For her birthday, she baked a huge Pumpkin pie in a large cake pan that she could share with all of her relatives. The pie turned out beautiful too. After the pie cooled she asked me try a piece of which I did. With the first bite, I had to spit it out. When baking the cake she used salt thinking it was sugar. Because of Ants, we store our sugar in the refrigerator. Not sure how the salt ended up in the refrigerator, but it did. Needless to say, Bernadette was very upset. With all of her happy birthday wishes, she has cooled down some this morning.
This evening we have reservations at the Anzani Mediterranean restaurant with Bernie and Loreli. Novie will be along with us too, so it will be just the 5 of us.
Kenneth Joseph Houle was born August 10, 1940 to Aloysius and Lillian Houle in Bottineau, ND, where he was raised and later graduated from high school. He joined the United States Navy in 1960 and served until he was honorably discharged on May 27, 1964.
Ken passed away Friday, June 27, 2014 at his Brook Park home at the age of 73 following a 10 year battle with cancer.
Ken will be remembered for his great humor, determined spirit to live, and an unyielding heart of compassion for his family and friends.
Ken is survived by his wife Corene Houle of Brook Park, children: Brian Houle and his wife Melanie of Centerville, Renee Gritz and her husband Greg of Champlain, Steve Houle and his his wife Gina of Andover, Leanne Grinsteinner and her husband Steve of Hinckley, Dale Houle and his wife Jennifer of Coon Rapids, Tom Houle of Brook Park, Gerald Houle of south Minneapolis, Kelly Houle and his wife Malynda of Princeton, Peter Houle and his wife Jessica of Sartell, Aaron Houle of Princeton; 19 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren, 4 brothers, 6 sisters, nieces, nephews, and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents Al & Lillian (Dostaler) Houle, brother Mike Houle, and nephew Robert.
Memorial Mass for Ken Houle will be at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, July 1st at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church of Pine City with a time of visitation one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be at 11:45 a.m. on Thursday, July 3rd in Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis. Family should meet at Funeral Cortege – Assembly Area #4 at 11:30 a.m.
Arrangements are with the Funeral and Cremation Service of Pine City, Swanson Chapel.
Our condolences are with the whole Houle family with Ken’s passing. Our thoughts are prayers are with you
Gary
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Joke of the day
Posted by Larry Hackman (’66): Bismarck, ND
Best Senior Citizen Joke … Ever
A little silver-haired lady called her neighbor and said, “Please come over here and help me. I have a killer jigsaw puzzle, and I can’t figure out how to get started.”
Her neighbor asked, “What is it supposed to be when it’s finished?
The little silver haired lady said, “according to the picture on the box, it’s a rooster.”
Her neighbor decided to go over and help with the puzzle.
She let him in and showed him where she has the puzzle spread all over the table.
He studied the pieces for a moment, then looked at the box, then turned to her and said,
“First of all, no matter what we do, we’re not going to be able to assemble these pieces into anything resembling a rooster.”
He took her hand and says, “Secondly, I want you to relax. Let’s have a nice cup of tea, and then, he said with a deep sigh…..
Donald Egbert was the one who pushed my buttons with the snow in the face during recess but I have never forgotten the day Mark threw the scissors. I sat one row over to the left from Mark and one desk forward. When Mark threw the scissors at the back wall of the classroom. Both Billy Grady and Donald Egbert were standing almost together so I never really new who Mark was throwing the scissors at. As Allen said Mark did have a pretty good arm, the scissors REALLY did stick in the wall. And Miss Conroy gave Mark a good shaking that day.
The conversations of the snow planes reminded me of when Dale Gottbreht used to come out to our farm to see my dad, Gene Samski and they would go coyote hunting. Dad always said Dale scared the heck out of him the way he drove the snow plane. Another thing Dale really new his livestock, Dad bought several good breading bulls from him.
Rod Samski
Donald Egbert (65) – July 2007
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From Shirley Brennan (60):
Dear Gary will you please send this Randy Kelly. Thanks Shirley Brennan
Dear Randy you might know me I gradduated with Cleo, I saw him at our school reunion such a nice man, anyway I think you look so much alike. I think your Dad and my Dad were close friends.
Shirley Brennan
Note: I do not have Randy Kelly on our distribution list. Some of you may have his address and can forward this on to him, for Shirley. Thanks, Gary
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Message/Picture from Crystal Fassett Andersen (70):
Good Morning! Spring has finally arrived in the Pembina Valley Gorge,here in Walhalla ND. The sun is shining and it is 60 degrees at 10 am. I enjoy all the pictures everyone posts and thought I better add one more from my Dad Bill Fassett’s album. It is Pam Fassett’s birthday party,in Omemee ND. Mark Anderson,Susan Fassett,Pam Fassett,John Morgan & Dick Johnson. Thanks Gary ,once again for starting this. We are leaving for the month of June to go to Alaska,(our 2nd trip). So I will look forward to “catching up” when we get home in July. Oh, and Remember our Veteran’s next weekend. That is what Memorial Day is all about and if everyone hasn’t send a donation to the cemetery where their friends and relatives are buried,NOW would be a good time. Thanks again. Crystal Fassett Andersen
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Comment: This picture must have been taken in 1950. With 3 candles, this must be Pam’s 3rd birth. Her birthday is November 30th and I think she was born in 1947. I think Dick Johnson was born in 1950 and by the looks of this picture he’s not even a year old yet. Gary
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Picture (11/30/1950) L to R:
Mark Anderson, Susan Fassett, Pam Fassett, John Morgan & Dick Johnson
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From Bev Morinville Azure (72):
Gary, thought everyone would enjoy these pictures. Bev
GOD BLESS YOU …………BEV
Bev, I see it was last November that I sent these pictures out, so there are a lot of
The address of Lana’s husband is: Terry Amsbaugh, 704 21st St. NW, Minot, ND .
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Reply to Henry and Larry Hackman’s Grandchildren
From Lola Metcalfe (’68): Dunseith, ND
congratulatiosn to you all !!!_ very happy for you !!- Jay and LOla
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Class of 65 Initiation
Reply from Larry Hackman (’66): Bismarck, ND
Could this photo be the answer to Dennis’s dilemma?
Maybe that red headed, freckled, Nerpel gal, that Dennis DuBois regretted not making a move on, back in the day, is pictured in this photo? Or is the answer still blowing in the wind?
Hi everyone , Yes I am growing stronger each day…..I am feeling really good haven’t felt this good for about 3 years . I haven’t been on my puter much cause I to have a wedding this weekend . My son Cody is marrying his high school sweetie Diana this Sat. So we have been busy. Thank u all for your prayers and as u can see we still need allot of prayer for pppl we know that are sick. Sharon I am happy to hear Sally is doing better. Colette congrads on winning the award , I always remember the art u did when we were kids. Cheryl and Diane Larson were here and we had a very nice visit. We laughed till we cried about how much Cheryl and I look like our moms. Gary thank for what u do. Bev (Morinville) Azure 72
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From Donna LaCroix Allard (64):
Dear Gary,
What a nice picture of you and your wife.I loved the picture of the family on the motor cycle also. What a way to save gas.
Colette your work is wonderful. Your are so talented. How long will it take you to finish the project? I would also like to compliment you on your looks . You sure don’t look or act like a gal that could be in her 60’s!!!!Hard to believe the class of 64 has also reached the 60’s in years.
I would like to send my condolence to Jim and Sharon Hanson losing their son. Jim lived with us on the Ernest LaCroix farm for a while. After the choirs were done in the evening Jim would get on one of the horses and head north across highway 5 to spend the evening with Sharon. Was fun memories.
Gary thank you again for keeping us up to date on the Dunseith going’s on and the past memories.
Donna LaCroix Allard Class of 1964
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I just happen to have a picture of Donna with her cousin Randy Kelly.
Randy is currently serving on President George Bush’s Staff. Gary
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Picture/Message from Dick Johnson (68):
Gary and Friends
The picture of my old pal, Rich Campbell, prompted me to send one from
51 years ago! The picture is of Patty Fassett, Rich, and me with our
bikes in 1957. The other photo is Patty and me at the farm in 1964 the
day I taught her to drive the old Ford tractor. I tried to teach her to
drive an old Studebaker the year before, but we had a little trouble
with some trees that were in the wrong place! I spent the rest of that
day teaching her autobody repair! Dad’s car, you know how it goes!
For the record I did not get a blog posted yesterday.
Gary
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Postings from Larry Hackman (’66): Bismarck, ND
2014 North Dakota State Bareback Champion
Gary
Henry Hackman’s (’65) Grandson Logan Berg is the 2014 North Dakota High School Rodeo Bareback Champion.
The ND State Rodeo finals were held at Bowman, ND on June 14 & 15, 2014.
This is the third consecutive year that Logan has won the title and will go to Nationals at Rock Springs, Wyoming.
Logan also rode and won the bareback competition at the Dunseith Roughrider Rodeo this past week end.
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North Dakota State Class B High School Baseball Tournament
Gary
My Grandson, Nate Leintz and his team “The Hazen Bison” (Region 8 Champions) became runner-up to the state champions at the North Dakota State Class B High School Baseball Tournament held at The Jack Brown Stadium, Jamestown, ND May 29-31, 2014. The Watford City Wolves (Region 7 Champions) became the 2014 State Champions. Dunseith won the tournament in 1972.
Update on Sally Longie From Sharon Longie Dana (73):
Sally is back home in Belcourt Hospital. She can’t put
any pressure on her ankle so she will be laid up for
another 3 weeks or so. She can’t start rehab until she
can step on the ankle to some degree. That’s all I know
for now. She is still on pain medication while she is
healing but she can have visitors.
Once again I would like to thank all those who sent me
emails and updates.
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From Bobbie Slyter (70):
To Debbie Morinville: Congrats on the new grandchild and the two boys getting married, also you will be in my prayers when you have your surgery, law know like your sister Bev that you are a fighter and all will be well. love, Bobbie Slyter
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From Dave Slyter (70):
Deb Morniville Marmon,
First Congratulations on your first baby grand daughter. They are a joy, aren’t they. Have fun watching her grow up as they do so fast.
Also I will put you on my prayer list. I know when people pray things do work out for the best. You will do just fine. Be Brave. Just look at your sister Bev. She is doing fine and still improving, right Bev?
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Gary:
The picture of the Freshman (65) ladies is hilarious. Billy Grimme and Allen Richard never look so good. lol
Thanks for all you do and for sharing everything with us.
Dave Slyter
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From Colette Hosmer (64):
Hi Ginger, Thanks for the name. I’m sure the sculptor you mentioned is Bruce LaFountain….I know him well from the old days and also Presley LaFountain. Another home town (Dunseith area artist) here in Santa Fe that I know is Rollie Grandbois. It’s a small world…….
Colette
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From Allen Richard (65):
One more on snow planes. Somebody mounted a mower sickle vertically on the front of a snow plane so they wouldn’t need to go through gates when chasing rabbits. I think it worked pretty well — judging by the number of holes in my fences the next spring —–
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From Ardys Bakken Horner (Teacher):
Gary, you have a very attractive wife. Ardys Horner
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Thank you Ardys, Gary
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More achieved pictures, Gary
Rich Campbell (68) July 2007
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July 2007
Deb Morinville Marmon (70) & Colette Pigeon Schimetz(70)
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Family Transportation in the Philippines.
This picture was taken several months ago by some friends of ours. This is probably a
115cc Honda loaded down with 8 passengers & Misc. Items.
Yes, my dad,Emery Carbonneau,constructed many snow planes in his day. I believe about 17 or so of them. He used drop tanks from airplanes for some,but when they were unavailable he used aluminum piping and stretched canvas over to make the body.The canvas had to have a coat of fiberglass to strenghthen it and I suppose it helped keep the canvas dry.I spent some time helping mix up that fiberglass that came in a powder form and had to be mixed up with a nasty smelling catalist. If mixed too strong it actually smoked. Of course I liked smoke. When airplane propellers became too expensive to be feasable to use he and mom made a trip to Fort Worth, Texas to the prop factory. When he returned home we were orphand for weeks while dad constructed his new toy out in the shop. He made his own turning lathe and it worked mighty fine. Props on snow planes had to be replaced often for reasons afore mentioned. It was a great time to grow up and excitement was at peak when the snow plane came out. It also ment a lot of company that were all invited in for coffee and goodies. Mom and reside in Bottineau now but make nearly daily trips to the farm. Dad did not keep a snow plane for himself, so it is fun to hear where some have ended up. Thanks,Gary, for this great oppertunity to come together and share our stories and memories. I enjoy all the information and keep those pictures comming–especially you Fassett girls.
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From Bob Hosmer (56):
Hi Gary and all,
Thinking of snow, I do remember the ride I had with my Dad, Jack Hosmer. It was as you described it Bill, only I remember us actually running into a number of trees that were part of a shelter belt, I believe. The image I have in mind as I sat in back of my dad was his reaching for the top of the steering wheel which was actually half a wheel–something like steering apparatus that needed only a half-circle. He was reaching for the top of the wheel that wasn’t there to move the snow away from the trees when the skies hit the gravel and pulled the craft toward the shelter belt. Dad looked like a raccoon for a few days with swollen black eyes and nose.
Really appreciate connecting with all of you. What interesting experiences you have all had. It triggers a lot of memories in me, too.
Bob Hosmer (56)
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From Deb Morinville Marmon (70):
Hi Gary
I just wanted to update everyone on many events to come in my household. On April 22 my youngest daughter Kelsey gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. Her name is Aysah Jayne Abbott and is our first granddaughter that we get to spoil. We have 2 grandsons already. Then on Sat May 24th both my sons are getting married in a double ceremony to their girlfriends of 6 years. Following that I will be having surgery on the 28th to remove a large polyp in my colon and will be spending a considerable amount of time in the hospital. I am diabetic and that carries an extra risk. This is my 12th surgery in 10 years, believe it or not, but none have had any complications so I don’t anticipate any this time. But I would request that any prayer warriors out there among the Dunseith crowd would offer up a short one for my family. They tend to be a little protective and they worry about me.
I so enjoy the stories and pictures that you all send and the anticipation of returning to my computer will help speed my recovery so keep then coming.
Deb Morinville Marmon 70
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From Ginger LaRocque Poitra (65):
To Collette,from Ginger, In reply to the sculpturer in Santa Fe, he isn’t
my cousin, but a cousin of one of the people I had traveled with. I know
his last name is LaFontaine, I don’t recall his first name.
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From Geri Metcalfe Munro (59):
Gary,
Your wife, Bernadette, looks lovely on the picture, but you just look very business-like, not like her father at all.
It was fun to meet you last summer! I remember your folks so well and you kids were younger than I.
Chuck and Geri (Metcalfe) Munro
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From Dick Johnson (68):
Gary and Friends
Just thought about the pinball machines at the bowling alley. I got a
couple emails from Dwight Lang and we reminisced back and forth about
the old days. I hung around the bowling alley [Garden Lanes] quite a bit
when I was young and remember the two pinball machines that stood
against the north wall. Dwight was a master when it came to pinball, at
least in my eyes. He usually won games each time he played and when he
got tired of it he left and we played the rest of his games. I thought
he was the real ” Pinball Wizard “. I won’t tell on Dwight, but SOME
guys knew if you lifted the front of the machine and then dropped it
just when you dropped your nickel in it would roll up a bunch of extra
games! Maybe Dwight knew that?? Ha Ha!! Just another short memory of the
old days in Dunseith! And by the way Gary, who is the young gal you
talked into standing by you for the picture at the hotel? Just kidding,
very nice picture of you both! Thanks!
Dick
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Provided by Neola Kofoid Garbe
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These are some achieve pictures that I have on file. Gary
L to R: Class of 65 freshman initiation – 1961.
Pretty sexy, right Larry Hackman.
Kenny Nerpel? or Rene Casavant?, John Awalt, Bill Grimme, Allen Richard
Lana Kay (Brennan) Amsbaugh, 51, of Minot died Thursday, June 19, 2014, at home, surrounded by her family.
Lana was born November 20, 1962 in Anchorage, Alaska to Dennis and Mary Ann (Gottbreht) Brennan. Raised and educated in Dunseith and later at Minot State University.
Lana worked for many years as the activities director at Brentmoor Assisted Living. She worked hard to make sure the activities were enjoyed by the residents. She also served for years with the Minot Senior Coalition and served as president. Lana loved animals and spending time working in her garden, she was a master gardener. Lana was the type of person who was always willing to lend a helping hand to any friend or family member in need. Until her death she worked as a sales team member for I Keating Furniture, a job she truly loved.
Lana is survived by : husband, Terry Amsbaugh; daughter, Stacy Terry; son, Robert Terry all of Minot, step children; Polly Randash, Allen Amsbaugh both Fargo, Todd Amsbaugh-MT; mother, Mary Ann Brennan, Las Vegas, NV, sister, Laurie (Terry) Bakken, Kildeer, ND; nephews, Jaylon and Dylan and many aunts uncles, and cousins.
She was proceeded in death by: Father -Dennis, and maternal and paternal Grandparents.
The Family requests that memorials be made to the American Cancer Society
Mass of Christian Burial: Monday, June 23, 2014, at 10:30 a.m. at St. John the Apostle Catholic Church, Minot.
Vigil Prayer Service: Sunday, June 22, 2014 at 5 p.m. at the Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot.
Visitation: Sunday, June 22, 2014 from Noon until 5 p.m. at the Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot.
Burial: Monday at 3 p.m. at Oak Creek Cemetery, Bottineau, ND.
To: Undisclosed-Recipient@ Sent: Tuesday, May 13, 2008 11:28 PM Subject: (101) Curt/Ann Rotto, Bobby Slyter, Bev Morniville, Diane Hill, Bill Hosmer, Dick Johnson, Crystal Fassett, Neola Garge (Dunseith Graduates, Dunseith news)
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Request from Curt & Ann Rotto (Dunseith Lutheran Pastor 64-68):
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Please add us to your Dunseith “update” list.
Thanks.
Curt and Ann Rotto
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From from Bobby Slyter (70):
That is a great pic of you and your wife.
Bobby, Thank you. Unlike me, Bernadette has actually retained her youthful look over the years. Lipstick is about the only make up she uses. She’s been asked many times, over the years, if I’m her father. On June 28th she will be 60. We are the same age for 3 weeks each year. December 3rd, this year, will be our 30th anniversary. Gary
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From Bev Morinville Azure (72):
hi Gary, I just wanted to tell u thank u again for all u are doing . I spent the after with Cheryl and Diane Larson, and we had a blast. Also I figured that when i didn’t get a letter from u yesterday they stole it again. and last but not least the pic of u and your lovely wife is very nice. thanks again Gary for all u do for us. Bev Azure 72
GOD BLESS YOU …………BEV
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You are so very welcome Bev. It is my pleasure. Gary
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From Diane Hll Moline (75):
I recall Manvil Sebelius having a snow plane. They lived just
across the creek from us. Tim & Greg may remember more about
the specifics of it. What I remember is he gave us a
frightening ride in it. He also lost a couple fingers spinning
the propeller trying to get it started!
Diane Hill Moline (75)
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From Bill Hosmer (48):
Gary and Friends. Recently in a dialogue about snow planes Allen
Richard mentioned a design using aircraft external fuel tanks, and
that Emery may have assembled them. My dad, Jack Hosmer had one of
these and in a test run on someones land south of Dunseith, he and
my brother Bob were aboard. I do not remember the details, I was
out of town, but Dad hit a spot of gravel somehow, lost lateral
control and ran into the only tree within miles. Dad had two black
eyes, and I think my brother got away scot free. Right Bob???
Tomorrow, 14 May my wife Pat and I head for home. Will stop in
Santa Fe, NM to see my artist cousin Colette Hosmer, and get a
report on her latest China venture, and up and coming sculpture for
the City of Santa Fe. Find her on he web site www.colettehosmer.com. The arrival at the hills of home will be
next Sunday. It will be great to get back into the company of the
likes of those musicians, mechanics, hunters, car guys, golfers,
historians, and businessmen who make our home country interesting
and comfortable. Cheers, Bill Hosmer
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From Dick Johnson (68):
Gary and Friends
Another snowplane story. Allen Richard mentioned that Emery Carbonneau
had built a snowplane using a drop tank from an airplane. It was built
for Carmen and Garrett Myer and is still sitting up at Carmen’s farm in
the hills. I just looked at it a couple years ago. It has fallen prey to
the weather and time, but Carmen bought another snowplane just a few
years back and has that one in his storage building ready to go. There
is a story about the Schultz brothers from just east of Omemee, who
built a snowplane using a huge old radial airplane engine. It was said
that one of the brothers had to follow with a pickup with the box full
of gas cans just to keep it going. The big radial really liked her gas!
I think Emery also had made a prop making machine. I talked to him
several times about weight, ski type, and other technical stuff when I
first got my snowplanes. He is a sharp guy and sure gave me lots of good
advice. Curt Halvorson also told me what works best and what doesn’t
when it comes to skis and props etc. These guys still knew their stuff
after many years, and sure helped me out! Thanks to them and to Gary!!
Dick
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Message/Picture from Crystal Fassett Andersen (70):
Gary & Men I don’t know much about snowplanes,just that my Uncle Emery Carbonneau had one I remember getting a ride in it. Knowing Emery,it is probably still out at the farm. Anyway,I am enclosing a picture of a snowcar that friends of ours in Watford City built and I guess cause lots of converstaion around those parts when they go “out for a drive”. Crystal
For the record I did not get a blog posted yesterday.
Gary
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Lana Brennan Amsbaugh’s passing
Posted by Diane Millang Volk (’77): Sherwood, ND
Lana Amsbaugh, 51, Minot, ND, died Thursday, June 19, 2014, at her home. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Monday, June 23, 2014, at 10:30 a.m. at St. John the Apostle Catholic Church, Minot. Vigil Prayer Service will be on Sunday, June 22, 2014, at 5 p.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot. Visitation will be on Sunday, June 22, 2014 from noon until 5 p.m. at the Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot. Burial will be on Monday, June 23, 2014 at 3 p.m. at Oak Creek Cemetery, Bottineau, ND.
Our condolence are with you Mary Ann Gottbreht Brennan (’58) and your family with the passing your daughter Lana. It is so hard loosing a child. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Note: Our phone wires got stolen again for the 3rd time in the past 2 weeks, so I was unable to send a message yesterday. Gary
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From Marie Iverson Staub (60):
HI Gary
I wanted to get back to you on your question about the cruise. We flew to Ft.Lauderdale and
stayed at the Embassy Suites on Thursday night and they took us to the cruise ship on Friday,
(MS Volendam). we left at 5 PM and arrived in Cartagena, Columbia at 7:45 AM on the 14th
of April. We did a tour of the city. On Tuesday the 15th we went thru the Panama Canal . We
left and commenced the sea voyage and arrived on the 17th in Puntarenas. We did the Pacific Aerial Tram which was my favorite tour.
The 18th and the 19th were spent at sea. We arrived in Manzanillo at 10:52 AM.on the 20th
We did a city and shopping tour. We left there at 8:00 PM .We arrived at 8 AM in Puerto Vallarta and did a tour called Town,Country and Tequila. It was very interesting I really didn’t plan on trying any of the Tequila but after the fifth sample it was tasting really good. Especially the
chocolate and peach flavors. YUM! YUM! We left at 9:35 PM heading for Mazatlan. Arrived there
at 7:20 AM and did a deluxe city tour and got to see cliff divers and the Papantla Flyers.
We left there at 1:41 PM on the 22nd heading for Topolobampo and arrived at 4:30 AM. This is were you can do the Copper River Canyon train several people on the cruise went on it but it was a 18 hour tour and we had heard from several people that you really need to do that tour and spend two or three days to do it right. So we went on a tour of Los Mochis and it was
interesting as we were able to do some shopping were the local people shop. Left Topolobampo
at 11:10 PM for Cabo San Lucas arriving there on the 24th. We were tendered in and just walked around the area everyone decided we had enough of the tours.
The ship left Cabo at 5:00 PM heading for San Diego we arrived there on the 26th of April.
We went to Old Town and more shopping. The ship left there 5:03 PM and headed for Victoria arrived there on the 29th at 2:45 PM and then on to Vancouver on the 30th. I was so ready to come home that was really to long but several people would have wanted to keep going but not
me.
I bet your sorry you asked were we went.
Marie Iverson (Staub) 60
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Marie, I am glad I asked you about your cruise. Sounds like you had an enjoyable trip. Thank you so much for sharing. Gary
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From Lynn Halvorson Otto (75):
Hi Gary, I remember the snowplanes Tim Martinson is talking about. My uncle Floyd Dion, cousin Curt Halvorson, Terry Halvorson, Dennis Dion, plus many others all had a part in building those snowplanes. One was built for my uncle Harvey Halvorson which was the one sitting by Floyd’s garage. They used to bring that thing up to Willow Lake and we all would take turns getting rides in that thing. It was so much fun and very loud. That brings back a lot of great memories for me growing up in the “hills”.
Lynn Halvorson Otto (75). ps My brother Mike has a lot of old movies of my uncle Harvey’s of those snowplane days.
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From Allen Richard (65):
More on Snow planes. A number of guys had them on the prairie. They didn’t work as well in the hills — no brakes and too many things to hit.
Manvil Sebelius had one in the 50’s. I think that is how he lost a couple of fingers — not sure what happened but the prop hacked them of. Somebody said he found them in his mitten.
Gary Pigeon had one he built himself. Tried to build one form an old VW body but it was too heavy. So he went to sheet aluminum and conduit. The last one he built had a 125 HP engine. He and Russell hunted rabbits and fox for a couple winters. I remember he at one time had a 2 ton grain truck full of rabbits — It was the middle of the winter and they were frozen solid. We all remember Russell as being a “pedal to the metal” guy and it didn’t much matter what he drove. Same with that snow plane–he drove and Gary was the gunner. Gary would pop open the hatch above the back seat, stand up and fire away. I drove for him a few times. The trick for hitting the target was to let up on the gas when the hatch popped open. The plane would float on the back skis instead of pounding you with a lot of pressure on the front ski. The problem was ejecting shells that went through the prop. They would knock the leading edge off and the engine would vibrate like crazy. Gary’s temporary fix? Grab the vice grip and break off a similar size chunk on the other blade. and if it worked ok — keep hunting. One Sunday we bagged so many rabbits that we had to swing by his place to unload ——- three times.
After breaking the prop with shells a few times Gary went up to some place in Canada with a tape measure and notebook and took the dimensions from a machine that would cut props from a model. Then he came home and built a machine from the drawings. He would put a laminated piece of hardwood in the machine, turn it on and come back in an hour or so, flip the wood over and cut the other side. Then some final sanding and balancing, a coat of varnish and he was ready to hunt.
I remember John Bedard heading south along # 3 one day in his Pontiac. Gary told me to floor the pedal and the race was on. We had about 3 miles of soil bank and the ditches we full of snow. I don’t recall how fast John said we were going, but it was way past stupid and approaching death wish. Good thing we had a good half mile to coast it down.
Somebody once said that Emery Carbonneau was building one with the external fuel tank from some military plane, but I don’t know what happened with that.
Allen
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Snowplanes/Picures from Dick Johnson (68):
Gary and Friends
Reading Floyd’s and Tim’s comments about snowplanes really caught my
attention! Although they were abandoned from use in the late sixties,
some have survived. State laws prohibiting hunting from a moving vehicle
basically brought about their demise. The other factor was the invention
of the snowmobile which kind of took the place of the snowplane for snow
travel. I always liked these homemade machines and about 15 years ago I
found two of them that were for sale, so I made a deal and bought them.
I was invited to a snowplane rally in 1995 at Tolna, ND, where other
guys with this same interest were gathered. We had a cross country ride
for many miles and then a chili feed and refreshments on our return. It
was one of the most nostalgic and fun days I have had for many years. We
formed a group we called the Prairie Snowplaners and have had rallies,
annually, up until the last two years when there hasn’t been enough
snow. Since then I have bought several more snowplanes and parts. If any
one is interested, I have a couple VHS tapes from past rallies I would
share.
Floyd wrote about the Renault car body they used for one sled. John
Boguslawski and I asked Curt Halvorson what he was going to do with the
chassis, [ engine, transmission, and steering, etc. ], Curt gave it to
us! We came up to our farm and got a Model T frame off a discarded hay
rack and built a “dune buggy”. We actually scared ourselves once and
THEN built a rollcage. We painted it pastel yellow with house paint and
had quite a rig! Floyd, if I remember correctly, didn’t you break some
ribs or something while hunting in the Renault-bodied snowplane? I seem
to remember something about that, could be wrong! I have attached a
couple pictures taken of my snowplane taken at one of the rallies.
Thanks Gary!
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Picture taken Mothers day, 2008, at the Marco Polo hotel,
For the record, with a busy schedule, I was unable to get a blog posted the past two days.
Gary
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Happy Birthday Bill Krause (DHS ’74): Dickinson, ND
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Mensvil Norman Larson’s burial
Posting/Pictures from Diane Larson Sjol (’70): Minot, ND
Thank you to everyone for your support in the loss of my dad, Mensvil Norman Larson. He is now with my mom making sure we do right by him…haha. He was buried with military honors. Here are a couple pictures. As the oldest, I was presented with his flag. Taps resounded around the entire cemetery with two veterans playing the song. The 21 gun salute gave us chills. We were very proud.
Diane
Follow up message from Diane
Dad was very proud of his role in the VFW and loved to drive the jeep. Some of his best friends were in the Bottineau VFW and he treasured them.
Diane
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Last night at the Cebu Expat dinner at the Waterfront Hotel
This picture was taken last night at our monthly Cebu Expat dinner that was held this month at the Waterfront Hotel.
Rose is leaving this Sunday, June 22, to be with Art Hagen in Bottineau. She plans on arriving in Bottineau on July 2nd.
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Blackfce Mistrel Country School programs in the 30’s
Posting from Vickie Metcalfe (’70): Bottineau, ND
Gary and friends,
So many new things about life and I continue learning.
I want to share with you, about something that is now not politically correct but years ago was quite common in country school. Black face mistrel shows
Today, during a short visit with a former Holmes Township neighbor of my family, Marie (Eurich) Beechler told me as a small child she attended Oakes School also called Seim School.
She was in a school program which she was featured in a mistrel show.
She said one of her last visits with Art Seim, he laughed as he recalled that school program. Marie in black face with soot from the school chimney, a red crepe paper dress and her shiny black hair curled tight around her face. Art called her the name that she was called in that play! Mosey.
Maries fond memory reminded me of my dad who as a small child, had hair black as a crows wing and natural curls
Dad shared a lot of “feelings” common to a child. He’d explain openly and without reserve that all feelings were normal.
When ever I complained about hand me down clothes I wore, Dad told me, “When his mother washed clothes he had to go to bed. He was a child of the Great Depression, and had only one pair of worn thin hand me down pants.”
So not to complain about nothing to wear.
Once day, he was explaining about the feeling word_____embarrassment.
He said he was a shy boy, coerced to take part in a school mistrel play at HillSide (Bergan) School.
At the teachers signal he was to leap cartwheels onto the stage, do a somersault, a handspring, say only one line, then tumble off the stage.
His face and hands were covered in soot. And he was assured no one would recognize him.
The night of the program, the time came for his part.
He leapt up on the stage made the appropriate maneuvers. Then taking a deep breath, spread his arms wide with a big smile, and clearly said, “It is I, Lil Black Sambo!”
With a nod, he somersaulted off the stage.
RIPPPP!
The plan was foiled ___the back side of his pants ripped wide open.
He said, “Everyone laughed and laughed,at Lil Black Sambo’s “little white arse”.”
He said under the face paint his face was hot and red, he nearly fainted from feeling__ “embarrassed.
He did not quit school. He faced the teases and he learned to laugh at yourself with others.
Lessons of feelings and laughter.
Only a few days more and t’will be “Midsomers eve!
Thanks,
Vickie L. Metcalfe
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Clarence Christianson and Milen Brudwick
Picture posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Bottineau & Minot, ND
Hi Gary,
Two of my handsome uncles. I love the way Milen usually wore his hat when he was young–at a rather a “cocky” angle. He was a fun fellow. Clarence was also a fun fellow, but was more reserved than Milen was. LOL
Notice this picture was taken January 1/no snow on the ground. This picture was taken where Don Rude now lives. It is across the street from the “old” Grace Lutheran Church in the north end of Bottineau (I don’t know the name of the religious group who now owns it.). The lot where the church sits was a vacant lot at the time this picture was taken. It was taken from the west, facing east.
If I can locate the picture of my aunts/uncles that was taken that day, I’ll send it, too.
Gary
> Larry’s story about the bakery sure made me laugh! I had forgotten his
> nickname was Half Pint, until now! How did you get that name? I remember
> Russell Pigeon was Sadie, Val Moyer was Kruschev, Dan Bogus was Worm,
> Connie Mellmer was Goose, and poor Marvin Kalk was Scum.
> Please add and send it back to Gary.
> Dick
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Larry Hackman (66) (NIcknames):
Julian Kalk was Kakhy, Vince Kalk was Big Iron, Gary Pigeon was Shaky, Greg
Grimme was Grime, Allen Stokes was Big Alley, John Bogus was Bogie, Ronnie
Johnson was Big Chip, Vernolle Hill was Colonel Klink, Merle Allard was The
Fox, Dwight Coleman was Blackie, Jim Evans was Heifer, Tom Evans was Buff,
Jay Vanorny was Fuzz, Terry Martinson was Grease Pot, Tim Martinson was
Bear, Keith Pladson was Tarzan, Clayton Coleman was C.J., Anton Hackman
was Sluggo, Gary Houle was A.J., Donald Egbert was Lee May, Henry Hackman
was Hank, Andy Patnaude was Jigs, just a few but there were many more.
Who did we miss?
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From Gary Morgan (54):
Good Story Larry! It took some of us longer than others to get the message that gifts with cords are reserved for wedding showers.
Gary Morgan
Class of 54
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From Bev Morinville Azure:
Larry, You tell the best stories I laughed till i cryed at the christmas story. Hats off to Grandma she was a wise old woman huh. lmao Bev (Morinville) Azure
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From Mel Kuhn (70:
Gary,
As usual Larry tells another great story. I just wanted to add my 2 favorite electric motors to his list. The one that replaced the handle on the pump for the well and the one that replaced the crank on the cream separator. As for all the little useless do-dads mine usually don’t get stored in the dark recesses anywhere. I have trouble believing that they actually work as terrible as they do. As I like to tinker I usually tear them apart in an attempt to, as Tim Allen would say, re-wire them and make them work and after much frustration throw them out. Larry, the only problem with your stories is that they are too far apart, they spark many a memory that are buried amidst a lot of dead brain cells. Keep them coming.
Mel Kuhn [70]
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From Dick Johnson (68):
Gary and Friends
I want to relay a story I remember about Lawrence Hetle Jr. and his red
and white 57 Ford two door hardtop. We would have been in high school
but I don’t remember the year for sure. It was around 1966. Lawrence had
decided to put this huge Lincoln or Mercury engine in his car. The
engine didn’t fit in the engine compartment very well but he bent and
twisted things and finally got it in there! There wasn’t any room for
him to hook up a gas pedal so temporarily he had a wire running in from
the carburetor through the dash. We were all hanging out at the drive-in
when Lawrence came cruising in with his car. He was all smiles with his
accomplishment, and rightfully so, it was quite a feat! When he was
ready to leave, we asked if it would squeal the tires! He drove out onto
the street heading east from the drive-in and while looking back over
his shoulder, he jerked the throttle wire and lit up the tires! Now so
far this is cool, however, the wire stuck and the throttle stayed wide
open! He laid rubber from side to side on the street and the car got
wilder and wilder each time it switched directions. He was heading for
Hackman’s house on the corner when the throttle snapped back and he got
it under control! I remember some of the kids at the drive-in covering
their heads, thinking they were about to see a mess! He drove home quite
slowly and fixed his throttle! I ran into Lawrence at Kelvin last summer
and asked him about the incident. He grinned and said, ” I nearly ____”!
I guess he also remembered!! Thanks Gary!
Dick
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From Allen Richard (65):
Read on to find out about the book written by Lanette (Beechler) Richard. She is the wife of Mark Richard, youngest son of my uncle Floyd and Aunt Carmen (Leonard) Richard of Rolette.
I am so excited, my daughter-in-law Lanette (Mark’s wife) has written a children’s book intitled “Tommy and Sara’s Country Adventures” and it just came from the publisher today. It is geared for the pre-teen age group, probably age 10-14. It is a delightfully wholesome book and deals with life in rural North Dakota. It is illustrated by Max Stasuyk.
The book will sell for $10.95 plus postage.
If you are interested you may call her at 701-246-3465 or email me and I will see to it that you get one.
She just came over this afternoon to show it to me and we had to toast her accomplishment with a glass of sparkling grape juice. I am just delighted for her and wanted to share the joy with you. There may even be a book signing at Barnes and Noble in Bismarck or Minot.
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Message/Picture from Tim Martinson (69):
Hi Gary, Missed a couple of your emails #81 & #97. I’ve been
laying low lately enjoying your posts wondering who is going to
get up the nerve to send off a memory and hope it is worthy of
jogging the memories of others.
I had talked to Floyd Dion about the snow plane that used to sit along side his garage and here is his reply.
Hi Tim
That snowplane that you talked about belonged to Luella’s brother Halvorson. Curt Halvorson and myself built it , maybe we had other help too. We used conduit pipe for the frame and enclosed it with tin. We had a 65 horsepower airplane engine. It had 2 skis in the rear and one ski in the front.
Then later on we got a Renault car coupe body and a 85 horse engine. Other people that had one were Jim Coleman, and one of the Pigeon boys, and there were other people that had them also. We used to hunt fox and jack rabbits�on the prairie. We had a lot of fun with with those snowplanes.
Well Tim thats about all for this round now.
Floyd
I have not been able to track down a picture of the snowplanes used in the Dunseith area so pulled this one off of the internet to give everyone
an idea of the one Floyd talks about. �I can just imagine taking off across the prairie with one of these.
Take Care, Tim
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Picture, July 12, 2007 (Class of 65), Bunch of 60 year olds looking at old school pictures, L to R:
Joe Johnson (77) – a note for Julie Knox Seier (82) and Linda:
I had Mike Bostic as a teacher and as I recall he always had a smile on his face and he did have a great big joyous laugh. I never knew he married, Julie’s aunt, Linda Millang. Through the years I have thought of Mike often because his business class I attended taught very many practical skills that I have used since high school. Mike’s class, an elective course, brings back many memories because my brother Jeff attended the same class, I believe it was first or second period, Jeff was a sophomore and I was a senior. I’m very sorry to hear of Mike’s unfortunate passing, but it seems he had placed his faith in the Rock, Jesus, so Mike will be spending his eternity in a very healthy body.
For Dick Johnson –
Thanks for the 1976 parade photos. When I saw them my first thought was, “That is the Dunseith I remember growing up in.”.
Additionally, Dick, thanks for all the dialogue and history you bring to this email list and Gary thanks for being such a great editor and publisher. Just want you both to know your contributions are highly valued, even by those of us that don’t post messages to this list very often.
Joe
From Don Martel (Teacher):
Hi,
First of all let me thank you for the time and effort that you put into this to make it work, Gary.
Secondly,I feel very blessed in that I knew most of the Dunseith graduates of the mid to late 50′s (58 graduate from Rolette) as well as those of the late 60′s and early 70′s, as a teacher/Principal.
As a past teacher, it is so great to see and hear about the many accomplishments of our students. It gives me a little pride in hopeing that somehow we had something to do with it.
Also as many of you know I am married to Colleen Conroy, daughter of Ed & Florence Conroy, so find it so gratifying when they are recognized for there many years dedicated to the youth in Dunseith. As their son in law I can say they were just great people and I am so thankful for being part of their family.
As an addition to the Email list, Arthur Martel, teacher in the late 60′s, is:
Don Martel
Don, I have added Arthur to our distribution list. I noticed he was hired, as a teacher, in Dunseith, in 1966. How are you guys related? Gary
Message from Mel Kuhn (70):
Howdy Gary,
Just thought I’d let you know that I had carpol tunnel surgery on both hands yesterday so I’m gonna be trapped in my house for a couple of days. I will really be looking forward to the everyday e-mails, so don’t go off on another copper selling spree for a while. Having to count on my wife to cook for me is bad enough without having any contact with anyone else. She has mastered 3 differant kinds of Hamburger Helper though, so I won’t starve. You may have to read this real slow because I’m typing real slow. Keep up the good work and thanks again for all the hard work.
Mel Kuhn
Dick Johnkson’s (68) reply to a message of Neola’s (her reply follows Dick’s message):
Gary,
Neola is partly right, there is a ‘Weasel’ Counts and his brother
‘Gopher’ Counts. They were Louis and Eugene, respectively. Refer to page
24-25 of the Dunseith history book, under Ernest and Helen Counts. I
hope this answers her question.
Dick
Very interesting reply from Neola Kofoid Garbe to Dick Johnson:
Thanks, Dick. I wasn’t aware there were two brothers. I knew very little about the family except for the time Weasel/Renae were at Fred/Wilma’s home. I actually wrote the next paragraph and then came back and added to this paragraph, so it probably doesn’t make much sense!
I was quite young when I first met Weasel, and that nickname fascinated me! I had never heard anyone called Weasel. Wilma Bosch was married to Fred Kofoid. Wilma’s sister was married to Bob Chilton. I think Renae was their daughter, OR I’m mixed-up and Renae is Wilma’s younger sister. The memory fades after 55 years!! I have to admit I don’t know where Mom’s Dunseith book is; it could be in Minot, or it could be here in my apartment somewhere.
I, along with everyone else, really enjoy the pictures/stories you send to Gary for his website, even though I don’t know many of the people–just have heard the names. However, I HAVE learned what fabulous parents you had, and that you must have enjoyed a wonderful childhood/life because of them/your other relatives. From what I know of you/your stories/pictures your send to Gary, “they” did a good job raising you. All are to be commended. Also, from what I gather, you are practicing/carrying on the same values you were taught. To me, there is no higher compliment than that, or better way to honor your parents. I didn’t mean to ramble; I sometimes get “carried away”.
Thanks again to both of you. I am now a little wiser.�
Neola
From Phyllis McKay (65):
Gary,
I am wondering who is in the chariot that was in the parade picture. My brother, Kick, raced chariots but I don’t think that is Kick in the picture.
Phyllis
From Rod Hiatt (69):
Hello Gary and the rest of the Dunseith readers,
Reading some of the stories is about like watching reruns of Andy
Griffith, about half way through you kind of remember what is going to
be said or what happened.
The picture of the horses in the parade shows Brian Fauske driving his
chariot team. In the mid 70′s we had about 20 different teams from
Dunseith and Bottineau running chariots and chuckwagons in Bottineau
and Towner every week. My brothers Laurel and Rick as well as my
Dad(Howard) and myself had hitches and others from Dunseith were Brian
and Russel Fauske, Wayne Barbot, Kick McKay, Bob Brennan, Ernie
Gottbreth, the Lagerquist boys(not sure on who all was driving) old Art
Longie, and Keith Coleman.
We would race every other week in Bottineau and the opposite weeks in
Towner. With Dad buying horses in a number of different states we always
had new ponies coming in to be tested for racing and our club always had
the fastest. It seemed like Ray Nerpel new when he was coming with them
as he was always at our farm to help harness and break new teams. At one
of the first finals in Towner the Botno/Dunseith drivers took all the
trophies except for a couple of classes that we didn’t have teams in.
Dad said he wasn’t sure what was harder, breaking some of these wild
ponies to drive or teaching some of the guys how to drive. When he sent
Ernie G. out of the yard on his first solo drive, we wasn’t all sure
that he and the horses would be coming back together, but we could hear
him hollering for half mile or better.At the end of the evening people
from the stands would come down to the hitch rails to look over the
horses and everyone would sit around and swap lies about how they won or
why they didn’t(sounds kind of like fishing)
Anyway it was a great part of the past that alot of people enjoyed both
drivers and spectators
Gary I forgot to mention 1 other driver and that was Stormin Norman
Hiatt. I don’t think Norman ever won a race but he was always there. At
our year end awards night Norman was presented with the Sportsmanship
buckle. He told everyone that he was going to look it over really good
because once he put it on he would never beable to see it. I do have a
picture of Norman in the lead, but that was at the start of the race
right before the flag was dropped.
Message/picture from Dick Johnson (68):
Gary and Friends,
In reply to Susan Malaterre Johnson’s question about Axel Johnson, I
would believe there was a mix up. Axel and his mother and sister and
brother [my grandfather] came to America on a steamship, but not the
Titanic. They arrived from Norway in May of 1907 and entered through the
famous Ellis Island in New York Harbor. Axel was about 13, and Hans [
Grandpa ] 9, and Louise about 6. The Titanic actually sank in 1912 on
her maiden voyage. I suppose the ship they were on seemed like the
Titanic to kids that age! I guess Susan’s question was if Axel told me
the story? He told me about seeing the palace of the King of Norway when
they arrived in the capitol before they boarded the ship. He told of the
rough seas and cold weather on the trip. My Grandpa Hans also told about
the palace, etc. He died in 1965 and I never got to really ask him about
the particulars. I sure wish I could have had that chance! The picture
below is of Axel Johnson in 1965. It was taken in the Rolette Hospital
just before my Grandpa Hans died of cancer. The family was all there to
see him. Another sad time. Thanks Gary.
Dunseith Alumni & Friends:The Hill families would like to thank everyone who attended the
Benefit or sent contributions for Tim & Laurie Hill & family.
We had a good turn out. It was fun seeing so many Dunseith
people there. The benefit fund will remain available to
receive contributions for those who were unable to attend:
United Community Bank; Tim Hill Medical Fund; PO Box 10;
Burlington, ND 58722.
Tim just returned from his monthly visit to Rochester. He is
currently battling a cold, or bronchitis, or whatever crudd has
been going around. He is on an antiabotic and is being closely
monitored. This is very hard on him. We ask you to keep Tim in
your prayers for strength and healing, and the opportunity of
receiving a heart and kidney donor.
Tim said I could give his e-mail address if anyone wanted to
contact him personally. It is hillklan@srt.com.
Thank you again for you kindness and support. Diane Hill
Moline (75), Mom-Murl Watkins Hill (50), Brenda Mueller (70),
Greg Hill (72), Joanne Evans (74), Bruce Hill (80), and Lynn
McKay (82); and Laurie Evans Hill (75).
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From Ardys Bakken Horner (Teacher):
Gary it was good to see a photo of you and Stan Salmonson who is the godfather of my daughter Heather, Joan worked at the school
while I was teaching there and they became good friends. I am interested in finding out what Gayl Lamoureux is doing these days,
I still remember the day she broke her ankle and her horse got away and she was afraid to take off her boot because she knew it would swell right away.
Ardys Bakken Horner
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From Loretta Neameyer Wall (72):
To Randy Flynn, That was interesting news about Sister Albert. My sister and I went to the Academy for 2 years (7th and 8th grade). We remember Sister Albert with many, many fond memories. She is a neat gal.
Loretta J. Neameyer-Wall
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From Allen Richard (65):
To Randy Flynn:
Thank you so much for the update on Sister Albert. The nuns all wore black and white habits back then. I had no idea how old she was. If you know of any way I can send her greetings please let me know. Do you know anything about her mental condition? Having me in class probably didn’t help it a lot!!
Allen Richard
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From Marie Iverson Staub (60):
Hi Gary,
Were back from our cruise, it was great fun but 3 weeks was to long to be on a boat. The weather was beautiful but the humidity was to high in a lot of the places.
I missed getting your emails.
Marie Staub
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From Diane Larson Sjol (70):
Colette,
All I can say is that I am proud that you are my cousin and I admire
your wonderful talent! Can’t wait to see you this summer.
Diane
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From Dick Johnson (68):
Gary and FriendsI recognized the center picture of the creamery fire of January 1950 to
be the back of the barber shop where the Godfreys lived. It had that
brick entry on a quonset style building that was finished on the inside.
CJ Coleman got the job of demolishing the barbershop and the drugstore
and I drove truck for him, hauling debris to the landfill. I was able to
save the 18 by 36 quonset and moved it home for a storage building. The
south side was wrinkled and slightly rusted from exposure to the
creamery fire. On the inside of the building on one metal rafter it said
“Awalt and Melhouse–1948”, written in yellow chalk. I found this when I
removed the inner lining and insulation before moving the building. Just
thought it was interesting! Thanks Crystal for the pictures, and Gary
for the site!
Dick
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Story from Larry Hackman (66):
Gary
End Of An Era
Electricity arrived on our farm in the Turtle Mountians in about the year, 1953. A yard light to light up the farm yard and lights in the house were the first electric items installed. The kerosene lamps were retired to the top of the cupboard and were brought down only when the electricity was knocked out by lightning or a storm. A radio was the next electrical item purchased, as I remember waking up to it. My mother would put it on every morning and listen to it, as she went about her work in the kitchen. The next electrical item was a new electric singer sewing machine. I remember traveling to Bottineau with my parents to pick it up. My mother was so thrilled to get it. She loved building dresses for my sisters. The old sewing machine that was powered by her foot on a rocking pedal was traded in for the new machine. You really had to be coordinated to sew with one of them old machines.
Husbands really got caught up in this phenomenon called electricity. When it became time to get a gift for the wife, whether it be for a brithday, anniversary, Valentines Day, Christmas, or for any other holiday or reason, he would get her, a electrical kitchen appliance. It was the best of both worlds. The kitchen appliance usually made the job of preparing food or some other tedious task easier. This of course made the wife happy. The end product of these appliances was food, this of course made us men happy.
Them pictures on the appliance containers and the thought of new recipes, made our mouths water.
The toaster with sliced store bought bread and sweet butter was a great invention. So great, that we did not even notice the mouth watering smell of baking bread disappearing from the kitchen.
The electric coffee percolator was a must in every kitchen. Everyone tryed to out do each other with these coffee pots. It seemed every time you went to have coffee with someone that they would have a taller, sleeker, more shiny electric coffee pot to display in the center of the table or on the counter.
The waffle iron was another great gift. I think we had waffles every kind of way you could have waffles for a while. My favorite was putting the batter into the iron and then adding strips of hickory smoked bacon, and cooking them together. mmm-mmm good.
There were many other great kitchen appliances, such as the crockpot, the microwave oven and of course the Bunn drip coffee maker. We could not stand to be without our Bunns.
Then there were the not so great kitchen appliances, that made more work then they saved. The fry daddy, the George Foreman grills, the blenders, the slicers and dicers, the toaster ovens, the pretzel twiisters, and the candle stick makers. These electrical appliances would gradually diappear from the kitchen counter and be stored in the darkest corners at the bottom of the cupboard or in the back corner of the basement somewhere. Some never to return to the light of day and some would only make an occasional appearance.
Us men, however, failed to pick up on the disapperance of these appliances. Some were disappearing without ever being used. We just continued watching the commercials and other advertisements for all these great gadgets to make all these great foods to look and taste better. We continued buying them as gifts for our spouses, more or less thinking of the food rather then work it was going to take to make this food or worse yet, the clean-up of the appliance. The clean-up is probably the greatest downfall of most kitchen appliances. So, it was bound to happen?
It was Christmas. My son-in-law and daughter and their family were at his folks house for Christmas Eve celebration and gift opening. Other people at the house, were my son-in-laws, three brothers and their families. Gift opening for the grandchildren and the children was completed. It was time for everyone to sit back and relax and watch Grandpa and grandma ( dad and mom) open their gifts. Everything was going great. Everyone was owwing and awwing over the gifts that they were taking turns in opening. Then the last of the gifts were placed in their laps. Their gifts from each other. Dad, Grandpa opened his, it was great, just what he wanted. He looked at his wife and smiled and said thank you. The Gandchildren began to cheer, and beg for Mom, Grandma to open her gift. She tore the Christmas wrap off, and there in her lap was a box with pictures of curly fries all over it. She was staring at it in amazement. Grandpa was smiling with pleasure. His four sons were proud and smiling with approval as they knew their dad had nailed the gift giving dilemma again. Their thumbs were up and they knew immediately what they were going to get their wives next. They could see themselves sitting back and eating deep fried curly fries, just like Arbys makes, until their tummys hurt.
Then Mom, Grandma spoke! With a tear in her eye. She looked straight at her husband, and she said,” If you ever get me another gift with a cord attached to it, I’m going to shove it up your donkey (ass)”. Then something happened, that doesn’t happen often for a mother-in-law. The four daughter-in-laws all looked over at their mother-in-law with smiles of approval.
The End of an Era!
larry
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Message/Pictures From Evie Gottbreht Pilkington (65):
Hi Gary,
I started an email to you and attached one picture then it disappeared….so hopefully this is not a duplicate…..
The fishing trip pictures are probably all from the 50’s….My folks, Alma and Dale were friends with Lucien and Hannah Bedard and Janet and Bill Evans.
I was thinking that John Bedard might be able to identify more of the people than I did….I know his Grandfather is in the group.
The Brodeck’s (Tessie is in the pictures) lived across the street from us when we lived in town by the Sister’s….so the Gottbreht Gang was a photo taken by Ted Brodeck. George and Ernie have on cowboy shirts from Penny’s and Grandpa George bought them black leather cowboy boots with red tops to complete the outfit…..I didn’t get any….my first memory of jealousy LOL.
It was a special blessing to have Janet and Bill Evans in my life; they were my God-parents. Janet was a great influence on me, along with my Aunt Cora Mongeon, we all loved pretty things. I never missed a visit with Janet when I went home to Dunseith…after all the years we still talked church, decorating and flowers….some things never change. I have a collection of costume jewelry pins from some of my aunts and favorite people in my life. I have attached these pins to velvet ornaments and each year I put them on my stairway garland. These people are thought of and memories shared of them each Christmas when friends admire this collection. I have two beautiful pins Janet gave me the year before she died and pins from Auntie Cora that Uncle Roland gave me when I lived with him the year after Cora died in 1966. I credit him with starting my collection.
Happy Birthday Mark Schimetz (DHS ’70): Rolette, ND
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Happy Birthday Joan Richard: Dunseith, ND
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(Dunseith memories) Shared letter to Neola Kofoid Garbe
From Lee Stickland (’64): Dickinson, ND
NEOLA
I knew YOUR DAD ! Our home was three (3) blocks west, south side, NW corner lot.
I expect that YOUR DAD ‘assisted’ me with any boyhood attempts to repair that failed me. He could dig me out of that CORNER.
I began working for Alvin Moe at the Corner Garage when I was about 12 years old.
I put a set of points in a distributor for the first time with 2 (two) “retired” gents on each fender. It was dark enough under that real steel hood, reachin’ back for the distributor and tryin’ to keep hold on that little brass screw without 10 feet of shadow and four (4) friendly sources of instruction and encouragement. Best/Better days of my life—I keep tellin’ ’bout ’em, anyway.
Neola,
YOU select the best and fitting history lessons for all of us in YOUR posting. My son, Eric, got all A’s when he went to the Univ of S Ca to achieve a major in HISTORY. I mention this because when WE learned HISTORY it was NAME-DATE/DATE when-NAME of. He enjoyed it as he likes ’cause and effect’, does not respect memorizing.
The approach for learning history now is to examine what circumstance most likely led toward or away from an incident and what was the initial positive or negative effect and eventual/resulting/existing/currently interpreted conclusion(s).
It is MY OPINION that if we could keep most or some of the politicians out of the MIX more could work better.
How do I know. I sure don’t. When I was a NH adm, I wascharged with the duty of looking after the care of the pioneers that tilled and built America; I went to DC many times. The folks who were OUR residents and lived at the nursing HOME were not able to travel to attempt to remind elected officials that there is more to their job than votes.
The squeakin’ wheel may get the grease but it is also good to keep the reins tight.
YOU are doing great, NEOLA ! LEE S
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Fathers day dinner at TGI Friday’s in the Cebu Ayala mall
As you can see, we don’t all have our food yet in this picture.
The restaurants in the Philippines do not bring all the food at the same time to your table. They bring it as it is prepared.
I had the their bacon cheese burger today. It was a delicious half pound burger with fries. Bernie opted for the mini burgers.
On a trip to Bohol with Art and Rose several years ago, we ordered hamburgers with Ice cream. While the burgers were being prepared they brought us our Ice Cream. Needless to say we sent the Ice cream back. One needs to tell them ahead of time, when ordering, not to do that.
Thank you for adding me to your distribution list – after talking with Shirley yesterday – I found my 1947 “Wahoo” year book – and had a great time reading the comments from Dunseith friends and classmates – brought back a whole lot of memories!
My sophomore year of high school was the only year I went to High School in Dunseith – although I, of course, attended the first eight years of grade school there. And spent summers in Dunseith.
Thanks again. Betty Lamoureux Malone Badgett (I was married twice).
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Request from Rob Olson (79):
Gary-
Please put me on your email list. I graduated from Dunseith in 1979. My
mother was Loraine Somers and I see that some of the attachments are of her
singing. I would love to receive some of her songs.
Thanks
Rob Olson
Grand Forks, ND 58201
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From Randy Flynn (70):
Gary,
To Allen Richard and others who attended Notre Dame Academy in
Willow City.
Allen, when I read the message from you about Notre Dame
Academy in Willow City and Sister Albert, I thought you would
want to be updated on your grade school teacher, Sister Albert.
Sister Albert Marie ( Helen Burkhartsmeier ) is my wife’s
great Aunt. I am sure you remember her calling you “sugar
lump, sweetie pie, honey bunch”. She was still saying those
words when she was 70 and planning to retire. I know she
enjoyed teaching the younger grades, especially if you spoke
French with her. When Sister Albert heard of your
accomplishments, she would always beam. She was very proud of
all of you.
Sister Albert taught in Walhalla following her time in Willow
City and completed teaching in Valley City, North Dakota.
Sister Albert loved her students and touched many lives in
North Dakota. Crystal Fassett Anderson and other people living
in the Northeastern part of the state may hear Sister Albert
mentioned also. Sister Albert presently lives at Maryvale
Convent just north of Valley City. Sister Albert is in her mid
90’s and has lost most of her interest in eating. I hope you
will keep Sister Albert Marie in your thoughts and prayers.
Randy Flynn
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From Colette Hosmer (64):
Thanks Ginger and Shirley for the kind words. Id be interested to know the name of that cousin, Ginger, if you remember — I probably know him (or at least have heard of him). And if you ever make it back to Santa Fe, give me a call.
Crystal and Susan — I always enjoy your photographs. I remember going to a few of those baseball games (could be because some of my girlfriends and I liked watching Duane Fugere being athletic…….we thought he was pretty cute).
Colette
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Message/Pictures from Colette Hosmer (64):
Gary…..thanks for your interest. Here are a couple of photos of
the models that I built and proposed. The proposal also includes a
lot of written statement stuff that I won’t bore you with. There
will be 27 to 30 carved granite fish (representing Rio Grande
Cutthroat Trout) each 2ft. High x 31/2 to 4ft. Long, . Each fish
will be installed with a concrete footing and they will be arranged
to simulate flowing water…….a stream or river.
I’ll send you a photo of the finished piece if I manage to live
through this project.
Yeah Billy Grady had a way of pushing our buttons. Pushed mine once too, but it was outside and I didn’t have access to anything but a snowball. Mark’s button was a hair-trigger. I remember the scissor whizzing between me and whoever sat in front of me. And it stuck in the wood in the wall about 10 feet away. Seems Mark had a pretty good arm.
As to 4th grade — I don’t think I have ever heard a negative comment about Mrs. Conroy. Certainly none from me! I remember all the things others have said, and the fact that she was a heck of a softball player. And about artwork, Kenny Nerpel sat next to me to my left. We used to draw in our “tablets” when we had free time. We would compare what we had done. Always wished I was half as good at drawing as he was.
Mrs. Conroy was kind and gracious her entire life. One of the last times I saw her was shortly before she passed away. She drove downtown and was trying to parallel park next to the drug store as I recall. The spot was tight and she touched the car behind her. I was walking to my truck and she asked, “Could you guide me into this place? or maybe park for me?” Like I could refuse any request from her. Anyway, she was with another lady about the same age, the streets were crowded and spots were scarce. I parked the car for her and asked about her ability to get the car out when she wanted to leave. She said, “I’m not in a big rush, I’ll just wait until one of the cars leaves.”
Amazing lady.
Allen
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From Shirley Olson Warcup (49):
Gary and all,
I went online a few weeks ago and found several sites with info about Colette Hosmer and her work. She is a very creative gal. I’m enjoying hearing about all of the Dunseith happenings. When I spoke to Audrey a couple days ago we decided we could say we were almost related–her mother’s sister (Bernice Kelly) was married to my brother-in-law’s (Don’s) uncle (Axel Johnson). It’s a little bit of a stretch but ???? I can’t promise, but I will try to proofread my e-mails before pressing “send” from now on–that might eliminate a spelling error or two. Again, thanks for keeping us all informed, Gary.
Shirley Warcup
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From Ginger LaRocque Poitra (65):
Colette, I would like to congratulate you on being awarded the largest
monumental sculpture commission ever offered in Santa Fe, New Mexico. You
have to be an excellent artist, I would like to see some of your work. I
went to workshop a couple years ago, to Albequerque, but we went to Santa
Fe, because one of the people I was with had a cousin in Santa Fe who does
sculpting. He goes to different places in the world to get the stone he
uses to sculpt. He showed us the procedure. His name slipped my mind, but
his arm was hurt,he has lost a lot of the it’s use and he continues
sculpting, his son helps with the lifting etc.. I have always been
interested in art. Must have come from Mrs. Conroy’s class!
Ginger Poitra(LaRocque) (65)
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Shirley Brennan’s (60) reply to Dwight Lang’s (61) Reply to her Qustion:
Gary,
Would you please send this to Dwight Lang
I want to thank you for the information so it was Adam Lang, Ray Brennan, it would be nice if I found the 4th one.
Were there 2 Lang boys memory fails me? When I was at the school reunion, I asked about you.
Shirley Brennan
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Shirley’s Question: My Dad ( Ray Brennan) was suppose to fight in WW1 along with Max Peterson and three other men..They took the train to Churches Ferry before they got to CF the war was over I would like to know who the other 2 men were, if anyone knows?
Shirley Brennan
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Pictures from Cyrstal Fassett Andersen (70):
Here is a picture of the 1953 baseball team that my Uncle Darrel Fassett played on. They drove some fancy cars!! Crystal Fassett Andersen
Picture:
Standing: Don Fassett, Duane Fugere, Guy Knox, Roger Johnson & Virgil Vanory
Seated: Bob Leonard, Jim Footit, Darold Grenier, Lloyd Awalt, Gary Morgan & Darrel Fassett & John Leonard batboy
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Here’s another picture of one of my sister Susan’s birthday parties.It is taken in our front yard in Dunseith,across from the creek. It was in August but no year. Crystal Fassett Andersen
Picture:
Back: Pam Fassett, Toby Daley, Karen Loeb, Carol Jasper, Susan Fassett, Bill Grimme, Marlene Richard. Evie Gottbreht,
Judy Jo Johnson & Mark Anderson..
Front: Debbie, Randi & Donnie Mongeon
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Creamery fire Pictures from Cyrstal Fassett Andersen (70):
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Going through my Dad.Bill Fassett’s pictures,I found these from the Creamery Fire of Jan.1950. Before my time,but someone mentioned it in an email. Not the clearest pictures but someone may recognize someone. From the looks of the pincurls in the ladies hair, it must have been Saturday night!! Crystal Fassett Andersen
For the record, I did not get a blog posted yesterday.
Gary
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Condolences
From Dick Johnson (’68): Dunseith, ND
Gary and Friends,
I haven’t had much time to catch up on the alumni blog lately. I
would like to offer my condolences to Diane Larson Sjol, Cheryl Larson
Dakin, and their sisters on the passing of their father Norm Larson and
to Amie Casavant on the loss of his wife Brenda and to Gwen Struck Dumas
and Edith Struck Lampman on the untimely death of Lee Struck. We all
feel the loss of these good people as they were an intricate part of our
big family of Dunseith folks. As always, thanks Gary for keeping us
all in touch.
Dick
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Posted by Sue (Gary 57) Metcalfe: Forsyth, MO
Gary, here is a picture of our son Andy and Gary. They went on a canoe float trip in mid May on the Buffalo River in Arkansas. There were five other guys with them. They had some rainy weather but some nice sunny weather for their three day two nights on the shores of the river.
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Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Bottineau & Minot, ND
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Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Bottineau & Minot, ND
Hello Gary and Everyone! Thanks to Ivy for sharing that e-mail! I was there a few years ago and also can say it was and is very moving to be there in their presence. Thanks to everyone who shares all these stories. Although I was only in DHS for the last 3 years of high school, reading all these stories and memories is very enjoyable. Especially yours Dick Johnson. Your Dad had a big impact in my life the short time I knew him.Just thought i would let you know..Thanks Gary for all you do keeping this lifeline flowing for all of us to enjoy.Thanks again,Bill Krause(74)
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Update on Sally Longie From Sharon Longie Dana (73):
She is doing a little better. The skin grating on her
leg is the most painful. They did have to put a plate
in her pelvis. She also had a whole in her bladder.
One ankle dislocated and the other more severly hurt.
From what i gather they have both been fixed. They are
not sure how long her stay in Rochester will be but
they do know the stay in mInot could be very lenghty.
She is a very lucky woman!!! Again I appreciate all
your emails and prayers.
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From Colette Hosmer (64):
Hey Ginger,
I remember Lorna Doone and also Hiedi being read in Mrs. Conroy’s class. I was totally fascinated — and like you, still vividly remember the stories. I also loved her class because she had so many art projects (just last month my mom gave me a table cloth that I’d painted for her in Mrs. Conroy’s class). Mrs. Conroy let me draw big pictures all over the blackboards and praised me for them. I would have to say that Mrs. Conroy was my first art teacher. It’s wonderful to read comments from all of the people she influenced. I wish she was alive today so I could tell her that I was (unbelievably) just awarded the largest monumental sculpture commission ever offered in Santa Fe, New Mexico….go figure. You can’t underestimate the power of one dedicated teacher.
Colette
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Colette, Can you please fill us in on the monumental sculpture commission that you were awarded? Gary
Folks, I found an exhibit of Colette’s that I have pasted on the bottom of this message. Gary
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From Mel Kuhn (70):
Howdy Gary & All,
As being a very shy child and teenager I tended to kind of stay in the corner and kept a low profile throughout my school years so I don’t have [don’t remember, did someone mention huffing a lot of gold spray paint?] many tall tales to regale. Although I do seem to remember a small fire in shop class one day. It seems that Mark Schimetz wouldn’t believe me that liquid gas doesn’t burn, it’s the fumes that burn. Well for some reason or another [did someone say something about huffing gold spray paint?] we had dumped some gas on the ground right outside the shop door and we decided to test out my theory. I quickly threw a match into the puddle of gas and out it went. Mark must have threw his match a little slower and low and behold we had fire, we had a lot of fire. I can’t remember the rest of the details [did someone mention gold spray paint] maybe someone can fill us in. We must have gotten into some kind of trouble, but maybe seeing as this was the only such incedent that I was ever involved in———–what was that about gold spray paint??
Mel Kuhn[70]
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From Bonnie Awalt Houle (56):
Dear Gary,
In 1955, a new addition was put onto the old white two story school house. It was an Assembly Hall with classrooms extending to the east forming two rows of rooms with a hallway down the center. It was completed at the end of the class of 1956’s Junior year. We were planning the prom at this time and Mr. Conroy and Mr. Jerstad gave their permission for us to hold our prom in the Large Assembly Hall. I don’t remember much about the decorations, I do remember having records as our music. Can anyone else remember more then I do. It seemed like a huge addition at the time, this was the first Home Ec. Rooms we’d ever had and our first home ec. class with Pat Ward as our home ec. teacher. At the end of our Senior year she was expecting a baby so didn’t return to Dunseith. She taught us to knit, and insisted that we pluck our eye brows, and shave our legs. She complained that altho we were all able to cook we weren’t much for having centerpieces on the tables, etc. She wouldn’t take into consideration that our home ec. class was first thing in the morning after Marching Band Practice which didn’t give us much time to be decorating the breakfast table! I did appreciated learning to knit and sew.
Bonnie Houle Class of 1956
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Request from Shirley Olson Warcup (49):
Gary,
I recently spoke to Betty Lamoureux Badgett, daughter of Charles and Olive Lamoureux, and although she did not graduate from Dunseith, she would like to get the e-mails. She would have been in the class of 49, however, after her mother died in 1945 she went to Los Angeles to live with an Aunt. When she came home for the summer after her freshman year in Ca. she decided she wanted to stay in Dunseith so remained there for her soph. year. She returned to LA for her Jr. and Sr. year, got married, and has remained in the L A area since then. We have communicated untermittently for many years and when I told her about the ” Dunseith Memories” e-mails, she requested that I ask you to add her name. Her e-mail address is:
Shirley Olson Warcup
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From Dick Johnson (68):
Gary and Friends
Back in the mid 60s, I wanted to hunt deer one fall but had no deer
rifle. Dad didn’t have a gun big enough for deer and he didn’t care that
much for hunting anyway. I decided I was going to buy a deer rifle
myself, so I went up to the hardware and they didn’t have anything I
could afford. I went across to Gambles and told Art Henning I needed to
buy a deer rifle. He showed me what he had and the cheapest one was
around $80. I said, “Art, I don’t have anywhere near that much money.”
He looked at me for a while and said he might have something that would
be more in my price range. He reached in behind a counter and pulled out
an old German Mauser 8MM with wood nearly to the end of the barrel! He
said the guy traded it in because it kicked too hard! I told him I
wasn’t scared of that and asked him how much he wanted. Art said I could
have it for $15. Now that’s more like it! I was aiming at the picture on
the wall and planning my best shot, when Art said, “now I suppose you’ll
need some ammo.” Well, yeah I suppose! He set a box of shells on the
counter and then got this sly grin on his face! Again I said, “how much
for the shells?” Art said, ” 8 bucks!” ART!–
$15 for the gun and $8 for the shells??! Oh well, I bought it and shot
my deer. Now for the rest of this story. The next year I traded
something to a friend and got a Winchester 30-30, so the old Mauser was
sort of extra. Dan Bogus gave me $20 for it and now he was the proud 15
year old owner! We always went over to Boguslawski’s right after school
everyday and watched the Three Stooges for a half hour before basketball
practice. Alice always had a large coffee can full of cookies waiting on
the footstool for us. She and Ed were at the school doing the cleaning
by then so we were there alone. One night Dan came in from school and
went into his room and came out with the Mauser rifle and then went down
in the basement. About half way through the Stooges, there was the
loudest BANG I have ever heard. John and I both jumped off the couch ran
for the basement door. The entire house was full of dust from the
concussion. Every seam in the sheetrock on the ceiling sifted out dust!
When we opened the door to the basement you could hardly see for the
dust. John went down first with me on his heels. John fell down and so
did I! Dan had set a pop can on the step and shot at it. The cellar was
dirt walled and there was dirt behind the steps. This is where Dan had
been shooting his .22 and I guess he thought he could do the same with
the 8MM!! The reason we fell down was that Dan shot a little low and
blew one tread clear out of the stairs! I remember both the relief of
finding Dan, OK, and then the tongue lashing John gave Dan, there in the
dust! Just kids doing what kids do while they are trying to grow up in
old Dunseith! Again, thanks Gary!
Dick
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Question from Neola Kofoid Garbe (Bottineau HS class of 57):
Gary,
Was Mrs. Masvelten, Gladys Masvelten? Did she have a daughter named Marjetta? If so, she was my fourth grade teacher in Bottineau.
Thanks.
Neola
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From Allen Richard (65):
To Ginger:
You are on target with our second grade experiences. Angela and I transferred form Notre Dame Academy in Willow City into 2nd grade. First grade was pretty advanced. We were writing long hand–no printing–by mid year, and had phonics coming out our years. In 2nd grade I was relegated to “rhythm sticks.” We were lucky that first grade was so tough. We were almost ready to go to 3rd grade when we got to Dunseith.
Notre Dame was a Catholic boarding school, and the reason some of us went was because in Currie Township all that was available to us was summer school. That is why I was sent to boarding school. There were five in our first grade class: Rene Casavant, Angela, Joanne Houle, Stephen Berube and me. Second grade was in the same room. Some of the second graders included Doreen Houle and Joe and Gerald Casavant. The teacher was a wonderful nun, Sister Albert.
Now the nun that supervised the boys dorm ( Gary Houle was one of my dorm mates.) was another story. Sister Hector’s wake up call involved a one-by-four. That is how I became a morning person. It was pounded into me. Of course waking up to find that the toilet bowls had frozen over helped us wake up too.
Interesting how we all survived.
Allen
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From Susan Fassett Martin (65):
I remember being yelled at by Miss Mastveltin in second grade, and for a child of my temperment it was not a good thing. If I remember correctly, we had certain hooks to hang our coats on and she and another person were standing where my coat was supposed to go, and I, instead of saying anything, stood patiently waiting for them to move so I could hang up my coat. She yelled at me and told me to go sit in my desk and I so vididly remember that more than anything else in second grade, except for when Mark Anderson threw a pair of scissors at Billy Grady and they stuck in the wall.
I loved Mrs Conroy’s class too, Ginger. I remember her teaching us to count money and make change by playing store. I also have some of my artwork from 4th grade.
We had a huge snow storm here on the 1 and 2 of May. We had big snowdrifts and they got up to 4 feet in the hills. It is mostly melted as of today because the temps jumped into the 70’s today and will be there again tomorrow.
Gary, I looked for you in the audience on Deal Or No Deal tonight as they were in the Phillipines. I guess Howie didn’t send you an invite–HA!!
I was in Walhall ND last weekend at my sister, Crystal’s for a 4th birthday party of her granddaughter. Paula was there too along with other family members. We had a great time. It was colder than cold most of the time though. They had had an ice storm a couple of days before we got there. I love the Dakotas—the weather can change in a heartbeat. You always need to be prepared for anything.
Thanks for all the memories and pics.
Love and prayers to all. Susan
PS.–my Aunt Dorothy(Strietzel) Fassett had back surgery a short while ago and is still recuperating. She and Uncle Darrell are still planning on their annual trek from Fla to ND for the summer. Please add them to your prayers.
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From Gary Stokes:
Folks, Speaking of 2nd grade teachers, Gerry LaFromboise-Marcavage was my 2nd grade teacher up at Ackworth. Gerry was living in Rolla at the time. She and her husband have recently moved back to Belcourt. Gerry stayed at our house when she was teaching up at Ackworth. As you can see, she was a very attractive young lady in 1955 of which she still is today. As I remember, Gerry had guys coming out of the woodwork wanting to go out with her.
In the picture below, we had a little Ackworth reunion, with Gerry, this last summer, 2007, at Dale’s. Stan Salmonson & Harvey Hiatt, I believe, were in the 6th grade, Barbara Hiatt (Cote) was in the 8th grade and of coarse I was in the 2nd grade when Gerry was our teacher. Gerry was 18 years old at the time.
Request: Can some of you folks that live in the Belcourt area please pass this on to Gerry if you can? I think she is staying with her mother and her number is (701) 477-8634. Richard LaFromboise is her brother.
Mensvil Norman Larson, age 89 of Bottineau, died Saturday, June 7, 2014 at a Minot hospital. Funeral service’s will be held on Thursday, June 12, 2014 at 10:00 A.M. in the St. Marks’s Catholic Church in Bottineau. Burial will be at the St. Mark’s Cemetery also of Bottineau. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 10:00 A.M. until 9:00 P.M. with a prayer service at 7:30 at the Nero Funeral Home in Bottineau.
Mensvil Norman Larson, Jr. (“Norm”) was born June 3, 1925 in Bottineau, North Dakota., the son of Mensvil N. Larson and Alma Marie (Anderson) Larson. Norm was the oldest of three sons and was raised on the family farm in the Turtle Mountains at Lake Metigoshe, North Dakota. He was educated at Roland Township School and later completed his high school education in Bottineau. Norm pursued a liberal arts degree at the North Dakota School of Forestry in Bottineau where he was a member of the Lumberjack football team. He was later inducted into the college’s football hall of fame for a winning season in 1947. He obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from the University of Omaha in 1961.
On August 21, 1950 Norman married Verdellis L. Richard in Dunseith, ND and to this union four daughters were born. Norm joined the Army in 1945 and spent the next 25 years serving in many capacities from platoon leader to commanding officer. He served in WW II, Korea and Viet Nam. His last assignment was as Battalion Advisor in Minot, ND. Norman received numerous commendations, including a meritorious service award, the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry and the Bronze Star. Life in the Army involved many separations and took the family to different army posts every three years, both in the U.S. and Germany. Norm gave credit to his wife for her ability to keep the family together and cope with the many moves the family had to make. He boasted that his wife was the “best Army wife a guy could have”. Norm was proud to serve his country in the Army and continued his involvement as a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) until his death. Norm retired in June 1970 as a Major in the Army and moved his family to Bottineau, North Dakota, where he and his wife owned and managed the Texaco Station and Larson’s Casuals.
Norm grew up with a family dedication to public service and service to the community. He carried on that tradition throughout his remaining years. Norm served on the Bottineau City Council for 14 years, was the president of a regional planning council, a member of the State Planning Commission, member of several civic and veteran organizations, served as the first president of the Sons of Norway in Bottineau and as mayor of Bottineau for six years. His years in the army fostered his love for military memorabilia and history. He often participated in Bottineau’s annual Memorial Day event and could be seen driving his 1950 army jeep in the parade. He had a love for reading and current events. He entertained friends and family with his many stories of life on the farm and adventures in the Army. Norm enjoyed spending time with his family and driving up to the family farm in the Turtle Mountains. Prior to his death, Norm said that his goals were to never tarnish the family name, provide service to his country, raise his family and make it to his 90th year. He accomplished those goals. He was a good husband, a caring father and grandfather, and a good citizen. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends.
Norman is survived by his two brothers, Richard Larson (Seattle, WA), Delbert Larson (Bullhead City, AZ), four daughters, Diane (Scott) Sjol (Minot, ND), Cheryl (George) Dakin (Bedford, TX), Norma (Bob) Nelson (New Milford, CT) and Karen Larson (fiancé Mike Johnson) (Rock Lake, ND), grandchildren, Ryan (Christina) Harris, Michael (Adriana) Harris, Megan Nice, Katie Nice, Aubrey Millar, Jayden Sjol, Kendra (Josh) Heiland, Cory (Lauren) Dakin, Kelly Dakin, Matt (Jessica) Dakin, Austin Vaughn, Jordan Vaughn, Stacy (Kirk) Lee, Nick Balsamo, Ashley Balsamo and Anthony Balsamo, 22 great grandchildren and one great great granddaughter. He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Verdellis L. Larson.
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Mensvil Norman Larson’s Jeep in the Bottineau Memorial day parade
Posting from Neola Kofoid Garbe: Bottineau & Minot, ND
Hi Everyone,
Mensvil Norman Larson often participated in Bottineau’s annual Memorial Day event and could be seen driving his 1950 army jeep in the parade.” This is a picture of Norman driving his 1950 army jeep in one of the Memorial Day parades in Bottineau. As you can see, the three fellows with Norman are also “local” men. I’m very proud of all these men. Leo, Al, Gary–thanks for your continuing service to our community over all the years.
Neola
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Mensvil Norman Larson
Posting from Larry Liere (’55): Devils Lake, ND
Gary
Thought you would like to post this.
LARRY
National Guard Retiree News
This correspondence has been sent to your email address at your request from NDNG retiree Pam Miller. If you have information that is of interest to fellow NG retirees please share (i.e. death of retirees, items pertaining to our retirement/benefits, retirees doing great deeds, invites to NG functions, etc.). Items such as jokes, religious preference, or political party will not be accepted. Send all correspondence to Pam at: spmiller@bis.midco.net. Pam is solely responsible for the content.
Mensvil Norman Larson
(June 3, 1925 – June 7, 2014)
MENSVILE NORMAN LARSON
Mensvil Norman Larson, age 89 of Bottineau, died Saturday, June 7, 2014 at a Minot hospital. Funeral service’s will be held on Thursday, June 12, 2014 at 10:00 A.M. in the St. Marks’s Catholic Church in Bottineau. Burial will be at the St. Mark’s Cemetery also of Bottineau. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 10:00 A.M. until 9:00 P.M. with a prayer service at 7:30 at the Nero Funeral Home in Bottineau.
All,
I found, by accident, the online funeral notice for our ESGR associate, M. Norman Larson from Bottineau. The last ESGR activity he participated in was Erling’s meeting in Rugby in December 2013.
Norm was drafted into the Army in July 1945 and served stateside until March 1947. He mobilized with the ND Army National Guard in 1950 as a Sergeant with the Company C, 231st Engineer Combat Battalion, Bottineau, for the Korean War and continued on active duty until 1956 in the grade of 1st Lieutenant. His check-blank says “Major, USA (ret)” but I have not verified if that was continued service in the Guard (assume so) or with the USAR.
Military Personnel Services Corporation Contractor North Dakota National Guard ~ Employer Support Specialist North Dakota Committee, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve PO Box 5511 Bismarck, ND 58506-5511
Warren, I read the e-mail about how hard 3rd grade was, I don’t recall if
you said you were at Dunseith School for 2nd grade. Well anyway, I always
remember my mother saying that the (class of 65)third graders had to have
their mother’s teach them at home or they (us) would have to re-do 2nd
grade again. Reason being our second grade teacher Mrs. Masveltin had not
taught us much, I remember she did a lot of piano playing. I can see that
most of us must have had some problems, because we missed out on so much
that second grade year. I remember my mother had a blackboard set up
teaching me math. When I was in the first grade I remember how I loved to
read. Miss Srauss was such a good teacher.
I remember Mrs. Conroy reading books to us “Lorna Doone” and that book was
written in french, Another was “The Secret Garden”, I remember watching
the movie later in life and saying to myself, that wasn’t the way that
story went, I visualized it so vividly when Mrs. Conroy read it to us.
Evie, and others who contributed, also in Mrs. Conroy’s classroom we did a
lot of mirror coloring (I don’t recall the correct name for it) I colored
the most in the book she put together afterwards, so she gave it to me. I
still have it.
I remember wanting to be an artist, I really enjoyed drawing. I’m happy
that Colette went ahead and did it.
Ginger Poitra(65)
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From Aggie Cassavant (69):
Hi Gary, I just finished reading and looking at the pictures of The Tomb of The Unknown Soldier. All I can say is thanks Ivey for sharing those with us. I visited there a couple years ago, theres no words to describe how emotional and patriotic it makes a person feel.Our brother Eddie’s daughter Brandi just got back from touring it 2wks ago with her class from Rolette. I told Eddie this is going to be a pretty moving expierence for Brandi, especially with the Iraq War going on and all. Then when i talked to her a couple days after she got back,she said they actually witnessed a funeral with the flag draped casket and horse drawn carriage.She said, it’s something she will never for get. Our brother Gerald and his son Micheal both did a tour of duty in Iraq the 2nd and 3rd year. When Micheal was on his way home, Gerald was on his way over, so they had a few hours in Kuwait together before continuing on. I can’t thank the Lord enough that he brought them both back safely.Our family has been blessed for it being a military die hard family that my brothers have been thru Vietnam in the 60’s and now Iraq,and they all get to come home. So anyway for those of you who have never been to Arlington Cemetery, please go see it it’s a pretty life altering expierence. Hope you all have a real Blest Day… Aggie
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From Shirley Brennan (60):
Dear Gary,
My Dad ( Ray Brennan) was suppose to fight in WW1 along with Max Peterson and three other men..They took the train to Churches Ferry before they got to CF the war was over I would like to know who the other 2 men were, if anyone knows?
Shirley Brennan
From Fern Pladson Beaver (67):
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Lola Metcalfe Vanory’s (68) to the Longie family:
Our thoughts and prayers have been with Stella and family– and of course
Sally! and her children!– what a sad thing!–
Verlin and Stella were always two of the nicest people I’ve known. How
they loved those children! and they are nice kids —
Our son Joe worked for Danny last summer on Danny’s concrete construction
company and thoroughly enjoyed Danny and the crew. If you went through
North Hill in Minot last summer you would have seen them doing concrete up
there- When we built our new shop last summer- Danny brought the whole
crew and equipment and did the concrete for us — that was soo nice of
him!!–
I hope Sharon keeps us updated- We will surely be praying for them all!–
Lola V
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From Karen Loeb Mhyre (65):
Thanks so much. Our family took a trip last summer to Alaska,on Celebrity Cruise Lines but I spent most of my trip entertaining either my 2 year old granddaughter or my 86 year old mother, so I did not see a lot of the sites for myself. Maybe this would be a great opportunity to do some of the “field trips”. I will talk to Jim about this idea and see what we can work out!
Here in Ann Arbor, Michigan it is spring and we are seeing land hearing lots of birds. The new tulips, daffodils and forsythia blooms are a sure sign of the winters passing. I return home to Seattle on May 15th.
Fiona (my granddaughter)\ and I attended the annual ANn Arbor Pow Wow held at the University of Michigan A rena a few weeks back. There were folks from all over the region. Very inspirational. Fiona loved the “Blanket Dance” that we got to participate in. Some of the “regalia” worn by the different dancers were truly works of art. We had a great afternoon.
Karen Loeb Mhyre
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From Diane Larson Sjol (70):
Good morning everyone.
I remember making May baskets and sneaking around town putting them at
people’s doorsteps. It was alot of fun. Through all my travels
growing up, we never did that anywhere else and I remember being so
disappointed about that whenever May Day rolled around. Anyone
remember in Mrs. Conroy’s class, taking old 78 records and she must
have heated them up somehow and then we bent them and made bowls out
of them and sprayed them with gold paint. I think gold paint must
have been sprayed on everything from macaroni cigar boxes to anything
else we made to give our parents. She also had another craft where
she put marbles in the oven and took them out and put them in cold
water and then they cracked inside…When I think about going to
school in Dunseith, I remember the cafeteria with those big bins of
bread and butter; of playing dodge ball and being out on the
playground; of being afraid to go down the rickety metal stairs of the
fire escape during a fire drill and looking down and the entire school
looking up at me. It was a fun time
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Message/Picture from Dick Johnson (68):
Gary and Friends
How many of the kids that went to school at the old school can remember
the old flagpole with the stone base? It sat on the east side of the
school yard and was there for many years, as I recall. The stone base
and the pole were painted white, when I was in school, and from the
picture it was the same in 1946! The high school kids in the picture
are: Bottom to top–
Eleanor Awalt, Shirley Sunderland, Spencer Teal {?}, and Bernice Olson
{Mom}. Thanks Gary!!
Mensvil Norman Larson, age 89 of Bottineau, died Saturday, June 7, 2014 at a Minot hospital. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, June 12, 2014 at 10:00 A.M. in the St. Marks’s Catholic Church in Bottineau. Burial will be at the St. Mark’s Cemetery, also of Bottineau. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 10:00 A.M. until 9:00 P.M. with a prayer service at 7:30 at the Nero Funeral Home in Bottineau.
Folks, I had a nice visit with Minnie Knox Flynn today from the class of 47 and also a teacher for many years in Dunseith. She mentioned that the Dunseith Lutheran church would welcome donations for the furnace. I’m not sure if it’s for repairs of the existing furnace or a new one, but they have run low on funds to repair/replace it. Gary
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From Karen Loeb Myhre (47):
Hi Gary,
One of the mementos I acquired at the reunion last summer was a great folding photo album/case in the goodies bag. It had a hard cover and held all my “gramma pictures”! Sadly, I have misplaced it. I was hoping to email the home to see if I could get another one. I am unable to locate an email address or figure out who to contact. Do you have any suggestions?
Your site/blog is wonderful. I can read every week or so and get my fix of North Dakota memories!
Take care,
Karen Loeb Mhyre
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Folks, I am putting together a class list for the class of 47. Jean Metcalfe Maki was in that class, so I asked Vickie Metcalfe about her. Vickie replied with a very nice letter about her aunt Jean that I have included below. She also sent a copy of this letter to Jean’s Daughter, Dianne Reed, of which I have pasted below just ahead of Vickie’s letter. Gary
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From Dianne Reed, Jean Metcalfe Maki’s Daughter:
Dear Gary,
Vickie Metcalfe sent me the email she sent you about my mother, Jean Metcalfe. There were a couple of errors, so I thought I would change a few things and re-send it to you. If you need any further information, please let me know.
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Vickie Metcalfe’s (70) letter with Dianne Reed’s Corrections:
GARY,
I’m at school and do not have my records with me so for now, this is
off the top of my head memory.
Re. My dear aunt, Jean Arleen (Metcalfe ) Maki passed away the Saturday, before Thanksgiving November 16, 1984. I represented my family and flew to be with her family for the funeral.
Jean Arlene Metcalfe (actually named Jean McLean in reference to her paternal grandmother. Her name was changed on her birth certificate) was the only William and Rose Metcalfe child to be born in a hospital, Bottineau Hospital.
When her father, William passed away in the summer of 1935, Jean moved into Dunseith with her mom and attended grade school and began high school there. One of her best friends was Donna Aitchison whom she corresponded with for years.
During the war, Her brothers, Cliff ( US Navy) and Emil US army), purchased a house with/for my grandmother in Seattle. In the early 40’s, Grandma Rose and Jean moved from Dunseith to Seattle where they lived.
Jean graduated from high school in Seattle in 1947 and was married to Waino Maki, I believe in 1949.
Waino who was 100 % Finnish decent, was actually born in upper peninsula Michigan and named Willard Makinen ( another birth certificate error.) During the war, he was called Waino Maki and after never changed his name back because of all the paperwork hassle.
Aunt Jean was the mom of Dianne Wynn ( Maki) Reed b. Feb. 1956 and Eric Wayne Maki b. Sept. 1962.
Jean was a a doting aunt. A homemaker who decorated her home in warm country colors and the coffee pot and cookies always fresh. Her house always smelled wonderful. She smelled floral when she enveloped you in her warm arms. She was a big woman with style. One time, she amusingly said, her daughter’s opera voice teacher called her” a handsome woman” . Jean was a family connector. She also was fond of telling stories about her school days and friends in Dunseith.
Jean lived her entire married life about 6 houses down from her older sister, Leona (Metcalfe) Oswell in (Shoreline) ie. North Seattle. Uncle Waino passed away in June of 2003. Jean and Waino are buried together at Evergreen Washelli Cemetery in Seattle.
Her daughter Dianne lives in Monroe and became a teacher. Dianne continues to connect with the ND cousins. What specific information
would you like. I can delve into my genealogy box or contact her daughter, Dianne.
Thanks for asking about Jean. I loved her. Until Later. as ever. VICKIE
—
Vickie L. Metcalfe
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From Dick Johnson (68):
Gary and Friends
I found some more lake pictures and remembered some crazy things that
happened up there. Dad and Cliff were always pulling tricks on each
other, especially when one or the other was on the skis and the other
was driving the boat. We had a “surf board”, we called it, it was a
piece of plywood with a rope attached to the boat and another rope for
the person to hold on to when riding. This was real good to teach
someone to ski before they actually tried the skis. One time it was
hooked to the boat and Cliff said, “Donald, jump on and we’ll go once
around the lake.” This was after Dad had become a good waterskier so it
wouldn’t seem to be much of a challenge. Now this board was meant to be
ridden SLOWLY, but as soon as we left the dock, Cliff said to me, “hang
on, we’re gonna give him a ride.” Cliff took off and Dad was doing his
best to stay with it, and was, until we got to the south shore and Cliff
turned real sharp. Dad was bouncing over the wake and flew off. The
surfboard went up in the air and then caught the water and went down
until it hit the muddy bottom and being it was attached to the rope,
which was attached to the boat, the boat stopped in just a few feet and
Cliff and I slammed into the dash at about 30 MPH. We sat there,
stunned, while Dad was having a laugh! I remember Cliff pulled the rope
and pulled us back until we were right above the board, and he really
had to pull hard to get the board out of the mud!
Those of you who were at our old cabin, will probably remember that my
mom, Bernice, never drove the boat. There is a reason! One morning Dad
talked her into learning to drive so he could ski. I was still to young
to drive. They went around the bay and I could hear them talking, over
the sound of the motor. As they were coming in toward the dock, Dad
said, “OK pull the lever back.” No change. “Pull it back”! No change! I
took off from the dock just as they hit the shore, WIDE OPEN!! The boat
flew through the air and landed up in front of the cabin with the engine
screaming . Dad shut the key off and said, “I said pull it back”! Mom
was bawling and said, ” I was pulling it back”! Dad said, “Not that
lever, the other one”! She was pulling on the gearshift, not the
throttle! He never asked her to drive again! I got a bit older and I
drove. The picture below was taken at Lake Metigoshe on my eighth
birthday in 1958, when they gave me a new pair of waterskis that were
made for kids. I learned to ski that day and learned to slalom {sp} on
my thirteenth birthday in1963. I also tried to barefoot a couple years
later and made it about 20 feet before I took a tumble. I could hear my
buddies in the boat ,laughing, as I was running on the water just before
the lights went out!! The other people in the picture are Dad, Shirley Warcup,
Myrtle Olson, Hans Johnson {sitting on dock}, and Henry Olson { on right
}. Thanks Gary!
Mensvil Larson, age 89 of Bottineau, died Saturday, June 7, 2014 at a Minot hospital.
Our Condolences are with Diane, Cheryl and the all of Norman’s family with his passing. You gals were very close to your dad too and were both there for him with his failing health in the days before his passing.
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The Conroy’s
Reply from Lola Metcalfe Vanorny (’68): Dunseith, ND
I believe that was in August of 1972 as I couldn’t attend– i was in the hospital with my new Baby Tina Renae Vanorny (Corley)!!_LOL!!!_ Born 8=16-1972– and Rev Bakken’s wife had had her baby by then also !!!!
They were the perfect example of dedicated and valuable teachers- I remember staying with Mrs Conroy so i didn’t miss a school program or a practice of some sort i can’t remember now – but i remember i wore a pajama top of Don’s – and their home was so cozy and comfy and we felt perfectly at peace and comfort there- !! and she didn’t have to “fuss over us !!!- I THINK MARTHA LAMB STAyed THAT NIGHT TOO!! as it was storming and she got to wear one of colleens nightgowns- = but don’s pajama top was cozy also !!!_LOL!!!– I just remember the peace and the love in that home just like my own at home!!!_
God bless their sweet souls- !!!–LOla
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Brenda (Aime) Wheeler Casavant?
Question from Lola Metcalfe Vanorny (’68): Dunseith, ND
Aggie!- wan’t Brenda a Wheeler ??– and i remember 40 years ago they wanted to abort her baby to treat her and she refused!!! I hope i have this right- !!!- her Dad Lorne visited us and was so upset with her t!! the priests and nuns and Dr’s and nurses pressured her to have the abortion to save her life and she refused !!!!! and had the baby and then did the treatment and then went on to live a full life !!!! — a true trusting Christian lady !!!- – I hope i have this story straight- !!! LOla
She was preceded in death by her parents, one brother, Clarence Christianson and five sisters: Alma Halvorson, Helen Bye, Emma Halvorson, Ella Mae Christianson and Florence Struck.
Life Legacy
Bernice G. Carlson, 94, loving wife, mother and grandmother died June 3, 2014, at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks from a brain hemorrhage.
Bernice Christianson was born September 14, 1919 in Bottineau, North Dakota to Casper and Ella Christianson. She was one of nine siblings growing up on a farm in the Turtle Mountains of northern North Dakota during the trials of the Great Depression. She attended a rural school in her early years and graduated from Bottineau High School in 1937. Immediately following graduation, Bernice enrolled at Minot State Teacher’s College and in 1939 received an associate degree. She taught in a one room schoolhouse that included grades one to eight. Hard work was the norm as she not only taught eight different grades but also acted as custodian and maintenance person for $50 / month.
While at Minot State, Bernice met Harold Carlson of rural Antler, North Dakota. Despite turning Harold down for a first date, they were married on June 12, 1942 and remained inseparable for seventy-two years. That same year, after Harold’s graduation, they taught together in Greely Consolidated School District until moving to Glenburn, North Dakota in 1944. At that point Bernice ended her formal teaching career and began her most important job as a mother and “teacher” to her four children: Nancy (Ron) Halvorson, Gary Carlson, Pam (Edward) Carlson and Keith (Charlotte) Carlson. Bernice and Harold moved to Grand Forks in 1954 where she lived for 60 years.
Bernice was a gentle caring woman who generously poured her life into the success of her husband and children. She was a great listener who was always ready to be an encouragement to others.
Traveling was truly enjoyable for her. As a child she dreamed to see the North Dakota State Mill and Elevator in Grand Forks. She once laughed, “Now I can see it every day from my front yard.” Trips to the West and East coasts, Alaska, Europe, and Hawaii were some of her favorites. She loved to cook, and her exceptional lefse and krumkake were two favorites. She loved gardening and her family secretly believed “she talked to her plants” to encourage their growth.
She was deeply loved and will be sorely missed, but we rejoice that she now resides in the loving arms of her Savior, Jesus Christ, for a new life in eternity.
She was preceded in death by her parents, one brother, Clarence Christianson and five sisters: Alma Halvorson, Helen Bye, Emma Halvorson, Ella Mae Christianson and Florence Struck.
She is survived by her husband, four children, and eight grandchildren: Jennifer Willging, Susan Hanson, Laura Schirber, Sara Halvorson, Christine Kruse, David Carlson, Becky Carlson and Elizabeth Carlson and ten great-grandchildren.
A funeral service to celebrate Bernice’s life will be held on Saturday, June 7 at 11 A.M. at Grace Baptist Church, 700 24th Ave South in Grand Forks where she was an active member.
Visitation at Amundson Funeral Home in Grand Forks will be held Friday, June 6 from 5 to 7 P.M. Visitation will also continue the hour prior to the service at the church.
Interment will be at Memorial Park Cemetery in Grand Forks.
A guestbook may be signed or viewed at www.amundsonfuneralhome.com
Amundson Funeral Home 2975 S. 42nd St. Grand Forks, ND
Regarding the picture Dick sent you with the three unknown people: on Bernices left is Robert Molgard, on his left is Shirley Sunderland and the girl in front next to Andy Berube is Patty McAtee(her father owned the bakery.) Darrel
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From Dave Wurgler (64):
Hey Gary—- Talking about burnt toast, the 40 years I have been one the corner at 3rd and main in Rugby, our local cafe was about a half of a block from my station and back then every morning I and other business fellows would gather for breakfast and we would order our whatever we wanted and with my breakfast I would always order toast with peanut butter and the waiters would say light or dark, and my saying was burn it cause it’s no sense eating warm bread. It didn’t take long when they would bring the food the waitress would say this one belongs to Dave. then we would shake dice for the breakfast and 70 percent of the time ——I got lucky—–musta been the burnt toast. Gary hadda throw that in. Luv ya all—Dave
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From Larry Hackman (66):
Hi Gary,
I hope and pray things are improving for your family.
Remember the fourth grade, when Mrs, Conroy got us all organized. We got to elect class officers for the first time. With this came the reponsibility of finding ways to earn and accumulate money for our class. We were getting big so fast. But the biggest advantage was that we got to go to the basketball games at the old city hall, free. We got to sell soda pop, and candy bars from the little room across the top stair landing from the little room, where they sold admitance tickets for the basketball games. Mrs, Conroy would ask for volunteers, usually two girls and two boys. The girls usually sold candy and pop through the open window, and during the breaks in the games, us boys would carry pop and candy around the hall and sell it, to the people that stayed in their seats. I always considered it a fun time, and it was the only time I got to go watch the basketball games at that age. Selling pop and candy at the basketball games must have been exclusive to the fourth grade. Because, in the following years, we sold Fanny Farmer Candy to make money. There were three kinds weren’t there? White, brown, and a mixture? I believe, we did this all, so we could pay for the prom, we had to put on for the class of The 65er’s. You guys were so lucky!
The theme of the prom was “Moons Over My Hammie” or is that a Grand Slam Breakfast at Denny’s Restaurant? I forget.
larry
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From Sharon Longie Dana (73):
Special thanks to Vicki Metcalfe for giving me that
update on Sally, She had talked to Dan’s wife in
Bottineau. Thanks Vicki you’re AWESOME!!!!
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Picture from Glen Williams (52):
Gary…this is a photo of my father Ischem Glenn Williams in his WW I military Uniform.. probably taken in 1918…he was wounded severely in France during WW I….
later he was a Rural Mail carrier and the Post Master in Dunseith…Currently his photo is on Display in the Historical Museum at Fort Missoula.. Let me know if the photo came through…
From Jay (66) and Lola Metcalfe Vanorny (’68): Dunseith, ND
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Our condolences to the Struck family !!!_ Lee was a really nice guy !!!- and I considered a friend!!!_ –even though he was in Jay’s class- ^^ 66– interesting life!!!_ Jay and LOla Vanorny
Shirley Brennan (60) – From Dianne Millang Volk (77):
We have always been proud of our aunt Shirley Brennan (60) and all that she has accomplished from a wheelchair; now people in the Minot and surrounding areas know how she spends her free time.
She was on the KMOT-TV news April 30th. You can watch the video by going to the following address:
Shirley, You and I have exchange lots of email messages and now I’ve finely gotten to see you in this Video. When I saw you on this video, there was no doubt in my mind that you and Dianne’s mother, Velma Brennan Millang, are sisters. We frequently see your name too, with the inputs that you have been providing with these daily messages. I’m not sure how many of our folks realize your handicap or realize that you became handicapped, in an accident, with a school trip, I believe in your senior year of 1960. You told me the story, but I don’t remember the exact details. Maybe you or Dianne can fill us in with that one? You are to be commended for all of your life’s accomplishments. You have had steady employment and have done a lot of volunteer work throughout your life and have lived independently all these years. If there is a will there is a way, and you have done it. Gary
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Update on Sally Longie From Sharon Longie Dana (73):
6 hour surgery on thursday went well. Two broken
ankles and a broken pelvis. Lots of recuperaton time.
she was awake when they cut her out of the vehicle.
Possibly one more surgery. Will keep you all posted.
Thanks for the wonderful emails of prayer and concern.
They are greatly appreciated and I will pass them on
to my Aunt Stella and family.
To cousin Bill and Lynn in Oregon, please keep your
Mom informed. Thanks a bunch.
Sharon Longie Dana
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From Floyd (45) & Luella (Halvorson) (47) Dion:
Hi Gary
You said in one of your email that your dad like burnt toast. I remember when I worked at the creamery, he said I want my toast black,and if it is not burnt, I would send it back and have it burnt black.
Ok Gary thats all for now
Floyd
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Folks, I had a nice visit with Luella Halvorson Dion yesterday. She fell earlier this winter and broke a bunch of bones. She said she spent 2 1/2 weeks, convalescing, at the Good Samaritan home in Bottineau. She is back home now and is on the mend. I think she said she is still in a wheel chair, but she said things are heeling. With all things considered, she is doing well. Gary
Reply to Floyd Dion, Yes my dad loved his toast black. He also never ate any green vegetables, but loved his raw onion sandwiches. He never drank water either. Coffee, with lots of sugar, was pretty much 100% his beverage, even on hot days. He lived to be nearly 85. A few years before he died, the doctor asked him when he had his last complete physical and he told the doctor “In 1942 when I got drafted into the Army”. Gary
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May Basket Reply from Vickie Hiatt Lafontaine (73):
good morning all, this is in response to Don Lamoureux may day storie. It
wasn’t just a town thing. Every year for as long as I can remember Mom
would make up a May basket and we would sneak up to grandma Margies{Hiatt}
put the basket at her door ring the bell and run like crazy, and she would
chase us. We would then go in and have some of her out of this world sugar
cookies. I was glad to hear from my 5year old granddaughter that they
still do may baskets. Her class took baskets to the local nursing home.
also to Sharon Longie your family is in my prayers. Vickie LaFontaine
{Hiatt]
For the record I did not get a blog posted yesterday.
Gary
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Happy Birthday Ron Peltier (DHS 1970): Dunseith, ND
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Posted by Don Malaterre (’72): Siouxfalls, SD
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In Memory of Lee A. Struck
Lee Allen Struck, Age 66, of Hudson, died on May 18, 2014 at the VA Medical Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Lee was born on February 19, 1948 in Havre, Montana to Lawrence and Eva (McNair) Struck. His formative years were spent in Rudyard, Montana until moving to Dunseith, North Dakota where he graduated from Dunseith High School in 1966.
After high school Lee attended college at Luther in Decorah, Iowa for three years before being drafted by the United States Army. He served in Korea and then returned to Luther College where he graduated with a degree in Psychology and Theology. During this time he married Patricia Law in 1972. They later divorced.
Lee moved to Phoenix, Arizona and worked as a business analyst for ATT for 22 years. After 22 years in the corporate world Lee realized a dream and for 7 years spent time on stage pursuing an acting career. He appeared on stage at community theaters in Phoenix, Mesa, and Durango, Colorado.
Lee returned to a life of work and fun when he purchased a motor home traveling the upper Midwest as a yarn representative. He enjoyed meeting shop keepers from all over his region and developed a love affair with fibers.
Growing tired of the road, Lee settled in Hudson and became active in his church. His passion was mission work. He assisted in clean-up efforts after hurricanes Katrina, Ike and Sandy; traveled to Haiti to help earthquake victims; worked on building projects in Jamaica; plus participated through Bethel Lutheran Church in Hudson in taking two trips to Tanzania. Lee’s passion for mission formed deep friendships with those he served. In the weeks before his death Lee was putting plans together to serve with the Fuller Foundation on a building project in Kentucky.
Lee enjoyed music, reading, playing trumpet, theater and art. He had an impressive collection of books of all types. Lee was also a student of the Bible. He loved studying it and learning as much as he possibly could. Lee was a sports nut and enjoyed watching sports with the guys at the Cigar Shop in Hudson. He liked hockey, basketball, and especially baseball. His favorite baseball team was the Yankees and his favorite player Mickey Mantle. Lee was a regular at the local coffee shops; he could often be seen working on his laptop at Hudson Bagel.
Lee was preceded in death by his parents Lawrence and Eva Struck. He is survived by his sisters Gwen (Clint) Dumas of Havre, Montana and Edith (Slater) Lampman of Hudson, Wisconsin; nieces Michelle Geyer of Denver, Colorado, Elizabeth Lampman of Portland, Oregon and Allison Lampman of Willmar, Minnesota; and nephew Michael Stevenson of Havre, Montana. He is also survived by many cousins, aunts and uncles.
Through his travels and mission work Lee touched the lives of many. Upon news of his passing calls came in from all over the United States. From old high school buddies, to those he served with in Korea, from friends who traveled with Lee on his mission work to relatives; these were the relationships that Lee cherished. Lee and his tireless desire to serve will be missed.
A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00pm on Tuesday, May 27, 2014 at the Bethel Lutheran Church in Downtown Hudson. Visitation will take palce one hour before the service at the church. Interment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.
Send an Email Hug
If you would like to express your condolences to the family, click here and we will pass your wishes along through an email.
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Gillis Family
Reply from Vickie Metcalfe (’70): Bottineau, ND
Gary,
In response to your question (was Pete Gillis part of this famly?), Yes.
The Gillis family is a big family.
I only mentioned those who were “students”, when I was at Dunseith School in the ’70’s.
Coming to Bottineau, I became acquainted with Victoria (Krogen) Gillis and her daughter.
She told me immediately she was related to all of the Gillis family in Dunseith, and fond of them all.
Victoria is the grandmother of Scott Gillis Wager who wrote the Gillis /Keeble article for the Courant.
Victoria Gillis is a very special, special lady to all who know and appreciate her.
She talks alot about all her e Gillis connections in Dunseith and Bottineau.
A survivor of the 1918 flu she has told me alot of oral Bottineau history!
Question/Request from Kathy Casavant Ellingson (74):
Hi Gary & All,
Just to say thanks for all the letters & info, I read them all at 6am before I go to work. I was just wondering, would anyone out there have a picture of the cooks that worked in the old grade school (big white building), you know Mrs. Knudson, Marie Casavant (my mom) etc. I would love to see the picture if anyone has one out there. Thanks Kathy Casavant Ellingson.
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Shirley Brennan’s (60) message to Sharon Longie Dana (73):
I am so sorry to hear about your cousin Sally. I will pray for all involved.
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Gary:Today being May Day, I wonder if anyone else remembers having made up May baskets full of candy and dropping them off on door steps. As a real little kid, I remember it was actually a little tortuous, because as I remember it, boys gave to girls and vice-versa, and then were supposed to chase each other around. This may have been one of those “town kid” things that happened versus “up in the hills” or “out on the prairie”.
I can also remember the City Hall burning down, partly because what little kid doesn’t have to go and watch a big fire. I also remember it because a bunch of us kids went poking around in ruins afterwards, I’m sure our fake Converse All Stars or Keds tennis shoes were the perfect protection against all the broken glass, nails etc that we were poking around in. We managed to find the spot that was the gun locker, and made off with the Legion’s rifles, which seemed like perfect toys for us at the time, even with all the wood stocks burned off. I think we got to play with them for a few days, until my dad (Jay) came home to tell me the Legion couldn’t replace the rifles unless they turned in the old ones, so the toys had to go back.
Don Lamoureux (75)
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From Neola Kofoid Garbe:
Thanks, Gary. Thanks for including Felicia’s Caring Bridges’ site. I just visited her site–very interesting. So far, 33039 relatives and friends have visited her site–that’s a BUNCH!!!
Neola
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Message/Pictures from Dick Johnson (68):
Gary and FriendsSome time back I told the story about riding Hiatt’s horses. On my tenth
birthday {1960} my folks gave me a Welch pony they bought from Hazel
Hiatt. This horse was only “green broke” and was exciting to say the
least. She would try to dump me or scrape me off in the brush every
chance she got! After a while I learned to pay attention ALL the time I
was on her! I got good enough that she couldn’t throw me so she kind of
gave up trying. One time though when I was riding over to the neighbors,
I was riding bareback and both the horse and I were soaked with sweat
from a very hot summer day, as we went up a hill the old phone line was
just above my head. I reached up and slid my hand along the smooth
galvanized wire as I quietly rode along. About that time, someone
decided to make a call and cranked the old phone. The shock went through
me and then through the horse and the next thing I knew, the horse was
gone and I landed on my back on the ground. This time it wasn’t her
fault, I goofed! She had a colt and I broke it to ride and made a good
horse out of it. In 1968, I sold both of the horses to Johnnie Myer and
bought an old Harley Davidson for $150. I got bucked off there too, but
that is another story! Thanks Gary!
Dick
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This is a message that Neola Kofoid Garbe sent out to her Bottineau bunch. Felicia is the Daughter of Dean Lamb (70) Deceased.
Hi Everyone,
Felicia Lamb was in a serious car accident awhile ago; she is still recovering from it. Her dad was Dean Lamb (70), a veterinarian in Bottineau. He was from the Dunseith area. Felicia’s aunt is Martha Lamb Schepp (68) from Newbug. If you are unable to attend Felicia’s benefit, but would like to contribute, I would think donations can be sent to David Geiszler, 10349 Svingen Road, Bottineau, ND 58318.
Neola
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BENEFIT FOR FELICIA LAMB
For all of us who would like to help Felicia and her family in some small way… here’s our opportunity
Country Breakfast Benefit
Sunday May 18th
8:00 am ~ 1:00 pm
Bottineau High School Multipurpose room
Matching funds by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans
For more info please contact Dave or Phyllis Geiszler
Happy birthday Ann Carbonneau OcOnnell: (BHS ’68): Bottineau, ND
Carol Watkins Carbonneau, Ben & Mattea Johnson & Ann Carbonneau OcOnnell
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Happy Birthday Heidi Hanson Daneilson (’69): Willow City, ND
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Brenda (Aime ’66) Casavant passed away.
Posting from Kathy Casavant Ellingson (’74): Bismarck, ND
Hi Gary, Just want to let you know that Aime my brothers wife Brenda, passed away last night Sunday June 1st. She struggled with cancer for many years. She was a fighter & a true inspiration to all of us. She knew Jesus her Savior & now is spending time with him. This is a HUGE loss for us but especially Aime & his children. Please keep them in your prayers. Thanks Kathy Casavant (Ellingson)
Aime,
Our condolences are with you with the passing of your wife Brenda. It’s hard. You recently told me she was Terminal, but I didn’t realize her time was this near. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Gary
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Charles Dion’s Obituary
Posted by Betty Watschke Cooley (’45): Redmond, WA.
Gary:
I’m not sure if this address is the correct one for you, and for some reason I’m unable to locate a newer one.
I’m behind in handling e-mails, but never miss reading yours that arrive. I think I remember reading something about Charles Dion’s death, but don’t remember seeing an obituary. I saw the one in the Seattle Times newspaper so will copy it to send to you if you think you want to put it in the DHS news.
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CHARLES T. DION
Charles died pecefully in his sleep on April 28, 20l4. He was born in Dunseith, ND on October 24, l92l and was the oldest of 3 boys. On April l8, l942 he married Orissa Horsman. They just celebrated 72 years of marriage. Charles was an Army Medical Technician during WWII and served time in the Philippines and in Japan between l944 and l946. In l947 he joined King County Metro as a bus driver and towards the end of his career, he drove the Seattle Monorail. He retired from Metro in the early 80’s. Both Charles and Orissa were licensed Amateur Radio operators and made many “radio friends” around the world. Charles is survived by his wife Orissa, his brother Floyd (Luella), sister-in-laws Edith Dion, Eunice Marshall, and Dorie Davis(Wayne), and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother Derald. At his request, no services will be held.
Best regards, Betty Watschke Cooley, Class of l945.
Thank you so much Betty for sharring Charles’ obiturary. It is most apreciated.
Also thank you so much for your touching personal note. Our son Bernie, who is here now visiting, lives very close to you. His lives in the 147th block of 39th street in Bellevue. 39th street is the boundary between Bellevue and Redmond.
Gary
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Gillis Family Vets
Posting from Vickie Metcalfe (’70): Bottineau, ND
Gary,
I believe at least 3, if not more, Gillis family members
who are all Dunseith graduates have served our country in recent years.
Coming to mind, are Dean, John and perhaps his brother Mike.
The Gillis family, as the Metcalfe family have Scottish then Canadian roots.
My Dad told me, his father was acquainted with the Gillis family patriarch as they both
immigrated separately from Ontario, Canada as young men.
I believe they met when they each first settled in Towner County.
Thank You.
Later, Vickie
Vickie,
Is Pet part of this Gillis family? He too was in the Army and spent time in Vietnam.
Gary
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Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Bottineau & Minot, ND
Hi Gary,
Quite by accident, Vickie and I met (along with two common friends) at the bakery a few days ago. As we were visiting, this article came up in the conversation. We decided this might be a good time (around Memorial Day) to share this article with your blog readers. Your opinon, please.
Neola
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News
True heroes to the country’s freedom
Scott Wagar
01/28/2014
It was a photo found on a social network. It was a photo of two young men of Native American descent standing in a doorway dressed in double-breasted suits with spit shine shoes on the teenagers. There was also a caption with the photo which stated their names and that the photo was taken at the Wahpeton Indian School.
Although the photo was somewhat ordinary, the caption added an interesting sentence to the photo which made it intriguing, because it stated these two young men would go on to become soldiers and were “two native heroes” of their ancestors while fighting for their country’s rights and freedoms in combat zones.
The two young men were Frank George Gillies of Dunseith and Woodrow Wilson Keeble of Wahpeton. In their time in the service, one would give the ultimate sacrifice of his life, while the other would receive the Medal of Honor posthumously.
FRANK GILLIES
Frank Gillies was born on May 14, 1923, in Dunseith. He was the oldest child of John and Lucy (Davis) Gillies. During Gillies’ youth, he was raised on his family farm and attended the Indian Day School in Dunseith for five years. Gillies then went to the Wahpeton Indian School for three years before going on to graduate from high school at Flandreau Indian School in South Dakota.
At age 19, Gillies, who was a Chippewa Indian, volunteered for the Navy at the beginning of World War II and entered into the service on Oct. 18, 1942 where he was trained as a torpedo man on a destroyer called the U.S.S. Johnston.
The Johnston was a Fletcher-class destroyer. In the Navy, the ship was known as a “tin can destroyer” because it was considered a light ship when it came to its small size and limited armament on board. Its primary weapons included a number of rather small size 125 mm (five inch) guns and torpedoes.
The Johnston was laid down on May 6, 1942 by the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp., in Seattle, Wash. It was launched on March 25, 1943, and commissioned on Oct. 27, 1943, under the command of Lt. Cmdr. Ernest E. Evans, who like Gillies was of Native American lineage.
The ship was ordered to the Pacific Theater and took part in battles during the Marshall Island and Solomon Island campaigns in the first part of 1944. In October of that year, the Johnston sailed to the Philippines to assist in that operation under the overall command of Gen. Douglas McArthur after his famous speech of “I shall return” after he was forced to leave the Philippines in 1942 after the Japanese invasion of that country.
After being supplied at Admiralty Island, the Johnston sailed on Oct. 12 with Taffy 3, one of three units of Rear Admiral Thomas L. Sprague’s Escort Carrier Task Group.
Their first task for the Johnston was to protect the escort carriers maintaining air supremacy over eastern Leyte and its gulf.
In the morning hours of Oct. 23, 1944, the Battle of Leyte Gulf started when U.S. submarines attacked units of the Japanese fleet coming from the South China Sea into a beachhead at Leyte.
The following night, the Japanese’s Southern Force (made up of battleships, cruisers and destroyers) was annihilated as it tried to enter the Leyte Gulf.
At around the same time, a larger Japanese unit, Center Force, came under heavy attack by Admiral William Halsey’s attack carrier planes, which made the Japanese turn around and retreat. However, the Japanese Fleet subterfuge Halsey, which in turn made Halsey move north with his aircraft carriers and battleships to attack a decoy Japanese carrier. With Halsey removed from the Leyte Gulf, this left the Johnston and its small escort unit alone in the gulf on the evening of Oct. 24.
With Halsey out of the picture, on the morning of Oct. 25, the Center Force made its way into the Philippine Sea and headed toward Leyte Gulf up along the coast of Samar with only the Johnston and its task units standing in its way.
On that morning, U.S. air patrol were out and reported to the Johnston that they were in the direct path of the Japanese Fleet, which was bearing down on them with four battleships, eight cruisers and 11 destroyers.
Evans went into action immediately and ordered his crew on the Johnston to place a smoke screen between the U.S. carriers and the Japanese force.
Being too far away to use its light guns, the Johnston broke formation, went through the smoke screen and went straight toward the Japanese fleet to get in range where the Johnston began firing at the enemy fleet.
The Johnston fired over 200 rounds at the Japanese, while Gillies and the other torpedo men of the ship sent all 10 torpedoes at it adversary before the ship went behind its smoke scene once again.
When the Johnston came back out of the smoke scene the second time, Evans saw the damage his torpedo men did to the Japanese’s heavy cruiser, the Kumano, which had its bow blown off and was retreating.
Celebrating its hit on the Kumano didn’t last long, because within a short period of time the Johnston was hit six times by shells to its bridge, which caused the ship to lose its power to its steering engine, along with a portion of its guns and render its gyrocompass unusable.
Although damaged, the ship’s men made repairs as best as they could and continued on with the fight. Orders were placed for the other American ships to conduct a torpedo attack. The Johnston, who wasn’t able to keep its position due to its damaged engine, and with no more torpedoes left, made every effort to move and fire its remaining guns successfully at the enemy.
Instead of retreating, the Johnston stayed in the fight and continued to lay down fire on the Japanese.
At one time, the Johnston saw the American carrier, the U.S.S Gambier Bay, under heavy fire by an enemy heavy cruiser and began firing its guns on the cruiser to draw the ship away from the carrier. The Johnston also shelled the cruiser four times.
As the battle continued, the Johnston continued to draw fire on enemy ships attempting to get the enemy to turn on its ship. However, as the battle continued, numerous Japanese ships set its dials on the Johnston and hit the ship a variety of times, destroying its last engine, bringing it dead in the water.
The Japanese ships then surround the Johnston and started attacking the ship from every side. As ammunition poured through the ship, it took out a forward gun, another gun and a 40 mm ready ammunition locker. With things looking grim, the men of Johnston kept fighting and asked for more shells to fire.
As they continued, Evans, who already had two fingers blown off in the battle, stayed steady and yelled orders to his men who were turning the rudder of the ship by hand.
However, the shots kept coming from the Japanese and as the end came to the Johnston, an enemy destroyer came within 1,000 yards of the ship and placed one final fatal shot into the ship which caused the Johnston to sink.
Of the 327 men on the ship that Oct. 25 day, only 141 were saved. Of the 186 men killed, around 50 were killed in battle, 45 died on rafts from their wounds and 92 men were able to get off the ship with Evans, but as they floated away from their ship they disappeared and were never heard from again.
One week before the Christmas holiday, the Dunseith Journal reported that Gillies had been killed in the battle. Gillies’ body was not returned to the family, but a memorial service was held in Gillies’ honor at St. Louis Catholic Church in Dunseith with family, friends and members of the American Legion in attendance.
WOODROW KEEBLE
Woodrow Keeble was born on May 16, 1917, in Waubay, S.D. to Isaac and Nancy Keeble. At a young age, the family moved to Wahpeton, N.D. where his mother was employed by the Wahpeton Indian School. Unfortunately Keeble’s mother passed away at a young age, but the family stayed in Wahpeton where Isaac enrolled all of his children, including Woodrow, into the Indian school.
Keeble, who was a full-blooded member of the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate of the Lake Traverse Reservation, enjoyed sports, especially the game of baseball where he pitched for Wahpeton’s amateur team and took the team to 10 straight victories.
His talents in baseball were so skillful that the Chicago White Sox started to recruit Keeble, but World War II stood in Kebble’s way when his Army National Guard unit was called up to fight. However, his pitching arm would come in handy as a soldier, and he would save a lot of his fellow soldiers’ lives in the midst of battle because of his pitching arm.
Keeble was part of the North Dakota 164th Infantry Regiment and the outfit was sent to the Pacific Theater to fight the war. The regiment’s first battle was Guadalcanal and the 164th landed on its beaches in October of 1942 where they joined the First Marine Division which suffered a number of losses in their attempts to clear the island of Japanese soldiers.
For the 164th, Keeble operated a Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR) and used his pitching arm to throw grenades with exactness at the enemy, which assisted in saving lives of Americans and bringing victory to the Battle of Guadalcanal.
After WWII, Keeble returned to Wahpeton and accepted a job with the Indian Day School. He also married Nettie Abigail Owen-Robertson in November of 1947.
In 1951, the 164th was reactivated and sent to the Korea War. The men trained at Camp Rucker in Alabama before moving on to Korea. While at Camp Rucker, the commanding officer had to select sergeants for deployment to the front lines of Korea and decided to do so by drawing straws. Keeble refused to draw straws. Instead, he volunteered because he felt that with his experience in WWII he could teach the younger soldiers how to fight in combat.
Keeble was assigned to George Company, 2nd Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, and with his combat experience and leadership ability he was quickly promoted to Master Sergeant and leader of the 1st Platoon.
As the company went into combat, it was ordered to the central area of the Korean peninsula to capture a series of steep mountains where the Chinese were utilizing the town of Kumsong as a supply depot.
The operation, which was called the Operation of Nomad-Polar, started on Oct. 15, 1951, and lasted for six days straight. During the battle, Kebble was wounded on Oct. 15 and then again on Oct. 17, 18 and 20 for which he was given only one Purple Heart. For his actions on Oct. 18, he was awarded the Silver Star, but his action on Oct. 20 would one day grant him posthumous the Medal of Honor.
Oct. 20 was the sixth day of fighting for George Company and as Kebble arose that morning he was suffering with two gun shot wounds to his left arm, a grenade wound to the face which almost tore off his entire nose, a twisted knee and a concussion from a grenade. The night before, physicians removed 83 pieces of festering shrapnel from Kebble’s body.
As the battle for Hill 765 was to start, and deeply entrenched with Chinese soldiers, Kebble was ordered to stay back from the battle, but he refused to let his men go alone and led them into battle.
As he lead his men that day into battle, Keeble saw that American soldiers had become pinned down by three well fortified machine gun bunkers.
Without any regard of his own life, Kebble rush to the pinned down soldiers and then crawled forward to the first machine gun emplacement. As the Chinese trained their gun fire on Kebble, he used his pitching arm from his baseball days and threw a grenade directly into the bunker and took it out completely.
Keeble then moved forward on the second emplacement and directed another grenade in the bunker and destroyed that one.
He continued up to the third emplacement, this time with a heavy barrage of gun fire and grenades raining down on him from the Chinese, but Keeble once again destroyed the last bunker with complete accuracy of a grenade that he threw at the emplacement.
Keeble’s men then started moving forward up the rigid mountain side as Keeble laid gun fire down on the enemy where he caused heavy causalities.
From there, Company G gained an important objective of the battlefield, all due to Keeble’s brave fighting.
Recommendations were made three times for Keeble to receive the Medal of Honor for the feats he did that day, but the recommendations were lost twice, and the third one was turned down due to a technicality of regulations that prevented the third request to move forward.
For his bravery in combat, Kebble was awarded the Purple Heart (twice), Silver Star, Bronze Star for Valor, Bronze Star for Merit, Combat Infantry Badge (first and second awards) and the Distinguished Service Cross.
After the Korean War, Keeble went back to Wahpeton and to his job at the Wahpeton Indian School. Soon after he returned home, he was diagnosed with tuberculosis. He was sent to Minneapolis, Minn, for treatment which ended with doctors having to remove one of his lungs, which caused a series of strokes that left him with the inability to speak, partially paralyzed and he could not work the remainder of his life. His wife, Nettie, passed away a year later, leaving Keeble to raise his son Earl alone.
With his illness, Keeble fell on hard times and he had to pawn his military medals for money. But, with the determination he had lived his life by, he moved forward in life, married Blossom Iris Crawford-Hawkins, the first Sioux woman to earn her Doctorate of Education.
On Jan. 28, 1982, Keeble passed away and was buried in Sisseston, S.D.
Sadly, the Medal of Honor alluded Keeble in his life, but family and friends in honor of him worked hard to make sure he received the medal.
Through assistance from Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-ND; Sen. Kent Conrad, D-ND; Sen. John Thune, R-SD and Sen. Tim Johnson, D-SD, Keeble’s family was granted Keeble’s Medal of Honor posthumously by President George W. Bush through an Act of Congress on March 3, 2008.
Two years prior, Conrad and North Dakota Adjutant General Michael Haugen presented Keeble’s family with a duplicate set of his medals he had to pawn at the Wahpeton Armory.
The photo of Frank Gillies and Woodrow Keeble on the doorstep of a building at the Wahpeton Indian School is an extraordinary photo of the two Native American boys who would grow up and go on to give everything to their country.
The caption in the photo is truly correct, Frank Gillies and Woodrow Wilson are “two native heroes” for their people and for their country. They are individuals that should be remembered at all times in our country’s history for the feats they did for our nation.
Writer’s Note: Sources for this article came from the Gillies family, LaVallie family, the Dunseith Journal, Wikipedia and the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.
The accident that Sally Longie was in was the same one that the Bercier boy got killed in…….
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From Bob Slyter (70):
my prayers and good thoughts go out to the sally longie family
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From Vickie Metcalfe (70):
Gary, Heartfelt prayers to Stella Longie and family as they aid Sally in recovery. Many years ago, Danny and Sally Longie were great third graders, with excellent involved parents. What a wonderous world we live in, that you, a former Dunseith kid living half way around the world could communicate the care, concern and prayers of us other former Dunseith kids, reaching and connecting so many. That’s Character! Thanks. Vickie
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From Bev Morniville Azure (72):
Sharon , I am so sorry to hear about Sally , i am praying for her , I just talked to her Mom the other day after church, Please keep me informed ok hey Also talked to deb the other day she said u may be coming home for Diana and Cody’s wedding …….wow that would be great. keep me informed ok mdf Bev Azure (72)
sharon i will try and get ahold of debbie on thrusday when i get bk from minot and see what she has heard ok. bev
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Message to Sally Longie from Cheryl Larson Dakin (71):
You are in our prayers.
Cheryl Larson Dakin
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Felicia Marie Lamb’s WEB sight provided by Vickie Metcalfe (70):
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Note: Felicia was in a really bad car accident several months ago. She is the daughter of Dean Lamb (70) (Deceased) and the niece of Martha Lamb Schepp (68). Martha, can you please fill us in on the details again? I noticed that 1,077 folks have signed her guest book. That is amassing support.
Marjorie Landsverk Fish’s (57) reply to Angela Berube Malget (65):
Dear Gary and All,
I just read the articles and Obituary on Urbain Cote.
I copied it all and am sending it to Howard as he doesn’t do e-mail.
My brother Howard Landsverk has talked about Urbain a lot and mentioned his visits to him. On the picture you sent Howard is the first one in row 2. It looks like he has his army uniform on.
I also have history with the round Cote barn. I got engaged out there in 1958,
I was married for 47 years to Lyle Fish. I lost him to cancer in 2005..
I am glad I got Erling Landsverk into your E-Mail chain. I’m sure he finds it very interesting. He is my first cousin and lives in Portage Wi. I live in Horicon Wi.
Thanks Gary for all your work everyday on the e-mails. It’s sure too bad that people have to steal wire, gas, deisel fuel now and etc. I hope things get better and not worse.
Marjorie Landsverk Fish
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From Keith Pladson (66):
To Gary and all,
It is funny how we each remember things that happened just a little differently. 1966 was a big year for me, because I graduated that year, yet I don’t recall us having a big snow storm. That’s not to say we didn’t, I just don’t recall it. However, I very well recall the storm of 1969. That too was a big year for me, as I entered military service (US Army) on April 3rd of that year. I lived in Bottineau at the time, and the day after it finally ended, I and some friends went for a snowmobile ride up Main street. We couldn’t see any cars parked on Main Street, but we knew they were there because you could see their radio antennae sticking our of the snow drifts. We would then stop and dig down in the drift to see what kind of car it was, etc. Wow, a lot of snow!I was in Ft. Lewis, WA (basic training) when all the spring melting took place, but my sister Fern (1967) was living in Minot at the time and she sent pictures of the horrible flooding that Minot experienced when all that snow turned to water. It doesn’t seem like ND gets many of those BIG storms anymore — or at least not that I’m aware. Here in VA, we get a different kind of snow. We have gotten several big storms of 12 to 20 inches over the years, but usually the temperatures are around the freezing point when the snow falls, so it’s wet heavy snow with very little drifting. Our biggest storm in the (almost) 40 years my wife and I have lived here was January 7-8, 1996 when we got around 30 inches. Two weeks later it was all gone. It flooded everything. Most winters we get only a few inches of snow and some years, like this past winter, we get nothing — not that I miss the snow. And, I sure don’t miss those 40 below zero temperatures of ND fame!!! Brrrrrrrr.
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From Diane Larson Sjol (70):
I guess I never knew they made Jumbo’s at Patti’s place until several
years ago when I moved back. Colette Pigeon (Schimetz) one of my best
friends and her husband Reid (a third cousin) made some darn good
Jumbos….It is something you just can’t get anywhere else. When we
take visitors to get a jumbo, especially the little kids, they can’t
believe there is a hamburger that big! Bev, expect some company from
Cheryl, Norma, Karen and me the week of the 12th of May..Karen’s
daughter is getting married the 16th in Minot and the sisters will be
home so we will come a callin!
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From Cheryl Larson Dakin (71):
Happy May Day Everyone!
Does anyone make May Baskets anymore? I remember making them out of cupcake papers and pipe cleaners, filling them with treats and leaving them at the door steps of our friends. It was almost as fun as Valentines Day parties!
Cheryl Larson Dakin (71)
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Message/picture from Dick Johnson (68):
Gary and FriendsThe attached picture was taken in 1959, at what I believe was Grandma
Anderson’s birthday party. She was the mother of Gertrude Awalt and
Charlie and Walter Anderson, and spent the last part of her life living
in a small house in Awalt’s backyard. I used to walk over to her house
and she would give me cookies and milk. If I remember right, she had a
wood cookstove that she baked in and cooked on. This picture shows a
group of neighbor ladies with her in front and center. It has been a
very long time but I am quite sure this is Grandma Anderson, if not
please correct me, or if I have anyone else wrong please feel free to
send the right name. I am doing this from memory as there are no names
on the picture. Thanks again Gary!
The ladies L_R:
Standing—Irene Teal, Dorothy Egbert, Rose Kalk, Thelma Johnson, Joyce
Evans, Marie Allard, Marie Thompson, Lela Cota {nearly hidden},Joy
Nordquist, Arla Millang, Bernice Johnson, Agnes Berg, and Aggie Nicholas.
Seated— Beatrice Olson, Grandma Anderson, and Myrtle Olson.
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Dick & Folks, I have found and pasted below some of the class of 65’s conversations, from February 2007, talking about Grandma Anderson. At the moment these are the only messages that I can find, but I know there were many more comments, but I just can not find them all that the moment without sifting through hundreds of email messages. Grandma Anderson was well known and well like in the Dunseith community.
” Mrs John Awalts Mother”, Mrs Bill Anderson (Myrtle). (John’s Grandmother)
Name (Last, First Middle)
Date of Death
County of Death
Gender
Age
Date of Birth
State of Residence
County of Residence
Action
ANDERSON, MYRTLE C
06/15/1961
Rolette
FEMALE
91 Years
12/20/1869
North Dakota
Rolette
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From: “McKay, Phyllis”
Subject: RE: John Awalts GrandmotherOh how my family loved Grandma Anderson!! I couldn’t wait to be taller
than she was. I’m not sure I ever achieved that goal!! I remember going
to see her when my brother Dan was small and we were outside playing
when Dan ate some dirt. Don’t ask me why he would do such a thing but he
did!! My mother was trying to wash out the dirt from his mouth when
Grandma Anderson said “Good Lord, dirt anent anything to worry about. We
all eat 7 pounds of dirt before we die anyway!” That was something I
remember raising my own children. Don’t sweat the small stuff. A
philosophy to live by!!
After Grandma Anderson passed, we had a few parties in her little house.
Her house was located real close to John’s parents’ house. Do you
remember that John? It was about the time the twist came out. You
brought your record player with all the latest songs. Oh the fun we
had!!
Phyllis
My grandmother what great memories it’s amazing how little things can all
the sudden flood your mind with all these memories, Grandma was under
five feet tall and a very easy going person and so was my mother. The
parties we had at grandma’s old house were great fun and only a whisper
away from my parents bedroom window, but they never said a word about the
noise. I still have the record player and all the records, the grandkids
love them. One great memory is when my mother made cupcakes and had me at
four years old take some over to my grandmother after I came back to the
house grandma came over with the cupcakes and showed mother and asked why
they had no frosting on them when it was pain to see that they had at one
time. They both had a good laugh and nothing was said to me. I also
remember your parents coming to town and getting the mail with horse and
buggy.Thanks Phyllis for the memories
john awalt
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Ø Johnny,I, too, have fond memories of “Grandma Anderson” and Charlie. I think
your mother had another brother, but I can’t remember what his name was.
My father’s family must have grown up with the Anderson ‘s because I have a
picture of my dad and his brothers with Charlie Anderson when they were
just little maybe 6-8 years of age. They look like the little rascals and
I’m pretty sure they were.
I don’t remember where her house was but I remember going there with my
parents before I was in school. She and my Grandma Evans were good
friends. If I remember right, she had as much spunk as grannie on the
Beverly Hillbillies.
Yes, the people in Dunseith were all pretty much family when we grew up;
everyone seemed so connected.
Margaret Metcalfe Leonard
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Lola Metcalfe Vanorny, ew
HI!_ just had to add my two cents worth–about Gramma Anderson–I remember her because she and I were roommates in the Rolla Hospital when
she broke her hip- I was 2nd or 3rd grade I think with ear infection. I
loved her — a tiny little lady that was fun to talk to even for a 9 year
old– I don’t think she ever came home after that- I could be wrong
though–
Posting from Lynda Parrill Jordan (’69): Yerington, NV
Gary,
Our family is having a 90th birthday open house for Mom (Marie Parrill) on June 15. I have attached a picture and the information for the open house. We would like to have this included in your blog if possible and at your convenience. The two great grandchildren in the picture are my grandchildren.
Thank you,
Lynda (Parrill) Jordan
Conroy’s Honored by the Dunseith Community
Posting from Don Martel (DHS Principal): Rosemount, MN
Hi Gary,
Perhaps this is something you would like to post in the blog.
Glad you’re back on line–we missed you! Back in the mid 40’s there was a snow storm that created road problems for several days. Two young boys (15-16 yrs. old) from the Mohall/Westhope area had stolen a car, made it almost to Dunseith when they became stuck in the snow. They were picked up by someone and ended up in the Dunseith jail. At that time we were using the firehouse/jail as a warming house for skating. We were about the age of these boys. We brought them donuts, candy, sodas, comic books and spent more time in the firehouse than we did on the skating rink. Frank Flynn took them to the cafe for their meals every day. Someone suggested we ask Mr. Flynn if he would take them to a new movie we were all planning to see. No one wanted to ask him. After much discussion, I believe it was Audrey Hassen who agreed to do the asking. Much to our surprise, he said he would do it. Mr. Flynn and the boys sat in the back row and all the rest of us sat two rows in front of them. Perhaps that could still happen in Dunseith, but I doubt that it would happen anyplace else. These two boys ended up in “Reform school”–I know–I got a letter from one of them and we corresponded for a short time.
Shirley Olson Warcup
Correction from Mona Dionne Johnson (48):
Correction as to dates – I said last part of 45 and spring of 46 and it
should have been the Fall of ’44 or the spring of ’45, as
Betty and Bob graduated in ’45. Sorry about that. Mona Dionne Johnson
From Bev Morinville Azure (72):
Gary, I am so glad u are back online………… we all miss each other when u are gone. I almost go through withdrawal. hahaha anyways I just wanted to say hi and thank u so much Gary for this wonderful service u do for us. I have found old friends like Joyce and Rita we were all very close friends in HS ………now have reconnected and will be getting togther in July. Thank u so much without u we would never have connected. I would also like to thank all of u again for all your well wishes while I was recovering and going through radaition . I am done now and starting to feel good again. thank u all again. Martha could u update us on Deans daughter and how she is doing? Dick u tell the greatest stories keep em coming please. thanks again Gary God Bless u and your family. Bev Azure ( Morinivlle)
From Diane Larson Sjol (70):
I had to chuckle when I read Dick’s rendition of braving the snow
storm just for kicks. I remember when it would be blowing and
storming. We couldn’t wait to go outside and walk through it even if
it was just in the backyard. My mom would have a fit. Of course it
took longer to bundle up than it did for us to stay outside and in
we’d come full of wet clothes and rosy cheeks ready for some hot
chocolate. I also loved the sight of Main street Dunseith in the
photo….sure brings back some fond memories.
From Dave Slyter (70):
Hi Gary:
Just an interesting question, I am sure that is on everyone’s minds. How many do you have on your list that you send these listings too? Have always wondered.
To Diane Larson (70)
You and your sister Cheryl, Dennis Dion, and Bev and Deb Mornville, didn’t really have to walk all the way out to Dales to get a Jumbo Burger as you could have stopped at Curt’s Drive Inn, or Patties Place right in town, as they too made them there at the Drive Inn. I was a cook there and made those things all the time. It was fun to make them as well as to eat them. Of course I would always try and make a mistake with one around dinner time as we always got to eat our own mistakes. ha
Thanks Gary for all your efforts.
Dave Slyter (70)
Dave, To answer your question. I currently have about 570 folks on the Dunseith Alumni email list. Some of those are dupes with spouses because I list everyone separately. The daily distribution goes out to about 520 folks. Gary
Picture Provided by Susan Fassett Martin (65):
Sophomore Class of 1945 (Class of 47)
First row; Eleanor Awalt, Lola Striker, Patty Mc Atee, Laverne Schick, Shirley Wentland, Doris Schneider, Darraine Habberstad, Jennine Watkins
Second row: Donna Aitchison, Alice Goodsell, Janice Striker, Delores Hiatt, Luella Halvorson, Mildred Brennan, Jean Metcalfe, Velma Brennan, Lorraine Christianson, Gloria Plante, Minnie Knox
Third row: Leo Murray, Leonard Stickland, Raymond Haagenson, Harvey Halvorson, Darrell Fassett, Dee Nelson, Wayne Molgard, Allison Fiske, Darald Dion, Llyle McDermott, Miss V. Marie Nesting, Advisor
