Lola Metcalfe
Reply from Aggie Casavant (’69):  Fort Mill, SC

Gary

I  too  was  saddened  and  taken  aback  by  Lola’s  passing.  Her  and  I  started  chatting  back  and  forth  about  a  year  ago, and  like  you  always  enjoyed  her  stories  on  the  blog  and  the  detail  in  which  she  wrote  them.  My  heart  goes  out  to  Jay and  his  family, and  all  her  brothers  and  sisters. She  was  faithful  in  making  those  trips  to  Kansas  to  see    her  daughter, son-in-law  and  those  grandbabies. She’s  going  to  be  missed  alot.  Aggie
Jim Wheeler and Lola Metcalfe
Reply from Brenda Hoffman (’68):  Greenville, SC

Oh no. So much sadness and death. Jim Wheeler, Lola and now Bernadette is not doing well. I’m so sorry.

In Memory of
JAMES R. “JIM” WHEELER 
1950 – 2015

James Robert Wheeler (Jim), 65, of Casper, passed away June 28, 2015 at Wyoming Medical Center in Casper.

Jim was born June 21, 1950 to James & Mildred (Graber) Wheeler in Oakes, N.D. When Jim was in the 5th grade, his family moved to Dunseith, N.D. where he helped run the family farm.

In 1968, Jim graduated from Dunseith High School and married his high school sweetheart, Holly (Myer) Wheeler.

In 1970, Jim became a Doctor of Motors when he graduated (3rd in his class) at Wahpeton State School of Science as a Diesel Mechanic.

Jim and Holly were married for 47 years, raised four children, Kandi, Shannon, Cindy and Angel, and spoiled 5 grandchildren and 2 great-granddaughters.
Throughout the years Jim worked rebuilding antique cars, as a diesel mechanic, farming and home remodeling. He owned Wheeler Construction in Casper, WY. He was a very successful home improvement contractor in Casper. Jim was respected by everyone for his superior quality and performance in his work.

Jim enjoyed the company of his family and friends, loved reminiscing, telling jokes, playing cards, hunting, fishing, camping, snowmobiling, exploring the mountains, working on old cars and gambling.

By 2005, Jim was critically ill with a rare lung disease, which forced him to quit working. He went thru numerous surgeries and had many pneumonias which on June 28, 2015 took his life.

Preceeding Jim in death was his dad, James Robert Wheeler, Sr.

Survivors include his wife, Holly of Casper; daughters, Kandi Kinney of Casper, Cindy Wheeler of Bozeman, MT, Angel Babcock of Wasilla, Alaska and son, Shannon Wheeler of Edgerton, WY; his mom, Mildred Wheeler of Bottineau, N.D.; brother, Richard Wheeler of Ronan, MT; sisters Sharon Sabbe of Surrey , N.D. and Judy Gagnier of Minot, N.D.; 5 grandchildren; 2 great-granddaughters and one on the way.

To share a special memory of Jim or to leave a message of condolence for his family press the share memories button above.

 

I inadvertently forgot to post Larry Hackman’s picture yesterday
Sorry about that Larry. Thanks for the story you posted yesterday too.
It was a real treat seeing you and your brother Henry at Dale’s too.

Clayton P Kjos (’39) Death
Posting from J.L. Vinie: Relative 

In trying to locate the name of Clayton’s wife, I ran across your blog.

Thought you’d want to know that Clayton passed away in 2010.

J.L. Vinje
Relative

Clayton P Kjos

Birth: Apr. 2, 19 Bottineau County North Dakota, USA Death: Jan. 3, 2010 Spokane Spokane County Washington, USA Three children: Ann Standiford; David J.; and, Jerry T.Four brothers & sisters: Burnen L. (#20820662); Lois P. Starr Karnes (#68853038); Eileen Morey; and, Donald P.

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Blog (325) posted on January 1, 2009

Reply from Gary Metcalfe (57):

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

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

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

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

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

Good morning Gary,

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

Marge Langan Wilcox

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

Wilbur Longie Family:

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

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

Reply from David Slyter (70): 

To Dick Johnson:

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

To Randy Hiatt:

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

Dave Slyter (70)

Reply from Sharron Gottbreht Shen (59): 

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

 

Reply from Allen Richard (65): 

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

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

Allen

 

Willie/Maxine Hiatt picture posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: 

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

Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: 

Jammin’ to the oldies      Minot Daily News: December 28, 2008

Frozen Fingers Music Association holds stage show, jam session

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe:

I know some of you know Claudia Harrison Trebas. Gary

Hi Everyone,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Neola

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

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

Hello folks,

I had a wonderful time in the Bottineau, Dunseith and the area. I saw lots and lots of folks. I had Breakfast most every morning at the bakery. Sitting at the locals community table I saw and visited with so many folks. There were days that I’d get there at 8 am and before I knew it, visiting with everyone, it was noon and time to eat dinner.

Our class of 65 50^th reunion went over well too. We started the day at John and Margaret Bedard’s, in the afternoon, with refreshments and a pontoon ride. Thank you John and Margaret for your gracious hospitality.  From there we went to our reunion banquet at the Birchwood, Lake Metigoshe. Henry Hackman and Ron Longie were sick and could not make the reunion banquet, but they were able to be at a little gathering we had at Dale’s the next day. With those two we had 15 folks attending. We graduated 27. Three have passed on, so there are 24 living.

My trip home went well. I arrived in Cebu on Tuesday 11:40 PM. It was about 12:40 AM when I got home. It was a 28 hour journey.

Benefit for Jay Vanorny
With Lola’s passing the decision was made to still have this benefit

 

Lola Metcalfe Vanorny (1968) Pasted away.

LOLA RENAE VANORNY
(August 21, 1950 – July 22, 201

 Lola Renae Vanorny, age 64 of Dunseith, died on Wednesday, July 22, 2015 in her home. Funeral services will be held on Monday, July 27, 2015 at 10:00 A.M. in the Peace Lutheran Church in Dunseith. Burial will be in the Little Prairie Cemetery, also of Dunseith. Visitation will be held on Sunday beginning at 4:00 P.M. in Peace Lutheran Church of Dunseith.

Lola Renae Vanorny, a daughter of Jim and Ella (Evans) Metcalfe, was born on August 21, 1950 at Bottineau. She was reared and educated North of Dunseith near the International Peace Gardens. On June 22, 1968 she was married to Jay Vanorny in Dunseith. After their marriage she began working at San Haven. Lola began working at Rolette County Social Service after San Haven closed. She worked over 20 years for Rolette County, retiring in 2013. Lola was the heart of the family farm and manager of the family business.

She was a member of Peace Lutheran Church, and the ladies organization within the church. Lola dedicated her life to caring for and helping others.

She is survived by her husband, Jay of Dunseith; daughter, Tina (Christian) Corley of Olathe, KS; sons, Jason (Monica) Vanorny of Des Moines, IA and Joe (Darci Nelson) Vanorny of Bottineau; 6 grandchildren; brothers, Gary Metcalfe of Branson, MO and Jim Metcalfe of Yuma, AZ; sisters, Geri Munro of Fargo, Margaret Leonard of Rolette and Patti Woods of Dunseith and her dog, Duke.

Preceded in death by her parents, sister, Helen; brother-in-laws, Chuck Leonard and Dwayne Coleman.

I was so saddened to hear of Lola’s Passing. She has contributed a lot to our blog too with her many postings. She had a great memory and enjoyed sharing her many memories of the past.

I was able to attend the viewing of Lola on Sunday afternoon too,  before leaving for Cebu the next morning. It was so nice seeing the Jim Metcalfe too. They are great folks, so friendly and nice.

Loosing Lola was pretty traumatic for the entire family, especially for Jay. Our prayers and condolences are with Lola’s entire family.

Gary

 

Ron Longie and Henry Hackman were ill the day before and were unable to attend our banquet, but were able to make our gathering at Dale’s the next evening.

It was so nice seeing Larry and Henry Hackman at Dale’s.

Not sure, but I think Larry ate the whole hamburger too.

Story from Larry Hackman (’66): lmhackman@bis.midco.net Bismarck, ND

Gary I started this story back when several people were sending in stories about their wood gathering and cutting days in the Turtle Mountains. I just never finished the thing. Doing some wood cutting over at my brother Henry’s reminded me .so I did a little work on it and forwarded it to you.  I hope the window is still open for another story.  I know you are in vacation and I didn’t want to bother you and was going to wait to send in to you after return to the PI.  But, after visiting with you up in Dunseith and you encouraging me to send it to you.  Here it is.  Hope you enjoy it. Open attachment for pictures.

Larry

Cutting and Hauling

By  LARRY  HACKMAN

They were the days.  I loved all the recent stories about getting the wood out, and then cutting it for use in the heaters and cook stoves.  It brought back a lot of great memories of great times.  On my younger days on the farm, in the fall of the year dad would haul tree trunks in a wagon pulled by the ford tractor or sleigh loads when there was snow, pulled by a team of horses.  Each tree trunk minus their branches and leaves, were about twenty to thirty feet long.  He would stack these tree trunks in a large pile about five or six foot high and about thirty foot wide in the farm yard, near to where he wanted to make the wood pile.  Then he would arrange for his brothers to come over and block up the wood.  Frank would bring over his 1949, A-John Deere that he bought new from Evans Hardware and John Deere Equipment in Dunseith, ND.  Frank had equipped the tractor with a front mounted buzz saw (a circular blade about three feet in diameter) powered by the tractor it was mounted on.

 

The photo shows a B-John Deere with a front mounted buzz-saw that is powered by the belt shown.  On the photo the belt is shown on a hanger for transport when moving the tractor.  When blocking up wood the belt is put around the pulley, on the side of the tractor, in front of the back wheel and pulled tight to power the saw.  When powered up the saw would sing, the buzz, whirrs song each time it sliced through the log, to make a new block of wood.  It seemed like the faster the men worked the faster the saw would cut.  There was the smell of fresh cut wood in the air along with noise of the saw, the popping of the John Deere and the laughing and joking voices of men as the wood pile grew larger.  In no time they were all gathered around the kitchen table for a meal and more visiting and more laughter. It has always seemed to me that the harder men work, the more they enjoy life!

Two or three Hackman Brothers would pick up tree trunk after tree trunk and feed them into the saw. The saw would whistle as it cut through the log.  A brother on the other side of the saw would catch the sawed off block of wood and throw it into the wood pile. During this procedure none of their feet would move.  The three men holding the log would sway back in forth in unison so as not to bind the saw blade.  If someone got out of time usually one of the brothers would growl (“If you want to play in the band”, probably not that term used, but I’m sure you get the idea?) at the other.  The fellow on the other side of the saw catching the block would just twist at the waist, catching the block before it fell, and toss it into the wood pile.  He also had to be in time with the other fellows feeding the tree trunk into the saw or the block of wood, would fall to the ground and you didn’t want to be bending down to pick up a dropped block with that buzz saw going, or you could end up with a crew cut like that Dick Johnson kid use to sport around town in his younger days, or worse.

I grew to love going after wood and cutting and splitting it for firewood.  As a teenager I would go up in the hills and help my uncles.  No chain saws in them days or at least they did not have any to use.  Everyone would just grab an ax and away we would go to find a good stand of timber.  My uncles always used a double bit ax to chop down trees.  If one blade got dull they would just flip it over in their hands and keep on chopping.  The axes that they gave us younger fellows to use were the single edged kind.  I guess they figured us young bucks had more energy to wear off anyway. I remember we would cut down so many loads of green trees (trees that were still growing),  and we would chop down and gather up so many loads of dead trees.  If you wanted a fast hot fire you used the dried out dead blocks of wood.  If you were going to town or away for the day you threw a large green block of wood in the heater and one in the cook stove. The green block would burn slow so that when you got home there would still be red hot ambers in the stove, you just had to add some dry split kindling to the stove or heater and in no time at all you had a nice warm house and the cook stove was ready to make a meal.

I moved my family to colorful, Colorado back in the 80’s and there I found heaven.  Everyone burned wood.  Friends and neighbors would get together, pick up some Kentucky fried Chicken and head for the mountains.  Everyone would pack their families in their pickups along with their chainsaws and what a time everyone had.  The men with their chain saws cutting down trees and helping each other load their trucks.  The women visiting and keeping a watchful eye on their men and the children, as they kept them all safe and separate from each group.  Picnicking together and visiting while the children were running everywhere and playing games.  We never lost a kid that I remember anyway.  I guess that’s a good thing?  When we arrived back in town we dropped the women and kids off at their homes to get the kids cleaned up and supper started.  We men would go and help each other unload the logs from their trucks into the backyards.  It defiantly was a full day of fun, work and good times.

Larry & Norris

Now, I don’t know if this is true or not but during the sixties there were a lot of young fellows sporting afro type hairdos.  A lot of young fellows were being swayed by that movement.  The story goes that Dick was thinking or actually was going in that direction.  Everyone knows that Dick’s dad took particular care with his appearance and as it should be, he expected his offspring to do the same.  Now, young Dick wasn’t paying too much attention to his dad in them days as most teen agers know it all, and don’t have to be told anything by anybody.  He just wasn’t listening! Don perplexed, informed his Dad, “Hans” about the situation and that he just didn’t care to have his son running around with a curly perm especially in the woods ,can you imagine the stuff a mop like that would pick up.  Can you imagine the job his mom would have checking for ticks?  Anyway as the story goes, Dick’s Grandpa Hans told Don that he thought he had a way to handle the situation and that he would see how it goes.  Well Grandpa Hans took young Dick out to the wood pile one day and started up the John Deere, the B-John Deere with the front mounted buzz saw.  His Grandpa had young Dick catching cobs (I guess, cobs is a Norwegian term for wood blocks).  Well Grandpa Hans just knew a few tricks about sawing wood and let one of them cobs fall to the ground, when young Dick least expected it.  Dick bent down without much thought, to catch that cob and well-a a crew cut. After that whenever Dicks hair started getting a little long there was always some wood to be blocked up for the long cold winter. I don’t know if Dick ever caught on or not? (From an unapproved source).

I still enjoy cutting wood.  I always have my chain saw in the tool box in the back of my pickup just in a case an opportunity would present itself. Well guess what?  The other night my wife and I were invited over to my Brother Henry’s for supper (dinner-whatever) and afterward we went outside as it was a beautiful evening in North Dakota, (a slight breeze without mosquitoes).  He was showing me a project he had been working on for the last few weeks by himself.  An elm tree that had died in his backyard needed to come down.  He had removed all the branches and the lone tree trunk was just standing there doing nothing, about 2 ft. in diameter and about thirty ft. tall.  Well, I just walked off to my pickup and got out my trusty old McCulloch chainsaw and with about two pulls it started.  I was amazed as I haven’t used it for years.  Well, I went back into Henry’s backyard  and took care of that tree.  Which should have been a fifteen minute job, however, took over an hour.  Well, you know whenever you do something outside in town it becomes a spectator participating job.  I patiently waited for Henry to explain to each neighbor and passerby before starting the chain saw in between the conversations. Anyway that old tree trunk hit the ground with a huge thud that even surprised me and a few of the neighbors, but I had it cut up in manageable chunks in no time.  I love it!

It use to be that whenever I got the urge to knock down a few trees, I use to jump in my truck with the chain saw in the tool box and take trips up to the old farmstead in the Turtle Mountains. I guess I was doing it, a little more often than I thought as people began calling me, “Chain Saw Larry”.  So I quit!  Now, they just call me Larry.  Keep on laughing!

Dick Johnson’s reply to Larry

Larry,

Most of it is almost, somewhat,  kinda, a little bit–true.  We all still have our thumbs and fingers,  as far as I know,  but it’s really a wonder with the way the old buzz saw blade was whistling just inches from our hands.
Dick

Larry Hackman’s message to Mel Kuhn.

Mel

You are little more familiar with with this than I am.  What is almost,somewhat, kinda, a little bit—true.

Is that Norvegian speak for something  Maybe you could enlighten the rest of us?

Larry

 

Stone Masonic Lodge and United Methodist Church
Purchased by Melvin L. Nokleby: l

 Dear Gary

My name is Melvin L. Nokleby, and we were able to buy the beautiful stone Masonic Lodge and United Methodist Church in Dunseith, as we wanted to preserve this great building for the city, community , county, and state. We are at the present, doing our best, to put on a new roof. paint, and restore, much of the inside of the building. It is our wish to get pictures, stories, and the like, of meetings held there, such as weddings, funerals, local, city  and lodge meeting over the past 103 years.  We would like, to have these items, so families friends and visitors, may come in and see, and read about much of the history that took place, in this beautiful building. We want this building, to be  a drawing point for many, and make the city of Dunseith and the surrounding community proud. If you and others can get the word out, it would be such  a great help to us.

You can contact me  by phone 760-485-1078  or lnokleby@dc.rr.com

Thank You

Melvin L. Nokleby

We do not expect people just to hand over, pictures and the like, and would pay for prints made, unless they would like to have them placed in this Historic building.

 

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Blog (323) posted on December 31, 2008

 

Birthday party for Winifred Eurich and Dorothy Pritchard – Posted by Jean Eurich Roland (80): 

Good morning and a belated Christmas greeting to you and your family! The Season this year is reminiscent of Christmas’ years ago…the snow fall that is!  In Minot we received another 5 inches last night. I’m not sure what our season accumulation is so far but the snow banks along my driveway are higher than my car and I had snow banks as high removed earlier this month!

I thought I might use the Dunseith Alumni blog to make an announcement. My sisters (Eileen Nelson, Mary Knutson, Sharon Hanson and Dorothy Strietzel) and I are hosting a birthday party/card shower for our Mom, Winifired Eurich, and our aunt, Dorothy Pritchard, on Sunday, January 4, 2009.  In January Mom will be 90 and Aunt Dorothy will be 96 – both are residents of St. Andrew’s Health Center Long Term Care in Bottineau.  We’ll serve cake and coffee from 2-4; for those who can’t make it, cards may be sent to them at 316 Ohmer Street, Bottineau, ND  58318.

Thanks so much and Happy New Year!

Regards – Jean (Eurich) Roland

Jean, It’s so wonderful that you gals are having a birthday party for your mother and Dorothy. They are both great ladies and are well known in the Dunseith/Bottineau communities. I visited Dorothy when we were back in 2007 and I last saw your mother at my mother’s funeral in July of 2004. They are sharp ladies.  Gary

Reply from Vickie Hiatt LaFontaine (73): 

I loved the little poem about North Dakota, I remember the looks on my girls faces the first time I told them ” you know its really cold when your nose sticks together when you take a breath ” Its amazing they are all grown up and I still get that look when I say somethings go figure.  I enjoy the stories of gamble store.  I worked in the store when dad owned it and what a sales person I was, just ask David Fugure.  He came one evening for a case of shells and I was going to sell him the box which he explained to me was 12 cases. Thank God he was honest our I’m sure Norman Hiatt would of had a heart attack. Another time I was left to do the weekly ordering and I orderes 100 of potting soil.  Well guess what I ordered 1oo cases not 100 bags, Well I didnt get fired but I did make him laugh and swear at the same time.  I hope all of you have a wonderful New Year Vickie Hiatt LaFontaine

 

From Sybil Johnson: 

HAPPY NEW YEAR, to all you from North Dakota. This pictures were fabulous. For all those who lost loved ones this year, I send my condolences. I must

say, I don’t miss your winters. The winters down here in Wyoming are enough for me. Keep warm and safe.

Sybil Johnson

 

Reply from Bill Hosmer (48):

GARY,  YOU BROKE THE CODE ON THE CONFUSION OF WHICH YEAR. IT WAS BOTH, OF COURSE.  MAYBE THERE IS A WAY TO MAKE THAT CLEAR, ALTHOUGH THE INTEREST IN THE MATTER IS ALWAYS FLATTERING.  THANKS FOR A BLOG WITH REAL INTEGRITY.  BILL HOSMER

 

Reply from Gary Morgan (54): 

Gary and All,
Dick Johnson was right when he said it really doesn’t matter what year The Thunderbirds buzzed Dunseith.  It was a wonderful gesture and will forever be a part of Dunseith lore.  I think they did appear in Minot in 1961 and that was probably Bill’s only point of reference.  I figure anyone who has flown 240 combat flights is entitled.
According to Google, the Cuban Missle Crisis was in 1962 but later in the fall.
We hope to get out of here today to spend at least three months in Mesquite, NV but we got dumped on again last night and travel is questionable.  For sure I’m going to have to blow out my driveway before I can go anywhere.  That will be the ninth time this winter.  Anyway, I think my internet goes down tomorrow so I’ll probably be out of touch for awhile but keep those emails coming, Gary.
Hoping you all have a prosperous and healthful 2009!

Gary Morgan

Follow up reply from Gary Morgan:

Gary & All,

One last side note while I’m snowbound on the banks of Lake Sakakawea…..when I was looking for that article on the Thunderbirds, I needed help to make a copy from the microfilm.  The fellow from the State Library expressed surprise that there wasn’t more of a write up for such a momentous event.  He wasn’t aware, of course, that at least at that time, if Dunseith was to get any recognition for anything, it certainly wasn’t going to be from the Rolla paper.

Gary Morgan

Gary, All three local papers gave us great support with our 2007 reunion, however, I have to agree with you for their lack of Dunseith coverage back in the 60’s. Something as significant as the famous Thunderbirds buzzing Dunseith should have been big front page head lines, with or without pictures. I’m sure some folks must have had a few pictures that could have been published.  I’m surprised that the Minot daily didn’t pick it up either. In today’s environment, I’m sure this event would have been front page news in all of the papers.  For the 40’s & 60’s to present ‘ Turtle Mountain Stars’  are published on the WEB.  I was very surprised when I could not find anything at all in the achieved papers about this event other than what was mentioned in the Dunseith News section submitted by Marlene Armentrout. Gary

 

The following are replies to the Getzlaff Photo posted in Blog (286) on 11/18/08 by Neola Kofoid Garbe: 

 

Identities for the Getzlaff photo from Marsha Getzlaff Bakken (74): 

Hi,

Sorry it has taken me so long.  Row 1 siting:  left to right

Marilyn, Marlis, Cora Delvina, Row 2 (dad) Darrell, Grandma Lillian, Grandpa Walter, Alvin Row 3: Darwin, Myron, Gloria, Norman, Virgil

I will send more information later just wanted to get this to you.

Thanks Marsha (Getzlaff) Bakken

Reply from Ron Link (58): 

Gary: If my memory serves me right I believe the 1st man in the middle row is Darrel Getzlaff. I can remember his face but sometimes the name is not quite as easy to recall. RON LINK-1958

Reply from Bobby Slyter (70): 

gary: i am thinking that the first guy in middle row of the getzloff picture is darrell getzloff, his kids are lester and marsha getzloff, they lived just south of dunseith when we lived there JUST LITTLE OLE  ME FROM KANSAS

Reply from Dick Johnson (70): djcars@srt.com

Gary,

The guy on the left in the middle row is Darrel Getzlaff. He has been a
‘fixture’ at Dale’s since the 50s. He still drives the bulk truck  and
delivers fuel. Of the gals, I only knew Gloria. One of the bearded guys
was in Dunseith for a while in the mid 60s and I only knew him by the
nickname, ‘Sonny’. I don’t know if he is Mike, who works for the
Bottineau Courant, or if it is the other guy with the beard. Someone has
to know–out of your 600+ readers! Thanks Gary!

Dick

Reply from LeaRae Parrill Espe (67): 

Getzlaff family picture:  I can identify some of them.  Back row-Darwin, Mike (Turk), Gloria Hagen, Norman.  Center Row-Darrell, Lillian, Walter.  Front Row:  I don’t believe I know any of these sisters.

Darrell worked at Dale’s Truck Stop for years.  All of his kids attended DHS.  Marsha, Lester, and Arlinda are three of his children and I believe I am missing some (Kevin?). (Sorry I can’t think of the others right off hand-someone help me out!) Arlinda is married to Allan Suchan and they live near Botno.

Darwin died of a sudden heart attack when he was very young.  His wife Phyllis (Jenson )babysat for my oldest son Brady.  Their son Curt was the Brady’s hockey coach for several years.  Curt lives just a couple miles east of Bottineau on Hwy 5 and has his John Deere repair business there.

Turk or Mike was the editor of the Bottineau Courant for a number of years.  He was also the main one to cover the sports.  I think he retired for that job around five years ago.

Norman now lives on the town line North a Botno.  He is married to Phyllis’ sister Margaret (Jenson).  They were one of the first places on the right side at the crest of the first hill as one heads North. They have it lookin’ good with all the trees and the landscaping they have done.

I believe most of the hillbillies know Gloria (Mrs. Orville Hagen).  She passed away from colon cancer about three years ago.  Her daugher Kristie Brooks now teaches in Bottineau.  I got to know Gloria when she was an aide at Bottineau School.  She worked at San Haven for many years prior to that.

Someone else will have to identify the other sisters.

Identities provided by  Marsha (Getzlaff) Bakken:
Row 3: Darwin, Myron, Gloria, Norman, Virgil
Row 2: (dad) Darrell, Grandma Lillian, Grandpa Walter, Alvin
Row 1: siting:  Marilyn, Marlis, Cora, Delvina

Folks,

I am departing for the States tomorrow, Friday, July 3^rd. I will be returning July 27^th. During this time I will not be posting any Blogs. I can always be reached on Face Book and email. My primary email address is gws123456@hotmail.com  also gws123456@gmail.com. They are both good.  

I will be staying with my brother Darrel (Bud) and his wife Debby in Bottineau. Their phone number is (701) 228-2190. I will be getting a Mobile number too, when I get there, that I will be posting on Face Book. Not sure if I can get it on the 4^th, if not, for sure on the 5^th.  

Looking forward to seeing many of you folks with this trip back. As before, I plan on eating breakfast most every morning at the Bottineau Bakery.

Tomorrow will be long day. I depart Cebu at 8:00 AM Friday with a 3 hour layover in Japan, a 6 hour layover in Minneapolis, arriving in Minot at 9:30 PM on July 3^rd.  25 ½ hours total.  It will be nearly midnight when I get to Bottineau. I have a rental car reserved with Enterprise.

Gary

 

Happy 74^th  Birthday!  June 29^th. Shirley (LaRocque) Wendt class of 1959 Dunseith
From your sister Ginger LaRocque Poitra (’65):  Belcourt, ND

 

Happy Birthday Shirley LaRocque Wendt (’59):  Tukwila, WA

   

Happy Birthday Donna Wenstad (’75): Amado, AZ

 

Virgil Landsverk passed away

https://www.facebook.com/ThompsonLarsonFuneralHome

Thompson-Larson Funeral Home

Virgil Landsverk, 76, Minot, ND, passed away Thursday, June 25, 2015, in his home surrounded by his loving family.

Virgil Oliver Landsverk was born was born on August 13, 1938, a son of Nels and Gertie (Rispa) Landsverk, in Bottineau, ND. Virgil was baptized at the Salem Lutheran Church and later confirmed at the Rendahl Lutheran Church. He was reared on the family farm in the Turtle Mountains and attended Beaver Dam and Willow Lake Country Schools.

Virgil’s employment included working at a service station in Bottineau, on the oil rigs, and as a construction worker and heavy equipment operator for various companies; some of whom were Strukness, Bechtold Paving, Mattson, Mikkelson Brothers, and Wanzek, from which he retired.

Virgil married Verginia LeAnne Latendresse on April 24, 1971, in Upham. They have two children, Michael and Kelli.

He enjoyed watching television, especially Lawrence Welk, the Gaither’s, Antiques Road Show, and game shows. He also enjoyed talking on the phone with his family and friends, and spending time with his grandkids.

Virgil is survived by his wife of 44 years, Verginia LeAnne Landsverk, Minot; son, Michael of Minot, daughter, Kelli (Devon) Dyck of Rugby, granddaughters, Kayleigh and Arianna, grandson, Charles; brothers, Elwood (Linda) of Minot, David of Bottineau, Leland of Bottineau; sisters, Sharon Beckman of Bottineau and Barb (Larry) Lawrence of Bottineau; sisters-in-law, Connie Landsverk of Bottineau and Aggie Landsverk of Salina, CA; brother-in-law Corky (Ida) Latendresse of Minot; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Evelyn; brothers, Bruce, Arlan, Darrel, Roger and Kenneth; grandson Little Virgil Gayle; and niece, Elizabeth Landsverk.

Memorial Service: Friday, July 3, 2015, at 1:00 p.m. at Bible Fellowship Church, 1720 4th Ave NW, Minot.

Interment: Rendahl Cemetery, rural Dunseith, ND.

Visitation: There will be no reviewal, but friends may sign the register book Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot.

Joke of the day
Posted by Mel Kuhn (’70):  St. John, ND

Cletus is passing by Billy Bob ‘s hay barn one day when, through a gap in the door, he sees Billy Bob doing a slow and sensual striptease in front of an old John Deere tractor. 

Buttocks clenched, he performs a slow pirouette, and gently slides off first the right strap of his overalls, followed by the left. He then hunches his shoulders forward and in a classic striptease move, lets his overalls fall down to his hips, revealing a torn and frayed plaid shirt. 

Then, grabbing both sides of his shirt, he rips it apart to reveal his stained T-shirt underneath. With a final flourish, he tears the T-shirt from his body, and hurls his baseball cap onto a pile of hay.

Having seen enough, Cletus rushes in and says, “What the world’re ya doing, Billy Bob?”

“Good grief, Cletus, ya scared the bejeebers out of me,” says an obviously embarrassed Billy Bob.

“But me ‘n the wife been havin trouble lately in the bedroom d’partment, and the therapist suggested I do something sexy to a tractor.”

(Don’t make me come ‘splain this to you!)