Happy Birthday Vickie Hiatt LaFontaine (’73): Grafton, ND

Randy Kelly (’69)

Former St, Paul Mayor and former Personal staff of President George W. Bush.

I am sure most of you know or have heard of Randy Kelly. Randy’s mother was a Fauske, sister to Elwood Fauske and Lydia Fauske LaCroix. Randy was with the DHS class of 1969. His family moved to the twin cities before he graduated. From what I understand, Randy spend a lot of his childhood days staying with the Ernest and Lydia LaCroix family west of Dunseith.

Anyway, what brings Randy’s name into the picture is at our Cebu Expat dinner last night at the Marco Polo, one of our newer members told me he was from St. Paul. So I asked him if he knew Randy Kelly and of course he did. He wasn’t sure if Randy would remember him, even though he had run for a Legislature office in Randy’s district. Last night when I got home I zapped Randy a message with this guy’s name and  picture and Randy knows him.  Small world. With Randy having been a past Mayor of St. Paul, I was nearly 100% positive this guy would know who Randy is and he did. Not being from the Twin Cities area he was very surprised when I brought up Randy’s name.

Gary

DHS 68 Prom – Randy Kelly and Toni Morinville

Jack Flynn Memories
Reply from Bob Lykins (60’s HS teacher):  Hutto, TX.

Gary,

I was deeply saddened to read of Jack Flynn’s passing.  Jack and Minnie were among our very first friends in Dunseith.  They took us into their hearts and helped us to not only adjust to living in a new community but also married life as we were newly-weds when we first lived there.  Jack had the greatest sense of humor and many a laugh was shared at the American-Canadian Bar when Jack was there.  His stories and photos of his experiences during WWII and his participation in the liberating of some of the concentration camps was so interesting and enlightening to a young man who’s passion was, and still is, history.  With his passing another part of the “greatest generation” is lost to the future.  My sympathies go out to Minnie and the family.  This is one man who will certainly be missed.

Bob Lykins
Francis Peter (Jack) Flynn

Born: July 15, 1921
Died: September 25, 2015

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FRANCIS PETER (JACK) FLYNN

Francis Peter “Jack” Flynn, age 94 of Dunseith, died Friday, September 25, 2015 in the VA Hospital in Fargo. A memorial service will be held on Friday October 2, 2015 at 2:00 P.M. in the Peace Lutheran Church of Dunseith. Cremation has taken place. There will be no visitation.

Jack was born July 15, 1921 Fonda, ND (east of Rolette) to Hugh Francis “Frank” and Mathilda (Marcotte) Flynn, the youngest of five children. Jack grew up in Rolette County and attended country school and then Rolette Public School, graduating in 1938. As a kid he worked at many jobs including Billy Murry’s pool hall in Rolette and for area farmers. He was a truck driver in the CCC camp at Kramer, ND and was part of their champion North Dakota basketball team, winning over Montana and South Dakota teams. His service in World War II was operating big radar equipment and truck driving in the U. S. Army from 1942 to 1945. His division landed in North Africa and made their way north through Europe. At the end of the war, they were among those liberating Dachau concentration camp.

Returning to the United States, he settled with his parents in Dunseith. He had jobs at a cream station, bakery in carpentry, and at gas stations before many years at American- Canadian Bar. He was a member of American Legion and other veterans organizations. He often reminisced about playing on the 1947 ND Independent Basketball team champions. Jack loved life and his family, growing crops and gardens, all sports, and was a fan of Barbershop Quartet music. Jack loved life and his family, growing crops and gardens, as well as all sports (Go TWINS!!). He was an ardent supporter of Dunseith baseball. He was a fan of Barbershop Quarter music. In his 90’s he raised pigs and chicken in an unused grain bin.”

Jack married Minnie Knox Dec. 28, 1948. They made their home in Dunseith and later Willow Lake Township on their farm.

Jack’s family: wife, Minnie, Dunseith; daughters, K. Jacqueline Richard, Dunseith and Jill(Larry) Tinjum, Powers Lake; son: Randy(Laurice)Flynn, Happy valley , Oregon. Grandchildren: Patrick(Elizabeth) Richard, Brooke(Garrett) Silbernagel, Richard Tinjum, John (Tally) Tinjum, Stephanie(Carter) Fong, Sonja Tinjum, Wyman(Liza) Flynn, Greir Flynn, Rio Flynn. Great-grandchildren: Julia, Autumn, Brody, Karys, Kolie, Sydney, and Parker and two nieces; Marlene Jorgenson and Tara Martinson and a nephew; Tim Martinson.

Preceded in death by family: parents-Frank and Mathilda Flynn, brother-Harold Flynn,
sisters- Evelyn Foster, Isabelle Burgan, and Pearl Martinson.

The family requests memorials to the American Legion Foundation.

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 Print ObituaryView Guest Book Entries 

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Blog (357) posted on February 1, 2009

02/01/2009

Posted on February 1, 2009

      Happy Birthday Shelley Hiatt Kenner: Devils Lake, ND

     Happy Birthday Robin Olson (‘79): Walla Walla WA

Phyllis Campbell, Dick and Brenda Johnson
Posting from Rich Campbell (’68): Minot, ND

How ironic.  Visiting Mom at the Bethel Nursing Home in Stanley today and heard familiar music coming from the activity area.  It was Dick & Brenda and their new friend Carl (Dakota Drifters).  By the time I brought Mom down they had finished.  We did have a good visit.  Mom sure enjoyed seeing them.

Rich Campbell

Jack Flynn’s Obituary
Posting from LeaRae Parrill Espe (’67): Bottineau, ND

Jack Flynn passed away.  A short notice is on the Nero Funeral Home Web site.  The family submitted the full obituary and I expect it will be on there sometime tomorrow.  The service will be at Peace Lutheran on Friday at 2PM.  Thanks, LeaRae

Gary’s reply

LeaRae, I just checked and his obit is not yet posted. I will post the full Obituary when Nero’s have it posted. I have posted the short notice below.

Our condolences are with Minnie and all of Jack’s family with his passing. Jack will be missed, that is for sure.
Francis Peter (Jack) Flynn
Born: July 15, 1921
Died: September 25, 2015

Send Flowers

FRANCIS PETER (JACK) FLYNN

Francis Peter “Jack” Flynn, age 94 of Dunseith, died Friday, September 25, 2015 in the VA Hospital in Fargo. A memorial service will be held on Friday, October 2, 2015 at 2:00 P.M. in the Peace Lutheran Church of Dunseith. Cremation has taken place. There will be no visitation.

Send Sympathy Card 

 Print ObituaryView Guest Book Entries 

Posting from Ginger LaRocque (’65):  Belcourt, ND

Hey,  Gary

Tonight the moon is red.

It is very pretty.

We had a beautiful fall day, the olden days fall.

Take care,

Ginger

Gary’s Reply

Ginger, We are partly overcast with 90f and the Relative Humidity at 48%. Our average high is 88 to 92f year around. The lows are in lower 80’s. I don’t own a coat or any long sleeve over garments here. I really like it being summer year around.

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Blog (356) posted on January 31, 2009

Bernice Belgarde (72):

Bernice, Enabling folks can contact you, I forgot to post your email address with message yesterday’s blog.  Sorry about that.  Gary
Folks, I recieved the following messages from Vickie Metcalfe that Denise Lajimodiere sent to her, Dick Johnson & Ginger LaRocque Poitra.  Bernice Belgarde forwarded Denise the daily blog messages with the stories of Alcide Lajimodiere. Gary

Denise Lajimodiere’s reply to Vickie, Ginger & Dick: 

Hi you all!

Berniece Belgarde has sent me your emails and information you wrote about Alcide Lajimodiere. His grandfather, Modeste Lajimodiere had three wives and 21 chlidren. I have all the family geneaology – if I can find the folders, I’ve moved and packed them safely away, and can tell who his parents were. My father, Leo Lajimodiere, called him his cousin, and never seemed to have much to do with him, so I never got to know him. Modeste was first cousin to Louis Riel, of Canada fame. His father, Joseph had to flee Canada when Riel was hanged, and that is how we migrated to Dunseith area – Modeste took out a homestead north of Dunseith.

Alcide is buried with the other Lajimodiere’s in Dunseith.

I love the stories you have told, thank you so much, keep them coming if you have others!  So many of the Lajimodiere men here in the states and in Canada never had children. With my moving to Fargo there are now no one living in the T.Mts. with our last name. There are many that live in Winnipeg and Wallhalla.

Does anyone have a photo of him?

Denise K. Lajimodiere
2219 4th Ave. S
Moorhead, MN 56560

Vickie Metcalfe’s reply to Denise:

Denise, Over the years I have asked lots of folks about photos ofAlcide but no one has a photo. Thank you so much for sharing your

information information. I will keep you in my address book. If I
hear anything more.
I recalled you telling me about the Lajimodere connection to Louis
Riel. Two cousins and I about 4 years ago visted the Riel house in
Manitoba while we visited St. Agathe where my great grandmother
Celina Morin LeDuc was born.
Is it ok if I send your information in to the Gary Stokes website?
Thanks so much! I hope you’re having a good life. Vickie
—
Vickie L. Metcalfe

Denise Lajimodiere’s reply to Vickie:

I am currently in a dream job as professor in Educational Leadership at NDSU Fargo. I don’t like Fargo, but I love my job and my house in Moorhead. I head home to Belcourt/Dunseith as often as I can. I got my doctorate in 2006 from UND.
Please send any info anywhere – the more the merrier. Who is Gary Stokes?  I have long contemplated doing a little chap book on the Lajimodiere history here in the states. We fled Manitoba after Riel was hanged. Some returned but my family decided to camp in the Turtle Mountains. At the 200 year anniversary bash of Jean-Babtiste Lagimodiere and Marie-Ann Gaboury in Winnipeg in 2006, most Lajimodiere’s there did not know there were a lot of us in the states.

The historian there said I had the most complete family history of any he had seen. He is doing a huge book on the 20,000 current descendants of JB Lajimodiere.

What are you up to?

Happy Birthday Brenda Hiatt from your brother Bobby Slyter (70): 

Gary: today is my sister brenda’s birthday (1-23-55) could you possibly post this for me, thanks for all that you do for us, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY SIS LOVE YA

Happy Belated birthday Brenda. We are hoping you had a good one.

Bobby, For some reason this message went into my spam folder and I didn’t catch it until today.  Sorry about that.  Gary

Ele Dietrich Slyter’s (69) reply to Leroy Burcham’s picture posted by Randy Hiatt

Enjoyed the pic very much.  Leroy looks so very much like Norman to me as he ages.   The Birklands and my Dad were cousins and I try to stay in touch with Jim and Ruby as they are living closest to me, but I’m afraid I don’t do a very good job at it, as we usually see each other either in the grocery store or clinic.  Richard and I get teased a bit about being related BEFORE we got married because Leroy was married to Delores Hiatt.  Such a small small world.   Reply from Bobby Slyter (70):  TO RANDY HIATT: GREAT PICTURE OF LEROY AND HIS WIFE, DID NOT KNOW THAT HE HAD GOTTEN MARRIED AGAIN, THE FARM SURE HAS CHANGED SINCE DAD HAD IT, YOU SHOULD HAVE STOPPED TO VISIT AS DADS GRANDDAUGHTER (MY NEICE) (RICHARDS DAUGHTER) AND HER HUSBAND OWN IT NOW, HAVE ALWAYS BEEN GREATFUL THAT IT STAYED IN THE FAMILY   JUST LITTLE OLE  ME FROM KANSAS   A little winter humor, for all the snow this year, From Julie Hiatt Bonebrake (81): You know you’ve had enough ofwinter when you see this while walking thru the park! Julie

Fugere Twins
Happy birthday Debbie Fugere Fauske (’75): Minot, ND
Happy birthday Diane Fugere (’75): Burlington, ND

Reply from Ginger LaRocque Poitra (’65):  Belcourt, ND

I certainly enjoy reading the blog,  but I understand why you are unable to at times.

You do so much for all of us,  so diligently getting this blog to us as often as you do.  There is not to many people would have the stamina you have.

God bless you Gary for making so many people happy by sacrificing so much of your time,  your one in a million! !

You have to be enjoying it! Right?

Ginger

Gary’s Reply.

Thank you so much Ginger for the nice comments. Bernadette’s condition is demanding more of my time these days too. That combined with other groups that I coordinate, there are days that I am an not able to get the blog posted.

When I came out to the office about 30 minutes ago, Bernadette was sleeping in her recliner. At the moment none of our help is here, so it is me alone. Novie will be here later on. Anyway a few minutes ago Bernadette was calling me. When I went in the house she said “I just cannot take it anymore. I am saying my good byes to you and checking out. I don’t want to be around anymore”. After getting her calmed down some I went and got Edelyn to assist her taking a shower and getting dressed of which she is doing now.

Having just gotten out of the shower and dressed, Bernadette has calmed down and is OK now.

Dakota Drifters Performing at the Hostfest with Dick/Brenda Johnson & Carl Kannianen
Posting from Dick Johnson (’68):  Dunseith, ND

Gary and Friends,

We’re heading to the Hostfest next week.  Our new group “Dakota Drifters” will be playing at the Reykjavik Hall every day at 9 a.m. and 2:45 p.m.  We always enjoy the Hostfest and meet so many nice folks.

The Hostfest website also has our bio and schedule at this link.

http://hostfest.com/entertainment/dakota-drifters/
<cid:part1.00030705.01020209@hughes.net>

We will still perform as Highway 43 when Ron Hett is back in the summers, but most of the time we’ll now be performing as the Dakota Drifters.  Our friend Carl Kannianen from Stanley, ND is a fantastic lead guitar player and loves old traditional country music like we do.

We also have another new member, Toby Nelson from Minot who will be joining us on the drums for the Hostfest.  We hope to see some of our friends in the audience.  Please feel free to stop by for a visit after any of our sets.  We sure would enjoy that! Thanks Gary!

Dick

DAKOTA DRIFTERS

This trio is made up of Dick and Brenda Johnson from the Turtle Mountains in north central North Dakota and Carl Kannianen from the Stanley area. All three are home grown self-taught musicians who really enjoy country music.

Carl farms in the Stanley area and has played the guitar for many years. He found out early in life that he enjoyed music. He sings harmony on several songs and also does vocals. Carl has a unique style of picking and his instrumentals are fabulous.

Dick farms near the International Peace Garden. He has been involved with music from the time he was young. He plays guitar and handles most of the vocals. He is known to favor Merle Haggard and Johnny Cash songs and always includes a few Norwegian jokes to keep things lively.

Brenda works for the North Dakota Forest Service in Bottineau. She started playing the standup bass just a few years ago. She keeps the group organized and is always looking for new “old” material. She and Dick have played and entertained together for several years.

This group plays a variety of country, gospel, rock-a-billy, and even some rock and roll. So if you like Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Chet Atkins and other similar old time music you’ll enjoy hearing this group perform.

Barn Picture
Reply from Kenny Nerpel (’65):  Rugby, ND

The picture that Mel mentioned in the last post was actually taken in 2004.  I probably didn’t share it until 2010.  We just happened to be passing by it on a day when the wind was changing directions and thought that the reflection would make a nice picture.  It’s not looking so good now, but time marches on.

Kenny

Mel Kuhn / Larry Hackman
Posting from Dick Johnson (’68):  Dunseith, ND

Gary and Friends,

Mel Kuhn says he was overwhelmed with the intelligence Larry Hackman expounded at the birthday party.  I’m still trying to understand why I don’t find that odd?  Mel said Larry took a picture of him at the church but I bet he doesn’t know the real reason for that either? Larry will be showing his pals that picture back in Bismarck just to prove that it’s true that he really does know some hillbillies from the Turtle Mountains. I think what Mel might be referring to with my superior intelligence is just that when I have had a few beers, I am able to describe–in detail–things that I can’t fully even understand when I’m sober.

That’s a good reason to have another beer just to see how brilliant I can actually get.  One of my old friends said he would have been a doctor right now if he hadn’t been quite so smart when he got out of high school.  I don’t know,  a couple beers and it comes right back.

Thanks Gary!

Dick

Larry/Henry Hackman & Dick Johnson
Reply from Mel Kuhn (’70): 

Dick,

Low and behold and much to my surprise at about 7:30 this evening Larry and Henry Hackman come a knocking on my door. This time I don’t think they were lost. They actually seemed to know where they were. They said they had been over at your place before they decided to come here. They said they had been at your place at about supper time but you didn’t offer to feed them. I took this as a sign that they were hungry. Kathy had been baking all day for the fall supper at the church tomorrow and she let us have one of the apple pies [I think she’s gonna make me pay $10.00 for it]. A piece of that pie and a cup of coffee seemed to bring them around. They were grateful that I gave them their pie on a real plate but they wondered if they would have to wash them so that I wouldn’t get into trouble for having to go buy some new plates. They remembered me having to do that while Kathy was gone on vacation and I ran out of dishes while she was gone and had to buy some new ones so that I had something to eat on. This was before she had told about paper plates. Who ever heard of such a thing? Anyway I guess they’ve been touring through the Turtle Mountains these past few days just a stopping and visiting with people from Bottineau to St. John. It was a good visit and we all got to tell some lies [mostly Larry] and maybe Kathy. Well it’s getting late in the evening and I have to cook a turkey for the church supper tomorrow so I should call it a day. I still have to go catch one somewhere yet. I’ve got my dog watching for one so maybe with a little luck he’ll get one by morning. He’s kind of like Larry, does his best hunting in the dark. Later.

Mel
 

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Blog (355) posted on January 30, 2009

Gary and Friends,

Today we got hooked up to DSL, so things are good! My new email address is :

With the many folks reading this blog, I thought it would be a good
place to post this change. Please change my address folks so I don’t
miss your individual messages. Thanks!

Dick

Gary’s Reply:
Dick, Because so many folks do not have high speed internet, many of which do not have it available to them, I keep the daily postings relatively small in file size. I try to keep them less than 500 KB.  You will enjoy the faster internet service.  Gary

From Bernice Belgarde (72):

Hi Gary.

I cannot find the newsletter that told the story of Alcide Lajimodere.  It might have been #347 but I cannot retrieve it because my delete file cleared out my deletions too soon.  Can you resend me the article on Alcide?  Denise Lajimodere would like to know who wrote the article.  I sent her the story but did not put in the email the narrator of this story. I just want to say chi mii-gwitch (a big thank you) for providing us the history of Dunseith, ND.  I lived a different life in Dunseith coming from a native american home and I know a lot of the people there.  My life as a youth and teenager does different from what the white students and people did there.  Yet it is very interesting to see how they seen life in Dunseith.

Bernice Belgarde – Class of 1972

Bernice, It’s great hearing from you!  I found those messages and forwarded them to you. I’m assuming Denise would be related to Alcide?  Vickie Metcalfe phrased it so well with her phrasing, in a message quite some time ago, of the multi cultures that we had growing up going to school in Dunseith.  Gary

Reply from Susan Fassett Martin (65):

Gary Metcalfe mentioned Elaine Watkins.   She was born Jan 1st 1938 to Helen Amundson and Roy Watkins.  She was a sister to Murl Hill, Jeannine Robert, and Carol Carbonneau.  She died in 1993 peacefully in her bed at home on the farm north of Dunseith.   She never fully developed mentally beyond about a 10- 12 year old mentality, but I believer God sent her into our family to teach us love and understanding and tolerance.  She loved all of us kids (cousins Tim Hill, Charles Carbonneau, Susan Fassett, and all our siblings.  We used to tease her unmercifully when we were kids, but she loved us anyway.  Charlie, Mark Andersen, and I used to take her out on Lake Metigoshe in the boat (Charlie driving) and we would make her sit on one side and then Charlie would turn sharply so the edge of the boat was nearly touching the water, just to make Elaine squeal.  She loved to tease the roosters and they would chase her when she came out of the house.  I’m sure Carol can tell many stories about her and also Murl and Jeannine.  These pictures are in my collection,  of Elaine in 1940 when she was 2.  The one of her dancing is with my mother, Irene Fassett, her cousin.  Mom was teaching her to dance and that was at our house on the corner in Dunseith(Paula sitting on the couch.)  We had lots of good times with her.  I like to think that she and mom and dancing in heaven along with lots of other relatives who have gone home ahead of us.   God Bless,  Hugs and prayers,  Susan

Reply from Paula Fassett  (71): 

Hi All…

Gary Metcalfe mentioned Elaine Watkins, so I decided to add my two cents.  Elaine was my cousin – actually my Mom’s first cousin.  My mother was Irene (Watkins) Fassett.  Her mother – Gudrun Amundson  – and Helen (Amundson) (Watkins) Nelson were sisters.  Helen is Elaine’s mother – and mother of Murl Hill, Carol Carbonneau and Jeannine Robert. ( I hope my sister Susan replies, too – she is the historian of the family.)  Helen worked at Hosmer’s for many, many years so I’m sure a lot of you remember her.

Elaine, in this day and age, would most likely be diagnosed “developmentally disabled”.  Although that is the way the medical profession most likely saw her, to our family she was most certainly a treasure.  And Elaine was smart in many, many ways.  She rarely forgot a birthday or anniversary.  She could probably have told you the family lineage of most of the people in the TurtleMountains.  And clever – man, could she tell the jokes – some that would make you blush!!!  AND she could play the harmonica!!  In her later years, Elaine resided in Minot and I’m sure that many Dunseith residents who were at one time or another hospitalized in Minot can tell of Elaine coming to pay them a visit!! She kept an eye on the patient list in the Minot Daily News!  She missed very few weddings, anniversary celebrations and/or funerals.

Elaine loved to chat on the phone, and although Aunt Helen would tell her not to make so many calls every day, sure enough the phone would ring and after you said hello, there would be a pause, then Elaine’s throaty voice, saying “Mother just went to the barn, so I can’t talk long”.  One of my favorite Elaine “tales” is of Tim Hill (who is her nephew) at a time he was going to school in Grand Forks, I believe it was.  Elaine was probably in Grafton?  Tim wouldn’t give her his phone number for fear he would be inundated with calls, but he would pick her up on weekends that he was going home and take her along.  Well, Elaine wasn’t satisfied with that plan – and she knew the street address of where Tim was renting.  So she went through the Grand Forks phone book – line by line – until she found the address and Voila!  Tim got a phone call!  THAT is perseverance!

Elaine passed away a few years ago – I think she was about 65 years old.  She was quite a character.  I think you could ask anyone who was related to her – or a friend or a neighbor who knew her – and they’ll have a humorous tale of Elaine!

Paula Fassett

Reply to Gary Metcalfe from Jerry Williams (54): 

Yes Gary I do remember Elaine Watkins.  She was what  in today world be would termed as mentally challenged.  Back than we unfortunately had much more derogatory terms for her.  She was teased by many of the students back than. I believe that in today’s world with the classes that we have for the  mentally challenged she could have fit into our society.

There has been allot of talk about the past teachers from Dunseith School System.  The one that I remember the most was my 6th grade teacher Mrs. Conroy.  I had the greatest respect for her and she will always remain “Mrs.” Conroy to me.  Of all the teachers that I have had in the past, both in Dunseith and in college Mrs. Conroy was, to me, the most outstanding and she had a profound impact on my life.  Even though she has passed on thank you Mrs. Conroy from the bottom of my heart.

And yes Gary I am about 3 or 4 years older than you and I still remember you.  If I remember right you were on the football team the fall of 1953.  Am I right?  You may have been on the basketball team as well, however my role on the BB team was bench warmer (at best).

Reply from Don Aird (Carroll Carlson’s nephew): 

I’m sure you’ve covered the Peace Gardens in some of the earlier posts.  My Dad, Don Aird Sr., helped build the Peace Gardens with the CCCs.  Every Memorial Day we would come to Dunseith to put flowers on the Carlson graves at the Little Prairie Cemetery.  Then we would go to the Peace Gardens.  Dad would spend most of a day just going back to the places he remembered.  One story Dad told me that you may not have heard had to do with Kelvin and the switchboard.  Everyone was on the same “party line”.  Ease dropping  was common.  The commandant for the CCCs had to make a report once a month to Washington using the phone.  When he called Washington lots of folks picked up their phones to listen in.  When they did that they drained the electricity powering the system so the report couldn’t be made.  The commandant finally rang up everyone on the line and told them if they would wait he would call them all back and give them the same report he was making to Washington.  So every month there were two reports one, to Washington and one to the ease droppers on the line.

My birthday is July 2 and I also have 2 family members in July. My cousin is 6 days younger than me and we were

raised almost like sisters. Sybil

Sybil, you are only 19 days older than me and you are a Great Grandmother.  Gary
Reply/picture from Randy Hiatt:

Gary, I have attached a picture of my step father Leroy Birkland and his wife Alice, and one of Wades sons so some of the folks can see. This was taken when I was back last December to visit him in Bottineau. I hadn’t seen my step dad in many years so it was really nice getting backand visiting with him. I took dad for a drive up in the hills and stopped to see Freddy Hiatts old farm byWillow Lake.  A lot had change with that farm from the way I remember it when I was a kid visiting. The big red barn was gone and a lot of the out buildings as well.

I am still trying to figure out how this blog works in regards to what I type and what is posted. If I post a few things I will get the hang of it. I have lots of other pictures that people would probably be interested in seeing so let me know which way would be the best way to post them.

Thanks for everything

Randy Hiatt

Randy, I will post pretty much what ever anyone sends to me and would like posted. I try to keep the postings related to the interests of the Dunseith Alumni.  Folks love pictures, so please send what ever you have.  If someone sends me a note or message that we have not heard from or have not heard from for a long while, with discretion, I’ll post their message to let folks know they are on board with us. There have been times that folks have replied to someone’s message letting us know they have not seen or heard of that person for many years, sometimes 50 plus years.  Lots of our folks know your step dad Leroy Birkland. Thanks for sharing.  Gary

Leroy & Alice Birkland

    Happy Birthday Jeff Gottbreht: Dunseith, ND

Happy Birthday LaVerne Rude (BHS ’63): Vancouver, WA

    Happy Birthday Janet Houle: Kensington, MN

Jim and Ruby Birkland’s 80^th birthday party.
Message from Mel Kuhn (’70):  St. John, ND

Gary,

Today I went to my Uncle Jimmy and Aunt Ruby Birklands 80^th Birthday party over in Dunseith and of all the people to run into there was Larry Hackman. I should’ve known he’d be there with the free sloppy joes and chocolate cake. I was in line after Larry and I had to wait for my cake while they ran over to Dales to get some Ding Dongs for the rest of us. I haven’t saw Larry for a while so he had a whole bunch of new lies to try and get me to believe. I just go along with him and nod my head like I believe him. It probably was a good thing that Dick Johnson wasn’t there or my poor old head probably would have exploded with all the knowledge they would have tried to force upon me. They know that I can only take in so much for one day. It’s hard to tell which one of them is “smarter”. Anyway-there were a lot of people there at the party. Some I hadn’t seen for a long time and some that I didn’t recognize. Then there were some like that DuWight Poitra that I didn’t want to recognize. Bernard Morin even made a guest appearance. Then Uncle Jimmy dug out the old fiddle and him and some of his kids and grandkids played a few good old tunes for us. Jimmy still know which end of the fiddle to tuck under his chin. When all that was done Larry and I got to visiting and he wanted to know if the old Berginski barn up on Hwy 43 was still standing. Kenny Nerpel used to take a picture now and then and keep us informed as to its condition. Kenny has seemed to have dropped off the face of the earth. We were wondering if we should be concerned or not. So I stopped on the way back home and took a picture of it with my phone. It kind of came out. Maybe Gary can doctor it up some seeing as it took me about three hours and seventeen minutes to figure out how to get it downloaded onto my computer. Downloaded-that’s the proper term isn’t it? Boy I don’t know, that’s a lot for me to try and understand. That’s about all I got to say I guess and every word I put down here is the honest truth. And Larry should know that ‘cause he took a picture of me there at the church in front of a picture of the last supper and there was a glow that just formed around me. There Larry I beat you to it, you was going to try and tell everybody some kind of lie about that too weren’t you? Later.

Mel

Mel Kuhn’s recently taken – 2015

Kenny Nerpel’s picture taken five years ago in 2010

Jim and Ruby Birkland’s 80^th birthday party.
Message from Vickie Metcalfe (’70): Bottineau, ND

Gary and Dunseith Friends,

Today, It seemed nature knew she had to be wearing  her best, to celebrate Jim and Ruby’s 80th birthdays. The foot of the Turtles, was a gloriously,  beautiful  on one of the last days of summer!  The leaves are beginning to  slowly crown the trees with colour, along with  berries of roses, cranberries  and mountain ash  splashed in  abundant shades.

Jim and Ruby’s three children, Larry, Brenda, and Brian were in attendance as well as many of their families;  children and grandchildren. Many neighbors came out for the occasion;as well as family and friends from Bismarck, Minot, St. John,  Bottineau, Belcourt,  and Boissevain, Manitoba.

One  of the last to eat lunch; I d  sat with Brenda’s grand children, (5 boys).  Questioning them what the best things they ate were?  Because,  I trust kids  judgement of the   “good stuff”.   The  five tow headed boys ranging from eleven down to two each gave me a response of what they thought the best stuff was.  They  finally came to agree, “sloppy joes”! Brian then asked if I’d eaten yet. I went for the sloppy joe.   …….”.Mmmm.”  I said.  “Who made this? They are really good.”   The boys said, “Grandma Ruby.”

Everywhere, around the white circular tables in the  parish hall; old neighbors, family and kids ate that wonderful lunch and  enjoyed good visiting.

Many family photographs were taken with the birthday  guests of honor, a.k.a  Jim and Ruby.  I kicked  myself many times,  because I had forgotten my camera. Uffda….but I did remember the birthday card!

Jim, Brian, Brian’s son, and Brenda’s granddaughter jammed a wee bit .    Now , “Your Cheating Heart”,  and ” I’ll Waltz across Texas with You” are replaying in my head! And will be all week. Nothing like a great music jam session to get the fingers and toes tapping.

And Yes! Jim did fiddle!, The others played guitar. Reluctantly, I found myself needing to say farewell, ( my boys were waiting in the car).

As I hugged Brenda good bye,  I said to her,  “I was charmed by your  grand babies”.! I ‘d told her grandsons, ” I will see you back in 10 years for Great grandpapa  and Great Grandmama’s 90th.  They each told me what  instrument they will  be playing  then. All those boys are currently  taking piano lessons.

I figure,  when I see them in 10 years they will be playing with Great Grandpapa Jimmy!

Until Later.  Vickie

Posting of the day from my good Expat Netherland’s friend Leo Tacke.

This took place in Charlotte North Carolina .

A lawyer purchased a box of very rare and expensive cigars, then insured them against, among other things, fire.

Within a month, having smoked his entire stockpile of these great cigars, the lawyer filed a claim against the insurance company.

In his claim, the lawyer stated the cigars were lost ‘in a series of small fires.’

The insurance company refused to pay, citing the obvious reason, that the man had consumed the cigars in the normal fashion.

The lawyer sued and WON! (Stay with me.)

Delivering the ruling, the judge agreed with the insurance company that the claim was frivolous. The judge stated nevertheless, that the lawyer held a policy from the company, in which it had warranted that the cigars were insurable and also guaranteed that it would insure them against fire, without defining what is considered to be unacceptable ‘fire’ and was obligated to pay the claim.

Rather than endure a lengthy and costly appeal process, the insurance company accepted the ruling and paid $15,000 to the lawyer for his loss of the cigars that perished in the ‘fires’.

NOW ..FOR THE BEST PART….

After the lawyer cashed the check, the insurance company had him arrested on 24 counts of ARSON!!!

With his own insurance claim and testimony from the previous case being used against him, the lawyer was convicted of intentionally burning his insured property and was sentenced to 24 months in jail

and a $24,000 fine.

This true story won First Place in last year’s Criminal Lawyers Award contest.

ONLY IN AMERICA ….

NO WONDER THE REST OF THE WORLD THINKS WE’RE NUTS

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Blog (353) posted on January 28, 2009

Folks, with yesterday’s message we (I) skipped message 351, so there is no message 351.  Gary

Correction to Jerry Williams message posted with message 350.

Folks,  I miss read Jerry’s message thinking, in my mind, that he had been back to Dunseith many times since 1954. I sent Jerry a message telling him I was going to edit out the word ‘not’ in his message.  I told him if it was wrong, I’d post a correction.  Well I was wrong, so I’m posting the correction below.  Gary

Jerry’s reply:

I have only been back to Dunseith a few times after I Graduated in 1954.  I guess that is the way I should have composed the message.  Oh well you did good to catch a potential mistake.  Thanks.

Jerry

Jerry’s original message:

I graduated with Viola with the class of 1954,  a graduating class of 8, I think the smallest to ever graduate from good old DHS.  Anyway I have not been back to Dunseith many times since 1954 myself and Viola is one of those people that I have not seen in now 55 years.  I don’t know if  our class is going to get together for a 55 year reunion this summer or not but it would be fun to get to see her again.  How about it class of “54” are we going to have a class reunion this summer?

Reply from Bob Lykins (DHS teacher – mid 60’s): 

Herzlich glueckwunch zum Geburtstag, Allen!

Speaking about collecting Social Security.  A little bit of information for those retireing from Federal Service.  I started collecting full Social Security benefits when I turned 65.  My 10 year old son (at the time) started collecting an amount equal to half of my benefits because he was under 18 and (get this) my ex-wife, because we were married for more than ten years, also began collecting benefits amounting to 50% of my benefit. My current wife doesn’t get anything which is a bone contention on occasion.  When I retired at age 68, because I am under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) The Social Security Windfall Act applied to me as it does to all Federal employees under CSRS.  As a result, just when we really need full Social Security benefits when we retire, they are cut, in some cases,  by as much as  75-80%.  The rationale being that we have been working all these years and paying into another retirement plan and not paying in to Social Security.  I wonder if this also applies to people in private business and industry?  It has taken the Social Security Administration a full year to catch up to me as I have been receiving full benefits during my first year of retirement and not eligible to do so.  I lucked out in that they only cut me about 45% but I have to pay back what they overpaid me this past year.  Not a problem since I knew this was going to happen and with each monthly payment dropped 50% into a savings account.  In other words I had a nice loan for a year from Social Security.  My son and ex-wife also have to pay back.  Good luck on them getting money back from the ex.  It’s no wonder that outfit is going broke.

Again, Allen, Happy Birthday.

Bob Lykins

Gary’s reply
Yes Bob, you fell into the social security off set rule when you started collecting your federal retirement. For me the bulk of my Social Security entitlement comes from my Army reserve years.  In my case the off set rule I feel is fare, because I did not pay that much into the system to get my qualifying quarters.  I don’t necessarily like it, but I can see the rational behind the rule for folks like me.  It’s not a fare rule for those that had substantial years social security before going to work for the government.  This rule only applies to those hired into federal service before 1984. To maximize my retirement, I learned the Government, Reserve and Social Security laws well.  Gary

     Happy Birthday Norma Manning: Princeton, Ill.

 
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Blog (352) posted on January 27, 2009

01/27/2009

Posted on January 27, 2009

Happy birthday wishes to Jean (Nicholas) Miller, class of 66, on 9/11: Glendale, AZ
From your sister Ellen (Graff) 58 Myrick:  Grand Forks, ND

Bernadette Stokes Holding her Twin Grandsons.

They are 14 minutes apart in age, but born on different days.
Here in the Philippines, childrens middle names are their mother’s Maiden name.
Lorelie’s family name is Papa. Now that she is married she has taken her maiden family name as her Middle name.
Lorelie Papa Stokes.

Margaret Bedard Strong
Question from Maria Parlade Corral (’62): Coral Gables, FL

Gary, is Margaret Bedard Strong one of the Bedard triplets that graduated with me in Dunseith in 1962 ? Congratulations to you and Bernadette for the beautiful twin grandkids.   I was in Dunseith for  only one year and my brothers and sisters attended school there for 2 1/2 years and I truly enjoy your blog.

What a great job !! , Maria Parlade Corral ( Dunseith , 1962)

Gary’s Comment
Maria, Margaret is in the one of the Triplets. I will someone else thoroughly answer your question though.

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Blog (348) posted on January 24, 2009

Posting from Ginger LaRocque Poitra (’64): Belcourt, ND

That is very sad, the terrible things that are done for what they say is for the good to further medical science.

Thanks for all you do Gary

Bernadette looked great in that picture of you all eating together.

Tony and I often say this hamburger or this JUMBO doesn’t taste the way it used to.  Well I was thinking it is the buns, Herman made such good bread no one can beat it. It would be great to have that recipe,  mm mm good !

Ginger (LaRocque) Poitra

Gary’s Comment
Ginger, I think you are probably referring to Bernadette’s condition, Vascular Dementia. There is no cure or meds available to treat this disease. It is lack of blood flow to the brain cells causing them to die off. Once the process starts there is no reversing it.

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

We all need a Tree!

I hired a plumber to help me restore an old farmhouse, and after he had
just finished a rough first day on the job: a flat tire made him lose an
hour of work, his electric drill quit and his ancient one ton truck
refused to start.

While I drove him home, he sat in stony silence. On arriving, he invited
me in to meet his family. As we walked toward the front door, he paused
briefly at a small tree, touching the tips of the branches with both
hands.

When opening the door he underwent an amazing transformation.. His face
was wreathed in smiles and he hugged his two small children and gave his
wife a kiss.

Afterward he walked me to the car. We passed the tree and my curiosity
got the better of me. I asked him about what I had seen him do
earlier.

‘Oh, that’s my trouble tree,’ he replied ‘I know I can’t help having
troubles on the job, but one thing’s for sure, those troubles don’t
belong in the house with my wife and the children.. So I just hang them
up on the tree every night when I come home and ask God to take care of
them. Then in the morning I pick them up again.’ ‘Funny thing is,’ he
smiled,’ when I come out in the morning to pick ’em up, there aren’t
nearly as many as I remember hanging up the night before.’

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Blog (347) posted on January 23, 2009

Happy Birthday Ruby Krause. 

Ruby, I had a message come across my screen telling me it’s your Birthday tomorrow, January 24th.

We wish you a very happy birthday, enjoy. Gary

Krause, Ruby
PO Box 87

Dunseith, ND 58329

Phone: (701) 244-5833
Notes:
Former Teacher

Request from Dick Johnson (68):

Gary,

Dick and Vi Hobbs (54) Ziegler would like to be added to the list of daily
blog folks. They would probably like to see the stories of the Hobbs
family that have been posted in the last few days. Thanks Gary!

Dick and Vi Ziegler

Dick, For some reason, I did not have Dick & Vi included with our daily distribution. I have now added them and I have forwarded the last few days messages to them, starting with the posting of Dick’s newspaper article.

Dick & Vi, I am so sorry for this mix up. Gary

Reply from Dick Johnson (68):

Gary and Friends,

Harvey Hobbs and his wife, Viola (also his sister’s name) operated the
Metigoshe Store. It was just south of the bridge and on the south side
of the curve. We went there many times in the late 50s and early 60s,
usually by boat from the cabin on the south lake. I remember how the
store had lots of steps up the front and you first entered the lunch
counter area. I had many sundaes at that little counter, while the folks
got groceries and supplies. They handled nearly everything lake related.
When the Hobbs’ left Lake Metigoshe, I think they moved to Crosby, ND.
Last Memorial Day I walked around at all the cemeteries and at Riverside
I saw the Hobbs grave where Harvey is buried. I believe he passed away
in the last couple of years, if my memory serves me correctly. Thanks Gary!

Dick

Dick, I remember that store and park area well. I was thinking it was Harvey Hobbs that owned that and you have just confirmed what I thought. We frequented his store and park area with many picnic lunches over the years of my childhood. I remember the water cooled pop dispenser that they had. Orange was my favorite, but it wasn’t always that we had a nickel or a dime to put in the machine. I remember our good Friends, Oscar and Sylvia Bergan, being connected to the Hobbs’ in some way too. Maybe they were just good friends of Harvey & Viola. Gary

Harvey Hobbs’ obituary & reply from Doreen Bailey:

Gary

Just to clarify Harvey Allen Hobbs was full name of Harvey E. and Viola’s father. It was very common to use the Middle name in the years past. I believe one reason for it was that so often families repeated the first names from generation to generation to honor fathers and grandfathers, etc.. It makes for some confusion when doing genealogy. I attached the son Harvey’s obituary it gives a good outline of his life’s activities. Thanks Doreen Bailey

Email address change for Rod (51) & Helen Evans – please udate your files:

Gary,

Enjoy your updates on Dunseith. We’ve a new address ,rheve@comcast.net.

Thank you,

Rod & Helen

From Ardys Bakken Horner (Teacher):

Gary had lunch with recent cruise travelers to Alaska and they said even in summer ( July) they needed warm coats, mittens and caps
esp for visits to glaciers and it was cool on board ship, don’t just bring summer clothing along. Ardys Horner

From Ginger LaRocque Poitra (65):

In reply to Dick, in reference to Alcide LaJmodaire, I was doing a little
checking, I don’t know his parents, but he was a brother to Bud Davis’
wife, who were the parents of LaDot. I was talking to Beverly Parisien,
wife of Albert Parisien, whose mother was a sister to Alice Bergan, Alcide
was just a friend to their family and stayed with them as he did with Leo
and Betty Poitra.

I will search for some more information on Alcide. I remember him coming
to our home too. A lot of people remember Alcide and Ward.

From Vickie Metcalfe (70):

ALCIDE LAJIMODERE

Alcide Lajimodere was a proud native American veteran of W.W.II.
I was told recently that he was listed as a POW,veteran of foreign war and a long time a member of the Belcourt American Legion.
One of my former college classmates,a direct decedent of Ben Lajimodere. Denise Lajimodere told me over 35 years ago that Alcide was a cousin to her dad. Alcide was the uncle of Toosie Poitra Delorme, mom of Carol Ann (Parisien) Lavalle. Tootsie’s mother who was married to Ralph Poitra died when Tootsie was 5 years old, Tootsie was then sent to a mission boarding school as were her siblings. Alcide and Mrs. Poitra also had two brothers, Ovide and Francis. I don’t know if there were other siblings.
Alcide’s parents were friends of my grandparents, William and Rose Metcalfe. My dad, Cliff told me that the couples, visited frequently back and forth as neighbors. Out of respect, dad always referred to them as Mr. and Mrs. Lajimodere. He told stories of riding in the wagon box along with his parents to visit the Lajimodere family where he played with Francis. Francis who was about my dads age, called my dad from Grafton ND, every New Years Eve, the last few years dad lived
Alcide lived at various places.
Among the various seasons of farm work in the Turtle Mountains: Harvesting of trees for firewood usually in the winter when a fallen tree would be rolled up on a sled and pulled out by a team of horses brought into the home yard and piled. Calving and lambing season,Fencing season came as soon as the ground thawed in the spring, Castrating and dehorning season. Sheep shearing season. Planting crops season. Cultivating and summer fallowing season which included rock picking. Cleaning the calf pens season. Haying season. Fence post sharpening season. Sawing up the dried logs. Putting up and hauling hay. Wood splitting season. Harvesting. Among many jobs dad hired help for.
When we were youngsters our dad Cliff hired men seasonally. When we were adolescents I along with my sisters, Nancy and Cyndy became the hired men.
Many of the men dad hired worked in their areas of expertise. As I recall, all had the utmost respect of both mom and dad. Mom cooked 3 square meals a day and also served lunches. She felt that working men needed hot meals. She also found out their favorite meals and made a habit of cooking one of their favorite meals for them. Alcide’s favorite meal he’d ask for was Mom’s Chop Suey.
When the time came to pay to pay a hired man, Dad would always always say, “How much do we owe you” Then he’d say, “Get the checkbook Lottie” and tell her to write the check for more,usually saying to the hired man, “You’re worth more.”
My sister Nancy and I have fond memories of Alcide Lajimodere beginning when we when we were small small children living in the house with no plumbing. But when working for dad he usually fenced, sharpened fence posts or hayed. And he’d stay for maybe a week at a time.
Alcide was undoubtedly a very homely man.
Dad would say to us Alcide Lajimodere is as “homely” as his sister the first Mrs. Ralph Poitra was beautiful. WOW! We girls thought ….”She really must have been a beauty!” Dad also said Alcide was kind,honest,trustworthy, a hard worker and a story teller. We were not to be frightened of him but treat him with respect. And we did because we never heard him speak disrespectfully or swear.
Alcide was of medium dark complexion with native American features. He was tall and rangy thin, wearing clean blue chambray work shirts and denim blue work pants and his straight black hair was always trimmed. He didn’t have hardly any facial hair. When he cleaned up before meals he’d always wash up, then look at himself in the mirror combing his hair he’s say something like, ” um hum, What a handsome man”. We girls eyed him with wonder, WOW! He really believes that?”

Then after a meal we girls would be entertained by Alcide’s’ far fetched stories. At times I’d get scared and he’d look at me and say something like, ” Oh this wolf wasn’t a really a bad wolf, he was a nice coyote.’
There was one exception to the far fetched stories. It was usually the last story of the day. It was a story I heard Alcide tell many times over the years. And my dad said it was true.
It went like this. Alcide said, ” I was captured by the Japs. They made us walk and walk and walk through the jungle and didn’t feed the Americans.” “One day me and some guys got away.” “We were running, running, running day and night through the jungle.” “We tried to hide but the Japs continued to chase us.” “One guy was killed while running.” “Then,we were down to two of us just wearing our skivvies.” “We ate insects and fruit when we could”, “The other guy fell I said, get up and tried to move him, carry him.” Saying, We gotta keep moving, or we will be killed. “But refusing to move, he said, … They can kill me right here then… because I can’t go any further.” “So I left him and I was alone for a time.” “One day some American soldiers came and I stepped out into a clearing hunched down with long dirty hair and dirty skivvies .” The soldiers pointed their bayonets surrounded me, told me to put my hands behind my head.” (He’d say, like this and he would show us) “Then, one of them spoke very slow and loud, who are you and what are you? ” ( We girls then would really be wide eyed imagining Alcide, very brown, wearing only dirty bottom briefs ,ie skivvies with long stringy hair.(Then Alcide would get up from his chair straighten himself up to his full height) ..and finish the story…say, ” I said, (insulted) Haven’t you ever seen an American Innian”. (Then Alcide would proudly walk out of the room.) Blessed be the memory of the kind,gentle, PROUD AMERICAN INNIAN VETERAN…..ALCIDE LAJIMODERE..Vickie Metcalfe

    Happy Birthday Lyle Lamoureux (’63): Prescott Valley, AZ 

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Blog (343) posted on January 19, 2009

Bonnie, Besides the Smith’s you have other cousins that many of us know too. Off the top of my head, Bradley Salmonson, son of Hank and Obert & Marlys Medlang, children of Kenrose. Your uncle Hank Salmonson is going strong. He is still living on his farm located 2 miles east of the Ackworth Cemetery. He and the Lagerquist’s are close neighbors. Kenrose Medlang is still living on her farm too, located just east of Stan & Joan Salmonson on the south side of #43. Gary

Does anyone recognize this young lady?

Stokes Twins: Our New identical Twin Grand sons with different Birthdays

Brydon Stokes born on Sept 2^nd 11:56 pm and Bryce Stokes Born on Sept 3^rd 12:10 am.

Both boys look nice and are very healthy. Bernadette and I went to the hospital yesterday to see them. They are Bernie’s first children too. This is something he has been wanting for, for a long time. At the age of 44 he got his wish. He is so excited to see them. He will have to wait though until they go back to America hopefully within the next couple of months.

Bernie’s Face Book posting with pictures
Today, I received one of the most intense emotional news of happiness. At around midnight my wife gave birth to our first twin son “Brydon” on Sept 2nd at 11:56pm, and our second son “Bryce” on Sept 3rd at 12:10 both about 5.4 lbs. Identical twins but born on two different days, how awesome is that? And one even shares the same birthdate as our Grandpa Stokes. Wow, what are the odds for these two events to have happened?

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Blog (341) posted on January 17, 2009

01/17/2009

Posted on January 17, 2009