Reply from Neola Kofoid Garbe: Minot & Bottineau, ND.

Gary,

I love all the pictures people are sending to you to include in your newsletter.

Thanks to Dave Slyter for asking about receiving your newsletters while you are on vacation. Now I know we won’t be. Have a wonderful trip.

Neola

Reply from Dick Johnson (68):Dunseith, ND

Gary and Friends,

That’s some good detective work, Paula! The concert was 1964. There
were at least a couple Community Choir Christmas concerts in those
years, but the pictures were from the ’64 concert. As far as my piano
days, I never got through the first book. I hated every minute of it!
You are right about Elsie Schneider being a good teacher and she had to
have extreme patience to continue giving lessons to me. I can’t remember
the song I had to play for the recital, but that is probably something
that I tried to forget! I do remember a piano song from the Fassett crew
and can still play it! The words were, “Once I had a violin, it’s
strings were made of twine—the only thing I could play on it was ‘The
Girl I Left Behind’. I think Crystal and Paula taught me that from their
dad’s songs. Maybe it has some verses that we shouldn’t repeat! I only
remember this one. We used to play piano with two people at a
time—this song and ‘Chop Sticks’, were the only two I could do! Sorry
Elsie! I’m sure Elsie thought I should be able to do much better because
of Dad’s abilities. It must have been disheartening for her to see my
lack of interest in the piano. In band I wanted to play the drums. Dad
said, “No way, you won’t learn music that way”. I ended up on the alto
saxophone and went to baritone sax and then the baritone horn, and
finally the valve trombone played in treble clef, for the last year of
school. He was right, I learned music and band was fun! Thanks Gary and
Paula!

Dick

Dick Johnson’s reply to Neola’s question:

Gary and Neola,

Maryville and Shell Valley are two townships south and west of
Belcourt. Charlibois’ had a store along the road to Belcourt, six miles
east of Dunseith. I was at the store a few times with my dad when we
were over that way, many years ago. The paved road north out of Rolette
meets Highway 5. This is the corner where Betty’s Bar and the casino are
now located and is close to where Charlibois’ Store was. Maryville Twp.
is east of the Rolette road and Shell Valley is west of it, both on the
south side of HWY 5. My old buddy, Bob Roberge, is buried at St.
Marys-Maryville Cemetery which is about 5 miles straight south of
Belcourt. I hope this answers your question.

Dick

Reply from Ele Dietrich Slyter (69): Dunseith, ND.

1953 Dunseith & Belcourt news posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: neola@min.midco.netMinot & Bottineau, ND.

Question from David Slyter (70): Fargo, ND

Hi Gary:

Great picture of your dad this morning in the blog. Just have a quick question. While you are on the cruise will the daily blog seize during that time or are you going to work thru your vacation trip to Alaska. Those of us that are not going to be able to take the cruise should probably prepare ourselves for withdrawal systems while you are on vacation. Just wondering as I am sure many are.

Dave Slyter (70)

David (Dave), From my school days I remember you as David and your brothers as Bobby and Richard. I believe Richard is still Richard today though. We have a few other folks too that folks remember well with their names of the time. Kenny Nerpel, Billy Grimme, Leland Stickland and a few others. For many folks, this is who you guys will always be and that’s great! Early on with the class of 65 correspondence, Ken and Bill did not escape being Kenny and Billy that had escaped them for 40 plus years too.

To answer your question. I will not be able to post the daily blog while I am in the states. I have my computer all set up to send these, so it would be chore sending them from another computer. Believe it or not, I use multiple programs to put these messages together each day that I wouldn’t have available on a public computer. I don’t have or use a laptop. If I had a laptop, it would just be another tool that I’d have to keep updated and I don’t really have a need for one. I will make up for lost time with these daily messages when I get back home to the PI. I hope to have some pictures too.

Bernadette and I will be leaving Cebu going to Manila on July 22nd. We’ll be catching an early flight out of Manila on North West to Seattle on the morning of July 23rd. We depart Manila at 8:10 AM on the 23rd and we arrive in Seattle, 45 minutes later on the same day, at 8:55 AM. The total flight time, with a stop in Japan, is 15 hours and 45 minutes. Coming back, bucking the trade winds, our total flight time is 17 hours and 40 minutes. Headed east with the jet stream, the air speed is about 700 MPH. On the way back, going west, the air speed is about 540 MPH. Bill Hosmer and LaVerne Rude, I know you guys have flown many aircraft over the Pacific in your days. Bernadette and I will be leaving Seattle on August 12th, returning to the Philippines. We’ll be back home the morning of the 14th our time, the evening of the 13th back in the states. Gary

Pictures posted by Sharron Gottbreth Shen (59): Everett, WA

Dale & Alma Gottbreht’s sons – June 2009:
L to R: Bill, George (61), Marc & Ernie (65)

Picture taken June 2009:
L to R: Ernie Gottbreht, Cheryl Bailey, Victor & Sharron Gottbreht Shen

Reply to the Kelvin news pasted below from Florence Hiatt Dahl (50): Anchorage, AK.

Folks, I forwarded Florence an advance copy of the 1952 Kelvin news posted below. This news mentions Florence visiting Dorothy Christianson. Dorothy is married to Lester Halvorson. They live on the county line 1 1/2 miles west of the former Willow lake school site. Lester and Dorothy’s daughter, Lynn Halvorson Otto (75), who is currently living in Seoul, Korea, forwards each of these daily messages to her folks. Gary

Florence’s reply:

I remember that visit vividly..Dorothy and I changed all the sheets–bedding. We took off Trinity sheets and put on Trinity sheets. Her sister had graduated from Trinity the year before I started. As you can tell it shocked me———-thought I had forgot it and seeing that blurb brought it all back…and so many years ago. Dorothy and I remained friends for years, and try to see her when I go back to N.D. Going back for a nurses reunion August 17 th. and will stay for a week after the reunion. So of course I’ll give her a call and probably have lunch with her. Thanks Gary. And God bless you. Florence

1952 Kelvin News provided by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Minot & Bottineau, ND

Folks, Fern Cote Berube is the widow of Lawrence Berube. They owned the big round barn that was located across the road and a little bit to the east of Dale’s. That big round barn was quite famous for dances in it’s day. Fern and Lawrence are the parents of Robert (62), Rachael (62), Angela (65) & Muzette (74). Fern is currently living in an assisted living home in Minneapolis near her daughter Angela.

Robert, Rachael, Angela & Muzette; This is a beautiful picture of your mother. This is one of the many pictures Neola Kofoid Garbe has provided.

Fern Cote Berube

Fern (Cote) Berube Family 02-10-07 on Fern’s 90th Birthday
L to R (Back) Angela, Rachael, Muzette & Robert. Fern in front

Previously posted with message 157 on 1/7/08

Picture/message from Sharon Peterson Harmsen (63): Bismarck, ND

Hello Gary and All from Bismarck, ND

On May 5, 2008, Email # 94, Shirley Brennan said —– My dad, Ray Brennan, was supposed to fight in WWI along with Max Peterson and three other men. The war ended while they were riding the train to Churches Ferry. She wanted to know who the other men were. I share all the emails with my mother, Joy Peterson who still lives in Dunseith, and she thought she had a picture of the four men who left that day to fight in the war. She has located a picture and isn’t it a great one…………Two of the gentlemen are my grandfathers, one on my dad’s side and the other on my mom’s side of the family. Standing in the back is Ray Brennan, Max Peterson at his right arm, Nels Landsverk in the center and Lee Stickland.

Enjoy the photo as we have.

Sharon Peterson Harmsen (class of 63)

Sharon, I hope you realize the many relatives these gentleman have that are on our distribution list. These guys are parents, grandparents & great grandparents to a whole host of you folks out there. This is a great picture and will bring back a lot of memories for a lot of folks. For group emailing, the file size of this picture has been greatly reduced. For those of you that would a full size copy, for printing, I’m sure Sharon would be glad to send you the full size scanned copy.

Shirley Brennan, It has taken a while, but your question got answered.

Thank you Joy & Sharon for sharing this with us. Gary

Front L to R: Lee Stickland, Nels Landsverk & Max Peterson
Standing in back: Ray Brennan

Email address change for Marshall Awalt (51): Newport, NC

Our new e-mail address after this weekend will be the

Reply from Sybil Johnson:Cheyenne, WY

Gary and all,
I have enjoyed the stories about “Pa” Johnson. It broke my heart, when we lost him, so many years ago. He had a gentle soul, until he got angry. But, otherwise, he was always outside working in his gardens. I remember when we use to bring the kids up from Minot and how he spoiled them.
I would lay them down for a nap and the next thing, there was “Pa” sitting on the bed in the pump room, feeding them coffee and cookies. He loved his grandkids and he would literally get down on his hands and knees, playing with them.
He came from Little Hamar, Norway, when he was 14 years old. They had found his father hanging from a tree, where he had been lynched and his belongings had been stolen.
He came over to the United States, with his mother, stepfather, and his brother and sister–Uncle Hans and Aunt Cynthia. I also remember, how he hated wearing his hearing aids, because they buzzed to much in his ears and his false teeth, because he couldnt chew with them. They were always up on top of the cabinet in the kitchen.
Take care everyone. Sybil Johnson

From Sharron Gottbreht Shen (59): Everett, WA

Just a footnote to Fishing News, Mobridge, SD. It was necessary for our host at the Wrangler Inn to shift us about somewhat; Victor and I switched up the hall a bit, Ernie and Cheryl moved to a ground level room with chairs outside the door for coffee and a morning smoke. We might have used those chairs once, thereafter for the remainder of our stay they were occupied by prairie dog hunters who had reservations dating from March! Vic and Ivan had laughed about the courtesy request posted in each room [big city boys], but all was clear once they saw the booted and fully armed huntsmen with their dogs arrive and park themselves in their and Ernie’s chairs at any and all hours!

It reminded me of the prairie dog village in the field adjoining our new home, occupied in 1954. I often hid in a nearby buffalo wallow and whistled the numerous creatures from their tunnels. A favorite time of year would be May when the blue-grey prairie “crocus” blooms were everywhere in that field. Much later I learned that it was also called the Pasque Flower, Anemone pulsatilla. I have planted such “crocuses” in both NY and WA just for the joy they give each early spring and the memory of home.

We passed a prairie dog village on our return to Bismarck along scenic route 1806. Their community was in a fenced pasture and I am sure pose an injury problem for the many cattle herds we saw. Sad to think the little fellows were hunted with such enthusiasm and we did not stop the car to record their peaceful existence, ignorant of any threat.

Floyd (59) & Ann Pritchard’s Wedding in Tucson, AZ

Prevously posted with message 151 on 7/4/08

From Bonnie Awalt Houle (56):

Good Morning Gary,

Today is the 4 of July and we are celebrating the Birthday of our Country and also the men and women that have fought for our country. I would like to say how proud we are of our family members that have fought for the freedom we all enjoy. Attached are pictures of Marshall and Lloyd Awalt . Lloyd served in the Navy and Marshall served in the Marines for 30 years.

Bonnie Awalt Houle 1956

Marshall Awalt aboard ship

Marshall and Lloyd Awalt – Military

Marshall Awalt – Military

Leonard Kavlie family:
L to R: Leonard, Curtis, Dot, Duane, Jerry(adopted) & Hampton Kavlie

I think this this picture must have been taken in 1977

when Dad was the Bottineau Legion Commander? Gary

Bob Stokes in his legion uniform

Reply from Rita Anderson, Mark’s (65) mother: Fargo, ND

Hi Gary Was reading the news about Dunseith past. Saw the picture of Mark Anderson. It was a good picture of him. Suppose you knew that he had passed away a few years ago, in Duluth, Minn. of cancer. Thanks Rita Anderson

Picture from Dick Johnson (68): Dunseith, ND

Gary,

I was in Dunseith today and stopped in at the drive-in to eat. Amy
Hanson said she hasn’t gotten any messages since your computer crashed.
She said she really misses it. Her address is <
> although it may still be in your address
book. Thanks!

Dick

Dick, There was a period of about two months prior to my computer crash that I lost all those folks that were added during that time.

Amy, you were one of them. You are back in my address book now though.

Thank you Dick, Gary

Message/Picture from Dick Johnson (68): Dunseith, ND

Gary and Friends,

Several times the Fassett girls have mentioned being at my
Grandparents farm. It was quite often that the families got together at
one place or the other for meals and visiting. We had a couple pins and
a set of horseshoes and Bill was a great player—‘dead ringer’, I
remember that. The afternoon was usually finished off with horseshoes
and often fish stories! The old horseshoes and the pins are actually
grown into the bottom of an old boxelder tree in the old yard, right
where they were put close to 50 years ago, after one of the days of
playing a few friendly games. Thanks Gary!

Dick

The Bill and Irene Fassett Family–July 23, 1963
Susan-Bill-Irene-Crystal-Paula

Class of 65 reunion 7-12-07
John Awalt

Class of 65 reunion 7-12-07
Susan Fassett Martin & Angela Berube Malget

Class of 65 reunion 7-12-07
Ernie Gottbreht, Cecile Berube Reynolds & Margaret Metcalfe Leonard

Axel Johnson in 1965

Art Sime

Reply from Dale Pritchard (63): Leesville, LA

Speaking of Herman Hagen, I think that first Ford that I remember was a
1950 model. He traded it for a 57 that I believe his/a brother got when
Herman died. He sold the 50 Ford to Darrel Landsverk who died in a
wreck with it on the Willow Lake road. My brother Darold had a 50 Ford
also and Norris Knutson had a 50 Mercury (maybe a 49) which shared many
of the same appearance characteristics. They were really “heavy”
looking cars. So you have a birthday coming up later this month. My
own is August 31st. I won’t say how old but I’ll be two ahead of you
then.

Dale A. Pritchard

Dale, That was a 1950 ford that I remember Herman Hagen having too. That is the only car I ever remember him having.

Speaking of Herman Hagen and Albert Hiatt’s neighborhood (they lived side by side one mile south of #43), I remember hitting one of Albert’s cows in the middle of winter. Larry Millang and I think Joanne was with us too when we hit that cow. We were on our way to Bottineau for a night out of skating. Albert and Alice Hiatt were vacationing and Denny left the gate open and the cows got out. It was really icy and I was traveling a bit fast for the road conditions too when we saw these cows in the road. Needless to say I couldn’t stop and hit one of the cows. That ended our night on the town. I don’t remember if the cow lived, but I do remember the extensive damage to the car. I’m not sure why we were going that way to Bottineau in the first place. My guess is that we were probably passing by Orvin Hagen’s. Gary

Top: Margaret Metcalfe (65), Dana Henriksen (66), Cecile Berube (65), Angela Berube (65)

Bottom: Mark Anderson (65), Patty Boguslawski (65),Debra Mongeon (66)

Alan (65) & Rhonda Boguslawski – 2007

Alan Boguslawski (65)

Previously posted with message 134 on 6/16/08

Message/Pictures from Dick Johnson (68):

Gary and Friends,

Folks had fun 50 years ago too!! These pictures pretty well tell the story!

The two top pictures are in the Garden Tap–Margaret Hiatt, Joyce Evans,
Joe Evans, Freddie Hiatt.– Cliff Johnson, Joy Johnson, Bernice Johnson,
‘half’ of Don Johnson.

Bottom pictures–Cliff and Don with each others
hats[ Laurel and Hardy!]– Joyce Evans, Henry Olson, Myrtle Olson,
Loretta Johnson, Thelma Johnson, Darrel Fassett. I think this picture
was in the old Corner Bar, across the street from the Althea Theater.
The top photos are dated May 1960–The bottom left, 1962. The bottom
right had to be before Oct. 1959, as that is when Grandpa Henry Olson
died at 56 years of age. Thanks Gary!

Dick

May 1960 in the Garden Tap:

Margaret Hiatt, Joyce Evans,
Joe Evans, Freddie Hiatt.–

May 1960 in the Garden Tap:

Cliff Johnson, Joy Johnson, Bernice Johnson,
‘half’ of Don Johnson.

1962 in the Corner Bar:

Cliff and Don Johnson with each others
hats[ Laurel and Hardy!]–

October 1959

Joyce Evans, Henry Olson, Myrtle Olson, Loretta Johnson,

Thelma Johnson, Darrel Fassett

Request from Florence Hiatt Dahl (50): Anchorage, AK

Hello from Alaska………This is a small world…………Last week I was in Lowe’s hardware to buy cement, sand, five gallon “pails” for my latest –my poor family–oh no, what is Mom creating now………….and the poor soul that got the honor to carry all this to my subaru was friendly. So of course I asked the usual questions–Are you an old time Alaskan? Where are you from? And shock of shock. His answer–North Dakota. Oh, I’m from N.D. allso. I’m from Dunseith. The poor kid allmost fainted. I’m from Belcourt, he allmost yelled. We were instant buddies. He would love to be on your list Gary..So here goes…….Brent VandalWere getting so many souls from the Dunseith area in Anchorage we’ll have to have a reunion or something.

Brent, It is a small world. It’s my pleasure to add you to our distribution list. I think you are probably related to Mike (Sandra Zeiler (62) Vandal too. Gary

From Marie Iverson Staub (60): Seattle, WA

Hi Gary,

This morning I received 2 E-Mails Number 501 time 6:24PM and 11:05PM. It has happened before and I just delete one but you may have double sent and someone will not be getting there morning fix.

Thanks again for all you do and looking forward to meeting you and Bernadette at the dinner in Seattle.

Marie (Iverson) Staub

Marie, Thank you so much for letting me know you got yesterday’s message twice. You were very correct with your thinking that I had sent it to your group twice and missed another group. I missed the group with a lot of the 50’s folks. They’ve got it now though, thanks to you.

Folks, if you get these messages twice, I’ve probably missed someone, so please let me know. Because of limitations imposed by email providers, I currently have you guys divided up into 8 different lists for distribution using multiple email address for sending. Each and everyone of my email addresses are good email addresses for sending messages to me too. The beauty of Outlook Express brings all messages from all my email accounts into one window. Gary

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

Hi Gary, What Picture??? If your lost as to what I’m referring to just the frame, and no picture came through….at least on mine . Even when I click on the little x in the box it does nothing….but maybe I’m not doing it right…Thanks for the kind words in ref to the photo…You were 1/2 way right about where I work. It’s a Level 5 lock down facility for teenagers. Level 5 means thier one mistake away from prison…(Like assaulting a staff member…which they do quite often…which thank God I only got smacked around 3 times in 30 yrs. and the worse injury I got,was a torn retina in my eye,which ended up to be a very long term injury…But God is good,and I love my job,and am so blest to have one…Take Care…Aggie

Aggie’s reply after I resent her the picture. Gary

Hey Gary, Yeah, now they both came thru…when I pulled it up 5 hours later there it was….Thanks Gary!

Folks, This appears to be a common server problem. Another solution that sometimes works too is to do a forward or a reply to the message, but don’t send it. Often times these pictures or other items that don’t appear in your message will be visible in the forwarded or reply copy on your screen. Gary

Correction to 1945 Basketball picture posted yesterday:

From Mona Dionne Johnson (48): Lake Metigoshe, ND

The player without a number next to Coach Shelver is “Raymond”
Haagenson – not Norman.
Mona Dionne Johnson ‘ ’48

Reply from Bill Grimme (65): Birmingham, AL

Gary,

Glad you and Dick liked my fashion statement. My daughter-in-law snapped this picture on the 4th. I had the pleasure of 19 house guests–children and grandchildren. A few were missing – too old for such foolishness, I guess. We had a great day. Hope everyone had a safe and fun holiday weekend.

Bill

Memories from Dick Johnson (68): Dunseith, ND

Gary and Friends,

In a lame attempt to poke fun at our good friend Bill Grimme, I’d like
to tell another story about him. Somewhere probably around 1968-70 some
guys started an arcade for kids in the old K. C. Sine ‘Red and White’
store. They painted the windows over with psychedelic paisley designs
and had music going loud. The name of the place was ‘The Mod House’.
Bill was hired as the manager/’bouncer’. I think he was probably home
from college for the summer that year. OK, here’s the good part! Bill
got into the act and shaved his head! I was driving down Main with some
buddies in my car and we saw Bill standing outside with a white T-shirt
on and his arms folded. He was in great physical shape and with the bald
head, one of my buddies said, ” Hey look, it’s Mr. Clean”. We all
cracked up! Bill didn’t hear us, luckily, or we may not have survived!
Now you know, Bill! More history of old Dunseith! Thanks Gary!

Dick

Dick, I remember hearing about Bill’s bald head and I wasn’t even in the area. I heard it from several sources, but for the life of me I can not remember who I heard it from.

Bill, at the time everyone, everywhere seemed to know about your bald head. Word traveled fast in those days too. I’ll glady trade you for your head of hair today though. Gary

Picture from Crystal Fassett Andersen (70): Walhalla, ND

Just so Bill didn’t feel bad, here’s a picture of Dale & I and most of our kids and grandkids at last fall’s Annual Pumpkinfest,here in Walhalla ND. It’s a 60’s thing,I think,Bill.!! Crystal Fassett Andersen Front row:Elijah Gunderson,Shawn Bartels, Erika Gunderson,Aliyah Bartels,Nicole Berg (“08 Pumpkin Princess)Sarah & Marta Gunderson Back: Ryan and Joni (Andersen) Bartels, Tyler Gunderson & fiancee’ Vanessa Belgarde,Jason,Caylee & Becky (Andersen) Berg, Noah & Aaron Gunderson, Crystal & Dale Andersen

Picture 1944:

Back: Coach W.Schultz, Charles (Pug Lund, Wayne Molgard, Freddie Hiatt, Bob Molgard,Leo Murray, student Mgr. Howard Landsverk.
Front: Roger Johnson, Don Johnson, Lyle Johnson ?, Bruce Cornell, Allison Fiske

Axel Johnson

Reply from Dick Johnson (68): Dunseith, ND

Gary and Friends,

In response to the picture of our friend Bill Grimme, Bill—being
conservative is good, but you could upgrade your wardrobe to something
with a little more color! Drab is out! Come on, get with it!

Dick

Dick, Bill’s outfit reminded me of the song “My clothes of many Colors”. I’ll have to say Bill looked pretty sharp in that outfit. Gary

Memories from Dick Johnson:

Gary,

I too can remember an incident involving your brother, Allen. We were
all down at Rendahl sledding on a hill to the east of the church, on a
Luther League gathering. I had driven a bunch of kids up in my old ’47
Plymouth. I had grips on the back that I bought from George and Lela
Cota for $5.00. I told Allen that with those grips and the weight of
that car I could go damn near anywhere I wanted without getting stuck.
He said he didn’t think that car was so heavy after which he backed up
against it and grabbed the rear fender and then lifted the tire off the
ground. We were pretty impressed that he could lift that much for a big
skinny kid like that! That was in the winter of ’64-’65. I remember the
year because that was when I drove that car.

Dick

Dick, Allen was noted for having a lot of muscle power. Nobody wanted to mess with big Al. Allen in his day was pretty well known by the local police too, for his driving habits. I remember one time he had a pretty noisy car that he was cruising around Bottineau in. He was warned by the local police to get that thing out town. A week or so later he was back in town with that same noisy car. When they pulled him over again, the officer said to him, “I thought I told you to get this thing out of town” and Allen’s reply to the officer was, “I did get out of town, but I’m back”. With all of the traffic violations that Allen had he lost his licenses, but still continued to drive. It became quite a game for the local sheriff’s and highway patrol to try and catch him. They always had reports that he was on the road, but were never able see him. He always saw them first and was able to dodge them. Those were the days. Gary

Picture from Aggie Casavant (69): Fort Mill, SC

Hey Gary, To some of the people who have e-mailed me and requested a picture cuz I didn’t make it to the class reunion…this would be me…taken last August,and getting older…LOL… Hope you all have a Blest Day!

Aggie, This is a mighty fine picture. You look great! I think I remember you telling me that you are a correctional officer for the state prison system. Did I remember that correctly? Gary

Reply from Dick Johnson (68): Dunseith, ND

Gary and Friends,

All the mentions of fireworks reminded me of the 4th of July in ’63. I
asked Ronnie ‘Big Chip’ Johnson to come along to Lake Metigoshe for the
weekend. We bought a few packs of firecrackers and some other stuff and
were ready for dark. Ronnie had a brand new sweatshirt with the pocket
across the front. He had it full of his firecrackers and some of the
lighters called ‘punks’. We were lighting a few firecrackers off the
punk and decided we would wait for a while to do some more. He snuffed
out his punk and stuck it in his big pocket with the firecrackers.
Well—it wasn’t out and for the next five minutes he jumped around the
yard screaming while the entire works went off in his new sweatshirt. I
remember him holding his sweatshirt out as far as he could and jumping
around like a wild man! I don’t remember him being burned but the
sweatshirt didn’t look to good when it was over! Thanks Gary!

Dick

Fishing trip to SD with pictures from Sharron Gottbreht Shen (59): Everett, WA

Dear Family and friends,

Victor and I just returned from lunch and I thought I would share news and a few pictures of the week in Mobridge, SD from June 13/19. Fishing could have been better, but the time and place and folks were splendid. We has the use of 2 fishing craft that had seen years of service and 2 owned by Bob and Jeff Gottbreht that are really on the cutting edge. Great food each night provided from fresh catch of the day prepared in Rick Gottbreht’s portable kitchen. Nora and Ivan were an excellent fit to the group; Nora has surely won the hearts of all the family.

Love, Vic and Sharron

Gottbreth fishing trip phote L to R:
Cheryl Bailey, Ernie G, Rick G, Ivan Shen, Ryan G, Sharron Shen, Jeff G, Bill G, George G, Will G [son of Bill], Marc G, Victor Shen, Nora Obringer Shen

Folks, with these pictures I would like to comment that Cheryl Bailey, Ernie’s friend, is a real sweatheart of a lady. We met her at our class of 65 reunion and then we saw her several times in Bottineau following the reunion. Cheryl is so friendly and nice. Gary

Cheryl Bailey, Ernie Gottbreht, Ivan Shen & Victor Shen

Sharron Gottbreht Shen’s letter:

Fishing News

Early plans for Gottbreht fishing derby kicked off by Bob Gottbreht late 2008. Bob’s wife Connie was the only female attendee at previous meets. This year, all comers were welcomed. Uncle and cousin Gottbrehts were eager to meet our daughter-in-law Nora and pressed Ivan to abandon Wall Street for some serious fishing and evening “fish” stories and other lies in Mobridge, SD. Nora said she would go if Victor and I would be there, and so it was.

Nora and Ivan, Victor and Sharron rendezvoused in Bismarck, ND. Food first happened at Dave’s Amazing Barbeque and was voted commensurate compared to the best in NYC’s Righteous Urban Bar-B-Queue or the Shack in Dallas, TX. The drive south on the west side of the Missouri was amazing. Rolling hills so green, studded with clusters of cattle and buffalos with their young. America, America. Digs at the Wrangler Inn were OK because of pool and hot tub; next time we opt for the park cabins; excellent rustic comfort.

We were four boats on the Missouri, 5 persons/boat; captains were Jeff, Bob, Ernest and Marc Gottbreht. Long hours and few fish that first day out for myself; Nora was first to catch in Jeff’s boat – a 22” Walleye! All boats did well, but Ernie’s. This changed on day two when we stayed on the water till limit maxed, four per person. I quote Blake Gottbreht ”Sharron had first and last catch today.” Day 3, good fishing interrupted by fierce rain – all parties drenched; returned to camp early. Plenty of fresh catch for Fish Tacos. Leisure day for me Day 4 – prepped for Asia Night: Moo Shoo Pork; Sweet and Salty Shrimp; Beef Noodles. Sous-chefs de cuisinewere Nora and Ivan who found the Mobridge golf course excellent and price unbelievable. Day 5, fish not biting, enough caught for fish/steak fry. My tartar sauce received high praise from all especially Rick and Sandy’s son Ryan who is big on homemade. Day 6 Marc and Dennis with derby mascot Jasper and the Shen party of four enjoyed grand brkfst served forth by George for our send off. We later learned the fishing was awesome that day; catch and release after the first 2 hours for love of the sport.

There were plenty of fireside stories in the evening.Of course, it goes without saying a lot of VO and Bud Light.The best story was probably about 10 years old Marc drove the family truck into the ditch and George was assessed a $ 20 fine by the Sheriff by giving his permission.

Special credit to Rick who brought the outdoor kitchen – two deep fryers and grill from the former Dale’s Drive Thru plus two big circular tables and lots of chairs.

I never did hear results of evening Texas Holdum games; sleep too sweet each night.

Picture L to R: 1945

Back Row: Glen Shelver, Coach, Norman Haagenson, Wayne Molgard, Bill Hosmer, Ralph Thiel, Derrald Dion
Front Row: Leo Murray, Allison Fiske, Darrel Fassett, Don Johnson, Bob Molgard.

Harvey Halvorson & Floyd Dion