Condolences the Murl Hill family
From Lynn Halvorson Otto (’75):  Boonton, NJ

I want to send my condolences to the entire Hill family on the passing of their wonderful mother.  I spent a few over night stays long ago at their farm as a guest of Diane, loads of fun.  Over the years when I would come back to visit she always had that beautiful smile and wanted to know how I was doing!  As a widow for many years I admired her courage and toughness to raise her family on her own.  You done well Murl!

God bless you all!

Lynn Halvorson Otto

Sent from my iPad

Condolences the Murl Hill family
From Allen Richard (’65):  Grand Rapids, MI

Please pass my deepest condolences to the Hill Family Murl was a sweet person.  Dad and Johnnie were more than neighbors.  This brings back wonderful memories of how things used to be.

As long as I am in a state of sadness, I wanted to share that my Uncle Floyd Richard is in hospice at home on the farm.

Allen Richard

Murl Hill (DHS ’50) Obituary
Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe:  Minot, ND

April 05, 1932 – May 25, 2020:

Murl Hill

Murl Hill, age 88 of Dunseith, died Monday, May 25, 2020 at an Enderlin, ND nursing home.  A private family service will be held.  Graveside services will be held on Saturday, May 30, 2020 at 11:30 am at the Riverside Cemetery at Dunseith.  Visitation will be Friday from 1:00 pm until 9:00 pm at the Nero Funeral Home in Bottineau.

Murl (Watkins) Hill, 88, formerly of Dunseith, ND went to join her Lord and Savior on Monday, May 25, 2020. Murl Lois Watkins was born on April 5, 1932 to Roy and Helen (Amundson) Watkins on the family farm in the Turtle Mountains, northwest of Dunseith. The family moved into Dunseith in 1939 after her father’s passing. Murl graduated valedictorian of her class in 1950 at Dunseith High School.

Although Murl vowed she would never live on the prairie, she fell in love with Johnny Hill and married him on June 18, 1950. They raised their family of seven children on the family farm south of Dunseith. She loved working on the farm and was John’s right-hand (wo)man! Murl was a good seamstress and taught each of her daughters to sew. She also drove school bus for Fugere & Hill Bus Company. Murl enjoyed visiting with family and friends, old and new. She was a devoted mother, grandmother and a woman of faith. Her grandchildren loved being with her. They will always remember her special homemade ice cream and sugar cookies.

Murl was a very active member of Peace Lutheran Church, serving on the WELCA, participating in numerous Ladies’ Aid groups, teaching Sunday School, and working at the notorious fall church suppers for many years. Murl loved to sing in the church choir at Peace Lutheran Church. She completed training and taught the ‘Bethel Bible Series’ study to several adult classes. Murl also served on the Book Committee for the ‘Prairie Past and Mountain Memories’ history book.

Murl died peacefully at Maryhill Manor in Enderlin, ND.

She is survived by her children, Tim (Laurie) Hill of Burlington, Brenda (Bryant) Mueller of Rolla, Gregory (Tami) Hill of Lignite, Joanne (Gregory) Evans of Owatonna, MN, Diane (Karl) Moline of Burlington, Bruce (Jackie) Hill of Billings, MT and Lynn McKay (Todd Mark) of Sheldon; grandchildren Sara (Aaron) Glasoe, Michael (Ricki) Hill, Taylor (McKenzie) Hill, Blake (Michelle) Gottbreht, Matthew (Carissa) Gottbreht, DeAnn (Patrick) O’Hara, Bridgette (Brodie) Odegaard, Jason (Tanya) Hill, Jacob Evans (Megan MacLellan), Samantha Evans, Nicole Campbell (Shain Fields), Nathan (Krystal) Moline, Gregory Hill, Walker Hill, Elizabeth McKay, Alison Toepke, Christopher (Kristi Jo) McKay, Naomi (Dave) Peterson; 35 great-grandchildren and one on the way, sister Carol Carbonneau of Watertown, SD and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband John C. Hill in 1984, grandson Luke Evans in 1995, and her sisters Elaine Watkins and Jeannine Robert, as well as step-father, Erling Nelson.

Nero Funeral Home in Bottineau has been entrusted with arrangements. Friends may sign the online register book at www.nerofuneralhome.net.

Alice Atherton Selfors Obituary
Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Minot, ND

Alyce J. Selfors
August 7, 1934 – May 21, 2020

 Obituary

On the morning of Thursday, May 21, 2020 Alyce J. Selfors of Minot, North Dakota, departed this life at the Trinity Homes in Minot. Alyce was born August 7, 1934 in Dunseith, North Dakota on the family homestead. She was the youngest daughter of Frank and Anna (Evenstead) Atherton. Alyce was educated in a one room country school house along with her siblings. She was previously married to Leonard Hanson. Seven children were born from this union. Alyce held several occupations in her lifetime. Some which included owning and operating Parrot’s Painting and Decorating, several waitressing positions, catering, and as a musician. Her smile was a beacon. A stranger became a friend instantly. She had the uncanny ability to send her smile over the phone! Alyce married Ted Selfors on Dec. 22, 1983. They resided in Minot for 38 years. Alyce enjoyed gardening and being in the outdoors. Her favorite road trip was to the Turtle Mountains to visit and relive memories of her birthplace. She valued every minute spent with her ‘Grandee’s’. They each were her own special “Sunshines”. Surviving Family Members include her husband Ted Selfors, Minot, ND; children: Lynda Ja’Nice, Great Falls, Mt.; Connie Smith, Minot, ND.; Ron (Pam) Hanson, Great Falls, Mt.; Jim (Audrey) Hanson, Westminster, CO.; Jeanne (Larry) Dodd of Rapid City, SD and Step Daughter Lynn Johnson of Tucson, AZ.. She was blessed with 21 grandchildren, 40 great-grandchildren (41st in July), and four great- great- grandchildren. There are many nieces, nephews and cousins to be included as well. Alyce was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Sallie Hanson; son, Lee Hanson; sisters, Millie Langehaug, Mavis Sandstrom, Norma Wilson and brother Francis Atherton. Alyce was the last surviving member of this Atherton generation. A special Thank You to the caring staff at the Trinity Homes for providing her with care and friendship. “Those we love don’t go away, they walk beside us everyday, unseen, unheard, but always near, still loved, still missed and very dear.” Celebrating the Life of Alyce: (due to the Coronavirus Pandemic) A Private Family Funeral by invitation will be held Friday, May 29, 2020, at 10:00 am at Bethany Lutheran Church in Minot. A Public Graveside Service will be held on Friday, May 29, 2020, at 1:00 pm at Rendahl Cemetery, rural Dunseith, ND. Due to the Coronavirus Pandemic, please observe social distancing. Visitation: A private family viewing will take place at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot. The service will be livestreamed for the public to view and can be accessed by going to http://bethanylutheran.tv

Couple of pictures from the archives.

Floyd recently celebrated a birthday too.
Spry young 93 and very Facebook active too.
I noticed that Floyd and I have 95 Mutual Facebook friends.

 Floyd; You and Luella are looking great. Pillars of the community that we all look up to too.

Art Rude, Another Pillar that we lost several years ago too. Gone but never forgotten.

Question: Are any of these ladies still living?

Murl Watkins Hill (DHS ’50) passed away
Posting from Neola Kofoid Garbe:  Minot, ND

– May 25, 2020

Murl Hill

Murl Hill, age 88 of Dunseith, died Monday, May 25, 2020 at an Enderlin, ND nursing home.  A private family service will be held.  Graveside services will be held on Saturday, May 30, 2020 at 11:30 am at the Riverside Cemetery at Dunseith.  Visitation will be Friday from 1:00 pm until 9:00 pm at the Nero Funeral Home in Bottineau.

Reply to Tim Martinson’s story of Charles Plumb
From Manny Cuadrado (63): Omaha, NE.

Gary,

Thank you for your posting of Tim Martinson sharing the story of Charles Plumb, a true hero.  I have been lucky to meet and hear in person Mr. Plumb twice.  Both times it was very moving.  Mr. Plumb also shared how they communicated among the prisoners.

Regards,

Manny Cuadrado

Dannette (Boucher) Klebe Passed away.
Posting from kaye Lystad Kirk:  Fargo, ND

HI Gary,

This is a little late, but would you please post this obituary in your newsletter? It’s for my brother-in-law’s sister, Dannette (Boucher) Klebe.  (My brother-in-law is Merle Boucher, who is married to my sister, Susan.)

Thanks,

Kaye

Dannette (Boucher) Klebe

August 25, 1956 – April 28, 2020

On Monday, April 6th, 2020, Dannette Klebe, loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend passed away peacefully with her husband at her side, at the age of 63, after a three-year long battle with ovarian cancer.

Dannette was born in Rolla, North Dakota on August 25, 1956, to Alfred and Doris (Goodsell) Boucher, and grew up on a small farm with her older brother and sister, Merle and Vicki. She graduated from Rolette Public High School and attended the University of Mary where she obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing in 1979. In October 1980 she married Douglas Klebe and began their life together in Fargo, ND where she started her long career as a Registered Nurse, primarily in critical care. Dannette and Doug subsequently moved to Pueblo, CO, Clearlake, CA, Newport, OR, Merced, CA, and Cypress, CA, before coming to Roseburg in 2012.

Dannette and Doug had two children, Damon Klebe who resides with his wife Samantha in Chino Hills, CA, and Desirae Allen, who resides with her husband Scott in Sandy, OR. Dannette is a grandmother to five-year-old Skylar, born to Desirae and Scott. Skylar was Dannette’s greatest joy.

Dannette enjoyed quilting, golfing, good wine, camping and having a good time with her family and many friends. She will long be remembered for her contagious smile, caring heart, and generous spirit, as well as her courage, dignity, and determination she exemplified during her battle with cancer. She was a nurse through and through and always put others before herself no matter the circumstance. We hope and pray that her spirit will live on through her children, granddaughter, friends and co-workers she touched during her lifetime. She had a beautiful life and will be greatly missed by all.

Dannette is survived by her husband Doug, two children Damon and Desirae, her granddaughter Skylar, her brother Merle, and sister Vicki.

A celebration of life will be announced when restrictions for social gatherings are lifted.

Scotty & Thelma Thompson and Gary Poitra: Band
Picture and Message from Dick Johnson (’68):  Dunseith, ND

Gary Stokes Comment
Scotty and Thelma were very close friends of my Dad’s Brother Emil and Lillian Petterson in Bottineau. Scotty work at the Bottineau Pride Creamery for a life time too. One of his first jobs at the creamery, that he is well remembered for, is Delivering Milk to the Bottineau Homes. Scotty and Thelma were very well known for their musical talents. 

Gary,     I think the bloggers might like to see what Scotty and Thelma Thompson looked like. We asked her if she would like to join us for the jams, we had in Bottineau years ago but she said she just lost interest after Scotty died.   They probably all knew Gary Poitra too from all his years singing with his brothers in this area.  They were well known as a very musical family.

I lived in a house in Grand Forks while I was at UND and one of the guys staying there was from the Wahpeton ND area and he had a big old ‘reel to reel’ tape player right next to the room Tim Hill and I stayed in.  He was a wild man and when he got off work,  he headed to the bar and then came home after closeup and fired up his tape player and his favorite tape was ‘Cindy and The Turtle Mt. Boys’ that he got from a friend in Rolla.  If you listen to that at 2 AM enough nights,  you even learn the words to the songs.  We would have to get up and yell at him to put his headphones on or shut it off so we could sleep.  He would put the phones on and not even turn the volume down so we could usually still hear it in the next room THROUGH his headphones!  Sometimes I would go into his little hallway space and just unplug it from the wall and he wouldn’t even flinch when it went from ridiculously loud to silent.  He was a good guy with a college degree but went to Vietnam and came back all messed up and just worked at whatever job he could get.  He loaded potatoes, ran a cement grinder,  stuff like that to make a few bucks.  When he passed out,  we would check to see if he had his old alarm clock set and if he didn’t, we would set it for 5:45 AM and turn it on.  A couple hours later,  we would hear about two dings and he was up and off to work in a few seconds—unreal!  Luckily,  I was told he got himself straightened out and is/was doing OK.  I haven’t heard anything now for a few years.  I’m getting a bit long here but it’s funny how the picture of ‘Cindy and the TM Boys’ can bring back memories from 50 years ago this year.  Thanks Gary! Dick

Gary Poitra, Scott & Thelma Thompson
Roger Thingvold on fiddle?

Subject: Bubba the Tiger
Posting from Tim Martinson (’69):  Anchorage, AK

Not sure how true this is, but it’s plausible and an interesting read–!!

Bubba the Tiger, Better Than Waterboarding

We lived with, and flew in support of the Green Berets out of Forward Operating Base (FOB)-2 in Kontum, Vietnam 1967-1968.  Here is a re-post on Bubba.

We got the tiger pup in Laos after his mom tramped on a land mine. He was only two days old, but I had him in my jungle jacket wrapped in a towel and when we were extracted we fed him milk and got him on his way.

He did well because he got much larger than an Asian Tiger usually grew to. His weakness was real beer (He had two cans a day) which he slurped down, went to a corner of the hooch, rolled on his back, showed his junk and snored like the last day!  If the bubster wanted to get in your bunk with you, you just rolled over and dealt with it. It’s such a shame so many tigers were killed over there because most were killed for sport and not in human defense.

When we cycled out, the question was what the hell to do with Bubba? He couldn’t survive because he only knew SOG, Special Forces, Seals etc. Here is where we got creative. We had access to things normal military didn’t.  So, we got creative and a phone call went to a research zoo in Sidney, Australia, and we asked if they wanted a free tiger. When the lady at the other end realized we were for real she said, “Yes, but how do we get him?”

I don’t want to reference Air America, but we flew the Bubster to his new home, and I got off the airplane with him walking beside me like a dog on a leash. They all went nuts when he walked to the lady and heeled by her side looking at her for instructions.  He must have had a very good time and life there because he sired tons of babies.

When I was back in Sidney in ’87,  I saw a bronze plaque telling about the Special Forces Tiger that came to them in 1969, and made lots of great baby tigers. That part of my life is gone like Bubba who lasted to ’85, but every time I hear a Tiger make those special noises my head and heart goes back to a tiny little baby, we found in Laos in 1968.  God, I miss him!

BTW, the Bubster never lived in a cage. He was always shown love from a bunch of very dangerous men whose hearts melted when they met him.  To discipline him, you grabbed a handful of hair and flesh on his shoulder and simply said “No.”  He never retaliated, he just complied.

When I said he never lived in a cage, the decision about the zoo where he ended up was a research zoo that was very excited because of gene diversity. It also had the new concept of no animals in cages. People were the ones in cages or behind glass.  It took a bit for him to get back to being a tiger, but after he figured out the male/female thing, nature took its course and he was off to the races and made a ton of tiger babies who are in zoos around the world. God Bless to my knowledge was the only Special Forces tiger in the history books.

An interesting side note is that SF and MACV were in many ways involved with the CIA.  The coats and ties back in Langley, VA, couldn’t understand how our intel was so accurate.

Picture a NVA prisoner strapped into a chair and questioned. Also, picture the prisoner telling us in multiple languages to go F-ourselves. So, a hood goes back on and the prisoner was told to spill the beans or we were going to feed the zip to our tiger.  They all laughed their asses off and said we were crazy.

Enter the Bubster and have his head about two feet from the prisoner, pull the hood off at the same time I would pinch the back of Bubbas neck. He roared in the dink’s face with his extremely nasty tiger breath, and the prisoner pissed his pants or worse while he sang like a member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

God, I miss that stuff.  BTW, our intel was so accurate the pencil necks were amazed and never found out how we did it.

Sent from my iPhone=

Covid-19 Update in Cebu Philippines
Posted by Gary Stokes

Last Wednesday, April 20^th,we were released from 8 ½ weeks of Quarantine Lock Down. We are allowed to go out only in our own town of Consolacion. We need a border pass if we have a need to go to or pass thru any of our adjoining towns or cities. They are very strict. Each area of our town has been designated 3 days that we can go to the mall and major shopping areas. Our days are Sun, Mon and Thu. To Patronize most businesses, one needs a quarantine pass. One pass was issued per house hold. Multiple names can be on the pass, but only one user at a time is allowed to use the pass. I added my name to our helper’s pass.

Our local mall reopened on the 20^th also with about 60% of the businesses being open. Yesterday when I went to the mall there were about 200 people in a waiting area waiting to go into the supermarket. Being senior over the age of 60 I was allowed immediate access without waiting. They really cater to the seniors here. Sometimes I feel guilty for having head of the line privileges. The Supermarket was pretty crowed inside too, so those waiting were having a long wait.

The Philippines has only a fraction of the percentage of Coronavirus cases per million population as compared to the USA. I think this virus thrives better in colder dryer climates. We have had only one case in our town of about 150,000.  Some of the communities here are so densely populated that they don’t have enough space to provide the required social distancing requirement of 6 feet.

Lots of the locals here that are unemployed due to the closing down of businesses for Covid-19 are out of food with no money to buy more. The government provided some relief but not nearly enough.

That’s the latest here.

I down loaded a Pedometer App on my phone. Pretty neat app.

Yesterday I walked over 7 miles. I walk a mile in my garage parking area every morning and evening. In addition to that I walked another 5 miles in the course of the day with general activities.

 Gary

4-H Memories
Posting from Vickie Metcalfe (’70):  Bottineau, ND

May 20, 2020

 Friends of Dunseith Alumni,

                I once was invited and attended a Mountaineers winter sledding party where I witnessed  

a feeling of total neighbor comradery across generations and gender.  Everyone had fun!  

                 Thanks for the memory share Gary about Orvin Hagen who was an endeared 4-H mentor and community member.

                Dave Slyter, you hit the nail on the head summarizing the 4 -H fellowship community.

 “I will always remember the great friendships we had with our neighbors and all the hayrides and holiday parties

we had up in the old Ackworth School building right next to the Willie and Margie Hiatt farm.  Great time and great memories.”               

Until Later,

Vickie L.  Metcalfe

Don Vick, Forestry Math Teacher passed away
Posting from Vickie Metcalfe (’70):  Bottineau, ND

https://www.nerofuneralhome.net/obituary/dr-donald-vick

Gary and Dunseith Friends,

I attended “The Forestry”, AKA ” NDSU BB”,  Dakota College:

I feel sad reading of this loss.

Don Vick was a excellent math teacher at college especially for those of us who were math shy.

…….I had Math anxiety.

He was a patriot.

He was a veteran of Korea,

where he held a fascinating position whilst serving.

I recall those years while attending college, I believe he mentored many young… Viet Nam Vets..

He was a truly nice person.

Vickie L. Metcalfe

I Packed Your Parachute
Posting from Tim Martinson (’69):  Anchorage, AK

Charles Plumb was a US Navy jet pilot in Vietnam. After 75 combat missions, his plane was destroyed by a surface-to-air missile.  Plumb ejected and parachuted into enemy hands.  He was captured and spent 6 years in a communist Vietnamese prison.  He survived the ordeal and now lectures on lessons learned from that experience!

One day, when Plumb and his wife were sitting in a restaurant, a man at another table came up and said, ‘ You’re Plumb! You flew jet fighters in Vietnam from the aircraft carrier Kitty Hawk. You were shot down!

‘How in the world did you know that?’ asked Plumb.

‘I packed your parachute,’ the man replied.

Plumb gasped in surprise and gratitude.

The man pumped his hand and said, ‘I guess it worked!’

Plumb assured him, ‘It sure did. If your chute hadn’t worked, I wouldn’t be here today.’

Plumb couldn’t sleep that night, thinking about that man.  Plumb says, ‘I kept wondering what he had looked like in a Navy uniform: a white hat; a bib in the back; and bell-bottom trousers.  I wonder how many times I might have seen him and not even said ‘Good morning, how are you?’ or anything because, you see, I was a fighter pilot and he was just a sailor.’ Plumb thought of the many hours the sailor had spent at a long wooden table in the bowels of the ship, carefully weaving the shrouds and folding the silks of each chute, holding in his hands each time the fate of someone he didn’t know.

Now, Plumb asks his audience, ‘Who’s packing your parachute?’ Everyone has someone who provides what they need to make it through the day.  He also points out that he needed many kinds of parachutes when his plane was shot down over enemy territory – he needed his physical parachute, his mental parachute, his emotional parachute, and his spiritual parachute.  He called on all these supports before reaching safety.

Sometimes in the daily challenges that life gives us, we miss what is really important. We may fail to say hello, please, or thank you, congratulate someone on something wonderful that has happened to them, give a compliment, or just do something nice for no reason.  As you go through this week, this month, this year, recognize people who pack your parachutes.

I am personally sending you this as my way of thanking you for your part in packing my parachute.  And I hope you will send it on to those who have helped pack yours!

Sometimes, we wonder why friends keep forwarding jokes to us without writing a word. Maybe this could explain it!  When you are very busy, but still want to keep in touch, guess what you do – you forward jokes. And to let you know that you are remembered, you are important, you are loved, you are cared for, guess what you get?  A forwarded joke.  So, my friend, next time when you get a joke, don’t think that you’ve been sent just another forwarded joke, but that you’ve been thought of today and your friend on the other end of your computer wanted to send you a smile, just helping you pack your parachute.

Sent from my iPhone

I keep this site bookmarked
Posting from Vickie Metcalfe (’70):  Bottineau, ND

Friday, May 22, 2020
Gary and Friends of Dunseith Alumni,

Someone mentioned the folks, including Dorothy Lamb helping lead 4-H.

That reminded me of Lamb cousin adventures.

http://www.thepastwhispers.com/Texas_Spring.html

Texas in May beauty, was truly “Texas Spring”

This is site is one of my FAVORITE go to places! I don’t need to leave my house.

I let music flow and photos guide me into warm Texas Spring.

I went to Texas one glorious Spring!  A road trip south, this time of year.

I enjoy learning about American West History. 

I delight in turning off main road to look/see every scenic byway.

And I did all the way to South Texas.

Once at College Station, I spent a week with my best- est childhood buddy, Cousin L. Dean.

When we were kids in school learning to read. He was the tortoise I was the Hare.

Which lead him into focused study skills and he became an excellent scholar.

Dean went on to teach post graduate veterinary work at Texas A and M.

He allowed me to stay at his bachelor trailer house…I cleaned house!

Whilst there on campus, his students tried to bribe me into telling them what the L. stood for In Dr. L. Dean Lamb.

                Bribery never worked on me! 

Actually, it was a remnant of our childhood,  Cousins, we held onto loyalty to the end!

Dean took time off to take me to S. Texas where we met up with his Ralph Jasper cousins.

As our little group grew, we adventured over the Rio Grande River into Mexico.

And the white sands of South Padre Island.

Back at Texas A & M, Dr. Dean and his students took me on a late-night veterinary emergency run.

Oh my!  Texas skies at night were inky dark and lonely, kind of like Montana open country.

They doctored a sick horse.

        While I?  I encountered FIRE ANTS! I stepped and stomped!

 Dean made no comment

          I’d been bamboozled.

One Saturday night a group went dancing at a huge dance hall saloon/bar out in the country

West Texas Western Swing couples … 4 a Brest circled the floor.

Hundreds of couples circling the floor dancing Western Swing feels awesome!

My favorite thing we did.  I absolutely loved DANCING!

and

                That was the night…  I fell in love with Cotton Eyed Joe.

Until Later, 

Vickie L. Metcalfe
May 22, 2020

Selina Cree TMS newspaper article “An Independent Woman”
Question from Charlie Carbonneau (Carol Watkins Carbonneau ’46 son):  

As I was going through my mom’s (Carol Carbonneau) treasures I came across an Aug 1978 full page newspaper article from the Turtle Mt. Star. It is titled “An Independent Woman.” It is an amazing story of Selina Cree and includes photos. Do you know of any family member that would like to have this? I have a hard time throwing away such treasures!

Mom is with us in Watertown in a care center and still doing amazing, always cheerful and still has a very quick wit. She keeps everyone laughing.  We are so blessed. Thanks for any help with this. Charlie

ARLAN Hagen (’75) OBITUARY

Arlan Hagen, age 62 of Bottineau, died Tuesday, May 12, 2020 near Kramer.  His funeral will be held on Tuesday May 19, 2020 at 2:00 pm at the Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Bottineau.  Visitation will be Monday, May 18th from 1:00 pm until 7:00 pm at the Nero Burial will be at toe Oak Creek Cemetery in Bottineau.

Arlan Hagen, a son of Clarence and Mary Ann (Rodlund) Hagen, was born on August 9, 1957 in Bottineau.  He was raised near Dunseith where  he attended School.  He later graduated from Bottineau High School in 1975.  He then attended NDSU-Bottineau.   On June 9, 1978, he married Denise Raap at Tolley, ND.   They made their home in Kramer where Arlan worked at the Kramer Elevator.  A year later they moved to Bottineau and Arlan purchased Paul’s Seed House in Bottineau.  He owned and operated the seed house for 20 years.  He then worked for area farmers.  He was currently working for Daniel Kersten.

He was a member of Our Savior’s where he served an several boards.  He also served on the Whitteron Township Board, All Season Water Board and Bottineau Volunteer Fire Department.  Arlan enjoyed riding his Harley Davidson, hunting, fishing and spending time with his family.

Arlan passed away Tuesday, May 12, 2020 near Kramer.

He is survived his wife, Denise of Bottineau; daughter, Breien Hagen (Raymond Dutra) of Bottineau; granddaughter, Ophelia Marie and a granddaughter on the way; sisters, Susan (Myron) Brandt of Kramer, Karen (Dale) Simon of Bottineau and Ellen (Jim) Redding of Minot; brothers, Art Hagen of Bottineau and Henry (Sandy) Hagen of Dunseith and numerous nieces and nephews.

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

4-H Stories
From Dave Slyter (67):  Sabin, MN

Comment from Gary Stokes:
Folks please feel free to share with us any 4-H memories that you may have. 4-H was a big part of many or lives, especially for those of us in the “Mountaineers” 4-H club. We were a big club too with, as I remember, well over 40 members.
Thanks, Dave, for these good memories. You and your brothers were a big part of the “Mountaineers” 4-H club in my day too.

Gary

I saw they were requesting 4H stories from previous 4H members.  I have a couple.

Can’t remember the years this was, but the one year we were pretty busy on farm during the 4H achievement days in Rolla N. D.    Dad asked me what I was taking to achievement days this year.  I asked him, are we going?   He said this year we will go so what do you want to take?   That year I had signed up for sheep because we had many that year.

Then go and pick one out.   I had not much handling with sheep as we were always busy with so many other things on the farm.  So I went down to the pasture where the sheep were and studied them for about a half hour, wanting to pick out the best one I thought would at least bring home a blue ribbon.

Once we got to Rolla and unloaded the animals the sheep, I picked was being anything but cooperative.    So, I held him and combed him and got him ready to show.  Me being very nervous as I had never shown an animal before this event.  I got into the ring with the other participants and pretty much just followed their lead.  I think there were about 6 or 7 other sheep in the arena with me and my nervous sheep.

The judge came and looked at mine, felt of its wool and looked at his teeth and jaw line and said “nice”

Mmmm I thought, maybe a blue ribbon after all.     Now is the time the judge announced the winners.   Of course, everyone received a ribbon whether it be Blue, Red, or White, but the big prize was the purple big bow ribbon.   I just wanted a blue as I would have never thought of getting the purple.  I mean I just picked this sheep out that morning from the herd.

So there went a couple of red ribbons out of the arena,  then to my surprise there went all the blues out of the arena.  Leaving me stand there all alone with my sheep.  I thought oh crap I got a white ribbon.  But here came the judge over holding the purple beautiful ribbon and explained to the audience why my sheep was receiving the purple ribbon.    I was one very proud sheep handler that day.

It was the only one purple ribbon I had ever received but I was so happy and so proud of that ribbon.. 

The second story would be about the only one time we went to the North Dakota State Fair with our 4H projects.  The three Slyter boys decide to enter our sweet clover for judging.   Again, we never planted sweet clover we just picked it from our ditches along the Willow Lake road as there was plenty of it along the gravel roads.

We went to the fair that year and when we went into the display building where our sweet clover was, we were all three surprised to see blue ribbons on our projects.   Pretty proud to say the least.

4H is a great experience for any young adult.  It really teaches and shows many things in different categories for boys and girls alike.

I will always remember the great friendships we had with our neighbors and all the hayrides and holiday parties we had up in the old Ackworth School building right next to the Willie and Margie Hiatt farm.  Great time and great memories. 

Dave Slyter (70)

Class of ’58 mini reunion at Dales for Lunch (noon) on Sunday May 24^th at Dales.
Posting from Don and Colleen Martel (’58):  Rosemount, MN

Colleen and I have always gone back to Dunseith and Rolette usually Memorial Day weekend, to decorate our parents and relatives’ graves

We plan to do the same this year arriving Friday evening. We are hoping to meet some of Colleen’s classmates and our friends at Dales for lunch on Sunday.

So far, it’s always included Ellen Myrick and son Matt, Elmer and Joanne Bushie Peggy Espe, Rodney Armentrout and you Never know who may also show Up.

We’d love to have others, everyone welcome. See you on Sunday May 24 at noon at Dales.

Don and Colleen (Class of 1958)

Thanks Gary.

ARLAN Hagen’s Funeral

Arlan Hagen, age 62 of Bottineau, died Tuesday, May 12, 2020 near Kramer.  His funeral will be held on Tuesday May 19, 2020 at 2:00 pm at the Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Bottineau.  Visitation will be Monday, May 18th from 1:00 pm until 7:00 pm at the Nero Funeral Home in Bottineau.

Condolences to the Hagen Family
From Lynette Halvorson Otto (’75):  Boonton, NJ

Hello from New Jersey!  Very sad to hear of Arlan’s passing!  We were classmates and involved in 4H.  My condolences to his family and friends.

Lynette Halvorson Otto

Moose poaching recently near Dunseith
Posting from Ken Striker:

I became aware from the Facebook of cousin Deane Striker who lives within a couple of miles of the indicent.

https://www.kxnet.com/crime-tracker/five-moose-shot-and-killed-near-dunseith-reward-offered-for-information-on-poaching/

Favorite 4-H Projects and memories
Posting from Vickie Metcalfe (’70):  Bottineau, ND

State Fair 2020 Cancelled
https://www.kfyrtv.com/content/news/State-Fair-2020-Cancelled-570365971.html

Gary and Friends of Dunseith Alumni,

            I know many people in the past, attended the ND State fair for years.

Many of folks, ( like you Gary and your family in the Mountaineers 4-H club ) 

were especially involved in the long tradition of 4-H.

            My family never became involved in 4-H.  I never attended a state fair until an adult.

            But, whilst in Montana I was invited to judge speech competition for the County 4-H competition.

That experience left me with quite an impression of this worthy Family & Parent involved organization.

            I wonder if you, your brother Bud, or other former members have some favorite 4-H memories?

Quoting Bob Hope, “Thanks for the Memory.” 

Until later,

Vickie L. Metcalfe

May 11, 2020

Gary’s Reply,

4-H was a big part of my childhood days. My mother, Elaine Stokes along with Mary Ann Hagen and Dorothy Lamb organized the Mountaineers 4-H club. With their first meeting they agreed to ask Orvin Hagen if he would volunteer to be the 4-H leader for the boys of which he accepted for a term that lasted more than 25 years.

For those of you that were in 4-H in your growing up days, please share some of your experiences with us. In the Article write up with my picture below, I see Holly Meyer of the Busy Beaver 4-H club got first place in clothing.  

One of my favorite 4-H projects was My Registered Black Angus Heifer named Missy. I purchased her when she was about a month old with money, I earned from my summer Jobs working for Norris Knutson and Carl Melgaard. She was raised on Ground Oats that I purchased by the gunny sacks at the Bottineau Elevator. I worked with her, under Orvin’s leadership, teaching her how to lead and stand for showmanship. Following the 4-H Achievement Day in 1963 pictured below, I entered Missy in the Valley city Winter Show. Orvin Accompanied me to Valley City. We hauled her to Valley city in Orvin’s Pickup. That was a real experience going there too. The competition was pretty tough there, so we didn’t place very high, but the experience was fun. The following summer of 1964 I sold Missy at a 4-H Auction.

Arlan Hagen (’75) Passed away.

 Folks,

Art Hagen messaged me last night letting me know that his brother Arlan Hagen passed away yesterday. He was not sure of the details of his passing. Art was still in Arizona. He is on his way to Bottineau now.

Arlan I believe Graduated from Bottineau in 1975. He was with the DHS class of ’75 for many of his school years. Being with the class of ’75 I believe he would have been 63 this year. Very young for a sudden death passing.

The Hagen’s were our close Ackworth neighbors. We did a lot of things together in our growing up days. Our dads were raised in the Ackworth community too. Our friendship goes back many years.

We extend our condolences to his immediate family and siblings, Susan, Karen, Art, Ellen and Henry. Arlan was a well-respected good person. He will be missed.

Gary

Retired
Message from Cheryl Larson Dakin (’71):  Bedford, TX

Hi everyone

I haven’t written in a while…I finally retired on Dec. 31, 2019. George and I left for California to visit family and stopped in Arizona on the way back. We were gone for 3 weeks, home a week and then I made a trip to Disneyworld with my son and his family for a week. Diane and Scott came to stay a few days on their way home to ND from Florida, and I seriously considered going back with them for a couple weeks when things ramped up with the virus so I decided not to. It was probably the right decision because within days we were on lockdown. I was trying to figure out what my new normal was going to be when this pandemic hit and we have all been confined to home for this last 8 or 9 weeks or so. So I started cleaning closets and going through some of the paperwork and things I brought back from my Dad’s house after we sold it. Anyway, I am in the process of putting together some sort of memory book of family history and consolidating things into one good size box that I can pass on to my kids and the grands when I am no longer around, and share with my sisters.

So my question is this: does anyone have any memories or stories of my parents, Norman and Verdellis Richard Larson or my grandparents, Fred and Johanna Boucher Richard or any of us that they would like to share? Please feel free to email me at cheryl.dakin@yahoo.com or message me on Facebook, or even share on this blog if it would be permitted.

I thank you in advance and wish everyone well and safe. Texas is finally opening up, although I don’t feel the need to rush right out and go shopping. I could use a good mani / pedi though. How is everyone else faring?

Cheryl Larson Dakin

1957 Flu  and 1952 Vacine for Polio
Posted by Vickie Metcalfe (’70):  Bottineau, ND

I really like BBC as being very informative,   the video clips are not too long. https://www.bbc.com/news/av/stories-52582124/the-1957-flu-that-killed-one-million-people

Gary’s comment
I remember that 1957 Asian flu very well. I too, like so many others contracted that flu. Our folks had gone to Washington State to Visit our Grandparents. It was winter. They took the train out and drove a 1953 Kaiser back that our grandparents had given them. Our younger brother Darrel who was 5 years old at the time went with them. Allen stayed with the Lagerquist’s and I stayed with the Albert Hiatt Family. I contracted that flu when I was staying with the Albert Hiatt Family. Albert, Alice, Arnie and Dennis all had it too, but luckily a few days apart. It was wicked. I was really sick.  

Reply from Larry Liere (’55):  Devils Lake ND.

Hi Gary

Thank you for the link on all the totals by countries for covid-19.  It was an eye opener for me to see that they had the numbers for 203 countries.

LARRY

Pastor Hayes
Reply from John Tangen (Pladson Cousin):  Zellwood FL.

Hi Gary (& Vickie)

Thanks for including the write-up about Pastor Hayes.  While he was chaplain at Good Samaritan Home where my mother resided for three plus years, I observed how he served the residents there so faithfully, brightening their days with his cheeriness and humor.  My mother always appreciated his ministry, and I enjoyed getting to know him somewhat also.  Wishing the best for you all in this trying time.

John=

Terry / Tim Martinson Correction.
Reply from Cousin Keith Pladson (’66):  Roanoke Rapids, NC 

Gary,

I know it was an unintended oops.  But in replying to Allen Richard you said that Terry Martinson had died in 1999 – which I also seem to remember (Terry and I graduated together).  Then you went on to say Terry is living in Anchorage, AK.  Unless Anchorage is in Heaven, don’t see that as likely.  Did you mean Tim is living in Anchorage?

Keith Pladson

Corrected Posting
Tim Lives in Anchorage, Alaska. We haven’t heard from Tim now for a long time. Hopefully all is well with him too. For a period of time my messages were being return undeliverable to him. Hopefully that has all been corrected now.

Gary’s Reply:

Thank you so much Keith for bringing this to my attention. Yes, it was an oops and I didn’t catch it until you brought it to my attention. We didn’t hear from Tim, so he must not have seen this posting. I will send him a solo copy. Not sure he is getting the group copies of these messages.

Folks, you noticed I addressed Keith as “Cousin Keith”. Keith’s mother and my Dad were First cousins. Keith’s Grandmother was a Stokes.

Message from Vickie Metcalfe: (’70):  Bottineau, Nd

Good May Morning.

Thank you LeaRae Espe, for encouraging readers to write.

Lea Rae and her mom contain an abundance of golden Dunseith history memory.

Thanks, Lee Stickland, for sharing positive perspectives from your Evergreen Lock down in Dickinson.

And again, many thanks Gary for the continued centering of Dunseith Alumni community at …long distance.

Everybody, make safe choices, eat some U.S. beef, drink milk, and continue to pray!

Vickie Metcalfe

May 8, 2020

Coronavirus question for the Philippines.
From Larry Liere (’55): Devils Lake, ND

Gary

Do you have any Coronavirus cases close to where you live?   So far North Dakota is doing very well on keeping it under control.

LARRY

Gary’s Reply:
Larry, The Philippines is not nearly as affected as the USA with Covid-19. As you can see from the link below, the USA is reporting 244 Coronavirus deaths per million population. The Philippines is reporting 7. Quite a difference. The USA has done a lot more testing than Philippines, so the deaths per million population as a more accurate comparison. Cebu City has a few very heavily populated areas that are affected. In our town of about 150,000 population they several cases is all. Reports are that this virus thrives on Cold dry climates. We are hot and humid year around.

Can you believe that we have been on Quarantine Lock down going on 8 weeks now? We can’t leave our property. One family member from each house is given a pass that allows them to go out two days per week to buy groceries and supplies. Passes are checked at all of the open stores too. Our helper Mirasol has our pass. I can take her in my car, but I am not allowed to get out of the car. I just wait for her in my car while she does the shopping. If anyone is seen in public without a pass, they are politely told to go back home.

Continuous updated Coronavirus status web link for 203 countries
https://epidemic-stats.com/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR3QYP7DHYL8ep1k-gd5INwxhzWgcO-mtPK15JXFDG2IpLOxIJBlk9hdvgM

Rev David Hays Obituary
Posted by Vickie Metcalfe (‘70’) Via Karen Larson (Bottineau Spectrum)

Alan Stokes’ Memorial Cancelled

Folks,

 Due to the Coronavirus, we have Cancelled Allen Stokes’ Memorial service that was scheduled for Wednesday May, 13^th.

 My flights have all been cancelled back to the states too. My Tentative plans are to Travel back to the states in May 2021. My last trip back to ND was July 2015. I am looking forward to going back again too.

 Gary

Tim and Terry Martinson
Question from Allen Ricard (’65):   Grand Rapids, MI

I’m curious.  Does anyone have info on Tim or Terry Martinson?

 Gary’s Comments

 Allen, my records show Terry passed away on March 22, 1999.

Terry Lives in Anchorage, Alaska. We haven’t heard from Terry now for long time. Hopefully all is well with him too. For a period of time my messages were being return undeliverable to him. Hopefully that has all been corrected now.

Terry, hopefully you will see this and reply. We’d love to hear from you.

Mildred Wheeler | 1926 – 2020 | Obituary
Posted by Vickie Metcalf (’70):  Bottineau, ND

https://www.nerofuneralhome.net/obituary/mildred-wheeler

WWII Surender Documents
Posted by Vickie Metcalf (’70): Bottineau, ND

A British actor and theatre manager drafted the Act of Military Surrender while in the army.

‘Our dad wrote the VE peace document’
https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-52530728/ve-day-our-dad-wrote-the-peace-document

Rendahl – Marty Wheeler’s passing
Posting from LeaRae Parrill Espe (67) Bottineau, ND

 Hi Gary,

Please put this announcement on the blog:  Thanks for keeping this going.  I wish more people would write.

The COVID has mostly spared us in the Turtle Mountain.  There was one reported case in Rolette County, but I believe that person has recovered.  According to the Rolla Star, the individual was employed at Rolette School.  The National Guard and other organizations did a big drive thru testing on the Turtle Mt. Reservation last Thursday. The state had 5000 tests taken, but was unable to process them because of an inability to get this one component.  That has now been resolved.  Someone saw on Facebook that the Turtle Mt came back 570 negatives out of 571. (I have not seen that confirmed by the regular news media yet that I know of.)

————————————————————————-

Rendahl Cemetery Annual Meeting and Clean Up
Thursday, May 21 5 PM

Donations always welcome.
LeaRae Espe, Secretary-Treasurer
401 Alexander St
Bottineau, ND  58318

Rendahl Cemetery Update

A few years ago, another half-acre was purchased on the West side. Allen Pladson has done a tremendous amount of work clearing the land. Jim Berg allowed Allen to use his caterpillar to do the clearing.   Many Thanks Jim! We are now in the process of fencing the new section.  Darin Nelson, David Landsverk, and others have also spent hours getting everything into shape. There is more work to do.

Kim (Mrs. Bob) Bott has been doing the mowing for a number of years.  Floyd and Luella Dion appear each year to put US Flags on the graves of the veterans. Kudos to all these dedicated individuals.

Current officers: Bob Bott, Pres Allen Pladson and Darin Nelson, Director   LeaRae Espe, Sec-Trea

Rendahl Cemetery is located from Dales in Dunseith- Four miles West, turn North up the Willow Lake Road for 5 miles, then turn West for a little over a mile. My aunt, Helen Amundson Watkins Nelson, once told me she had been there for all but two of the funerals/burials.  Oh, how I wish I written down or recorded her stories. (Helen was married to mom’s brother Erling Nelson. She grew up less than a mile from Rendahl Church and Cemetery.)

***************************************************************************************************************************

Thinking about this pandemic and the stay home recommendation:.  Aunt Helen told us how she had gone to town when she was 8 and again when she was 12. I can’t remember her birth date so don’t know what years that would have been.

During the Flu Epidemic of 1918, it doesn’t seem like the Rendahl community was hit very hard.  My mother, who was born until 1925, was told that her father, John Nelson, had gone to Dunseith for supplies-flour, kerosene, and a few other things.  He got what he needed and came home, didn’t linger. That December 1918 day, my grandpa Nelson heard that Supt. Cecil Parrill had died and there was a funeral service for him.

Grandpa Nelson already had five children at home. None of them got the flu. I will have to say, they certainly practiced the self-isolation as a life style.

Most of you probably know the story of my other grandfather, Cecil Day Parrill.  He grew up in Illinois and graduated from Vapariso University in Indiana with a teaching degree in 1911.  He came to Dunseith and taught the school in Russell township and later became Superintendent of Dunseith Public . He was employed there at the time of his death from the flu.  My uncle Thurman was one year old and my dad (Dean) was born April 1919.  They lived somewhere out by Thorne.   The story that has been passed down to us, is that Grandpa Parrill was feeling fine and was out helping others who were sick with some farm chores in the morning.  That night he passed away.

****************************************************************************************************

Marty Wheeler

Mildred “Marty” Wheeler passed away a couple of days ago at St. Andrew’s Health Care here in Bottineau.

She is the mother to Rick, Sharon, Judy, and Jim Wheeler.  The Wheelers moved to the farm next to ours out on OLD Highway 5 in about 1960.

Judy was in my grade (’67) and joined our class in 6th grade. We rode the bus together and crammed for tests for the couple miles.  I especially remember studying for Earth Science taught by my future brother in law Dennis Espe.

Marty (and her husband Jim) soon became active in the Happy Home Homemakers club whose members lived on Old 5 or close by . Charlotte Lang, Winifred Eurich, Sophie Schneider, Melvina Schneider, Loretta Boguslawski, Mabel Boardman, Alice McKay, Alice Evans Berube, Sis Hoopman, Lillian Houle are the ones I remember off hand.  The husbands attended as regularly as the women.  During the meeting they would usually play whist and be ready for a big lunch.

Mom (Mildred Parrill) is now the only member of the group left.  She and Marty were both at Oak Manor for a few years and now both were at St. Andrews. I think they did get in a game or two of whist up there.  However, since mid-March everyone is confined to their individual rooms for meals. They are not allowing any visitors.  We have been able to Skype with mom a couple of times a week. If any of her students would write her a short note and mail it to 316 Ohmer St.  Bottineau 58318, she would love it.  She still has a great memory.

Stay well, LeaRae

No positive results following mass COVID testing
Posted by Vickie Metcalf (’70):  Bottineau, ND

by Ben Barr | Posted: Wed 5:31 PM, May 06, 2020  |Updated: Wed 5:57 PM, May 06, 2020

BELCOURT, N.D. – Some good news from last Thursday’s COVID-19 test operation in Belcourt.

Officials with Indian Health Services said that, of the nearly 600 people tested, no one came back positive.

Of the 591 tests administered, 590 came back negative, and one was rejected because that person was also tested at another site.

IHS said the sample test result shows that a large majority of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa are taking the right precautions during the pandemic, but now is not the time to relax.

Posting from Lee Stickland (’64): Dickinson, ND

This is Lee, Me In #203 where the only tree with real leaves on this property (others have needles) is now in full of blossoms, The birds sing to me each am and pm.  I noticed a new pair of birds this morning: these birds are smaller than a sparrow, by far,  The male has a very rich reddish-colored breast.. This tree is 2 inches outside my window on second floor, the height of the tree exceeds my being able to see the top from my room, as it has grown the four (4) years that I have been in this south-facing room with a 4′ x 6′ window that DOES open to let in the fresh air.

The oil-industry has had a LOT to do with the growth of Dickinson, the development of our city, and the plans and hopes for the future.  Some of that was muted in the last years and IS

CERTAINLY on HOLD, now, I am sure.

Many of  the ladies who work here are not native North Dakota people but have come to the area with their husband, friends, etc.

I have visited with NO ONE that has told me that they have been negatively impacted by the DESTROYED/greatly depressed oil market prices, yet.  There has been companies that have had auction sales, early, which may be the best timing ?  I knew one fellow who once worked for this company for 4 years but he left 3 years ago to return to the east coast to join his brother in

a now-large and getting bigger, successful concrete enterprise in Sumter, SC.

This fellow grew up in Pennsylvania in a family that had nearly every piece of heavy equipment so when Nathan (Rusty-oil field name) came to ND, he could operate all equipment, down to

a “”nat’s eye-lash” or point of “strikin” a grade with a maintainer, hitting all of the ‘whiskers’ on the stakes, without bumping one of them.

Rusty wanted a bride and he was able to get in contact with a lady whom he met, halfway in distance, at Syracuse, NY.

They hit is off right away.  Caitlyn told Rusty that she would like him to  meet her parents.  Rusty said that could be arranged, when would YOU like to do that and Cailyn said NOW !

So he did and it all went downhill from there.  Caitlyn is from Canada.  When there is a marriage that involves immigration, the law asks that the LADY stay’

in the new country for 90 days before completing the marriage.  This is to alleviate the occasion of some coming to America just to get the benefits, ie, welfare,etc.

When Rusty moved to Sumter, he paid cash for a three (3) bedroom home on a large corner lot.  To accommodate space for Caitlyn, Rusty moved into an apartment located on the acreage where his brother lives, thus preserving separation of parties before marriage and meeting the request of immigration law.  Obviously, this was not an easy thing for either  Caitlyn or Rusty

but they were determined to be true to what they believed to be spiritual.  Finally, April 11, 2019 arrived and all was completed.  Then a new life followed in about 10  months, she is a

cuddly bundle named Cleo Isabel Purcell.

I read til 5:30 this am and it is 9:40 now,  Our EVERGREEN was locked down on March 17, asking residents to stay in their rooms or wear a mask when out of the room, being carefull to

keep 6 feet between everyone and to wash YOUR hands, WASH your HANDS.  One day I washed my hands 19 times,  Initially we could visit each others’ rooms but, no more.

ALL the residents at EVERGREEN will be tested for COVID-19 on this Friday (8).

Went to the dentist for three (3) fillings.  Have NEVER been afraid of needles, knives, nurses, white coats or operating room; good thing as I need a

6th surgery on my R foot and I need a new ball and cup in my R shoulder.  These are termed ELECTIVE procedures so they wait, no problem, til, things OPEN UP.

I firmly believe that will be awhile.  I hope that the public will not act as HUMAN NATURE has responded at times in the past; when YOU ARE ALLOWED AN INCH, A MILE IS TAKEN.

If the latter occurs, I fear for a rebound   Time for a shower and some new clothes, maybe a nap before they deliver lunch to my room. Have Adam Smith’s “The Wealth Of Nations” , written in 1776, which is still used

today as a great example for the principle of economics,  I have read it once but I will read it again.  Nearly done with Tom Clancy’s “Rainbow Six”.

“Floatin the stick” with 13 to 18 gears didn’t make any difference to  most

of the folks that ‘ran’ the “breaks” where HWY 85 or 22 sneaks down to the Little Missouri and then YA gotta crawl back up the other side.  Once YOU do this 4-5 times a day, hauling too much

weight of ‘what ever’, YOU are ready to drive drive home and find a shower and a HUG.   SNUF   LEE    (Stick)   Last phrase is out of place but Y’all will get the idea of how it is to drive a RIG in the Badlands.

Stokes Neighbor kids in Cebu, Philippines
Posting by Gary Stokes

These are a few of the Kids, 10 years old and under, that live within 10 Meters of our house. There are a few missing too, not in this picture.  They are all very well-mannered polite kids too.

Our house is directly behind this picture.

Bernadette’s, sister Berlinda’s (deceased) Husband, his four brothers and one sister all of whom live within 10 meters of our house. These are the Grandkids of Bernadette’s Brother-in-law and his Siblings.

The occasion was a treat of Powdered milk that each of the kids are holding from Bernadette’s niece, Novie Congson. For these kids, that’s a big treat. Their main diet is lots of rice with a little fish and boiled tree leaves for a vegetable.

These kids have never experienced Santa Clause. He has never come to their house.  Their play ground is the small area between the houses where this picture was taken.

The children of the siblings of Bernadette’s Brother-in-law, all of whom live right here, never left home. They are all living here with their wives/partners and their families. These are their kids pictured below. They just added rooms on top of their houses to accommodate. Four generations (three surviving) all living together right here. I am sure many of the kids in this picture will continue to live their lives right here too.

Needless to say, we don’t let these kids have the run of our place, however I allow them to play in our garage parking area. It’s a pretty big space for them to play in.

Directly behind our house is a small 300’ Square foot house with a family of 12. There are 9 kids, with one grand kid and the parents. That’s wall to wall bodies when they go to bed. They’ve only got about 150’ SF of yard space too. They are happy though mainly because they don’t know any other life.

Lorraine (Christianson) Cote (DHS ’47)
Obituary posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe:  Minot, ND

Funeral services for Lorraine Cote, age 92 of Bottineau,  were held on Friday, May 1, 2020 at 2:00 pm at the Oak Creek Cemetery.  Officiating at the service was Father Michael Hickin.  Casket bearers were all of Lorraine’s grandchildren.  Burial was at the Oak Creek Cemetery in Bottineau.

Lorraine Cote, a daughter of Anton and Tomina (Momb) Christianson, was born on December 20,1927.  She was raised in Rolette County and graduated from Dunseith High School.  On May 26, 1948, she married Rene Cote at Willow City.  They made their home on the Cote family farm before later moving to Dunseith.  In 1963, they moved to a farm east of Bottineau and in 1978 they moved into Bottineau.  Lorraine worked at St. Andrew’s Hospital and the Dakota College at Bottineau.  Rene passed away on January 12, 2002.  Lorraine moved to Moorhead in 2014.

She was a member of the St. Mark’s Catholic Church in Bottineau where she was a member of the Altar Society.  She enjoyed quilting, baking, playing cards and spending time with her family.

Lorraine passed away on Thursday, April 23, 2020 at a Fargo nursing home.

She is survived by her 10 children, Linda Dodge of Moorhead, MN, Allen (Pam) Cote of Gladstone, ND, Terry (Becky) Cote of Fargo, Brian (Diane) Cote of Fargo, Sandy Miller of Moorhead, MN, Tom (Diane) Cote of Bottineau, Lynnette (Tim) Ostgarden of Moorhead, Sherri (Mark) Indvik of Bottineau, Jeff (Barb) Cote of Castleton, ND and Kevin (Sue) Cote of Harwood, ND; 22 grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by 3 brothers, Kenneth, Lendal and Wallace Christianson and one grandson, Ryan Palmer.

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

B-4 1963 – Highway #3 was redone
Posting from Vickie Metcalfe (’70):  Bottineau, ND

Sunday, May 3, 2020

Gary and Dunseith Alumni friends,

I was thinking this morning, of that long drive on #3,
It was two laned, narrow, up and down or around hills, lakes sloughs and curves.
I recall several Y intersections on #3.

The unpaved Jackrabbit was the same.  Remember Yellow Corners?  Highway off #5 East to Rolette was another dusty unpaved road

Highways have come along way.

As the vehicles which travel them too.  Front wheel drive, Four-wheel drive, all season tires, and head boldt heater ( invented by a North Dakotan).

Heartened by of all those engineering feats. I remember a child’s fear.

Mrs. Conroy our 4th grade class teacher discussed an article we read in Weekly Reader. It had pictures of people in iron lungs. She shared about scientist Jonas Salk who pioneered the polio vaccine. Of late. I read more about that endeavor.

“When asked who owned the patent on his vaccine against poliovirus, its inventor Jonas Salk famously responded:  “The people, I would say.  There is no patent. Could you patent the sun?” The Salk Vaccine is used worldwide to this day.”

I pray for the minds and hands of scientist inventors like Jonas Salk who are seeking ways to end Covid-19.

Until later,
Vickie Metcalfe

Bill Hosmer’s Tribute: Face Book Link.
Posted by Gary Stokes.

Bill Hosmer, Retired Colonel USAF
1. Thunderbird Left wing Pilot (1961-63)
2. Lead Fighter pilot with 240 missions over North Vietnam
3. 1953 West point Grad
4. West point class mate and friend of Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos

Face Book Link
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10222739975476757&set=a.1951201228466&type=3&theater

Elizabeth “Betty” Lamoureux Malone Badgett. (DHS ’49) passed away
Face book posting from her daughter Kathy Leeks Dean 

 As most of you have heard our mom passed away early this morning.

Elizabeth “Betty” Lamoureux Malone Badgett. 08/27/1931 – 04/29/2020

Mom was a truly exceptional human, and my siblings and I were so very blessed to have her as our mom. As the oldest. I had the great fortune to have 69 years with her. She would probably say this was fair since she often mentioned, when we talked about our childhood, that she worried about me being “neglected” when my brother Tom came along 15 months later! Family was everything to our mom, she had close relationships with all five of her kids, their spouses, and each of her eight grandchildren. Her seven great grandchildren also had the opportunity to develop special bonds with her. And although they are still quite young, she was able to impart her special wisdom and family values to them in the time they had together.

Although mom was born in North Dakota, and spent her early years there, Southern California was her lifelong home and where her heart was. The tragedy of her mother’s passing when she was fourteen would alter the course of her life. Her dad, a successful small-town business owner, felt he wasn’t able to provide a proper home for mom and her brother by himself. As luck would have it several of his sisters and sisters in law (he was one of 13 children) had gone to California to work in the defense industry in WW II, and it was decided Betty and Jay would make a new home out west with his sister, Aunt Alice. They arrived in Los Angeles in its’ Golden Age, 1945, and that young teenage girl from a small North Dakota town never looked back.

She met the love of her life, Tom “T.J. Malone”, in high school. They married young, had four kids in fairly rapid succession, but, alas, he broke her heart and the marriage did not survive. True to her loving and generous nature, she continued to welcome and include dad (and his wives) in our lives and family activities, until his untimely passing in 1994. She was kind and forgiving to every person she ever encountered, and this model for living is one of the legacies she has passed on to us. We often commented that were only 2 people ( who will remain unnamed!) that she ever uttered an unkind word about.

We are so grateful that she was able to pass away exactly where she wanted to be, in the home she lived in for the past 55 years. Special thanks to our sister Traci, mom’s caregiver over the past several years, and for her selfless devotion to our mom, and her changing needs, as she aged. It was a tall order, but Traci, being her mom’s daughter, was up to the task.

Our hearts are broken, but we are grateful for the life that mom lived. It wasn’t always easy, in fact there was tragedy, hardship, and heartbreak in addition to the joy. But as mom said to me on occasion, it was a perfect life.

Music is a Thread
Posting from Vickie Metcalfe (’70):  Bottineau, ND

Gary and Friends of Dunseith Alumni,

One of my passion’s in learning while attending Dunseith School which followed through life was History.

All of us have ancestors who lived and persevered through trials of World War, Epidemics, the Depression era and etc.

I am keenly curious about their resilience. What are mindsets and passions that helped and or motivated them to overcome and survive?

I think, MUSIC is evident as a  strong thread.  

htps://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-52174772/the-queen-s-coronavirus-address-we-will-meet-again

“The Queen has promised the nation that better days are ahead, during a special address on Sunday.

In a rare speech, she acknowledged the grief and financial hardships Britons are facing during the coronavirus pandemic

Echoing the words of the Vera Lynn wartime song, she said that “we will meet again”  05 Apr 2020 BBC

We’ll meet again Don’t know where Don’t know when But I know we’ll meet again some sunny day Keep smiling through Just like you always do ‘Till the blue skies drive the dark clouds far away So, will you please say hello To the folks that I know Tell them I won’t be long They’ll be happy to know That as you saw me go I was singing this song

Until Later,we  will meet again.

Vickie L. Metcalfe
Wednesday, April 29, 2020

Corona Virus: We are not all in the same boat
Posting from Neola Kofoid Garbe: Minot, ND

 I copied/pasted this from Facebook.  Neola

 Don’t know who wrote it, but it’s spots on.

Perspective:

WE ARE NOT IN THE SAME BOAT … I heard that we are all in the same boat, but it’s not like that. We are in the same storm, but not in the same boat. Your ship could be shipwrecked and mine might not be. Or vice versa.

For some, quarantine is optimal. A moment of reflection, of re-connection, easy in flip flops, with a cocktail or coffee. For others, this is a desperate financial & family crisis.

Some who live alone are facing endless loneliness. While for others it is peace, rest & time with their mother, father, sons & daughters.

With the $600 weekly increase in unemployment, some are bringing in more money to their households than they were when they were working. Others are working more hours for less money due to pay cuts or loss in sales.

Some families of 4 just received $3400 from the stimulus while other families of 4 saw $0.

Some were concerned about getting a certain candy for Easter while others were concerned if there would be enough bread, milk and eggs for the weekend.

Some want to go back to work because they don’t qualify for unemployment and are running out of money. Others want to kill those who break the quarantine.

Some are home spending 2-3 hours/day helping their child with online schooling while others are spending 2-3 hours/day to educate their children on top of a 10-12-hour workday.

Some have experienced the near death of the virus; some have already lost someone from it and some are not sure if their loved ones are going to make it. Others don’t believe this is a big deal.

Some have faith in God and expect miracles during this 2020. Others say the worst is yet to come.

So, friends, we are not in the same boat. We are going through a time when our perceptions and needs are completely different.

Each of us will emerge, in our own way, from this storm. It is very important to see beyond what is seen at first glance. Not just looking, actually seeing.

We are all on different ships during this storm experiencing a very different journey.

Realize that and be kind.

Unknown author