Darrel (Doc) Stickland (DHS class of 1967) Passed away.
Posting from Dean Stickland (’73): Olympia, WA

Gary,

Sorry to interrupt your Christmas with bad news but wanted you to know about the death of my brother Darrel (Doc).

We discovered him in his home last night, the 23rd, collapsed due to a sudden and massive heart attack.  He turned 71 last June.  He had experienced mild symptoms recently but felt they didn’t require medical attention.  He lived just a mile away and was a close and dear brother to us in many ways. We’ll miss him dearly.

Darrel spent almost his entire working life as a drywall contractor in the Twin Cities, MN area until moving out to Olympia, WA about 12 years ago.  He was semi-retired but still worked part-time, mostly for a local property management company.

He is survived by his former wife, Jan, only daughter, Laura, two grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

He’ll be greatly missed by all who knew him.

This comes only two months after our older brother Leland’s decease in October. 2020 has been quite a year.

We don’t question the Lord’s work or his timing.  We give thanks for the comfort He gives us.

We wish the best for all in the new year.

Dean Stickland

deansbows@gmail.com

Gary’s Comment
So Sorry to hear this sad news Dean. You lost your only two brothers so close together this year too. Our hearts go out to you. Please keep us posted with Funeral or other arrangements. Again, our condolences are with.

Raphael Poitra memories and condolences
From Vickie Metcalfe (’70):  Bottineau, ND

 Folks, I forgot to include this message from Vickie with my last posting. So sorry for that Vickie.

 Gary, Kelly, Jaime, family, Evon, and many friends of Raphael,

            Raphael’s family roots were well known to my dad’s family. Raphael recalled and  knew lots of local oral history stories. 

            I heard  tales  from those who worked iron, he had a  unsurpassed respected work ethic among his peers and employers. 

            Raphael will be well remembered as  honest and true to his family, friends and neighbors.

He was a loyal friend accepting  and respectful of others whose opinions differed from his. He  never wavered on his beliefs. He’d adamantly stand behind his word and argue his opinions.

            Sincere sympathy Kelly and Jaime on the passing of your father.  Yes indeed, he had a wonderful, hearty, contagious laugh that will never be replicated! He was delighted and  immensely proud of  you, Kennedy and  you Joss, whom he loved unconditionally!

 Sincerely, 

Vickie L. Metcalfe
December 9, 2020

Carol Eller Dejarlias (DHS Class of 1970 Passed away.
Posting from Ivy Eller Robert (’74):  Everett, WA

 Hi Gary,

 So very sorry for your loss of Bernadette. I wanted to let you know that I got news that my sister Carol Eller Dejarlias passed away, but could not confirm it. Julie and I have not been in contact with her and her family for a good many years. I mentioned it to Art Hagen and he said he would see if he could find something.

He texted me the other day and said he found a small ‘stip-it’ when he Googled her name.

All it stated was, she died on December 12, 2020 in a hospital in Fargo, ND. No cause of death. Just stated that there are no services planned at this time.

Carol graduated from Dunseith High School in 71. I know she married Mathew Dejarlais, but don’t know when. He passed away, I think 4 or 5 years ago. I ready don’t know anything else about her.

 Thank You,

Ivy Eller Robert (74)

I saw the Christmas Star 2020
Posting from Vickie Metcalfe (’70):  Bottineau, ND

 Hello Gary, 

December 21,2020

I went out at 4:40  to the field adjacent  to my yard on the South East Yup, that old habit of mine,  I always show up to things early.

 I trudged  back and forth for a great length of time  through the snow. Finally  as the sun set I had a well worn path. And the light of the  moon above. South West was a first star appearing. I wandered crunching through the  crisp snow using… a sturdy …. gardening plant stick. Breathing  in the cold fresh North Dakota  air, I’d pause,  squinted, and counted stars as they appeared.

 I had to keep moving to keep warm. Nearly frost bit  my toes as the cold seeped through the sole of my boots.

 That first star was not a huge star…. like a flash bang moment. But  was the biggest and steadfast all the time. Hmmm  No, not a satellite or the International space station?  A  jet  passed high above in route like a  giant snow bird winging south.

 I thought, “Wow, to be a shepherd and follow a star on a cold night”……. and hope it is the right one.

 It got darker and darker on the 50 acre field. I didn’t see any bigger ones appear. 

I sent my thoughts and prayers up high, along with the Lord’s Prayer, and Apostles Creed. I thought,  “Wow, God, I am seeing the same sky  and stars as lots of family and friends.

And a star that was there when Jesus was born!”

 Now, maybe tomorrow, someone will tell me I was looking in the wrong direction. All was Calm and All was Bright in my world, finally reluctantly  I waded through the snow. I didn’t use the flashlight in my pocket,  trusting  the path and the stars. 

It took  a long time to thaw out. I rechecked info about the Star  on line that folks may continue to see the star thru the 26th of December.

 December 22, 2020 

This morning I stopped at Cenex for my  usual morning coffee. I purchased the mug back last April for  $20. and since then have free fill ups every morning.

 Yup~ I do not deny I am of  Scotch of the hills person decent!  

I have noted Cenex, where a cheerful wonderful group of  committed  folks work  there through this long pandemic. One is  Amber  (Great Grandparent’s; Ed Hanson,  Jennie Handeland & Winnifred Eurich)  She Is the manager of the  Cenex food court.  I’ve known  her since  she was a wee child. I also taught the Hanson Twins in my third grade class. ( they’d  say, “No,  it isn’t Hanson,  it is the ” Handsome Twins”) It has been gratifying watching former students … come into there own!

            Amber  brought out a  little wrapped gift, placing in my hand,  She said,  “open asap.” Of course  like a kid, I tore open a.k.a ripped open  the pkg.
……. wooden star ornament……

 I  am so touched by the significance of this “CHRISTMAS” star,  Amber handmade and gave me the morning after I saw the  Christmas Star. 

 May  all be Blessed with a Merry Christmas!

Vickie

Folks,
Sorry that today’s postings are all deaths.
I will add however that I am doing OK. However Bernadette has left quite a void in my life.
On the Positive side, These are pictures of my helpers.
Aldrin and Tat have been with us the whole time we have lived here, 17 years now.
Mirasol has been with us 7.5 years. Her Husband is Bernadette’s nephew.
They all live right here too with their families in their own homes.

I don’t need two helpers for the house. Tata was my choice mainly because I was keeping Aldrin, her husband for the outside work and Maintenance. Tata wouldn’t stay unless I kept Mirasol on too. She didn’t like seeing her loose her job. So they agreed to both stay on with 2/3 the wages they were getting. I requested that they be in my house by 8:00 AM each morning for general cleaning, making my bed etc. That will take them several hours or so. In addition to that I have asked them to make my lunch at noon and my evening dinner. Also that they be here to help, if I have company. They are good cooks too. The rest of the time is theirs. They are happy and so am I. They stick around my house most of the day when they are finished with their work too. Come and go. They know me better than I know myself. Likes, dislikes, etc. They keep close tabs on me too. I am a very luck guy to have them and I do treat them well. They all speak and understand English too. Mirasol has a Business BS degree too, but she prefers working here.

Aldrin just turned 50, Tata is 46 and Mirasol is 40. Tata was very close to Bernadette. She took her passing very hard. Mirasol too. In Bernadette’s life, I was number one. Number two was Tata above all others of which really showed with Bernadette’s jesters near the end too.

Actually, I have gotten spoiled over the years.

RAPHAEL’S POITRA’S OBITUARY: DHS Class of 1965
Posted from Vickie Metcalfe (’70):  Bottineau, ND

Raphael Lee Poitra, age 73 of Dunseith, passed away on Saturday, December 5, 2020 at a Fargo hospital.  A private family funeral will be held.   Visitation will be on Thursday, December 10, 2020 beginning at 4:00 pm at the St. Michael’s Catholic church in Dunseith.

Raphael was born on December 15,1946 in Belcourt, ND and was raised in Dunseith by Alice and Ralph Poitra. He attended Dunseith High School and was in the class of 1965. Raphael married Janice Metcalfe in 1978 and they had two children, Jaime and Kelly. In 1982, they purchased Kelvin Klinic Bar and Grill and ran the business for over 35 years. Through the years, they enjoyed serving, entertaining, and visiting with others at their establishment. Raphael was also an Iron worker for the Union for 30 plus years. In 2009, Raphael’s wife Janice passed away and he retired from iron working to run Kelvin Klinic full time. In 2012, he found love again with Evon Lagerquist and together they continued to run Kelvin Klinic until they both retired from the bar business in 2019 and moved to Dunseith. He enjoyed Evon and her son Eric’s company. Evon and Raphael would travel to see his family and visit others around the Dunseith area quite often.

Raphael enjoyed hunting, fishing, watching Vikings football and old westerns on TV. He also enjoyed visiting his grandchildren.  They were his pride and joy and he was very proud of their accomplishments. He loved watching them play sports, sing and play guitar. He rarely missed their events.

One of Raphael’s favorite pastimes was visiting with others. He was a great storyteller. He loved to reminisce about the old days and knew the history of the Dunseith area well. Some of the stories he told were somewhat over exaggerated, which made them even more enjoyable to listen to. His stories were always followed up with his well known one liner…”and that’s a fact.” Raphael’s laughter (often caused by his own stories and jokes) was contagious and could be identified by anyone in the room.

Raphael is survived by his partner, Evon Lagerquist; his two children, Jamie Metcalfe (April) and Kelly Olson (Chris); his grandchildren, Kennedy Olson and Joss Olson; his brothers, Robert Robillard and James Robilllard; and his sisters Lila Poitra (Jacque St.Claire), Gloria Patnaude and Carol Della Sample; and his godchild, Lester Lempke.

Raphael was preceded in death by his grandparents, Alice and Ralph Poitra; his mother, Elvena Robillard; his wife, Janice Poitra; his sisters, Geraldine Volker, Cecilia Delorme, Doris Lempke; his brothers, Charlie Poitra and Roland Poitra; and several friends and family members.

Gary Stokes Comments:
I was saddened to hear of Raphael’s passing. Raphael was one of nicest politest guys on the face of this earth. Such a nice guy and well like by all. He was my HS class mate of 1965. When we had reunions in recent years he was always there helping Set up with his pick-up truck too. He will be missed. I extend my condolences to his partner Evon Lagerquist and to the rest of his family too.

Gerald Anderson, DHS Class of 1961 passed away.

12/16/2020
Posting from Ann Carbonneau O’Connell: annieoconnell06031950@gmail.com  Bottineau, ND

My cousin Gerald Anderson passed away This morning. He was living in Arizona. He lived and went to  school in Dunseith in his younger years.  His parents owned the Gamble store. His wife passed away several years ago and he is survived by two sons and their families.

There will be no funeral for Gerry. He will be cremated and his sons will take care of his ashes.

Kenneth Baker: DHS Class of 1973 Passed away
Posting from Vickie Metcalfe (’70):  Bottineau, ND

https://prod12.meaningfulfunerals.net/obituary/kenneth-baker?fh_id=14585

Gary and friends of Dunseith Alumni,

Condolences to the Baker family on the passing of Kenneth.

Kenneth did attend Dunseith School as did his siblings.

I am so sorry Eunice my classmate, on the loss of your brother.

Sincerely,

Vickie L. Metcalfe

December 9, 2020

Bernadette Stokes’ Remains & spiritual blessings.

This is a Prominent Catholic Country with Very sacred spiritual beliefs.

They believe the body shall be in the home of the decease and the body will never be left alone until burial or Cremation.

They believe the decease shall have 9 days of Novena Prayers following death, followed with another 9 days of Novena Prayers at the 40^th day and one year time frame. The Novena prayers are about one hour each, attended by family and friends, followed with a beverage and snack.

Bernadette’s Ninth day was December 1^st. In addition to the Novena prayers, Bernadette had 5 Catholic priest services. Three were paid for and sponsored by her family. The 4^th Priest Service on Sunday, the 7^th day, I considered to be her funeral with Cremation the following day (Monday). On the 9^th day we took her Ashes to the Catholic Church for a final service. Since I considered Sunday’s service her funeral I ordered 175 catered box dinners. A meal following the funeral service is Tradition here.

In leu of attending her funeral and for covid concerns, the majority of our Expat (Foreign) friends visited individually prior to the funeral.

Eventually my plans are to have her ashes placed in the local Cemetery where her Father and Brother are buried.

This is the 2^nd day being back to the new Normal without her. We knew this day, of her passing, was coming, but it was still hard when the moment came. She is resting in Peace now.

Today is the last day for the Helper that was taking care of Bernadette at nights. At the end of this month I will let one of the other 3 go. I will then continue with Two helpers. One for inside house duties and one for outside.

Mildred Parrill’s 95^th Birthday Celebration
Posted by LeaRae Parrill Espe (’67): espe@utma.com Bottineau, ND

Happy 95th Birthday Mildred Parrill on December 6.

Mom is doing pretty good, still reading books and watching the Vikings.

We have not been able to see her in person for several months. /We take on the phone daily and can also Skype once in a while.

St. Andrew’s just last week reported that a couple of long term swing bed residents have Covid. They have been moved to a different wing and will be cared for by separate caregivers. It is very worrisome especially after what happened at Good Samaritan here in town where between 15-18 were lost to Covid.

Mom taught first grade in Dunseith for one and half years the classes of

1967 and 68.

(37 students and 39 students). She was out for about 3 years and then came back into second grade for the classes of 1970-1996.  She retired in 1986.  Shortly after she came back in second grade, they finally divided the students up in a first and second combination and later to two sections and eventually three. So all students in those years did not have her.

Folks may send birthday wishes over this blog , directly to my email of

espe@utma.com

or to my Facebook account or by mail to

Mildred Parrill, 316 Ohmer St., Bottineau, ND 58318

Thanks, LeaRae Espe

All thanks to all who have written her letters over the last months.

She is very appreciative.