Hello Dunseith Alumni and Friends,
As I have said in the past, my postings have dwindled way back. We are kept pretty busy with our friends and activities.
As I have mentioned before, we are in the process of processing Angel’s USA Permanent Resident Green Card Visa. We are expecting that to be finalized hopefully in the August time frame.
On August 28th, we will be celebrating our DHS Class of ’65, 60th Class reunion at Dale’s. I plan to make it back for that. Hopefully Angel will have her Green Card visa by then too and will be able to accompany me. If not, my plans are to make a whirlwind 5-day trip back, inclusive of 3 days travel, for our reunion and return a bit later with Angel when she gets her Green Card.
Life is good in the Philippines.
Gary Stokes
Gary Thomas Houle (DHS Class ’63)— aged 80 years, passed away on February 26th 2025
Obituary posted by his wife Roberta Houle: unionsparky@q.com Champlin, MN
Gary–It just occurred to me that your website would be a good place for the info below. I really enjoy your postings
Roberta Houle
Gary Thomas Houle— aged 80 years, passed away on February 26th 2025 with his daughter and wife by his side from congenital heart failure. Born on August 2 1944, in North Dakota, Gary was the sixth of twelve children born to Aloysius and Lillian Houle. He graduated from Dunseith High School with the class of ‘63 and served in the United States Army. Upon his discharge he worked as an electrician and was an active member of IBEW Local 292 for over 50 years. He met his wife Roberta in 1973. They later married and enjoyed 50 years of marriage together. He is survived by his wife, two daughters; Melody and Renee, as well as four grandchildren. He enjoyed spending the summers RVing and fishing with his family, as well as woodworking as a hobbyist. Gary also enjoyed learning of civil war history and trained as a small aircraft pilot in his spare time. His remains will be laid to rest at Fort Snelling Cemetery in Bloomington, MN. His service will be held on March 14 at St. Vincent de Paul’s; 9100 93rd Ave N, Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. Visitation will be from 9:30, followed by a 10:30 service and 11:30 luncheon.
Gary’s comments
I was saddened to hear of Gary’s passing. He was two years ahead of me in School, but I remember him well.
In later years, through the Bottineau Sr. Citizens, Gary’s mother Lillian and my parents were inseparable friends. They were together on a daily bases. Lillian raised a large family and good family too. They are all gone now too, but will always be remembered. We extend our condolences to Gary’s wife Roberta and their family and friends too.
Duane Woodford (DHC 1957) Passed away
Posting from Karen Woodford Olson (59): Bemidji, MN
Gary,
Sad new …. My brother Duane Woodford passed away on Thursday May 15, 2022 in Concord, Ca. Will send obituary when I receive it. Karen Woodford Olson
Postings from Vicky Metcalfe (’70): Bottineau, ND
Battle of Iwo Jima: 80 Years Later, Lessons Learned > U.S. Department of Defense > Story
Gary and Friends, of Dunseith School,
My dad Cliff, attended Hillside Country School through grade 6. He then moved into Dunseith with his mother and sisters , where he then completed grades 7 and 8 at Dunseith Public. School.
After leaving grade 8 he worked for the Seim Family Farm; John & Ingrid and Arthur & Eva .
He and his friend ,(Maynard) Bill Peterson rode a train to Seattle in Washington State, where several Metcalfe families resided and worked in building construction.
After Pearl Harbor (Dec 7) was attacked, Cliff enlisted into the USS NAVY where he trained in Idaho.
——- Original Message ——–
Iwo Jima a.k.a Mount SIRABACHI
This was where my father, Clifford David Metcalfe was 80 years ago.
He told me; As he was a bosun mate on the USS HAMLIN during this battle, he piloted US Marines onto this island.
He watched through binoculars the heroic flag raising…..twice ( the original then the photo shoot) . He admired those 5 brave men who hoisted the Stars and Stripes including, the native PIMA marine.
As a bosun mate it was also his responsibility to retrieve deceased warriors from the ocean.
Vickie Leona Metcalfe
March 29,2025
Razor clam digs set for Washington coast with safety reminders in place
March 20, 2025
Gary and Friends of Dunseith Alumni,
Happy Spring Everyone!
As a child, our family lived in WA at different times.
My dad , Cliff who was a Professional Plasterer, learned and earned his trade under a GI sponsored Bill after his service in the US Navy WW II.
He and and his brother, Emil who also served, Apprenticed, became a Journeymen and earned degrees as Master Plasterers in Seattle.
On September 1947, he came back to Dunseith where he proposed and married my mother at Dunseith Lutheran Church.
They journeyed back to Seattle, setting up house keeping across the street north from the famed Woodland Park Zoo.
While dad completed his training, mom “penny pinched” their meager savings.
She told how a neighborhood local butcher shared with her, how to cook various meats which were economically priced. . The butcher discovered mom was of 1/2 Irish descent, taught her how to cure and season beef to making corned beef which she served with horseradish, cabbage and boiled potatoes. This traditional March 17 feast continues to be passed down thru family.
Mom and dad those first years of marriage, spent every weekend exploring, discovering and enjoying various places, sites and activities across western Washington.
Years later, 1958-59 and again 1963-64, Construction work, brought them back to Marysville, WA.
Cliff and Lottie were saving, saving, saving to build their farm.
Once again, every weekend along with wee children, they shared memorable experiences of Puget Sound.
One activity, whenever a season opened was all about Clams. Razors, horsenecks etc… Yes, CLAMMING was a day long Saturday Metcalfe family activity at a beach.
Wee watched Dad and Mom walk along looking for little breathing holes, stop, quickly dig … dig… scoop..into a bucket….who’da thought one clam could move so durn fast!
They would bring a bucket of clams home. The next day, mom and dad would wash and cook clams.
Our Sunday supper.
There were various kinds of clams…..I was not too fond of the nitty gritty bite of sand innmy teeth…….
But oh what fond memories of wonderous Saturday’s at a Puget Sound beach.
Dad and Mom digging razor or horse neck clams for Sunday ‘s supper!
Until Later, Vickie Leona Metcalfe
Here is a komonews.com article that you might like
