2/17/2016 (2350)

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Harsh winter in Flint Michigan.
Message posted to Esther Murray Flemming (’65)
From Ginger LaRocque Poitra (’65):  Belcourt, ND

Hey Esther!

I have been hearing about the water issues in Flint Michigan,  that is where you live right? That is just terrible!  How could they not know they needed to do things before it happened.

God bless you and your family.

I hope you and yours are doing well.

You and  your family as well as the whole city are in my prayers.

Ginger ( LaRocque ) Poitra your class mate ’65

 

Erling Berg’s Brother, Hilmar Berg, passed away

Gary Stokes comment

I met Hilmar for the first time in the winter of 1967/68 in Everett, Washington.

Hilmar’s brother Clarence (Mabel) was married to my dad’s brother’s wife sister. Dad’s brother Nels and Helga lived in Everett, WA. While working in the paper mill, Hilmar spent the winter of 1967/68 with Nels and Helga. With my numerous visits to Everett that winter I saw and visit many times with Hilmar. In the following years, I’d see Hilmar with most of my annual visits back to ND. Hilmar was a nice likable friendly guy. I really enjoyed his company. I will miss him. I know he will be missed by his family and numerous friends too. Our condolences are with them with his passing. Rest in peace Hilmar.

Obituary provided by Diane (Berg) Rheault (’79): Fargo, ND

Hilmar Berg
Berg
        Born: February 28, 1917
Died: February 08, 2016

Hilmar W. Berg was born on the family farm in Starbuck Township, Bottineau County, ND, on October 7, 1917, to Carl and Inga Berg.  He was raised there, with three brothers and one sister, attended rural school at Thrum’s #5.  After working on farms in the area, he went to Minnesota in 1938 and worked on farms there.  In 1942 he was inducted into the U.S. Army and served 3 years and 8 months.  20 of those months were spent in the Aleutian Islands.  After his discharge in October of 1945, he returned to the family farm.

In the winter of 1947-1948, he spent 3 months in Anchorage Alaska driving a city bus.  When he returned to Starbuck Township in the spring, he began farming on his own and continued to do so for approximately 20 years.

Many winters were spent in Arizona, California and Washington.  Among his winter jobs, he worked on an assembly line for Chrysler, in a paper mill and a door factory. In 1969, he moved to Bottineau, where he made his home with his widowed sister Helen.

Hilmar has been an active member of Nidaros and Mouse River Lutheran Churches in rural Landa, First Lutheran Church, Sons of Norway, Senior Citizens and American legion all of Bottineau.

Hilmar was a kind gentleman and loving friend to many.  His nieces and nephews have many fond memories of him making their childhood fun.  Hilmar loved to play pool, garden, and enjoyed feeding the birds in his yard. His love for the Lord is reflected in the “worn” fingerprints on his Bible.

Hilmar passed away on Monday, February 15, 2016 at St. Andrews hospital in Bottineau.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Olaf (Hazel), Clarence (Mabel), Erling, and his sister Helen (Herman) Brandvold.

Hilmar is survived by his sister-in-law Delores Berg, nephews Don (Mary) Scottsdale, AZ; Curt (Kelly) Grand Junction, CO; Keith Berg (Chery) Fargo, ND; nieces Cindy (Mike) Pesek of Grand Forks, ND, Sue Berg of Lake Metigoshe and Diane (Jim) Rheault of Fargo, ND; great nephews Adam (Michelle) Lunde, Chris & Will Berg, great nieces Bethany Lunde, Kelly (Douglas) Bowles, Jessica, Jennifer and Allison Berg and Jacqueline Rheault; and great-great nieces and nephews. He is survived also by cousins Dan McCauley of Minot ND, Carol Moe of Champagne Il, and David Berg of Richmond VA.

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

The true story of the Chicken Gun. Too funny not to share!

Sometimes it does take a rocket scientist!                                                                     
Scientists at NASA built a gun specifically to launch standard 4 pound
Dead chickens at the windshields of airliners, military jets and the space
Shuttle, all traveling at maximum velocity. The idea is to simulate the
Frequent incidents of collisions with airborne fowl to test the strength of
The windshields.

British engineers heard about the gun and were eager to test it on the
Windshields of their new high speed trains. Arrangements were made, and
A gun was sent to the British engineers.

WHEN THE GUN WAS FIRED, THE ENGINEERS STOOD SHOCKED  AS THE CHICKEN HURLED OUT OF THE BARREL, CRASHED INTO THE SHATTERPROOF SHIELD, SMASHED IT to SMITHEREENS, BLASTED THROUGH THE CONTROL  CONSOLE, SNAPPED THE ENGINEER’S BACK-REST IN TWO, AND EMBEDDED ITSELF IN THE BACK WALL OF THE CABIN, LIKE AN ARROW SHOT FROM A BOW.

THE HORRIFIED BRITS SENT NASA THE DISASTROUS RESULTS OF THE
EXPERIMENT, ALONG WITH THE DESIGNS OF THE WINDSHIELD AND BEGGED THE U.S. SCIENTISTS FOR SUGGESTIONS.

NASA RESPONDED WITH A 1 LINE MEMO   :

“DEFROST THE CHICKEN.”

(TRUE STORY)

 

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Blog (421) posted on April 8, 2009

04/08/2009

Posted on
Dunseith Alumni Seattle reunion update:
From Bill Grimme:
All,
I plan to provide an update to Best Western on our needs for the Dunseith Reunion dinner in about 2 weeks. Following is a list of those signed up, so far:
Name Number of Dinners
Chicken Beef
Totals 16 15
If you intend to sign up, please send me a note indicating what you might guess your number of dinners and type of dinners you think you will need. I don’t have to make final payment until July, but, if we have a low number of attendees on our estimate, we will likely be put into a much smaller room than we originally requested. (Our initial guess to Best Western was 150 diners. As you can see from the totals above, we are far short of that, at this time.) I will provide the estimate based on the number already signed up PLUS those who are tentative.
So, get counted if you plan to attend or we may not have the room for everyone. My email is
Thanks,
Bill
Reply from Blanche Wicks Schley (42): Grand Forks, ND
Just read the blog for today and we in North Dakota appreciate all the kind words about fighting the flood
The flood of 1997 was an experience that we could have certainly lived without, but we all survived. As the river rises, we appreciate the dykes here in Grand Forks. At this point, bridges have been closed between Grand Forks and East Grand Forks, with the exception of one. The river is high but it is staying within its banks.
The last time it snowed, Wahpeton got 2 feet of snow….this has to melt and come upstream, so there will be another crest. Fargo has certainly had their share of flooding and the many people who came to their assistance have helped build up the dykes have helped so very much.
Just keep us here in North Dakota in your prayers regarding those who have been flooded as the “mighty Red ” flows up to Canada. Winnipeg is already getting ready for this…and they are not thinking whether or not it has a passport.
We do hope that spring is on the way! It is almost Easter and the snow has not melted yet.
Blanche Wicks Schley
Reply from Bill Hosmer (48): Tucson, AZ & Lake Metigoshe, ND
‘Dick Johnson’s description of the value system which prevails in that marvelous state of North Dakota is very well stated. It happens in the cities and always takes place in farming areas where we all grew up. We have a tougher and more giving people that raised us and who still thrive in that place. If there is anything in my life that gives me pride, it is knowing people of a population with more vigor, more love, more strength, and more courage than I could find anywhere in my travels. This readership constitutes that standard of excellence which is the result of that remarkable level of human achievement. I believe I am in an exclusive relationship with you all, which makes me proud and grateful. Everything else is secondary. Thanks for being who you all are. Bill Hosmer
Reply from Mel Kuhn (70): Saint John, ND
Howdy Gary,
Here’s an answer for Crystal about the Bullarama in St. John. It will be held on April 24 & 25 this year at the Rolette County Recreational Facility. For more info you can contact Don Davis at the school 701-477-5651. Yesterday we had the regular meeting of the Rolette County Historical Society and the annual Music Fun Night or Jamboree is going to be held on April 18th. at 7:00 PM for anyone interested in coming to hear so good old music.
Mel Kuhn