Reply from Rod Hiatt (69): Bottineau, ND

Gary
I was talking with a friend today and he said that comparing Brian
Johnson’s backhoe skill with a surgeon may get him to start
charging the same price as a Doctor does for surgery. I told him not to
get his hopes up, Brian would never drop his prices that low.

Lois Tweten is a cousin to my wife Suzy. Eleanor Tweten Mattson is my
mother-in-law and still lives on the old Tweten Hereford Ranch south of
Rolette. Not sure if I have met Lois, but there have been a number of
family reunions at the old farm, so there is a possibility that I may
have met Lois at one of those.

Folks, Lois Tweten is the lady Bev Morinville Azure met at the Log House several weeks ago. We had a nice reply from Lois posted with yesterday’s message. Gary

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

Gary, just a note to let you know,wheather it’s not getting the numbers correct, misspelling of a word(which I do all the time…but close “enuff” LOL) wrong idendification of someone…all in all you do a FANTASTIC,job,and can say with certainty that’s the overall consensus by all your readers and responders….So a BIG THANK YOU! FOR ALL YOU DO! Take Care and God Bless….Aggie

Aggie, I realize that and that is why it doesn’t bother me. What you said applies equally well to everyone that contributes. We all have a tendency to read right over our own mistakes. One is also more inclined to catch their mistakes with a proof reading a day or so later. Then it’s too late if the message has already been sent. Thank you so much for the nice comments. Gary

Reply from Rhonda Hiatt (75): Battle Ground, WA

Reply to Aggie:

That was a great memory. Your along way from being Mrs. Freddie Krueger but that is the one thing I have always remembered of that night, and I still laugh when I think of it as I can still see you standing there with that knife. That had to be the busiest night in any resturant that I had ever worked at. The place was insane. Maybe that’s why I don’t like doing dishes.. lol

To Debbie Slyter:

I loved your poem. You really did capture everything about your Mom in it. I can see why she was so proud.

To Larry Nagel:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!

Rhonda Hiatt

Folks, I totally overlooked and did not notice the attachment with Andrew LaVallie’s obituary included with Mark Schimetz’s message yesterday. I am reposting Mark’s message to include Andrew’s obituary.

Again folks, and I stress, please let me know if I have missed something. I use Outlook Express to manage all of my email. Outlook Express displays a paper clip in the upper right corner if there is an attachment. I don’t always notice that paper clip so I’ll miss the attachment.

Thank you Mark for providing this. I did not personally know Andrew, but I can tell with all the correspondence, he was a great guy. I know his family and friends will dearly miss him. Gary

Tribute to Andrew LaVallie from Mark Schimetz (70): Rolette, ND

Hello, Gary,

A bit of History has been posted for Andrew C. LaVallie, I remember first meeting Andrew, it was on his return from Viet Nam. Dennis, Dallas and I would go over to his house on the east side of Main street to bug him, just for something to do. One day we caught him tilling the garden, he didn’t hear us call him so I sneaked up on him and grabbed his leg just above the boots and growled like a mad dog. Man! was that a mistake, He went into a defensive mode, legs and arms flying all over the place, while I was scratching dirt with all fours trying to get away from that whirlwind… Dallas and Dennis laughing their heads off, and Andrew, after shouting a few expletives after me as I was doing my best to escape the onslaught, Started laughing himself. I was patiently warned never to do that again. I was 14 at the time. After I had gotten to know Andrew better and he shared with us some of the crap that he was in, we learned to respect the space of homecoming soldiers.

Andrew LaVallie was a dear friend, a brother at arms, and is sorely missed, and so it will remain for the rest of my life.

I am sure this will remain true, for his family, friends and fellow soldiers who had shared their lives with this Honest, Honorable and Patriotic man.

Andrew did not quit serving his country when he left Vietnam, nor did he stop helping fellow Soldiers. Andrew belonged to the American Legion in Dunseith and the VFW in Belcourt. He was active in both Veteran Organizations, until the day he faded away.

Farewell My Friend, Farewell My Brother,

Reply from Janice Leonard Workman (56): Auburn, WA

The first boy in the back row is Vernel (sp??) Hill, then Bruce, Wayne Klang, Kenny Hill, a Bottineau boy ( that was their last name), Wally Hiatt, Mike McAtee, Eugene Parisien (sp??) Raynor, etc.

Middle row, Bob Hosmer, Arla Klang, ?Wallbank from San Haven, Eleanor Burke raised by Betty Schneider’s family, Arline, Ann, Clarice Rohr, Ellen Parisien, Gayl, and last is Larry Lear.

Front Row Elaine, a Bottineau girl, sister to the boy in the back row, Lois, Janice, the next girl maybe a Tennacore ???, and then Marjorie Landsverk.

Hey and to put a plug in for Jerry Williams’ class reunion, hope to see lots of “our group” there.

Reply from Paula Fassett (71): North Branch, MN

What a cute photo of the 1944 kids! I always love to see photos of my cousin Elaine Watkins when she was a little girl – she was awfully cute! I’m thinking it’s too bad that Elaine isn’t around to see this photo. She had her disabilities, but there was nothing wrong with her memory and I’d bet my hard earned paycheck that she would be able to identify each and every kid in that photo!!

Paula Fassett

Reply from Bob Hosmer (56): Lynnwood, WA

Hi Bonnie,

Thanks for filling in the gaps. You have a much better memory than I do of those early day classmates of ours. Perhaps others can fill in more gaps. Those were the days, eh?

Bob

Bob Hosmer, WA Chaplain
Marketplace Chaplains USA
Cell: 425-299-0928
Email: Website: www.MChapUSA.com

From Dick Johnson (68): Dunseith, ND

Note: Dick, I copied the names from your photo and used Bob’s picture for posting. Gary

Gary and Friends,

The picture of the grade school class, sent by Bob Hosmer, was from
the school annual from 1945. I am sending it so those who were unknown
can be identified. I think Bob has an original glossy picture that each
of the kids would have received. The picture in the annual is no where
near as clear as Bob’s picture. Thanks Gary!

Dick

Third Row: Vernolle Hill, Bruce Poeppel, Wayne Klang, Kenneth Hill, John Bottineau, Wallice Hiatt, Michael McAteo, Eugene Parisien, Raynor Lilleby, Barry Shelver, Miss Thelma Ege, Teacher

Second Row: Bobby Hosmer, Arla Klang, Patty Myrhow, Eleanor Burke, Arlene Lamoureaux, Ann Lamoureaux, Clerice Rohrer, Ellen Parisien, Cayl Bedard, Larry Liere.

First Row: Elaine Watkins, Geneiveive Bottineau, Bonnie Awalt, Lois Hiatt, Janice Leonard, Nancy Ovitt, Marjorie Landsverk.

Folks, with the upcoming cruise I thought I’d throw this picture in with today’s message. Bernadette worked for Zales Jewelry for a number of years and was constantly one of the company’s top national sales associates. In 1995 she earned this totally all expense paid Bahamas cruise for both of us, compliments of Zales. We had previously been on three Holland American cruises too. Two Caribbean and one Mexican. Gary

Bernadette & Gary Stokes

James & Mildred Fulsebakke Family:
Back: Gary Mid & Jim
Front: Jim Jr. Joel & Shelly

Dinner Raffle ticket Winners:

Marlene Reing is the lucky winner of the Beef (Steak) dinner and Bob Hosmer

is the lucky winner of the Chicken Dinner. Marlene Reing is Debby Stokes’ sister.

Debby is my brother Darrel’s (Bud’s) wife. Marlene and her husband Oliver live in

that beautiful home across the road to the north from the Bottineau fair grounds.

Another interesting thing too is that Marlene and Oliver’s daughter, Marlee, is

married to Jim Fulsebakke Jr. (75). Marlee and Jim live in Bottineau.

I think most of you know Bob Hosmer (56). Bob lives in Lynnwood, WA. Gary