From Vickie Metcalfe (70): Dunseith, ND.

Hi Gary,
Did Margaret (Seim) Lawston connect with you? She’s Art and Eva’s
daughter. Margaret graduated from Notre Dame in Willow City. But
has many connections with Dunseith. On Margaret’s maternal side are
the Berube’s. Paternally, the Seim family resided in Holmes
Township. Arthur and Eva Seim as well as John and Ingrid Seim, lived
on the adjacent farm were my parents #1 mentors.

I have always considered, Grandma Seim as my adopted grandma. And
enjoying lutefisk and rulepolse as well as lefse ……me thinks, I
must be of Norweigian descent too, considering all that wonderful
stuff she and John Seim instilled in mentoring and influencing my
dad. I never knew Mr. Seim as he passed while dad was in the navy.
All I ever called Ingrid Seim was Grandma as she requested. I loved
her and I loved Art and Eva. Our farms share a strong fence line.
Dear Hearts and gentle people……

I was fortunate to share Grandma with Conrid Metcalfe, Margaret,
Marion and Edwin Seim. Conrid was my cousin through the Metcalfe
blood line. But, Art and Eva’s family were major part of our family
as well. I consider Margaret as my………. Seim Cousin.

The Seims were active in the Dunseith Community. Ingrid ie. Grandma
Seim was one of the original International Peace Garden Music Camp
cooks. John and Ingrid Seim both immigrants of Norway were faithful
and active in the support of Little Prairie Church. I was told by my
friends ie. Carroll C. and Art S. at different times, in the early
1900’s, in the community, John Seim, Lude Peterson, and Peter
Carlson were called THE BIG THREE.

Eva Berube Seim originally from Thorne, was a long time teacher.
She first taught at rural country schools then at Dunseith Public.
The young Eva, of Thorne and of French descent,while teaching at
rural Schools met Arthur Seim of Norweigan descent. Art converted
to the Catholic faith and they married.
Eva entered into the Dunseith rural community of the hills….which
was predominately Scandinavian in the 1920’s. Eva continued to be
strong in her Catholic faith. From her we garnered strong unwavering
faith, pea soup and Boston Raisin Round bread. She brought her own
attributes and talent into the community.

Their son, Edwin also graduated from Dunseith High. Marion holds
special memories for me as well.. At Art’s funeral I discussed with
Marion, something I’d ever shared with anyone else…… the only
doll.. I named myself…I named using Marion’s name as a
“Sister_____-_______ “. No one knew where I got such a name from…
I was a foxy thinking 4 year old and by naming that doll, claimed my
first independent thought from my older sibling…..I
interchanged/flipped the two names. I recall my sister older sister
Nancy was quite chagrined at the time because I did not allow her to
name this particular doll as she had all my others. She couldn’t
figure out that name and was quite perturbed. I would not be
budged. And never told any one the origin until that November day
while saying goodbye to Art, with Marion,Margaret and Edwin.

Anyway, Gary my hope is that Margaret will enjoy your blog as much
as I and all the others who continue to gather and commune on
remembering Dunseith. As ever, Vickie.

Margaret Seim Lawston’s message (7/27/09):

Hi Gary, I had a most welcome phone call from Vickie
Metcalfe today. She was telling me about a blog you sent to people
with a Dunseith history and other connections. My parents were Arthur
and Eva Seim. I grew up in the Turtle Mts. I would be very happy if
you would add me to your list . Thanks, Margaret
Lawston
margaret

Vickie & Margaret, I am so sorry I missed your message Margaret in my in box. It was there, I just missed it.

Margaret, Many of our readers will remember you well. It is with great pleasure that I add you to our distribution list. Gary

Art Seim

Reply from Kathy Fassett Klemmer (71): Plantation, FL.

Hi Gary! Thanks to my dad, I guess I’ll get on the mailing list! You are so wonderful to do what you do for the folks in/around Dunseith.

I was born in Bottineau, but only went to the first grade in Dunseith before dad/family moved to El Paso, Texas, so even tho I didn’t go to school more than that 1st year – I’ve had a deep connection with Dunseith. I graduated from Burke Central High School in 1971 (Lignite, ND). Up until a few years ago when my grandma (Kate Fassett) and my mom’s oldest sister – Cynthia Johnson – Irene and Bill Fassett passed, I would go up to Dunseith every summer to visit them. It’s not the same now that they are gone. Loved listening to their stories of life growing up and raising family in Dunseith. I sure miss them all!

I get up there whenever I can. There are no better people in the WORLD than the folks from ND. We spent every summer in Dunseith when dad was in the border patrol (living in California) – best memories. Was there in October, but only for a short trip.

Sorry we couldn’t make it on the cruise. Many family health concerns at the time, but all is well now! Thanks for letting me keep in touch with friends and family. Kim (sister) and dad Darrel have been keeping me up to date on everything going on.

Thanks again for adding me to the list – I look forward to reading more about everyone up there. Hi Crystal and Dad and all those who keep me informed on the ND life!

Cheers, Kathy (Fassett) Klemmer

Oldest & Youngest on the Alaska cruise that attended school in Dunseith

Posted by Keith PLadson (66): Stafford, VA

Gary,

I hope you get this. We took this the last day of the cruise as we were docked in Seattle.

Keith

Keith, I see this picture was taken in the Market Cafe up on the 12th deck. Many folks from our group ate breakfast up there. They served some of the best French Toast that I have ever eaten. Their Bacon was really good too. The ship served premium food in all of their restaurants. The Market Cafe seemed to be a good place to meet and socialize in the morning hours and for lunch too. We normally had our evening dinner in one of the finer more formal restaurants. The price was right, nothing. It was all included in the price of cruise. Gary

Oldest & youngest on the cruise that attended school in Dunseith

Becky Sime Coles (83) & Minnie Knox Flynn (47)

Alaska Cruise “Dunseith school kids” photo:

Bill Grimme has provide us with a numbered key below for the picture I posted several days ago of those of us that were on the cruise that attended school in Dunseith. I will be posting the key for the total group picture in several days after I get conformation from those that went on the cruise that I have labeled it correctly. Gary