Richard “Chops” Carlson Passed Away.
Memories from Rod Hiatt (’69): Bottineau, ND
Gary,
This past week we lost a very close friend and part of our family. Richard “Chops” Carlson was taken from us way to early.
Chops was part of the Hiatt Family for the last 25 years, not by blood but by choice, both his and ours. He was like a younger brother to us, an uncle to our kids and that extra son to my parents. He and Shelley were the same age, so we always said that they were twins, but Chops got more of the milk when they were younger.
I recall walking in the house with what we thought was a nice bouquet of flowers for Mothers Day, and there was already a huge floral arrangement on the table for my mother from Chops, and the time when Dad ended up in Minot in the hospital and Chops was in Denver over the road trucking. He told his dispatcher to either get him a load back to N. Dak. or he was leaving the truck and flying home. Well they loaded him that day and when we got to Minot the next day to see Dad, Chops was already there.
When he came to work for us, he said “ I will drive truck, do repair work, but I don’t want anything to do with those things(as he was pointing at the horses)” Within a years time he was not only out helping with the horses, but telling us how and what to do.
Chops was a very smart and talented man. If he went somewhere, he would remember every road, exit and best place to eat from here to the east coast, he could tear apart an engine, a transmission or any vehicle or piece of equipment and have it back together and running perfect, his carpenter skills were excellent and this was all self taught.
We would let the kids pick out a colt in the spring of the year and when we sold them in the fall the kids got the money. Chops somehow got in on that but he kept his and that is where the famous team of Midge and Madge came about. Chops spent countless hours with this team of horses and by the time they were old enough to drive, our Dad had made sure that he had harness, collars and a wagon. Breaking the team was the easy part, the hard part was trying to make a teamster out of Chops, But again when he was told how something should be done and what was not to be done, you didn’t have to tell him the 2nd time.
Chops was the kind of a guy that would help anyone, anytime and for any reason. If you need $5.00 he would give you $10.00 just to make sure you had enough. He was also the guy that if you asked for the time he would explain to you how to build a clock. I know that he was loved and is going to be missed very much, but personally I can sit back, chuckle and smile at things that we had done over the past years, his sayings that he used and the friendship that I was fortunate to have with a guy named CHOPS.
Richard “Chops” Carlson
October 04, 1962 – June 12, 2017
Richard “Chops” Carlson, age 54 of Bottineau, died Monday at his home near Bottineau. A memorial service will be held on MOnday, July 3, 2017 at 11:00 am at the Lakeside at Lake Metigoshe.
(Nero Funeral Home – Bottineau)
SERVICES
Memorial Service
Monday, July 03, 2017
11:00 AM
Metigoshe Lutheran Church
10605 Lake Loop Rd E
BOTTINEAU, ND 58318
Reply to Kay (Lund) Hildebrandt:
From Vickie Metcalfe (’70): Bottineau, ND
WoW!
Thank YOU for your great story about your Dad.
He sounds like he was quite the survivor.
It is wonderful that your dad shared experiences with you and you can pass on and share.
Knowing the strength of your roots and sharing stories of survival with your family is a gift.
My mom’s cousin lived her married life in Anaconda. Her husband worked in the mines.
A few years ago while spending a few days with her, she took mom, aunt and myself over to Butte to visit the historic Butte mining site.
Much of the equipment was still there.
( side note My aunt Leona Metcalfe and Winifred Pritchard Eurich were fond friends from school years of days gone by.
On her last visit to ND, Leona stayed with me, and was a delighted to spend a day visiting with Winfred at her farm.
Also, my sister in law, Sally is Winifred’s granddaughter.
Her children, my niece and nephew’s thought the world of their Great Grandma Winifred. She was a special lady indeed. )
Again, many thanks.
Vickie Metcalfe
Roger Hiatt Mystery solved
Reply from Dale Pritchard (’63): Leesville, LA
Gary,
Quite some time ago you published a Hiatt Family Tree that you (or someone) had put together. I think Roger was listed in there. My hard copy disappeared so there’s no quick check on my part. I forget who Roger said his dad was but I remembered the name at the time. Roger said that in addition to living in the Dunseith area, he actually grew up in Spokane, Washington.
Dale
Gary’s Comment
I pulled up the matrix and Roger is there listed in next to the last box, on the bottom, in the matrix below. His Grandfather was Henry Hiatt, brother to Will J, John, Amos, George, Walter and Harry. His mother was Lilie Chase. Henry and Amos were half-brother’s to the rest of the Hiatt Siblings. Henry moved west before I was born, so I didn’t know his family. My dad spoke of him often though so I know of him. Florence Dahl and Elenore Fauske (Stubby) and other Hiatt’s of that generation may be able to fill us in on more of the details of this Hiatt family.
Thanks Dale.
Recipe Books
Reply from Doreen Larson Moran (BHS ’61): Spokane, WA
HI Gary – I love the recipe books from the ND homemaker and church groups and from Washington state too. I am afraid I have a much too large collection that I might have to thin out some day. J The recipe for the flatbread is different than lefse. Hence the use of buttermilk and whole wheat. Flatbread is rolled verrrry thin and I believe baked in the oven. It is brown in color due to the whole wheat. I have my aunt Lois Ydstie’ recipe but she always brings a batch to family gatherings. Earl Thompson also makes a great batch of flatbread.
I do enjoy your Blog. I am always amazed at the Dunseith names that I recognize. That proves it is a small world after all.!!!! Doreen Larson Moran – BHS ‘61
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Blog (68) posted on October 31, 2009
Posted on October 31, 2009
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