08/16/2017 (2552) | Dunseith Alumni

Holdaas, Martin and Pladson connections
Question from Keith Pladson (’66): Roanoke Rapids, NC

Gary,

Question for you re the now dated Martin obit included in your last blog (I missed it the first time around). I noted that Mr. Martin married a Holdaas from Bottineau. As memory/if memory serves me right I believe my second cousin, Delores Pladson, married a Holdaas(sp?). Delores, daughter of Ted and Mary married Harvey Holdaas and if I am correct they moved to Washington state years ago. I don’t remember much else about them. (We knew and visited with both Duane’s (and Jean) and Darlene’ s (Clarence Melgaard) families when we were growing up so knew those families well.)

Anyway, was wondering if you knew if there was a connection between the two Holdaas’ names (provided they are even spelled the same). And, of course because of your connections to Jean, this may also be of some interest to you.

Keith

Gary Stokes’ reply
Kieth: Delores Pladson Holdaas was married to Harvey Holdaas and they lived in Seattle. Her brother Duane was married to Jean Hanson Pladson. Jean is my first cousin. Her mother and my dad were siblings. I’m not sure if Gerald Martin’s wife, Loni Holdaas Martin, was related to Harvey Holdaas. I’m sure some of our readers may know.

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Blog (626) posted on November 18, 2009

Posted on November 18, 2009

Myron Zorn’s (65) son was killed in Iraq:

From Sharon Zorn Gerdes (62): Windsor, CO

Gary, I don’t know how many people remember my brother Myron Zorn. He graduated from Bottineau, not Dunseith, but did attend Dunseith. He and his wife Joann had two boys. His son Ryan was killed in Iraq yesterday. Thanks , Sharon Zorn Gerdes

Yes, we remember Myron well. He was with our class of 65 thru his sophomore year. We are so sorry to hear of his son being killed. What a tragedy. It makes that war so much more real when folks we know are taken from us. This has to be so hard for Myron and JoAnn. Our condolences are with them and the whole family. The email address I have for Myron and JoAnn is no longer good. Their address is

Myron & JoAnn Zorn
346 Willow Creek Dr
Wright, WY 82732

Birthday card shower for Kenrose Medlang who will be 90 on Thanksgiving day.

The Tale of Red Rabbit and the Sunday school teacher.

From Vickie Metcalfe (70): Bottineau, ND.

Hi Gary and friends,

This morning,while on a pumpkin doughnut run to the Family Bakery, I met Bob Lagerquist coming out the door. Bobnin his red chevy car, drives down #43 and county line, from the hills of Little Prairie with KenRose weekly to do laundry here in Bottineau. Today, KenRose’s chestnut brown curly hair, with just a hint…just a wee bit of minor strands of silver looked especially nice. She said, she’d just been to the local beauty shop early this morning. …….. We girls feel so good when we can sit back relaxed and someone else pampers us by washing our hair!

It is always a pleasant visit with the pair of them, whom I’m very fond of. Our families “went visiting” back and forth with KenRose’s family years ago when I was in early elementary school. Odin was so handy with mechanical things and always willing to help out my dad who was not a “motor head”. Oft times in the summer, their family would come down, Odin and Dad would meet under the old red gas barrel, with pieces of machinery and tools,we kids would race around the yard playing games like tag, kick the can, Mom and KenRose would “visit” and put together a little lunch and coffee.

And, those years ago, between springs work and haying, Odin spent Sunday afternoons building a pontoon. I thought it a grand adventure one sunny summer day when our family packed a lunch and went to it’s launching at Pelican Lake. It seems to me, he was a welder too. I recall, him with used parts of an airplane jet engines? and oil barrels. He’d sometimes combine our crops in the fall. He also had one of the first small hay balers and would do custom work. The summer of the big rains, the Seim-Metcalfe bales floated back and forth over the road Art Seim and my dad could tell which ones belonged to each of them as Art used twine and Odin’s were wire.

At her house, those “visiting times” , KenRose alway’s looked trim in her dresses serving cookies and a special drink. What a treat, cool water drawn from the well, ice cubes from the refrigerator and red kool aide! My first Sunday School teacher was KenRose. Our little circle, Joanne, Marlys and myself, would sit on those blonde-slated-wood folding chairs behind the altar gathered around KenRose. The beautiful Jesus painting from behind the circular oak altar now graces the hospitality room of Peace Lutheran Church in Dunseith. I believe the baptismal font at Peace was also an original from Little Prairie Lutheran.

This little family lived on Little Prairie; Odin, KenRose, Obert and Marlys. I admit, I was always a little jealous of Marlys. Marlys had a mom who let her daughter keep a live animal in the farm house. Something no other mother I knew allowed. NO. Not a dog. Not a cat. Marlys’ pet was an exceptionally clean long eared animal with is own litter box and cozy bed. His name? His name was “Big Red.” Red was a beautiful big red rabbit, who lived behind KenRoses combination wood-electric range in her kitchen!. And while she was tending to making lunch he’d hop around her feet!

The Medlang farm thermometer usually dips degrees below others. This morning, Bob said, “The coldest at Little Prairie was -6 below just once this past week.”

Bob and KenRose usually end their errand run with a visit to the Family Bakery for coffee, and a little lunch. Before heading home to the prairie, north- north east,Bob purchases some bakery treats for coffee time and takes them out to the car. Then as Bob helped KenRose to step out, down the curb, and opened the door he said to me. Vickie, She’s going to be 90 years old next week on Thanksgiving.

I’m requesting, you all to join me in a birthday card shower for KenRose next week on her big day. Her walking,vision and hearing are slowing down a bit but she’s still KenRose soon to be 90 years young.

P.S. Just for you all to know! I’m jealous no longer, I grew up and now usually have 2 white Westies usually, around my feet when I make lunch!.

ThankYou all. Vickie Metcalfe

Folks, Let’s make Kenrose’s day and shower her with lots of cards as she turns 90 years young on Thanksgiving day, November 26th. That’s next week. I will have a card in the mail today. I know many of you know Kenrose. She is the mother of Obert (66) and Marlys (70): Every card she gets will make Bobby Lagerquist’s day too. Bobby has lived with the Medlang’s for many years. Kenrose has lived in the same house on the same farmstead on Little Prairie for as long as I’ve known her and that’s been my entire life.

Neither Kenrose or Bobby have email, so they will be surprised. I’m sure that Vickie will get a report from them. Gary

Kenrose Medlang

RR #1 Box 128

Dunseith, ND 58329-9451

Bobby Lagerquist (58) & Art Rude – 7/12/07

Pete Gillis (65):

Reply from Bill Hosmer (48): Tucson, AZ & Lake Metigoshe, ND.

Gary, I just wanted to include my sincere message to Pete about his current challenge. Hopefully, my good golfing friend, you continue to combat the enemy messing with you now as you did when the other one you faced was shooting at you in Vietnam. You returned from that war with honor, and my belief is that you will face this enemy with the same valor and success you did before. I stand at attention and salute you during these days of concern. God Bless, Bill Hosmer

Bev Morinville Azure (72) update – not good:

From Shonda Azure Campbell (94): Minot, ND.

Gary if you could please post this is the next Dunseith blog and just so everyone knows she is in trinity she is very weak and tired …..

Hello All Family and Friends Today it is with tears in my eyes I bring you this news …. My mother was admitted back to the hospital and today we learned the news that the cancer is back and its full force this time it seems there is no stopping it ….As of right now they are treating the pain the cancer is spreading so fast there seems no treating it …I am so sorry all please know she loves you all very much

Shonda

Shonda, we are so sorry to hear this grim news. Never loose hope. Hang in there. Your mother, Bev Morinville Azure, the wonderful lady that we love so dearly, is in our prayers. Gary

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/bevazure

Bev Morinville Azure:

Reply from Lee Stickland (64): Dickinson, ND.

Toni, Thanks for the note, that cancer is insidious. I was an orderly at Trinity 1967-69 but can only pray for Bev, now. It is very nice that the family can be there. Lee Stickland

Alan & Phyllis Campbell:

Bev Morinville Azure:

From Cheryl Larson Dakin (71): BEDFORD, TX

I just read the Dunseith News in the Bottineau Courant that Phyllis and Alan Campbell sold their house and are now living in Minot. This is like the end of an era. I think so many of us remember hanging out there and parties in the garage and so many gatherings. I have never forgotten a special breakfast treat that Phyllis fixed us one Saturday morning that I occasionally treated my kids to when they were young….cocoa krispies and a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The idea being the the ice cream melted and became the “milk” for our cereal. It was the most special breakfast I could ever remember having to that point. So to Phyllis and Alan, thanks for some really wonderful memories and best wishes in your new home.

To Beverly, be strong, stay hopeful. You are in my prayers my friend. I love you.

Cheryl Larson Dakin

Question from Lynn Halvorson Otto (75): Seoul, Korea

Hi Gary, can you put this on the blog! Does anyone remember the Beechler (spelling) family that lived in Dunseith. One son was in my grade and his name is Clayton. Another son’s name was Wyett, not sure though. Thanks, Lynn Halvorson Otto

From Sharron Gottbreht Shen (59): Everett, WA.

Hi Gary,

Thought you might relate to this mail from Jean, my brother Bill’s wife. It seems whenever I have a few ideas and pictures together I get distracted by small everyday tasks that are not nearly as important to me as your blog and all the mutual friends that have formed a special and unique community around events that touch their lives way back when and now. I am so very thankful.

Sharron

HIGH SCHOOL — 1957 vs. 2007

Scenario 1:
Jack goes quail hunting before school and then pulls into the school parking lot with his shotgun in his truck’s gun rack.
1957 – Vice Principal comes over, looks at Jack’s shotgun, goes to his car and gets his shotgun to show Jack.
2007 – School goes into lock down, FBI called, Jack hauled off to jail and never sees his truck or gun again. Counselors called in for traumatized students and teachers.

Scenario 2:
Johnny and Mark get into a fist fight after school.
1957 – Crowd gathers. Mark wins. Johnny and Mark shake hands and end up buddies.
2007 – Police called and SWAT team arrives — they arrest both Johnny and Mark. They are both charged them with assault and both expelled even though Johnny started it.

Scenario 3:
Jeffrey will not be still in class, he disrupts other students.
1957 – Jeffrey sent to the Principal’s office and given a good paddling by the Principal. He then returns to class, sits still and does not disrupt class again.
2007 – Jeffrey is given huge doses of Ritalin. He becomes a zombie. He is then tested for ADD. The school gets extra money from the state because Jeffrey has a disability.

Scenario 4:
Billy breaks a window in his neighbor’s car and his Dad gives him a whipping with his belt.

1957 – Billy is more careful next time, grows up normal, goes to college and becomes a successful businessman.
2007 – Billy’s dad is arrested for child abuse. Billy is removed to foster care and joins a gang. The state psychologist is told by Billy’s sister that she remembers being abused herself and their dad goes to prison. Billy’s mom has an affair with the psychologist.

Scenario 5:
Mark gets a headache and takes some aspirin to school.
1957 – Mark shares his aspirin with the Principal out on the smoking dock.
2007 – The police are called and Mark is expelled from school for drug violations. His car is then searched for drugs and weapons.

Scenario 6:
Pedro fails high school English.
1957 – Pedro goes to summer school, passes English and goes to college.
2007 – Pedro’s cause is taken up by state. Newspaper articles appear nationally explaining that teaching English as a requirement for graduation is racist. ACLU files class action lawsuit against the state school system and Pedro’s English teacher. English is then banned from core curriculum. Pedro is given his diploma anyway but ends up mowing lawns for a living because he cannot speak English.

Scenario 7:
Johnny takes apart leftover firecrackers from the Fourth of July, puts them in a model airplane paint bottle and blows up a red ant bed.
1957 – Ants die.
2007 – ATF, Homeland Security and the FBI are all called. Johnny is charged with domestic terrorism. The FBI investigates his parents — and all siblings are removed from their home and all computers are confiscated. Johnny’s dad is placed on a terror watch list and is never allowed to fly again.

Scenario 8:
Johnny falls while running during recess and scrapes his knee. He is found crying by his teacher, Mary. Mary hugs him to comfort him.
1957 – In a short time, Johnny feels better and goes on playing.
2007 – Mary is accused of being a sexual predator and loses her job. She faces 3 years in State Prison. Johnny undergoes 5 years of therapy.

Postings by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Minot & Bottineau, ND.

Neola’s mother, Emma Brudwick Kofoid