Folks, Thank you so much for the many condolences we have received from you folks. I have placed them all in a separate folder that I will be reviewing with Bernadette when I can tie her down long enough. I will answer them all later. Bernadette does have an email account, but I’m pretty safe in saying she hasn’t opened it for nearly a year. Many of her local friends are into facebook, so she said she is going to get a facebook account. She can sure find things quick enough on the internet though when the interest arises.

Jose’s body is resting in his coffin on our porch. His funeral will be Saturday December 12th. They had a prayer session for him last night and they will have another this evening, but the formal prayer’s will begin Friday with the 9th day being the formal mass of his burial. The formal prayers are conducted by clergy assistants from the Catholic church. They have a regular reading that they go through each night. The whole process takes about an hour. It’s exactly the same each night. When their Dad died there were 50 to 75 folks that attended the evening prayers. Most of the folks that attend the evening prayers are neighbors. The Majority of Bernadette’s relatives live about 10 miles away in another community. Some of them will attend one or so of the nightly prayers but the majority will wait and attend the funeral. They can not afford the Jeepney ride each night.

With all the added activity at our house, I nearly forgot that today is our wedding anniversary. It was 31 years ago today that uncle Nels Petterson, Dad’s brother and his wife Helga walked Bernadette down the isle in “Our Saviors” Lutheran church in Bremerton, WA. Bernadette had no family in the USA, so Nels and Helga were her proxy’s. Bernie, her son, whom I adopted, was 7 years old at the time. Bernie was the Ring Bearer and can you believe lost the rings. They had fallen off the little pillow onto the floor. We found them, but there was a moment of anxiety. Gary

Posted from Bev Morinville Azure’s caringbridge sight:http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/bevazure

From her daugher Shonda Azure Campbell (94): Minot ND.

Sorry for the lack of information but it seems that the server has been on the fritz. My sincere apologies. Mom is currently resting quite well she has been given a medication for anxiety and as a result is sleeping allot. It seems that she is very peaceful. We won’t know what will happen next it is all in the hands of the Lord. But we would like to thank everyone for your great letters and strong support thank you .If you would like to e-mail me I will try and answer your letters the best that I can.

With great love and infinite appreciation, The Azure Family

my e-mail is cody.azure@yahoo.com
shon_campbell@yahoo.com

Request posted on the Dunseith Alumni Web sitehttp://garystokes.net/default.aspx

From: Traci Zahn
E-mail: tracizahn@live.com
Message:
I would like to be added to the email list. My grandmother is Dorothy Pritchard and it is nice to hear news about the area and people I grew up around

Traci, It is my pleasure to add you to our distribution. I believe your mother was Shirely Pritchard, Robert & Dorothy’s oldest child. Your Grandma Dorothy is on our distribution list too. She’ll be having a birthday next month too. She was born in 1913. That’s nearly a century ago. Gary

Dick Johnson (68):

Reply from Larry Hackman (66): Bismarck, ND

Gary

That was a great story that Dick wrote up about his grandpa. I think he deserves to be promoted to the class of 66. I’m sure he is honored. What else could he be? Gary an error to the good side is not really an error.

Larry

Larry as you well know, I know better. I’m not sure if Dick would agree it was a good promotion though??? Speaking of errors, when I was talking to Bill Grimme the other day, he said he had gotten a message from Johnny Frykman complimenting him on his younger age. I had Bill listed as being with the class of 75 on the reunion list. Gary

Axel Johnson:

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

Dick Johnson’s piece about his Grandpa was wonderful. When he mentioned the big rocks that he and Axel moved about with their own strength it reminded me of working with Axel at the gravel pit in Dunseith in 1948 after I graduated from high school. We worked on the trap, which was the entry point for gravel being dozed onto the rock crusher. Sometimes a boulder would find its way onto the grill which separated them from the flow onto the belt leading up to the crusher. It was necessary to lift the boulder out of there, up a six foot slope of gravel and metal intake to the crusher. Sometimes the boulders were so big we had to have the belt stopped and wrap a chain around the boulder to have the bull dozer drag it out. Often, I’d try to budge one unsuccessfully, and Axel would say, “Billie, back off, I’ll get that one.” Then he would get his hands and arms under a monster, work it up the steep slope of the trap and roll it out of the way. We did this for ten hours a day at a buck an hour, with time and a half after a week of 40 hours which happened on Friday, and Saturday. On Sunday we made Double time. It was a about 90 bucks a week, and that was fine. Axel showed me alot about staying with it, and encouraging me with great stories about his young years so I wouldn’t get discouraged. I look on that summer with alot of pride and fond memories of a work ethic he demonstrated, which gave me something in life that lasted for years doing other things of challenge. Thanks, Dick and Gary. Bill Hosmer

Bill, seeing your name brings Colette Hosmer to mind. It’s been a while since we’ve heard from her. I’m thinking she may be back over in China with another Art project?? Gary

Reply to Dick Johnson’s messages posted yesterday:

From Sharron Gottbreht Shen: Everett, WA.

Thank you Dick and Gary, I will pass the information on to children of Mildred and Ralph, Fred and Pearl’s descendants. The 41 Dodge sure has a beautiful grill. It seems Dick Larson had personal knowledge of performance. Dick Johnson, I look forward to your contributions. I’m thinking I should seek out a lighted wrench kit for your xmas! There are few of my aquaintance who had the endurance qualities of Axel Johnson. Dad certainly was impressed with Axel who put far more into every task Dale asked or expected. It has been a revelation to hear of his youth and struggles on these pages. Trenching without a backhoe? Unheard of today. Thanks again. Sharron

Gary, I have no sisters or brothers to spare! Although Jose is at peace, I know Bernadette and the family will be remembering and missing many of their departed in the days that come. I sat shiva with a Jewish neighbor a few of her seven nights and I think we all benefit and find comfort from the rituals surrounding our life companions when they pass. Many cares this side of death, that’s certain. Keep well Bernadette and Gary. God bless. Sharron

Thank you Sharron for the comforting words. Gary

Reply from Lorie Hiatt (88): Dunseith, ND

Hi Gary,

The little girl in the picture with dad and I is Vickie’s youngest daughter Cahla. Please add my name to the list I would love to come also please tell Bernadette how sorry I am for her loss you are all in my thoughts & prayers.

good morning to you &

good night from me

Lorie

Thank you Lorie too, for your comforting words

Ackworth Alumni picnic around 1990:
Back: Norman Hiatt talking to Willis Bowers and Russell Fauske. Gary Stokes with the Red cap
Front: Lori Hiatt and Cahla (Vickie Hiatt’s daughter)