05/15/2018 (2631)

Posted on by

Anthony Poitra
Message from Ginger LaRocque Poitra (’65):  Belcourt, ND

Hi Gary,

You probably don’t even remember this, it was the last time that you were setting in Bakery Cafe in Bottineau.  We came in I went ahead of Anthony,  said hi to you.  I then went back to Anthony. He didn’t want to do anything but sit down. I really had no idea why he wasn’t  going to come over to see you. Anthony was always so friendly.  Not knowing this was part of his sickness, the genetic hemochromatosis he had. We of course had no idea what he had.

He knew that I wanted to see you and for him to visit with you. He normally tried to do what I wanted. That was why we went into that restaurant.

So many things were happening to him, it was crazy. Finally his sickness kept getting worse and worse. It finally consumed my love of my life, the only love I have ever had or will have. I  miss him so very much.

I am sure you miss your Bernadette as well, the way she always was.

Talk later,

Ginger

 

Gary’s Reply,

Ginger; I remember that day well. We were sitting at the long center table in the Bottineau Bakery. That is where a lot  of the regulars sit. Often times I’d go there for breakfast and before I knew it, it was noon, Dinner time. Some of those returning for dinner had been there for Breakfast too. I of course hadn’t left. Lots of good conversations with lots of folks that would come and go.

Ginger; you and Anthony came in the Bottineau Bakery for dinner and sat at the first booth. As I remember you weren’t alone. There were others with you. I could tell Anthony wasn’t well. It was very obvious. I totally understood. It’s always a pleasure seeing you too Ginger.

I remember well our first class of ‘65 reunion at the Sky Dancer in 2007 for Breakfast. Ginger; you were a nervous wreck. You weren’t going to attend, but someone, I have forgotten who, talked you into attending. You came late that I remember well. Very nervous. That was soon over shadowed with the reception you got. It had been 42 years since many of us had seen one another. All but 3 of our class graduates were at that reunion too. At the time there were 25 living of the 27 graduates. That was and always will be a reunion of a life time. The breakfast was informal. Our formal reunion was several days later at the golf course.

 

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Blog (706) posted on February 5, 2010

Posted on May 5, 2010

Tour the Rolette County Museum on Friday, May 21st

From Mel Kuhn (70): St. John, ND.

Gary,

Dick and I were talking and if anyone that is coming home for the reunion would be interested we would open the Rolette County Museum in St. John for people to go through. Friday the 21st. works best for us. We would just have to pick a time. We don’t have it open for the season yet so we may come across some dust.

Mel

Folks,

We have decided on the time to be 1:00 PM

Thank you so much Mel & Dick for doing this for us.

What a great opportunity for us that Mel and Dick are doing enabling us to see this site.

We’ll see you guys there at 1:00 PM on Friday, the 21st.

Gary

I found this on the Net. Gary

One of the most interesting sites in Rolette County is the Rolette County Historical grounds located on the south edge of St. John as you come into town from the South. It consists of 12 lots, part of which is surrounded by a chain link fence.

The Rolette County Historical Society was organized by a small group of interested people in 1974. Its goal and purpose as an active organization is to help preserve some of the relics of the early pioneers–historical monuments, landmarks, buildings, etc., that have historical value. The initial grounds were donated to the Society in 1975 by the Mill Lake Cemetery Association and consisted, at that time, of 6 lots and the Mill Lake Lutheran Church, which was built in 1911. There are now several buildings on the site; the Church, a little one-room school house which dates back to early 1900’s; a little pioneer log cabin; a display building containing many different memorabilia; another display building with larger antique machinery; an immigration building, toy shop, boxcar, caboose, and an outdoor stage.

Dunseith Sr. Citizens will be serving lunch on Sunday May 23rd.

Posted by Jackie Peterson Hansen: St. John, ND

Folks, Jackie’s parents are Jack (deceased) & Nettie Peterson.

Jackie, this is wonderful that the Sr. Citizens are doing this for the community and those of us visiting the area. In 2007 they had some of the best home baked goodies ever. Their pies were out of this world. I had several plus pieces. I was reminded of this by non other than Larry Hackman. Larry we’ll have to pay them a visit again for some more of those great home baked goodies if they’ll be serving them again. Bernadette and I plan on attending the Sr. Center for lunch on Sunday May 23rd. This is another great opportunity to see more of the Dunseith Alumni folks. Thank you so much Jackie for this posting. Gary

From: jackie hansen
Phone: 701 477 5780
E-mail: jackie.hansen@sendit.nodak.edu
Message:
Would you please post this for my mom {Nettie) and other Sr. Citizens:
A lunch is being served at the Sr. Citizens’ Center on May 23, starting at 11:00 AM. The seniors in the community welcome visiting alumni as well as those from the area.

Baptismal of Connor O’Hara, DeAnn Gottbreht’s son:

Message from DeAnn Gottbreht O’Hara: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/deanngottbreht

We are going to be getting Connor baptized on Saturday May 15th at 11am at Peace Lutheran Church in Dunseith, ND. All are welcome. We will be having a meal afterwards at the church. Thanks Cheryl for the reminder to get it posted on here. Take care everyone

The Conroy’s

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

Thanks to Don Martel for the great photo of the principals – brings back memories! I wonder if Don & Colleen have photos of Mrs. Conroy, too, that they would like to share? I remember learning to count money in her 4th grade class by playing “store” with a cash register and toy money – buying cans of soup, etc. that she had brought from home just for that purpose. We had singing in her classroom on Fridays – with Mrs. Elsie Schneider coming in to play the piano. Mrs. Conroy also had the best arts & crafts – we made candles, plaster wall-hangings, corsages for Mom at Christmas and grew petunias in paper cups for Mother’s Day. She also read aloud to the class every day after noon hour – “Little House On the Prairie” was always my favorite.

And remember the “sick room” between the 3rd and 4th grade rooms – upstairs in the old Dunseith School building. I think we hung our coats in there and I remember lots of bookshelves, but there was a bed in there so if you got sick there was a place to go until the bus came, or your mom came to get you………..

Paula Fassett-Pfuhl

Joy Bashara (Teacher)

Question from Diane Fuger (75): Minot, ND.

Gary:

I have a question for the class of ’75. Does anyone remember Ms. Bashara(sp?) or know where she is nowadays?

Diane Fugere

Ronald Oswell, son of Leona Metcalfe, passed away:

Posted by Vickie Metcalfe (70): Bottineau, ND

Ronald George Oswell
August 07, 1947 – May 01, 2010

Ron Oswell passed away May 1, 2010. He was born in Seattle on August 7, 1947 to George and Leona (Metcalfe) Oswell. Ron grew up in Seattle, and graduated from Shorecrest High School, where he was the school’s first bagpiper and gave himself the rank of Pipe Major. He attended Shoreline Community College before receiving his draft notice in 1967, precipitating his enlistment in the U.S. Army, where he served four years in the Army Security Agency. [He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1967, serving four years in the Army Security Agency] He also served four years in the Army Reserve, achieving the rank of Chief Warrant Officer II. He married Christine Gaston, a former Shorecrest Pipe Band member, in Basle, Switzerland on November 10, 1970. After returning to Seattle in spring 1971, he worked in construction, first as a union carpenter, then as a foreman, and in due time as a superintendent. He was generous with these carpentry skills, helping family and friends with household projects.
Ron always had many interests, and was talented in many areas. He had a beautiful tenor voice, and learned musical instruments easily. He had a lifelong love of photography, and always had a darkroom to work in, wherever he lived. In recent years, he was working to master PhotoShop. He also continued his interest in bagpiping and things Scottish. He played with the Washington Scottish Pipe Band for many years and was a very good piper. He also spent time over the years dirt biking and trap shooting. He coached a girls’ soccer team for 15 years, bringing a core group through three team name changes and from mod soccer to high school graduation.
He always dreamed of owning a Harley Davidson motorcycle, and finally purchased a beautiful bike a few years ago that was his pride and joy. He always had a big smile on his face as he drove into the driveway after a ride.
Ron is survived by his wife Chris, and two children, Bergman, born in 1974, and Katie born in 1978. Also by his brother Ken Oswell and sister-in-law Carol.

Funeral Information

Funeral service will be held on Thursday, May 6, 2010 at 10:00 to 8:00 PM in the family service suite in Evergreen Washelli. Graveside service at 3:00 PM in Evergreen Memorial Park.

Gary,
Ron has many Metcalfe cousins in Turtle Mtn.area.
Ron Oswell was a kind, compassionate, honest ,hard working man,
with a wonderful sense of humor. Aunt Leona at times, when he was 17
often slipped and called him Cliff. She felt he was alot like my dad
at that age. Each of my nephews and nieces met and spent good times
with him. He always took time to get to know and mentor kids. Ron
was also a double first cousin to the children of Emil and Ann
(Oswell) Metcalfe. Our family mourns. Vickie