07/02/2010 | Dunseith Alumni

San Haven Replies:

From Susan Brew Roussin (59): Rolla, ND

To Bernice Belgarde

My parents met at San Haven. Mom (Jane Roberts Brew) had been a patient twice. Dad (Albert Roussin-my step Dad acturally) had been sent to San Haven after he contracted TB in the Armny. He later became an orderly there. Also my maternal grandmother, Kate (Gilman Roberts) Demo was a nurse’s aide at the San for many years. My sister Lorna and I made several trips from Dunseith to San Haven sometimes on foot, sometimes on the “Taxi). We have many memories and second hand stories of those days.

Reply from Sharon Longie Dana (73): MIssoula MT

To Bernice Belgarde (72)

I agree with you about the patients. My Mom was a patient there Amelia Longie Underwood and I was also there for a few months when i was 5. I remember one of the nurses was my Grandpa Pete’s cousin, whom i called Auntie Florestine Belgarde. I lvoed it when whe worked at night, she could come and sit me me and eat popcorn. They were so strict about some things my Mom couldn’t enter my room to tuck me in at night she waved to me from the doorway.I use to hide under her nightstand when i heard someone coming. I am sure they knew i was there but it was hard to stay away from her when whe was just doors away from me. Talk about some tough lessons when you’re just a little kid. then when I got to go home, I wasn’t allowed in to see my Mom and her stay was 11 months. It definetly a time i won’t ever forget.

Sharon Longie Dana (73)

Reply from Jean Nicholas Miller (66): Gendale, AZ

Gary,
I would to see the pictures of the San. My father was a patient there in the 40’s and my Mom was a nurses aide there. They met there and married in Jan. 1948. We lived at the San from the time I was10 till after my parents moved to Dunseith when my Mom had to retire because of leukemia. My Dad used to talk about Mildred Issakson and what a good nurse she was. I believe it was Dr. Loeb who operated on him . He was Herc Nicholas and she was Agnes Graff.
Jean Nicholas Miller (66)

Stone Church:

Reply from Bob Leonard (51): Dunseith, ND

Gary: In response to Neola Garbe’s request of the name of the stone church. Dunseith Lodge No. 99 has owned this building since 1912, they purchased it from the Methodist Church congregation who started to build it, could not finish it. Believe it was started around 1902. Dunseith Lodge rented the church to the Dunseith United Methodist Church all those years, for a few years in the 1990’s and early 2000’s, the local Morman Church rented the basement for their activities. The church building has been known in the community as the United Methodist Church of Dunseith until 2009. Because of the dwindling church membership, the Methodist congregation started to hold services with Peace Lutheran Church in about 2003 and continue to this day. The Dunseith Lodge had the same membership problem and without the rent from the two churches, could no longer afford to support the building expenses. A decision was made to try to sell the building, and fortunately we found a buyer quickly. It was purchased by the local Church of God and assume that is the name of the building today.

Since about 2006, a new church organization was formed in our area consisting of Peace Lutheran and United Methodist of Dunseith, Valle Lutheran of Rolette and Willow Creek of Overly. The name of this organization is Mountain View Ministry. In 2009, we added another member from the Dunseith area, that being St. Sylvan Episcopal which is north of Dunseith. They hold services twice a month, plus has special services for holidays, deaths, baptisms, etc. Seems to be working fine, our minister preaches to the 3 churchs each Sunday, plus St. Sylans for their schedule. Has been working out very good, everyone seems to be happy, our minister is very busy, makes a lot of miles, came to us from Detroit, has been in New York City for many years, was born and raised in Boston area; so this is a new type of experienece for him.

Bob Leonard

Dunseith Lodge No. 99 Secretary

Pictures/Message:

From Shelley Sime Fossen (86): Jamestown, ND

Hi Gary – the kids in the picture are 1. our son, Reid Fossen (grandson of Larry and Connie (Burcham) Sime of Dunseith as well as Odin and Marlys Fossen of Maddock ND. 2. Allie Smith of Jamestown (a former Sunday School student) who shows our horses at the local shows 3. Maria Susana (exchange student from Ecuador) whos favorite sport is mountain climbing, but she was afraid to go into the water with the horses :o) 4. Arielle the redhead is our current foster daughter. They all lead busy lives but it is fun to get together on occassion and have a ride. Three of the 4 are gearing up for the 4 day stay at the Stutsman County Fair in Jamestown which starts next Wed/Thurs and goes through the weekend. We stay because of the animals and caring for them properly at the fair means we stay with them. Along with a neighbor girl who comes from adjunct poverty so we paid for her NYC trip, we leave for a mission trip that same Saturday at 6:00 am to work in the soup kitchens and food pantries in New York City. So three days sleeping in our horse trailer and then 30 hours sleeping on a bus to New York City. I am thinking Ben Gay (vanishing scent!)!!! I am Shelley Sime Fossen – the daughter of Larry and Connie Sime. These pics were taken 11 miles south of Jamestown ND on our hobby farm.

Shelley,

This looks like quite a hobby farm. You’ve got some mighty fine looking horses there too.

I had a nice visit with your dad one day for Breakfast at the Bakery in Bottineau when we were there too. I would not have recognized him had he not told me who he was.

Gary

6/28/2010 Cebu Philippines

Pictures from Bernadette’s Birthday Party

A few of the Women. Didn’t get one shot with everyone.

A few of us guys.

Folks in this photo are from Holland, England,

Ireland, Australia & the USA

The Birthday Girl

These round tables are nice. There are 14 folks sitting at this first table.