Condolences to Floyd Dion and family
From Ginger Poitra (’65): Belcourt, Nd
I am so sad to hear of Luella Dion’s passing. I am sending my condolences to her husband Floyd, son Dennis and his family they were a match made in heaven the two of them together all these years. She always had a smile when I saw her.
Ginger Poitra
Larry Liere’s (DHS 1955) wife Karen passed away.
Devils lake ND
Gary’s Comments,
Larry sent this to me several weeks ago or more ago. I have been super busy with my wedding and all, so I have not gotten this posted.
So sorry for this tragedy that lead to her death.
Our condolences are with you Larry. Hope to see you next month when I am in the area too.
The following is Larry and my Facebook chat.
Larry
Karen Fell and broke her hip about a week ago after surgery and replacement of the hip she suffered a stroke and is now in Fargo hospital and not responding very well to treatment. We may have to remove the feeding and breathing tube and let her pass away peacefully. Those were her wishes before she went into surgery to repair the hip. If we don’t do that she will be paralyzed on the left side for speech and the right side for mobility for the rest of your life. I don’t think anyone would want to live that way.
Enter
Larry
Gary the above is old news her funeral was May 28. That was quite a weekend for the family. May 26 wake and memorial service May 27 graduation Party for my oldest granddaughter that lives in town May 28 Karen’s funeral May 29 graduation ceremony May 30 memorial day May 31 I had a kidney stone removed after a month of wearing a stent to sharpen it up. I’m doing OK but I think only because there is peace for me because I know she didn’t shop and never had to spend a minute in a nursing home.
Larry
Peace for me because I know she didn’t suffer and
You sent
So sorry to hear this sad News and your loss. You made the decision of her request. It’s hard. You have my condolences. How old was she?
Enter
Larry
Karen was born November 10, 1938 so she would’ve been 84 this November
Gary’s reply
Larry
We would’ve been married 59 years June 22, 2022. Actually we were both feeling so good we were talking about our 60th anniversary in 2023. Life can change in a hurry.
Obituary
Karen M. Liere, 83 of Devils Lake passed away on Sunday, May 22, 2022, at Essentia Health, Fargo ND.
Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Thursday, May 26, 2022, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a Rosary and Scripture Service at 7:00 p.m. No services Friday, with Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, May 28th at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Devils Lake with burial in the church cemetery.
Memorials may be directed to the Pat Liere Scholarship at Lake Region State College Foundation in memory of Karen.
Karen Marlene Pittner was born on November 10, 1938, in Breckenridge, Minnesota the daughter of Anne Biel and Elmer Pittner. She grew up in Wahpeton and attended ND State School of Science, then went on to NDSU to study Home Economics. Karen was a modern woman in the sixties. She moved to Devils Lake in 1962 to manage the women’s dress shop, Stevenson’s. She absolutely loved dressing and outfitting the young women of Devils Lake while promoting the store on a weekly radio spot. Her favorite line was, “Pantyhose, half off.” While managing Stevenson’s she was a member of the Devils Lake Chamber of Commerce and served on the Downtown Merchants Committee with Orv Hesch, Dave Glickson, and other downtown merchants.
Shortly after moving to Devils Lake, she was introduced to the love of her life, Larry Liere by Fr. Robert West. They were married on June 22, 1963, at St. John’s Catholic Church, Wahpeton, ND and lived their married life in Devils Lake. They enjoyed boating, dancing, attending National Guard functions, Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree parties, hosting dinner parties, spending time in Texas and Arizona after retirement, and above all raising their children and spending time with their grandchildren.
Karen was with Stevenson’s many years and moved on to Lake Region State College where she taught Fashion Merchandising and eventually Marketing. As the Fashion Merchandising instructor, Karen put on lavish fashion shows for the Lake Region area. Karen became the DECA advisor and enjoyed taking her students to state and national DECA conventions every year with Larry as a chaperone and/or driver. Karen started a telemarketing lab at Lake Region State College and her students were trained on outgoing calls only, no incoming. They made many outgoing calls promoting local activities in the area. She retired from LRSC in May 1997. In her retirement, she became a casual employee at Mercy Hospital as a Marketing Consultant for several years.
Karen was a devoted and loving wife and mother. She was a master at balancing work-life and home life. She was very involved with her children’s activities such as leading girl and boy scouts, participating in hockey boosters, and Lake Region Skating Club. She was also involved in many community organizations such as St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Altar Society Infant of Prague, Women’s VFW Ladies Auxiliary Life Member, Shakespeare Club, Beta Sigma Phi, Elk’s Band, Bible Study, Bridge Club, and Book Clubs in ND and AZ.
Karen died peacefully with her loving family at her side in Essentia Hospital in Fargo, ND. Karen was preceded in death by her parents Anne and Elmer Pittner, her son Patrick Liere, mother-in-law and father-in-law Agnes and Tony Liere, her sister Joan, Her family includes her loving husband of nearly 59 years, Larry; daughter Joan and her husband John Klinger of Victoria, MN; daughter Sara and husband Jake Thompson of Devils Lake; grandchildren Patrick, Emily, and Thomas Klinger, Isabelle, Isaac, Jacob, and Alice Thompson; sisters and brothers-in-law Gayle and Hal Brooks of Weatherford, TX, Patty and Curt Osborn of Wahpeton, ND; sister-in-law Marilyn Peterson of San Dimas, CA; and several nieces and nephews and their families.
Karen will be remembered for her many talents including bridge, gardening, sewing, and cooking/baking, her generosity, positivity, and can do-get it done spirit. Her presence on this Earth will be greatly missed.
Larry St. Claire (DHC) 1966) Passed away in March of 2022
This is Robbie St Claire, just letting you know Larry passed away at the end of March 2022. I have not even put an obit in the Times. He went in to have his heart valve changed and everything went wrong, he was in the hospital for 2 and a half months. Most of that time I could not be with him because the hospital would not allow visitors because of covid. We will all miss him.
Gary’ Comment
Our condolences are with Robbie and all of Larry’s family with his passing. I remember Larry as a very polite well mannered likable guy. He will be missed.
In Memory of Steven Schneider and Wanda Medrud
Posted by Don Malaterre (’72): donmalaterre@gmail.com Sioux Falls, SD
It was prom night 50 years ago April 22, 1972. Graduation was just three weeks off.
Then the announcement came ..… Steven Schneider and Wanda Medrud died in a car accident five miles west of Dunseith.
Gail (Halverson) Schuler, yearbook editor, risking tradition and deadlines, quickly delayed publication of the yearbook and inserted the attached memorial.
In the blink of an eye, lives were changed forever.