10/21/2024 (2823) | Dunseith Alumni

Ralph Bjornseth
October 11, 1925 – October 17, 2024

Ralph Bjornseth, age 99 of Bottineau, passed away on Thursday, October 17, 2024 at a Garrison, ND hospital.

Gary Stokes’ comments: Ralph Bjornseth

I was very saddened to hear of Ralph’s passing. I have known Ralph my entire life.

Ralph, the youngest son of Eric and Cora Bjornseth was born and raised 1.5 miles west or our farm in the Turtle mountains. His siblings were Clifford, Gladys and Viola. Clifford moved west in my early childhood years. Gladys and Viola Married Twin brothers, Albert (Gladys) and Alfred (Viola) Rude. The Rude’s and our family were extremely close in my growing up days. Like family. We used to see a lot of Ralph and Luella in those days too.

Until recent years, prior to moving to assisted living in Minot, Ralph and Luella lived their married life in Bottineau. Luella Boardman graduated from DHS in 1049.

Ralph was a mechanic at the International dealership in Bottineau for many years. Following his retirement from there, He started his own, onsite traveling, tractor overhauling business. His reputation followed him. He was the very best of the best ever tractor mechanics anywhere. He loved his job of which he continued well into his late senior years. His retirement was a sad for many farmers.

With our annual trips back to the area, we used to see Ralph and Luella, very often, at the Bottineau Bakery where they faithfully had their daily dinner meals, most often with Angus Campbell.

Ralph will be missed dearly. We extend our condolence to Luella and her Family. Chatting with their son Mark, he said his mother is really taking his dad’s death very hard. They were a super close couple.

Please follow Nero’s website for Ralph’s obituary. I will post too, when it’s available.

Gary.

Vickie Metcalf’s Comments: Ralph and Luella Bjornseth.

Thanks Gary,

Ralph and Louella Bjornseth were a couple. I remember well from the noon lunches at the bakery. Louella like green tea. and they would often split a meal….

One day over the table, Luella told me she had a secret she wanted me to keep from Ralph. Whispering very quietly she asked me “to find and purchase the “HISTORY OF ROLETTE COUNTY “by Laura Thompson Law. A book Ralph long ago had mentioned he wanted.

Louella said again, “Don’t tell Ralph, I want it to be a SURPRISE Christmas present.”

So one warm fall day, I went on … a mission to Dunseith Log house. Jess Hosmer was working. “I am here to to get a book for Louella boardman Bjorseth”. Jess had some of the books reprinted!!!!.

I was delighted, when Jess directed me to the book which I purchased. A nicely bound hardcover red book.

OH MY! Then, came the hard part!

Ralph and Louella Bjornseth were a team. The looked after each other. Where one was… the other one was also never far away.

I parked in front of the Bjorseth home. Ralph was in the yard, looking at the red tractor parked under an awning. I admired his tractor at length.

I asked to see Louella. … Finally, I went in the house…. followed by Ralph.

I frantically tried to think of some clever conversation with Louella. But no, “We all had to sit down and have coffee.” (Louella and I had a secret)

As the afternoon grew long , I wondered how in the world, was I going to pass a red book in paper a bag to Louella without Ralph seeing?

Finally, an excuse, “I need get home to the dogs” Louella said , “She would walk me out to my car. ……(we had a secret)

UFFDA!

Ralph came too! I directed his attention to the tractor again, asking him some absurd question about power steering in farm all tractors.

I almost ran, slid into my car seat… fastened my seat belt…. hit the button which rolled down the window.

Through the window, … breathless, ” BYE Ralph!!! I quickly handed off the package to Louella who slipped it under her arm and briskly walked up her steps. She kept that book well-hidden until Christmas. Eve.

I smile with memory.

Ralph and Louella a couple, who never kept secrets from each other.

……….well .except once upon a time when….

Louella enlisted people to search for the perfect Christmas gift for her husband Ralph.

Now that’s a true love story of Ralph and Louella.

Thanks Gary.

Vickie Metcalfe, October 18,2024.

Saturday OCT 19, 2024

Gary,

I thought I lost this memory about Ralph and Louella in mailing the other night.
AND surprised I found it this am.

They were a special loving couple. who treated each other with respect.

Ralph and Louella were DEVOTED to each other.

Many people valued Ralphs expertise on tractors ,
He continued to work well into retirement.

I think his wisdom about mechanics…….became a …..hobby.

He enjoyed sharing with others..

I know when they moved to Garrison they both certainly missed.

Later, Vickie

Rolla: A city with close to 50 murals made by volunteers
Posting from Vickie Metcalfe (’70): Bottineau, ND

Hi Gary and friends,

As you know, Rolla is the County seat of Rolette County.
I thought friends of Dunseith might be interested in the murals.

I recall my Uncle and Aunt, Floyd and Dorothy Lamb frequented shopping at Rolla.
Several times as a we child I stayed with Dean and Martha and got to travel along.

I recall Rolla’s 50th year celebration fair, when my maternal Aunt Priscilla took me for a ride……….

T’was my first time riding a Ferris wheel . The wheel stopped when we were seated, swaying at the top.

Much to my aunts dismay I stood up. The seat began rocking with me I hollered, yelling frantically,

I” WANT OFF NOW!”

My aunt calmly quietly said, “It will be okay, you need to sit down”.

Finally….. after a length of time the wheel moved again.