Today is my fathers 96th birthday. It was a tough phone call that I got from brother Bud (Darrel) on the evening of August 23, 2000 telling me Dad had passed away. It was so fortunate that several weeks prior to his passing I had spend 2 1/2 weeks with my parents. In that time Dad and I did a re-tour of the hills, Bottineau and Dunseith visiting many folks. It was a good closure. The area is not the same without him there to take me around the area visiting all these folks. We always had to make a trip up and down Bottineau’s main street going into all of the stores, banks, etc visiting and for him to introduce me again to all these folks. Of coarse he always had to tell a few stories too. He is dearly missed.
Gary
Robert Stokes
Sept. 2, 1915 – Aug. 23, 2000
Funeral services for Robert D. Stokes, age 84, of Bottineau, were held on Monday at , in the Metigoshe Christian Center at Lake Metigoshe. Burial was in the Ackworth Cemetery of rural Dunseith. Officiating at the service was the Reverend Carol Wendel. Casket bearers were Elwood Fauske, Ronnie Reed, Jim Skoog, Glen Rude, Dennis Haakenson, and Angus Campbell. Debbie Sapp was the soloist. The congregation sang selected hymns, and Zelma Brandvold was the pianist. Military honors were by the American Legion Post # 42 of Bottineau.
Robert D. Stokes, a son of Carl and Bertha (Stulen) Petterson, was born on the family farm in the foothills of the Turtle Mountains northeast of Bottineau, ND on Sept. 2, 1915. Shortly following he and his twin sisters birth, his mother died, and Bob was taken in and raised by the Stokes family who lived in the Ackworth area of Willow Creek Township in Rolette County northwest of Dunseith. In 1937, he moved to Texas and learned the Backery trade. He then returned to North Dakota, and began working in a Bakery at Pembina, ND. On June 18, 1941 he was married to Elaine Woodward at Pembina. Following their marriage the couple began farming in the Ackworth community of the Turtle Mountains. On Oct. 1, 1942 he entered the Untied States Army and served in the Asiatic Pacific Theatre. After his honorable discharge on Dec. 12, 1945 he returned to the farm. In addition to his farming interests, Mr. Stokes also worked at various jobs in the area including hauling cream for the Bottineau Creamery. He retired in 1980 and a number of years later they moved into Bottineau. They have resided their since.
He was a member of the Metigoshe Lutheran Church. He was also a member of the American Legion Post # 42 of Botttineau. He had served in the Honor Guard for many military funerals over the years. For many years, it was Bob’s duty to carry “Old Glory” in any parade in which the American Legion was involved.
Bob passed away on Wednesday on arrival at the Bottineau Hospital.
He is survived by his wife, Elaine; three sons, Gary and his wife, Bernadette of Bremerton, WA.; Allen and his wife, Janet of Lakeside, CA; Darrel and his wife, Debby of Bottineau; four grandchildren, Bernie Stokes of Bellevue, WA; and Christin Stokes and Nathan Stokes, both of Bottineau: and one great-grandchild, Tyler.
Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe:Minot & Bottineau, ND
Condolence to the Arlind Poitra Family
From Vickie Metcalfe (70): Bottineau, ND
My sympathy is extended to family of Arlind Poitra.
I had a very nice chat with Arlind at Kevin and Christina St. Clairs
wedding reception on July 23.
He told me, it meant alot to him as a great uncle to be personally
invited by Kevin.
He was very concerned about his wife Judy who is very ill. His
intent was to drive every day from his home in Dunseith to spend time
with her at the Good Samaritan Home here in Bottineau.
He was indeed a family man. Hold fast to your memories.
Sincerely, Vickie Metcalfe
Hurricane Irene – Reply to Keith Pladson
From Marlys Hiatt (71): Dunseith, ND
Kieth,
I sure was interested in reading about your experience during hurricane
Irene. I am so sorry about your shed but thankrul that you, your wife,
and your home are okay.
Marlys Hiatt
Washington Trails on Horse Back
Update from Trish Larson Wild (73): Fort Collins, CO.
Hi Gary,
Just a quick update from SE Washington, where Zak and I are camped with the four horses at a State Park near Bonneville Hot Springs, where we just spent a wonderful rainy day, enjoying the pleasures of this beautiful resort. Massage, hot tubs, sauna, and two meals later, we are rejeuvenated and looking forward to another glorious ride in the tall forests of this area near the Columbia Gorge tomorrow. Yesterday we rode to the top of “Hardy Ridge”, and then hiked to the summit, which took another hour or so. Spectacular views of the Columbia Gorge from up there.
The campground is lovely, with a high line pre-installed for our convenience, and actual green grass for the horses delight! Somehow one of the geldings, Magic, got his hock surrounded by the rope and endured a bad rope burn during the night (which is not supposed to happen on a high line). I think his brother, Midnight, was giving him a hard time and somehow he got in a tangle. I woke up to him holding his rear right foot up to me for tending. He has a wound, but I have the stuff to take care of it. Vetricin (antibiotic spray) and Udder balm should do the trick. I’ve dealt with these wounds before and the key is to not let it get out of hand with infection. I’ll be keeping a close eye and doing twice daily dressing changes for awhile.
We’ll stay here tomorrow, resting and relaxing after our long drive from our last great wilderness camp in the Wenatchee Wilderness, where we saw the most incredible sunset over the Cascades from a mountain top near the Ken Wilcox horse camp.
For entertainment, I sometimes paint my white arabian to look like a zebra, so the photo shows you some of the silly fun we’re having. You would not believe how many people think it’s real. I think he actually looks better in stripes…
Friday we head to Portland, where Zak will hop off to visit friends while I jot down to Eugene to visit a good friend and do my miles in Oregon. I also heard about another hot springs down there where I might be able to camp with the horses…
Then it’s back to Washington for a couple of weeks on the Olympic Penninsula. I’ve always wanted to visit the rain forest (and more hot springs!) there.
The horses are doing great and seem very happy and healthy. We have our systems down, and everyone is having a great time exploring new terrain and camping in the incredible forests of the far Northwest. What an amazing place.
Thanks to all the commentators, and to especially to everyone who visits my blog and leaves a comment. I sure love the support and interest from the North Dakotans. I haven’t met any finer folks anywhere.
