Karen Sanden’s Picture Posted yesterday
Reply from Bill Grimme (’65): Birmingham, AL
Neola,
Great picture of Vern’s sister, Karen. I had the opportunity to see Karen and her husband about 5 years ago. Vern and his wife, Donna, were visiting with them in Florida and they invited me to spend a couple of days down there. In those days in Grand Forks that Vern mentioned the other day, Karen saved Vern and I when we became temporarily homeless. She saved us! We stayed with Karen for a few days. I have this faint memory of not being able to leave the bedroom after lights out because of two well-trained German Shepherd guard dogs that she had. Once the house was locked up, these guys were on patrol. Everything was fine as long as you didn’t drink too much water before bedtime. It could be my mind playing tricks on me, but, that’s what I kind of remember.
Bill
Vinje Church
Many of us remember Vinje church. The church is gone but the cemetery still remains part of the Metigoshe Lutheran churches. My Dad’s biological father, Carl Petterson, along with all three of he wives, all of whom he outlived, are buried in Vinje. Vinje is located about 10 miles NE of Bottineau.
Virgil Vandewalle (Bottineau) – 1970 ND teacher of the year
Mr Vandewalle, at the age of 46, left this earth way to early. His accomplishments were many. I never attended the Bottineau schools, but I most certainly knew Mr. Virgil Vandewalle. Back in the 50’s my dad and Thurman Parrill attended adult vocational farmers classes that Mr. Vandewalle and Manfred Cain were teaching. In the late 50’s and 60’s Dad, along with Robert Pritchard, Clifford Hagen and a few other neighbors, attended Virgil Vandewalle’s Monday night adult farmers classes in Bottineau. I too rode along and attended these classes. I was in high school at the time. I truly looked forward to those classes and the Camaraderie of all the farmers too. Mr Vandewalle was a true Icon in my dads eyes and also in the eyes of countless others. Over the years, my dad and Virgil Vandewalle became pretty close friends. They were both good story tellers.
Mr. Vandewalle was the Ag teacher in Bottineau for many years too. I know many of you had the honor of having him for a teacher. I envied you Bottineau folks for the Ag classes and Mr. VandeWalle.
Gary
