Folks,

Note: the two others are Bernadette and me on the far sides. We exchanged sides on the way back.

 

 

Hello Vonda,

 

First I want to mention that it is a pleasure hearing from you. I believe you were only about 5 years old the last time I saw you. That is when I was working for your folks in the summer of 1964.

 

About the church Cemetery. I was unaware that there were any graves left at the former Salem cemetery. I am not sure exactly where the exact spot is located, but talking to Art Hagen yesterday, he told me it was near the Johnny Olson Farm. I am pretty sure there are folks on this blog that can answer your questions. Glen Rude would probably be pretty knowledgeable with this and also Ralph Bjornseth. I am pretty sure that Doreen Larson Moran can be of assistants too. I believe that Salem was moved to it’s current location in the early 40’s. That was before my day.

 

Gary

Folks, Margaret and I have exchanged a few personal messages the past couple of day.

Margaret, I know you intended this as a personal message, but what you talk about I beleive will be of interest to lots of our readers, so I am posting.

 

Yes, Glen Rude is a prince of a man. He is the holder of the key for Salem for those that want to see. He lives about 1/8 mile east of Salem on the south side of the road.

 

I am not sure where I was at when I was absent that one Sunday from Sunday school. One thing I do know and that is that I was absent for a good reason, because we seldom missed. I am guessing that may have been when Orvin Hagen and I were in Valley City attending the Winter Show with my 4-H heifer. You are right, the Hagen’s and our family were the majority of kids that attended Sunday School in the final years of Salem. By that time I think LaVerne Rude was in College, so he no longer attended Sunday school.

 

Glen’s sister and her husband, Leonard and Arliss Rude Hagen, did a fantastic job restoring Salem, both inside and out. That was a whole summer project for them.

 

It was nice that you were able to visit Connie Burcham Sime (’62) too. Doesn’t she live on the Willow Lake road south of the School or is that where Florence Pladson Sime was living?

 

 

 

 

Our condolences are extended to Charlotte’s husband Rodney and their 4 boys and their family with their loss of her passing. She will be missed. That was quite evident with reports of 400 plus folks that attended her funeral. I too was shocked when my bother Darrel told me she had passed on. Her passing was very unexpected.

 

I too am a second cousin to Charlotte. Our dads were first cousins. Sue (Gary) Metcalfe is a first cousin to Charlotte’s husband, Rodney. It is a small world.

 

As a child I remember Charlotte and her family well. I’d see them most often at my Uncle Emil and Lillian Petterson’s Sunday afternoon family gatherings and also at many other gatherings too. After Charlotte and Rod were married we have continue to see them at most all of our family reunions and gatherings. They are a close wonderful family. Charlotte was the heart of their foundation. At all of our family reunions that have been held at the Bottineau Senior center for the past 20 years, the Ovitt’s have always been their first and foremost to help organize and help with whatever needed to be done.

 

Gary