07/17/2009 | Dunseith Alumni

Reply from Dave Slyter: Fargo, ND

Dick and Gary:

In defense of all drummers that played for Dunseith High School, I have to say that we only had to read one note but we sure had to keep everyone else in the beat. : ) Drummers have rhythm. ha The best drummer in my days of high school was of course Bill Berube and then Bob Mongeon. They really could pound those snare drums. The best timpani drummer was Lola Metcalfe (Vanory). She of course had to read notes. I always use to tease her about the song that we use to play in practice. The song was “What Lola Wants/Lola gets” ha I use to just smile at her and she would just give me that mean look. ha For memory sake, the most favorite song for pep rallies and home basketball games was Peter Gun and for High School concerts I think it was the William Tell Overture. Always got big applause for those songs. Of course, Christmas concerts were always a big hit. Those were the days. So Dick, I am glad that your dad got you to learn all the notes but give credit to the those awesome drummers. I know you envied us. ha

Dave Slyter (former percussionist)(70)

Reply from Dale Pritchard (63): Leesville, LA

The old crank phones had another unique feature. When it rang at your
home it also rang in the other homes on that particular line. A good
thing to remember was to not say something you did not want repeated —
the phone may have other ears!

Dale Pritchard

Dale, I remember those phones well. Margie Hiatt’s ring was two shorts a long and a short. Norman Hiatt’s was one long and a sort. Central was two longs. Stokes’ was one long. Those are the only numbers from that old crank phone system that I remember at the moment. There were no private phone calls in those days. In about 1963, those old crank phones were replaced with the current SRT phone system with underground wire. Gary

Clarence Bjornseth’s obituary posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Minot & Bottineau, ND.

Folks, Clarence is an ole Ackworth boy. When he was a kid I think his parents lived where Robert & Dorothy Pritchard later lived. I could be wrong about that though. That was before my day. Evon Lagerquist is currently living on that place now.

My Dad, Bob Stokes, and Clarence were both born on September 2nd. Dad in 1915 & Clarence in 1916. They always exchanged humorous birthday card. With our trips back to the area, each summer, over the years, we’d see Clarence, often, around Bottineau, often times with Wendal Cushing at the Bowling Alley cafe. Clarence was a really nice guy that we will dearly miss. Gary

Sept. 2, 1916-July 13, 2009

Clarence Bjornseth, age 92, of Bottineau, died Monday, July 13, 2009, in a Bottineau hospital.

His funeral will be held today, July 16, at 2:30 p.m. inFirstLutheranChurchin Bottineau. Visitation will be today from 9 a.m. until noon at the Nero Funeral Home in Bottineau. Burial will be inOak CreekCemeteryin Bottineau.

Clarence Bjornseth, a son of Art and Emma (Johnson) Bjornseth, was born September 2, 1916, atHomanTownshipnear Bottineau. He was raised there and attendedAckworthSchool. He was baptized and confirmed at theSalemLutheranChurchnorth of Bottineau. He later attended auctioneering school inAustin,Minn.He returned to Bottineau and worked at the Bottineau Creamery and as an auctioneer in the Bottineau area.

On October 3, 1943, he married DeElla Bollinger atFirstLutheranChurchinMinot. He later worked as a salesman for several businesses in Bottineau including Gamble’s Store, Vinje’s Department Store, The Toggery and Page Implement. In the early 1950s, he began his farming career and in 1954 he began selling Lutheran Mutual Insurance in addition to farming. He retired from farming in 1977 and continued to sell insurance until the early 1990s.

He was a member ofFirstLutheranChurchin Bottineau, where he taught Sunday school for 18 years. He also served as president of the church council and on several other committees in the church. He was a member of the Bottineau Men’s Chorus and the First Lutheran Church Men’s Quartet. He was instrumental in founding the Bottineau Jaycees and the International Seed Show. He was also awarded the Bottineau County Ag Person of the Year. Clarence was a big supporter of Bottineau athletics. He was awarded a lifetime pass to allBottineauHigh Schoolsporting events. He also attended 38 consecutive North Dakota State Basketball Tournaments.

Clarence passed away Monday, July 13, 2009, in a Bottineau hospital.

He is survived by: his wife, DeElla, of Bottineau; daughters, Carol Wall (Carl) of Fargo, and Connie Gorder (Orlando) of Bottineau; four grandchildren, Stephanie Smith (Steve) of Minneapolis, Kathryn Sandven (Terry) of Edina, Minn., Kristina Patel (Tejas) of Seattle, and Jon Gorder of Minneapolis; eight great-grandchildren, Samuel Smith, Jacob Smith, Henry Smith, Louis Smith, George Sandven, Edward Sandven and Charles Sandven and Kaia Patel; sister and brother-in-law, Myrtle and John Nickelson, Bottineau; sister-in-law, Lorraine Swanson, St. Augustine, Fla.; brother-in-law, Archie Bigwood of Bottineau; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister Mabel Bjornseth; sister and brother-in-law Evelyn and Armand Hall; sister-in-law Arloween Bigwood; brother-in-law William Swanson and mother and father-in-law Herman and Clara Mae Bollinger.

Class of 65 reunion 7-12-07

L To R: Angela Berube, Evie Gottberht, Gary Stokes, Bill Grimme

Standing in back: Allen Richard & his daughter Alaina. Sitting in Back: Bob Lykins