5/2/2014 (2010) | Dunseith Alumni

No blog the past 3 days.

For the record I did not get a blog posted for the last three days. With our kids visiting, I just have not had time.

Gary

Happy Birthday Minnie Mary McKay Merrill (DHS ’48): Renton, WA

Our kids are visiting us here in Cebu.

Our daughter Sheryl along with her Fiancé Allen and her daughter Nevaeh arrived Monday at midnight. Since their arrival we have been very busy preventing me to get a blog posted. They will be here until May 14th. Until then, the blogs will be hit and miss.

Bernie, our son, will be here until July 4th. He and his fiancé Lorelie will be getting married on May 12th. They are having a very small wedding followed with a dinner reception at the Ching Palace restaurant with about 50 close relatives.

Yesterday we rented two vans and toured the north end of Cebu Island. With our family and many of Bernadette’s family there were 28 of us. On the way back we stopped at our friends Beach home for about 4 hours where the kids and adults too enjoyed their nice 500′ sandy beach and ocean water.

Gary

On our way to the Cebu Expat dinner at the Marco Polo (Tuesday, April 29th)

Taken at the Marco Polo (Tuesday April 22nd)

Old Time Music Jamboree At the St. John Senior Citizens – Saturday 5/3

Posted by Dick Johnson (’68): Dunseith, ND

Gary and Friends,

This Saturday evening, May 3rd, at 7 PM we will again be having
our annual Rolette County Historical Society Old Time Music Jamboree.
It will feature many local musicians and even a cowboy poet or two for a
little different program. It should be a good evening of music and if
my guess is right, dancing too. Some of the old two steppers just
can’t sit still when the music starts so we keep an area clear for those
who want to dance. There will be a lunch counter open all evening with
food prepared by the St. John Senior Citizens. Home made pie and the
works. All proceeds from the door and the 50/50 raffle go towards the
operation of the county museum so if you like old time country and
bluegrass, please come and support the museum. Thanks Gary!

Dick

Charles Dion, Floyd’s brother, passed away

Message from Floyd Dion (’44): Dunseith, ND

Gary:
My brother Charles Dion age 92 passed away April 28, 2014 at an
assisted living at Lynnwood, WA. He is survived by his wife of 72
years Orissa (Horsman) Dion also of Emeritus of Lynnwood, and Floyd of
Dunseith.

Floyd

Floyd,

So sorry to hear of your brother Charles passing. Our condolences are with you and his family with his passing.

Gary

Showers here at the foot hills of the Turtles

Reply from Vickie Metcalfe (’70): Bottineau, ND

Gary and friends,

Showers here at the foot hills of the Turtles, this last Sunday of
April 2014.

“Awake awake, oh pretty maid awake out of your drowsy dream.
And step into your dairy house and fetch a bowl of cream”.

This tune was introduced to the Dunseith High School choir by our
music teacher, the esteemed, Mr. Johnson.

I find myself humming it around each May Day.
Anyone else?

Paula, Can you remember playing it?

Happy May one and all!
Vickie

Alma Boucher Gottbreht’s 1934 Graduation

Posting/Pictures from Evie Gottbreht Pilkington (’65):

Hi Gary

Attached is a scan of all I have on my mom’s class 1934

My Mom is 5th from L second row Alma Boucher

My Aunt Arlan is 2nd. From L 3rd row Arla Boucher

This is their class picture and names of all class members

I think the other might be their Baccalaureate.

Use whatever you want when you have space. 80 years ago YIKES!

Evie

PS – My aunt is Arla Gottbreht not Boucher

Lois Christianson Roland, Curtis Halvorson and Neola Kofoid Garbe

Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Bottineau & Minot, ND

Mrs. Henry Nelson

Reply from Vickie Metcalfe (’70) Bottineau, ND

Gary and friends,

Thank you Neola for the posting of Mrs. Henry Nelson’s 1944 obituary.

You add so much to this blogs informative history.

I never knew the birth order of all those Nelson boys.

As the years move forward,

I have come to know many of this ladies children,

grandchildren and wonderful great -grandchildren!

Each of whom possess quite congenial personalities.

Years ago at various times, Dad and mom hired on Alvin Nelson as a hired man.

I think, perhaps it was in the 1950’s after he returned from serving in the Army.

?Korean War. I also believe Alvin worked for Art and Eva Seim.

In the early ’60s my parents were making additions to their growing milch cow herd.

They purchased from Henry Nelson a young cow of holstein lineage.

She was mostly black with a white star and hers was to be at the second stanchion.

Dad named her “Norrie”.

“Norrie was a wonderfully gentle well producing milch cow.

She had been hand raised by Henry and Helen Nelson’ s son Norris,

whom at a young age, had tragically passed away.

Later,Vickie

Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Bottineau & Minot, ND

Corinna M. Larocque
(June 29, 1974 – April 27, 2014)

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CORINNA M. LaROCQUE

Corinna M. LaRocque, age 39 of Mandree formerly Dunseith, died Sunday, April 27, 2014 in a motor vehicle accident near New Town. Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 2, 2014 at 2:00 P.M. in the St. Anthony’s Catholic Church of rural Belcourt. Burial will be in the St. Louis Cemetery of Dunseith. A wake will be held on Thursday beginning at 4:00 P.M. with a prayer service at 8:00 P.M. in the Church.

Corinna Marie Larocque, a daughter of Ronald and Donna (Rodriguez) LaRocque, was born on June 29, 1974 at Miller, SD. Corinna grew up with her brothers and sister, Gerid, Jarred, Tyler, Jessie and Crystal. She became a member of two large families and enjoyed many aunts, uncles and cousins her own age, as well as may close friends that were like sisters to her. Corinna spent her primary years in Center, ND and then moved to Dunseith in her teens. She moved to St. Cloud when she was a young adult. After her mothers death she returned to North Dakota to be closer to her father, who was diagnosed with cancer. This is when she met her partner, Ricky Finley.

Corinna had 3 beautiful children: Autumn, Roshaya and Alexiciano. Corrina graduated for Tech High School inn 1993. While there she received an award for her writing skills for a short story, which they placed out to view. Corinna used her writing skills for a eulogy/poem for her grandfather, Gilbert when he passed in 1991. Corinna worked at Fingerhut, SCSU Indian Center, Dancing Butte Saloon, Four Bears Casino, Heavenly Touch Cleaning and the New Town Community College Day Care. Corinna was full of life, joy and laughter.

She is survived by her children, Autumn, Roshaya and Alexiciano; grandmother, Cecelia Rodriguez of St. Cloud, MN; sister Crystal; brothers, Jessie and Tyler; and many aunts, uncles and cousins. Her smile was contagious and her heart golden, we will all miss her… until we meet again.

Corrina was preceded in death by her parents, Ronald and Donna; an infant son, Donello; grandparents, Jerome and Alice LaRocque and Gilbert Rodrigeuz and several other

Darren Poitra

Face book posting from Art Rude (’71)

Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Bottineau & Minot, ND

Darren W. Poitra
(March 21, 1965 – April 28, 2014)

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DARREN W. POITRA

Darren W. Poitra, age 49 of Dunseith, died Monday, April 28, 2014 in his home. Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 2, 2014 at 10:00 A.M. in the St. Michael Catholic Church in Dunseith. Burial will be in the St. Mary’s Cemetery of rural Dunseith. A wake will be held on Thursday, beginning at 6:00 P.M. with a prayer service at 7:00 P.M. in the church.

Darren Poitra, a son of Darrel and Marcelline (DeCoteau) Poitra, was born on March 21, 1965 at Portland, OR. He moved with his family to Dunseith in 1969 and attended school in the area. After his education he worked at Turtle Mountain Manufacturing . In the late 90’s Darren worked for Henderson’s Plumbing in Rolla. Later he worked as a handyman in the Dunseith area.

He was a member of the St. Michael Catholic Church. Darren was an accomplished musician playing his guitar at many social and family functions.

He is survived by his daughter, Jennifer Poitra of Belcourt; sons, Cole and Gavin Poitra of Belcourt; grandchildren, Dailynn Skye and Hailynn Kain; his mother, Marcelline Poitra of Dunseith; brothers, Ron Poitra of Belcourt, Jesse Poitra of Bottineau, Jeff Poitra of Dunseith, Glen Poitra of Warwick, and Darrel “DJ” Poitra of Belcourt; sister Candace Peltier of Dunseith; and his special friend Debbie Allery/Poitra of Dunseith

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Blog (73) posted on April 11, 2008

Reply from Vickie Metcalfe (70):

Gary,

As a kid, I never visited with your dad he was from the Ackworth community, But moving back to Bottineau afforded me the opportunity visit your dad when walking my dog/s. My sister Cyndy was also his neighbor.

Your dad continued his patriotism here in Bottineau, as I believe he became a member of the American Legion here.

The Bottineau American Legion & VFW have the reputation for being one of 2 communities in the USA to have a flag holder (with the name of each deceased Bottineau) American veteran engraved (burned into the wood)

In recent years, the VFW & American Legion, with the assistance of Ottertail Power, the REA power, and Bottineau Community volunteers, early a.m. as the sun is coming up in the east, each & every Memorial day, place an American Flag in each of those holders.

I believe this commemorates those deceased Bottineau veterans ( I think from the Spanish American War through the Gulf Wars). It’s quite a glorious site.. all the red white and blue flags waving on the main streets, here on on Memorial Day!

In later afternoon, as the sun is setting in the west, if you pass through Bottineau you will see …Old soldiers… like..one very familiar to Dunseith folks,… Lloyd Awalt riding in the back of pick up trucks …..and volunteers taking down those flags.

If you watch closely you will notice, they do this job ever so reverently! Most of those “Old Soldiers” veterans don’t go out of the community to vacation over Memorial Day. They are so staunch and steadfast in their belief to never forget their fallen comrades.

Yep, your dad was one of those OLD SOLDIERS. Whenever I walked my dogs in the early mornings I could always count on Bob sitting on his steps on Main street. He’d always greet the dogs with a pat and me with a cheerful smile. I got so I began to time manage my walks, so that I could get a little story from him. He was quite fond of telling the story about the bullet that hit his helmet and it went round and round….

As ever, Vickie Metcalfe

Note: As Vickie mentioned, Lloyd Awalt has been very instrumental with being one of the folks that has made all this happen with the ‘Memorial Day’ flag displays in Bottineau. He is a very active member of both the American Legion and the VFW. Lloyd is a Dunseith boy. Some of you folks, I know, play golf with him in Dunseith. A lot of his siblings are on this distribution list as well. Does anyone know if Lloyd has email?

Yes my dad told that story many times about the bullet going round and round in his helmet.

Gary

Question, for the Jim Metcalfe family, from Eve Gottreht Pilkington (65):

Hi Gary,

This is a question for Lola Metcalfe….I am wondering about Bing and Ole Evans, were they twins…how were they related to Ole Evans who was married to Cecilia Gottbreht Evans……parents of Myron, Bill, Joe and Rodney. Cecilia Gottbreht was my Grandfather’s sister.

Bing Evans was involved in building our house on the corner….our fireplace was the first he ever built….think the story goes that my Dad came home from the Garden Tap, didn’t like the new fireplace and knocked it down and the next day when Bing came, Dad and Bing decided that yes, Bing could build a fireplace!!!!!! It was a very nice fireplace!.

Hope everyone is enjoying spring and looking forward to an eventful summer!

I am still doing real estate appraisal and things are looking up out here in CA…..very slowly but changing a little each week.

Evie Gottbreht Pilkington

Picture (Bill Fassett) from Susan Fassett Martin (65):

My dad also served as a radio operator during WWII and was stationed on
Espiritos Santos in the New Hebrides. His dad served in WWI(Wilmar H
Fassett) Also, my mother’s biological dad, Russell Rennick served in
WWI in the Balloon company. In this picture, my dad is on the far right
side on the cement. Lots of servicemen——how many never returned
home?? If anyone is ever in SD (the Black Hills) look me up. We can
peruse scrapbooks. Hugs, Susan

Bill Fassett

Message/Picture from Dick Johnson (68):M

Gary and Friends

I found a roll of film and some negatives while helping clean out Ike
and Agnes Berg’s house. Some of the negatives had images that looked
interesting to me. Agnes was a sister to my grandfather and in her last
years I helped her with some of her business and travels, etc. Her son
had died when he was just 52 years old and she had no other children.
Her daughter in law was selling her house and was throwing out most of
this type of stuff. I had the film and the negatives developed in Minot
and found some really neat pictures of many of our family members, never
seen before. One of my mother, Bernice and Aunt Shirley, when they were
only 8 and 5 years old, and others. The one I’m sending today is of Ike
and Agnes in about 1930 or so . They were one of the three couples
married in 1929. Hosmers, Shelvers, and Bergs–in the picture of the
triple anniversary. Anyway, I think they were a very classy couple and
looked good even by todays standards! Just thought some of you might
enjoy seeing them way back then!! Again thanks Gary!

Dick

Dunseith News from Neola Kofoid Garbe:

From Warren Anderson (65):

Gary this is so true, Maybe you can pass it on to everyone.—take care, Warren ’65

SCHOOL — 1957 vs. 2008

Scenario: Jack goes quail hunting before school, pulls into school parking lot with shotg un in gun rack.
1957 – Vice Principal comes over, looks at Jack’s shotgun, goes to his car and gets his shotgun to show Jack.
2007 – School goes into lock down, FBI called, Jack hauled off to jail and never sees his truck or gun again. Counsellors called in for traumatized students and teachers..

Scenario: Johnny and Mark get into a fistfight after school.
1957 – Crowd gathers. Mark wins. Johnny and Mark shake hands and end up buddies.
2007 – Police called, SWAT team arrives, arrests Johnny and Mark. Charge them with assault, both expelled even though Johnny started it.

Scenario: Jeffrey won’t be still in class, disrupts other students.
1957 – Jeffrey sent to office and given a good paddling by the Principal. Returns to class, sits still and does not disrupt class again.
2007 – Jeffrey given huge doses of Ritalin. Becomes a zombie. Tested for ADD. School gets extra money from state because Jeffrey has a disability.

Scenario: Billy breaks a window in his neighbour’s car and his Dad gives him a whipping with his belt.
1957 – Billy is more careful next time, grows up normal, goes to college, and becomes a successful businessman.
2007 – Billy’s dad is arrested for child abuse. Billy removed to foster care and joins a gang. State psychologist tells Bi lly’s sister that she remembers being abused herself and their dad goes to prison. Billy’s mom has affair with psychologist.

Scenario: Mark gets a headache and takes some aspirin to school.
1957 – Mark shares aspirin with Principal out on the smoking dock.
2007 – Police called, Mark expelled from school for drug violations. Car searched for drugs and weapons.

Scenario: Johnny takes apart leftover firecrackers from 4th of July, puts them in a model airplane pain t bottle, blows up a red ant bed.
1957 – Ants die.
2007 – BATF, Homeland Security, FBI called. Johnny charged with domestic terrorism, FBI investigates parents, siblings removed from home, computers confiscated, Johnny’s Dad goes on a terror watch list and is never allowed to fly again.

Sce nario: Johnny falls while running during recess and scrapes his knee. He is found crying by his teacher, Mary. Mary hugs him to comfort him.
1957 – In a short time, Johnny feels better and goes on playing.
2007 – Mary is accused of being a sexual predator and loses her job. She faces 3 years in State Prison. Johnny undergoes 5 years of therapy.
I wish this could hit every e-mail