Myron (65) & JoAnn Zorn’s son, Ryan’s, funeral:
From Sharon Zorn Gerdes (62): Windsor, CO
Gary, I just got home from the funeral of Myrons son.. It was just amazing how awesome and beautiful a military funeral is. We were just overwhelmed with the entire process. We had the governor, two senators, two generals, and many local dignitaries there. It gives one so much pride in our country and our military. I spoke with one of the generals and he said they are trying hard to erase the problem of the soldiers being blamed for the war, which is what happened with Vietnam. Anyhow, there were actually thousands of people, kids, disabled, VFW’s, Vietnam vets on bikes, all lining the streets and overpasses. The support and love of those people was overwhelming. I will forward everything you send, and their family is deeply moved and thankful for the support and love of people everywhere. It restores some faith in our country, the people ARE still good and wonderful. thank you. Sharon Zorn Gerdes.
Kenrose Medlang:
Reply from Bonnie Smith Kohler: Mountain Iron, MN.
Gary:
Thanks for sending a message to everyone to send a card to Kenrose Medlang in honor of her 90th birthday. I am sure that she will be thrilled as she called me a few months ago and then sent me a picture and note that she would be 90 this November. That was really kind of you and it is really appreciated by us Minnesotan’s. Keep up the good work!!!!!!!!!!
Bonnie Kohler and family
Bonnie, Vickie Metcalfe is the one we need to thank for that jester. I believe your mother and Kenrose are sisters. I understand that Kenrose got a lot of cards. It was our pleasure to be able to do this for Kenrose. I’m speaking for Vickie too. Gary
Reply from Erling Landsverk (44): Portage, WI
Hi Gary and Everyone!
After listening to the last couple of blogs that contained colorful tales about folks in the turtle Mountains, I felt compelled to share some rather whimsical information that I experienced whenn I was pretty young, but still of school age in the lower grades, if not in the first. At any rate this is how it goes as I remember it. The Lund family were probably the closest neighbor we had at that time, and although we attended school together we had different routes to and from school through the woods etc. It is important to remember that virtually all of us in that particular area spoke Norweigen very fluently and wwe actually learned Norweigen before we learned English. this happened the day after we returned from Christmas vacation, We were in the outer cloak room talking about the great christmas we had, some of the kids were telling about their toys or some other gift, not to be out done the Lund girls, Margaret, and Evelyn, said, ” we got a new duke for our board”, Well of course it wouldn’t make sense to anyone who didn’t speak Norweigen so the Amsbough kids just laughed and made fun of the statement. the actual translation phonetically in Norweigen amounted to this We got a new tablecloth for our kitchen table. I am sure everyone remembers the oil cloths that graced the kitchen tables. The girls were undaunted by the derisive remarks, and simultaneously lifted up their dress to expose their brand new home made flannel bloomers that reached nearly down to the knees and had an elastic band sewn to keep the body warm from the cold dakota winds. This brought on more peals of laughter and the girls ran crying into the school school, embarrassed,, but not knowing why. I remember watching all this but i remember I didn’t laugh, but rather thought, why would anyone laugh at such good things happening to their family. I thought about the tin whistle I got for a toy. I felt a little envious Later into the early summer my Dad asked me to go over to Nick Lund, and give him a dime he handed me, and bring back a box of copenhagen snuff. When I got there Nick lund was seated at the kitchen table drinking coffee, and when I asked him what my Dad had asked me to do, he looked a little confused, then he said “I just opened my last box, but I will give him half of it and you keep your dime and your Dad can pay me back when he gets to town to buy some more snuff”. When I got home with the half box of snuff, i handed it to Dad along with the dime and told him what Nick Lund said, As Dad took the snuff and the money, I noticed his eyes were filling . He turned quickly and walked away. As I look back he must have been embarrassed,probably thinking he shouldn’t have to ask the neighbor to share his tobacco, but I know had the tables been reversed, Dad would done the same. There existed such fierce pride among all of those people, I remember Dad telling someone that he wouldn’t work on the WPA, because he thought it was a form of welfare. I can’t help thinking about those years, but everyone worked together and got through it and with a smile as well. I hear the moaning and groaning among the people now as they go out and spend about $150 each for a seat at a football game, but the economy is bad and my goodness, when is the government going to get it right? Besides the unemployment comp is not enough but its no use, I don’t want to go out and look for work right now. . Of course a wide screen television is in the living room along with smaller sets to watch before going to sleep. Go to work in a $35,000automobile and complain all the way to work as they talk on cell phones while the car glides over paved streets.
Maybe those who think Uncle Sam owes them a living should look around and be “Thankful” on this thanksgiving holiday
Erling Landsverk
Sharron Gottbreht Shen’s photo:
Reply from Dick Johnson (68): Dunseith, ND.
Gary and Friends,
In response to Sharron Gottbreht Shen’s photo, the car appears to be a
1941 Lincoln. The steamer is quite small, as steam engines go. The
larger ones almost all had a canopy over the operator’s station and many
had rear wheels at least 8 feet in diameter. I can’t make out the name
on the front cover of the boiler or we would be able to find more
information on it’s size and year. The car appears not to be new so the
picture probably would have been mid 40s or so. I hope this helps you
somewhat in dating your photo. Thanks Gary!
Dick
