Gary;      

Not sure if you got a reply to this one or not, It’s my cousin, Laura, oldest daughter of Lawrence and Betty Hiatt, granddaughter of Willie and Maxine Hiatt.

Jeffrey Cote. Devils Lake North Dakota.

Thanks for the reply Jeff,

I was thinking it could have been Harvey Hiatt and Teresa’s daughter, Sheri too. Sheri was born in Oct 1969, so she would have been a year old when this was taken.

Please give our regards to your mother, Barbara Hiatt Cote, from us too.

Gary  

 

Men picture posted yesterday
Reply from Aggie Casavant (’69):  Fort Mill, SC

Hi   Gary,

The  picture  you  asked  for  identification  and the occassion  of  all  these  men,  I  beleive  is  members  of   The  Knights  Of  Columbus…. I  know  3  of  the  guys  for  sure.  In  the  2nd  Row  from  the  top  left  to  right  the  3rd  guy  is  our  first  cousin  David  Casavant  who  was  killed  in  a  motorcyle   accident  like  36  years  ago. The  4th  guy  is  Richard  Gault  who  is  married  to  Carol  Ann   Malo  from  Rolette.  And  the 7th  guy  is  Davids  younger  brother  Ricky  Casavant  who  still  lives  on  his  Dads  farm  married  to  Denice   Wheeler.  Some  of  the  other  guys  look  familiar, but  I  just  can’t  remember  their  names  right  now…but  will be  interesting  by  the  time  this  is  all  filled  out…..Thanks  Gary    Sure  do  appreciate  all  you  do  to  keep  this  blog  up and  going. God   Bless  You!   Aggie

Hi   Gary  it’s  me  again….In  reference  to  the  Knights  of  Columbus  picture.  The  back  row  2nd  to  the  left  is  Gene  Dionne  of  Thorne.

 

Erling Landsverk (‘44) and Lola Metcalf Vanorny (’68)
Reply from Aggie Casavant (’69): Fort Mill, SC

I  just  want  to  say  thank  you  to  Erling  Landsverk  for  the  beautiful Christmas  Story  of  yester-year.  It   was  very   well  written  and  it  took  me  back  totally  to  happier,  much  happier  and  simple  peaceful  times  in  America.  Kinda  made  me  tear  up. Thanks  again  Erling  for  sweet  Christmas  memories.

 

To  Lola  V.  I  always  enjoy   your  stories. They  are  very  detailed  and  complete, and  never  leaves  you  wondering, and  having  to  fill in  the  blanks.  Like  you……it   broke  my  heart  to  hear  about  the  young  Coleman  boy, who  passed  away  from  a  snow  mobile  accident.  Although  I  did  not  know  the  family  its  hearbreaking  hearing  about  things  like  this  especially  around  the  holidays. My  heart  goes  out  to  the  Coleman  family, and  praying  they  can  find  peace  during  this  time.

 

Erling Landsverk’s (‘44) Christmas letter
Reply from Lola Metcalfe (’68):  Dunseith, Nd

Yes it was nice to go downtown during the CHristmas season and all the lights and decorations were wonderful !!_  the gamble store- Drug store-  Hosmers-  etc–  but still today i go to the hardware and ask – what do i need to fix this?? no matter what it is and they fix me up — personally!!! – David Fugere and Dennis Halvosrson and Brian Armentrout-!!!    I    go to the drugstore and Tom ROndeau is there to answer my questions– and go to the grocery store and ask if i can have a ham cut into smaller  sizes or part of it sliced  and  Wayne is happy to do it– We still enjoy  those courtesies and also they always carry out whatever we buy !!_  you can’t beat that at Walmart or any other – “discount :”  store-  and that is why i shop locally !!_  —  it drives me nuts to have to walk a half mile just to pick up a battery for my camera–  or to get a box of detergent- !!_  and then carry the whole works out to your car and fight the wind to load it  and get the cart back to their spot!!- no thanks- !! I just stay away  from them —  !!!_  and also if you pay attention– the local stores have their merchandise  marked at lower prices than the chains – cause the chains  have a big sale and they sell it for more than our little shops – !!!  and -people think they are getting a deal when actually the chain has it marked up higher than our stores in the first place and then they put it on sale and it is still higher than our local  stores-  !!!  funny how people think they are getting a deal — !!-  just because they say it is “on sale! at the chains  !!!- then they get you in there and you buy a bunch of stuff – you don’t need- !! just cause it is there- !!_  –People are so easily fooled into thinking they are saving a bunch of money by going to the discount stores-  !!-   But try to find someone to ask how to find something or how something works  — they don’t have a clue!!- they are just there to sell the merchandise whether they know how it works or not !!_  — I imperfectly happy just going where i know they will take care of me– thanks very much!!- LOL!!_ LOla

 

====================================
Blog (209) posted on August 29, 2008

Folks,  As I’m getting ready to send this message, I got a surprise picture from Neola that will have to wait until tomorrow.  We’ve got lots of stuff with some new folks in today’s message.  It’s wonderful!  Gary

 

From Erling Landsverk (44):

HI GARY!

AFTER PARTICIPATING IN THE E MAIL MASS COMMUNICATION THAT YOU HAVE MAGICALLY CONJURED UP, I AM STRUCK BY THE CONTINUING INTEREST.

I PROBABLY SHOULDN’T BE SURPRISED SINCE I KNOW HOW NORTH DAKOTA PEOPLE ARE.  I REALLY DON’T WANT TO SOUND PATRONIZING, BUT THE FOLKS  AT THE DUNSEITH, TURTLE MOUNTAIN REGION ARE A SPECIAL BREED.  THEY ARE VERY CARING, SENTIMENTAL, SUPPORTIVE OF EACH OTHER, AND A PROUD, AND STRONG PEOPLE.  I MUST SAY THAT I FEEL VERY PRIVELEDGED TO HAVE BEEN A PART OF THESE GREAT FOLKS, EVEN IF IT WAS ONLY FOR THE SHORT, BUT GREAT 16 YEARS THAT I LIVED THERE.

I WANT TO ECHO THE APPRECIATION THAT SO MANY  HAVE EXTENDED TO YOU.  YOUR CONTRIBUTION TO THE STRENGTHENING OF TIES AMONG THE CITIZENS OF THIS    REGION IS REMARKABLE!

YOU HAVE RENEWED THE COMMUNITY SPIRIT THAT EVOLVED AFTER THE CRASH IN “29”, THE ENSUING DROUGHT, DEPRESSION, AND WORLD WAR II, WHEN EVERYONE DEPENDED ON EACH OTHER FOR SURVIVAL.  THAT SPIRIT HAS APPARENTLY CONTINUED RIGHT UP TO THE PRESENT TIME.  THANK YOU GARY FOR YOUR FINE WORK, AND I SALUTE ALL OF YOU FOLK . IN THE TURTLE MOUNTAIN, DUNSEITH AREA.

ERLING LANDSVERKS

 

From Matha Lamb Schepp (68): 

Hi Gary,

I am home starting my 4th week since rotator cuff surgery.  I had to

practice a bit with my left hand and the mouse, but I really wanted to
get into your site and keep up on the journals.  Being a lefty isn’t so
bad especially when I get read a little home town history.  You do a
great job keeping everything in order.  Thanks!

Martha Lamb Schepp

Martha, I’ve been a lefty for over 61 years.  It’s not so bad.

Dwight Lang, your mother, Charlotte, tried to make me right handed in first grade, but she was unsuccessful.  Gary

 

Message from Marlene Henderson from Rolla: 

Gloria Plante (45) was married to Everett Henderson of Rolla, ND. I am married to Everett’s youngest brother Alfred (Fritz) though I was married to Fritz before Gloria and Everett married.

I also have a brother, Clinton, who must have also attended Dunseith School.

I do remember some Casavants, Berubes, Barbots and Vandals from Dunseith.

 

Request from Dave Shelver (63): 

Hi Gary,

Thank-you for doing such a great job of sending out the e-mails each day, I truly enjoy reading them.

I have a favor to ask of you, could you add my son to your e-mail list?  His name Jeff Skjelver and e-mail is

Yes, the last name is spelled correct.  He changed it back to the Old Norwegian spelling.

Thank you,

Dave

 

Quick Reply from Jeff Skjelver(Dave Shelver’s son): 

I look forward to Dunseith news. A very good friend of mine, Tom Hepper, comes from there before his family moved to Rugby.

Question Jeff: Is Tom Hepper’s father Gene (Deceased) the former teacher from Dunseith that many of us remember so well?

 

Pamela Pritchard Smith’pamela_ reply to My message pasted below her reply.  Gary:    Gary – Thank you so much for your kind message.  We have been reading your messages and following the condolences that you have forwarded – everyone has been so kind.  Thank you so much for passing them along.  I will share this and the other messages with dad and my sisters.  Thank you again,  Pamela From: Gary Stokes Subject: Condolences for your mother Ann To: “Smith, Pamela (Pritchard)” Hello Pam, I know this has been a really tough time for you and your family with the loss of you mother.  You guys were right there with your mother the whole time she was struggling for her life following her lung transplant.  She was probably more conscience than you realize, even though they had her heavily sedated.  I did not know your mother, however, I remember your dad well, from my younger days visiting the Eurich’s.  I was born and raised up in the Ackworth community and that is where the Pritchard’s are from.  I have always know that you folks had the Birchwood.  Your mother got in touch with me a few months ago and asked if she and your dad could be included with the Daily distribution of the Alumni email that I have been sending out.  We exchanged several nice messages.  I had no idea she medical problems until I got your message.  I wanted to let you know that many folks on the Dunseith Alumni distribution list were following the daily progress of your mother.  Needless to say, they were deeply sadden by her departure.  I’m not sure how much you followed the messages after her death, but many folks expressed their condolences.  Condolences came in for a number days following her death. I tried to place them at the front of each daily message. If you did not see them and no longer have access to them, I can go back through and forward them all to you if you’d like.  Again, your family has my sincere condolences for the untimely death of your mother.  Gary Stokes   Reply to yesterday’s message  from Joe Johnson (77):  Gary, Almost everyone called our Dad by his middle name of Warren.  Dad passed away in July of 1992 of lung cancer.  I can’t remember the exact day but I’m sure my sister Linda Juntunen could recall the date. Thanks for all your work on the Alumni news letter.  You are performing a great service for so many, when one day you are greeted in heaven may God greatly reward your service to others. Joe Class of 42 Jean Braaten Warren Johnson – Joseph Warren Johnson June McDermott Margaret Ann Myhre Barbara Nelson   Reply to yesterday’s message from Karen Loeb Mhyre (65):  Note: Karen’s father was Dr. Lobe (Deceased), former Supt. of San Haven.  Her mother is Hanna Higgins Lobe from Dunseith. Karen/Hanna live in Bellevue WA. Hi Gary, I talked to my mom today and she said that the name Ursell Carlson Grand Pre would have been the youngest of the 6 children of Pete and Christine (Olson) Carson.  Christine was the oldest sister of Alida Olson Higgins, my maternal grandmother.  They were from Trail County near Grand Forks.   The Carlson’s farmed north of the San on the east side of the highway. Caroll Carlson (never married) farmed that farm for many years after his parents passed. He lived in the Dunseith Nursing Home a long time but has died now.  I don’t know who owns the farm now.  The only Carlson still alive would be Ursella.  Mom believes she lives in North or South Carolina.  She does not know anything else about her.  We would always watch for the big red barn visible in the trees when we were driving to the lake shortly before we turned left to take the gravel road through the hills to the lake instead of going through Bottineau.  Many of us kids had trouble with “car sickness” along that road!! The  Carlson siblings were Melba, born in 1921; Leonard, Alpha – married a Le Moureix (?), Clarissa – married to someone named Don;Carroll; and Ursella. I so enjoy the daily emails you send.  I loved the picture of the wedding reception with Evie in the punch line.  We were all so adorable in the late sixties.  Thank goodness time has been kind to most of us!! Hope to see you when you gather here in Seattle for your cruise to Alaska!  We should have a pre- function for the many Seattle/Washington/Dunseith residents who are unable to join you on the cruise!  The cruisers would be welcome as well!!  Jim and I did this same trip last summer to celebrate our 60th birthday!  What a wonderful trip! We would be happy to host the gathering! Take care and hello to Bernadette! Karen Loeb Mhyre Karen, Your pre-cruise gathering sounds like a great idea. Could we include the many Dunseith folks living in Western Washington that are not going on the Cruise?  This could turn out to be a good size gathering/reunion. Gary   Reply to yesterday’s message from Evon Lagerquist (77):  Gary, Joyce Martinson from the class of ’45 was married to my brother Kenneth Lagerquist. They lived in Spokane, WA. She was born on April 2, 1928, and passed away on Nov. 21, 1990. Evon    Bev Morinville Azure’s (72): reply to the men’s group picture posted yesterday:  Gary,  the only man i know is my dad  Joe  Morinville  top  left   so i would say  maybe  something to  do with  the Knights of Columbus.   GOD  BLESS YOU …………BEV   Rod Hiatt’s (69) reply to Kathy Bunce’s picture posted by Neola: Good morning, afternoon or whatever it may be in your part of the world. Kathy Bunce and her husband Don ran a sporting goods store in the old Stone Hotel on the north east corner of main street in Bottineau. It was either in the late 70’s or early 80’s as I had the Western Shop across the street and little to the south. She had that smile on her face all the time and was always very friendly and quite bubbly gal. I believe that she was Cliff Paynes daughter from Towner. Cliff was old cowboy turned into an insurance salesman for I am not sure what company. If Howard was still with us, he could give me the whole family history and which ones were good and which weren’t worth their salt. He sometimes was considered to be somewhat out spoken if you know what I mean. Anyway back to the Bunce’s sporting good store,They weren’t open to long as one Saturday morning  someone was looking at a rifle and accidentally shot a woman. The details are somewhat foggy, but I believe that it was the guys wife and I think she died. I may be wrong, but I’m sure that Dick Johnson can program his mind back to that time zone and come up pretty much the exact details. Dick you either have an excellent memory or you have 95% of us baffled with BullS&^%^&. Which is it Dick?                           Kathy Bunce