Folks, We had a lot of replies to the Grenier pictures. This was actually the wedding of Pennie Kester and Gary Grenier. I think Ted Grenier must have ordered copies of these pictures, so that is how his name came up when Neola found them. I have pasted all the Grenier comments from this statement down to the pictures. Thanks for your many replies. The Grenier family was well known in the Dunseith community. Gary
Reply from Pennie Kester Grenier (69):
Gary, The pictures of the Grenier wedding are old! Haven’t seen my own for quite some time, so I was surprised to see them on your site. The picture with 4 people from left to right: Cheryl Kester Gaugler,
myself, Gary Grenier (with a bit more hair than he has now) and Gary’s
brother Roger Grenier. The other pic shows Gary’s sister Karen pinning
a flower on their Grandfather Simeon Grenier. The lady in the far right
hand corner of that picture is Irene Fassett, Susan, Crystal and Paula
Fassett’s mother. Hope this helps. Take care and send us some of your warm weather-it was 14 degrees here this AM. Take Care, Pennie Kester
Grenier
Pennie, It’s currently 89 degrees here with scatterd clouds at 12:40 PM. Gary
Reply from Joe Johnson (77):
Gary,
I’m not sure about the title on the photos, but I can identify some of the people. The reason I’m not sure about the title on the photos is because of the people in the photos and the clothes just don’t seem to fit the dates that my uncle Ted would have married my aunt Margit. Moreover, if the people in the photos are who I think they are then the title doesn’t fit; however, it may be another Grenier wedding or such.
In the one photo the gentleman having the corsage pinned on his suit is my Grandfather, Simeon Grenier. I do believe that is my cousin, Karen Grenier, Ted and Margit’s only daughter pinning the corsage.
In the second photo, the young man with the blond hair on the far right looks like my cousin Roger Grenier; the other young man with the dark hair looks like, Roger’s brother, Gary, both Ted & Margit’s sons. The young lady to Gary’s right may be Penny Kester from Dunseith but I cannot be sure. Gary is actually married to Penny, so I’m wondering if these photos may have been from that wedding.
Also, again I’m not sure but, these photos seem to be taken in the old Catholic church at Thorne, ND which is no longer there. I don’t know if it was torn down or what.
Simeon, moved to Dunseith from the homestead farm, 6 miles east of Dunseith and 1 mile south (same road as the Turtle Mountain reservation line going north), in 1959. Today, my cousin, Steve Grenier farms the original Grenier homestead and Gary Grenier farms Ted’s place just one more mile south of the original homestead. Ted was Simeon’s oldest child.
Ted & Margit’s kids were older than I so I didn’t have the same close relationship with them that I enjoyed with Orville and Mickey (Haagenson) Grenier’s kids since Orville was the youngest of Simeon’s kids. The Grenier kids all attended school in Rolette and not Dunseith.
Also, Orville and Mickey and kids are very good friends with the John and Murl Hill family.
I’m sure you may get a response from many others in the Dunseith area as many people knew and still know of my grandfather Simeon (born 1889 passed 1978). Simeon was one of the best people you could ever meet or know and one of the most humble men I ever knew. Believe me I could go on about Simeon for many hours as I’m sure many of his other grandkids could as well.
Clarence and Beverly (Morinville) Azure live in the home Simeon built in Dunseith in 1959 and it was really great to get to be back in that home in 2007 when I was in Dunseith for the reunion. As, Lyle, said many, many kids hung out at the Morinville’s and my sister Linda is still good friends with Bev. Bev, thanks for the memories.
Again to help you place Simeon, if you remember just a few emails back (message 259), Alan Campbell mentioned this about Simeon Grenier:
Reply from Phyllis & Alan Campbell:
“To those who played basketball on Campbell’s driveway—-you might not know and might be interested in some background on that basketball backboard. It was made out of wood from the old RIverside Hotel and donated by Simeon Grenier who had purchased the hotel. We think he and Alfred Cote made it and helped install it on the Campbell garage around 1964. There were a lot of basketballs bounced off that backboard!! To honor the North Dakota Centennial in 1976, Jeff painted it red, white and blue and added a bunch of stars. It withstood a lot more activity for a number of years. He finally dismantled it when the wood deteriorated beyond salvage.
Pyhllis and Alan Campbell”
Also, I played basketball at the Campbell’s too, OK not that well but…. – and I never new that my grandfather had anything to do with that backboard on the Campbell garage. I was so surprised by Alan and Phyllis’ response, definitely an emotional moment for me What a wonderful town Dunseith was and is, a great place to have been raised.
OK, I’m sure that is more than you wanted to know already. I’ll try and send in a couple of good George Malaterre stories as well in the near future. Lyle Olson triggered some really great memories that I have about George.
Thanks, Joe Johnson (1977)
Reply from Lola Metcalfe Vanorny (68):
Lola vanorny, ew
Wow!!_ Gary!!– this has turned into a unique and awesome thing huh?? and
to think it all started when you emailed me as you had seen my name
somewhere on the internet- and asked if I was part of the Metcalfe girls
and if I remembered you as we rode the school bus together and asked about
Margaret and Helen. Look where it is today!–
I can recognize the wedding picture of Pennie Kester and Gary Grenier–
and the Maid of honor must be Cheryl Kester ( Pennie’s twin sister ) Isn’t
that a darling picture?? and I believe the groomsman looks like Roger
Grenier . also the lady in the back ground may be Irene Fassett.
I had to add my memories of Morinville’s too. Usually it was Randi
Mongeon, Paulette Lacroix, Toni , Connie Mellmer , Brenda Hoffman and I
– and probably more–
We had many slumber parties there and yes how tolerant and generous Joe
and Frances were!!- we’d be up making pizza in the middle of the night.
and one of the favorite things to do when they weren’t around was call
someone and ask if they had their TV on and how did it fit? — and all
those goofy little jokes – We’d call Said Kadry and ask if he had Prince
Albert in a can– and to let him out ! We’d go the store and get
fizzies. Go up to the drug store and have a cherry coke float and walk
around town or explore the park – .. Such carefree days!!
Frances had to get us all ready for a Memorial Day Program one year , I
remember, as we had stayed overnight the night before the program. and
another time I remember her up in the middle of the night Doctoring us for
sand fleas we must have picked up playing outside.!!
I used to love to stay at Mongeon’s too– all those kids and everyone was
always happy–Armand and Leona would visit with us after supper and the
rosary – sometimes Armand would even sing with us or we would catch Leona
yodelling!- when she thought no one was around!!- wonderful soft
memories!! We sure had fun!!– Thanks so much Gary for keeping this
going!!– Lola (Metcalfe) Vanorny
Reply from Kathy Casavant Ellingson (74):
| The picture with the man getting a flower pinned is Simeon Grenier, I don’t know who the lady is. The Ted Grenier picture is Pennie Kester marrying Gary Grenier, & her sister Cheryl kester & Garys brother Rodger.
Reply from Dick Johnson (68): |
Gary,
The wedding photo is of Gary and Penny Kester Grenier. The attendants
are Cheryl Kester Gaugler and Roger Grenier.
Dick
Reply from Susan Fassett Martin (65):
The wedding picture is Cheryl and Pennie Kester, and Gary Grenier but I don’t know the other fellow.
Reply from Allen Richard (65):
The Ted Grenier pic I think is not accrue ate. I think it is Simeon Grenier — Angela Malget and her mom Fern would know.
Reply from Paula Fassett Pfuhl (71):
Gary:
I’m guessing you’ll get better replies than mine on the Ted Grenier wedding photos, but here goes anyway…….the first one I’m not sure who anyone is except my Mom, Irene Fassett, is the very happy lady on the right side of the photo!!! The wedding is Pennie (Kester) and Gary Grenier’s wedding. Left to right is Cheryl Kester, Pennie, Gary, and Gary’s brother, who’s name I can’t recall!!! (Pennie and Cheryl had cute little crocheted dresses that I think were hand-made……….)
Paula
Reply from Aggie Casavant (69):
HI GARY, tHIS IS AGGIE CASAVANT IN CHARLOTTE N.C. THE PICTURES OF YOUNG MARRIED COUPLE IS 2 OF MY BEST FRIENDS FROM DHS THE BRDE IS PENNY KESTER GROOM GARY GREINIER FROM ROLETTE, BRIDES MAID IS PENNIES TWIN SISTER CHERYL KESTER. THE PICTURE OF THE OLDER MAN GETTING A FLOWER PINNED IS SIMEON GREINIER GARYS GRANDPA, THE GAL DONG THE PINNING I DO NOT KNOW
P.S THE GROOMSMAN IS GARY’S BROTHER RODGER,THEY WERE OUR NIEGHBORS GROWING UP AND WE ALL WENT TO THE SAME CHURCH, THEY ARE SONS OF TED7 MARGRET GREINIER
Gary and Pennie Kester Grenier’s wedding:
Picture: Simeon and Karen Grenier. The lady to the right is Irene Fassett.
Gary and Pennie Kester Grenier’s wedding:
Cheryl Kester Gaugler, Pennie Kester Grenier, Gary Grenier and Roger Grenier
Reply from Bernard Morin (76):
Parts of this message got dropped off the first time, so I’m reposting it. Gary
Lyle O is the king. He never fails to provide laughter, whether in casual conservation or telling a story. I however have had the privilege to see Lyle when he wasn’t in his usual jovial mood, he still provided laughter but it wasn’t his intention.
Back in 1988 Lyle, Keith Berg, my wife Robin & I went to Riding Mountain for a weekend of golf on the infamous Wasagaming course. Lyle booked us a 6:30 am tee time on both Saturday & Sunday. We were forewarned as to being in the great white north we should be prepared for chilly weather, heeding that warning we dressed accordingly, long sleeved shirts, trousers and light jackets. By 7:45 am the mercury was rising pretty fast along with Keith’s and my temper, from the first hole on we both were losing balls at a pretty steady rate, whether in the rough or the dense timber. By the fourth hole we had our sleeves rolled up and were sweating like crazy as the temp was crowding 80 degrees, except for Lyle, he had put shorts on under his pants and had brought a light shirt along “just in case”. By the time we reached the 8th tee box Lyle was letting us know pretty frequently that he still had his original ball that he started with. After finishing the 9th hole Keith & I stopped at the clubhouse to replenish our supply, of golf balls, with some gentle ribbing from Lyle about how he was still playing with his original ball that couldn’t be lost. As we approached the 10th tee box we could see it was going to be a long wait as everyone was bottlenecked. While we waited for our turn to tee up Lyle was laying it on pretty heavy about only using one ball on the front nine, I kinda think he was trying to impress the ladies who were waiting behind us. When the group in front of us finally tee’d off, Lyle immediately walked over and tee’d up his ball all the while ribbing us about having to buy more balls as he walked back to sit on the bench. Keith then nonchalantly walked up to Lyle’s ball, lined up and hit it straight into the trees, then calmly looked at Lyle and said “find it”.
Well you would think Keith had just stole Lyle’s best girl or had kicked his dog the way Lyle carried on, we thought it was kinda funny as did the people behind us, there was even a couple that had fallen off their cart from laughter. Needless to say the next few holes were pretty stressful, what with trying to hit a little tiny ball between shrieks of laughter. Up to the 10th Keith & I were getting beat pretty bad. After the 17th it was pretty much a tie, I won’t tell you who won, I think I’ll let Lyle do that.
As for the Sunday game it was pretty uneventful except for the fact that Keith & I were dressed for another 85 degree day and the mercury didn’t make it past 50, and there was Lyle with his shorts and light shirt on, underneath his sweats, so I guess he got the last laugh, watching us shiver uncontrollably while trying to golf.
Bernard
Reply from Bernard Morin (76):
Gary and friends,
Just a few lines to answer some of Lyles previous questions. As to charging me lawyer fees for your first case I thought you did. I also thought it was paid in full when C J Coleman, Garret Myer and I so graciously pushed you out of that big mudhole you were stuck in east of norwegian corners at 1:00 a.m. The details are a little fuzzy but I remember hearing something about you studying to be crop insurance adjuster. However if I still owe you something please let me know and we’ll work something out.
As for quitting the fine game of golf I played until 1996 at which time my bethrothed and I purchased “the money pit”. And yes, I did run over my clubs with a 3/4 ton pickup and yes, I was too cheap to buy new clubs, but after playing a few rounds with bent shafts I found it actually improved my game, I no longer had a slice. Now that I think about it I should have patented the clubs. My wife & I could be lounging on a tropical beach somewhere instead of slaving away in the great white north.
Like you Lyle I’m wondering why none of our classmates aren’t shareing some “Dunseith Memories” . Why I bet everyone would like to here about boo boo and the eyes in the butter dish, and how about grandpa fluff pulling a fellow hunter out of a snow bank, or maybe even roogaroo hunting?
Bernard
Message from Tim Martinson (69):
Hi Gary,
I”m going to drop some names in the hope you can associate them with
a class.
Vince Kalk who worked for dad in the bakery when I was younger.
Kenny and Duane Handeland, I believe my brother Terry and Duane were
in the same class but do not remember how long Duane attended high
school or if he attended. Kenny and Duane were in and out of the
Bakery.
Gerald Cree, I played football with Gerald, and believe his parents
were Francis and Rose Cree. I thought he had a brother that was a year
younger, but I’m not certain of his first name. I also thought that
one of the Cree boys died in Viet Nam. The names Leonard and Ronnie
keep
coming up and I know that there were a lot of kids in that family.
Gerald passed a few years back and I remember his obituary in the
Minot paper.
I have looked over your master list and do not see any of these names
but know that there is a story about each so will leave it up to you
as to
whether they should be included.
Hope you are having nice weather, we have a little snow on the ground
with the temperature at around 5 above this morning. Clear sky and cool
weather for the rest of the week. Just imagine how your bones felt
in cold weather, oh to be sitting around in shorts, tank top, and 80
degree
temperatures without the heat turned up on the furnace. Take
Care, Tim
Tim & All, We will add these folks to our class lists. Please let me know a little info about each of these folks, so we can get them included in their respective classes. I thought I had Vince Kalk in our lists, but I see that I don’t. Duane Handland was with the class of 66. I have not been able to get in touch with him. Gary
Reply from David Slyter (70):
Carmen Richard and Gary:
Carmen, Thank you for your forgiveness and Gary I will pass that forgiveness onto you.
Dave Slyter (70)
Message from Gary Metcalfe (57):
| With Veteran’s Day coming up, I thought I should take a few moments to express a small debt of gratitude to all WWII veterans and three that I know something about. To think that Dunseith had two soldiers that endured the unbearable is amazing. I did not know about it until about three years ago, so how can I expect anyone else to know. It is all about documentation I have seen on the internet, also the books. Ernie Pyle does not need any introduction, was probably the best loved man of the Big War. Then I came on Ole Evans discharge papers, it was very hard for me to decipher, not being military. I asked a lot of questions and am in the right place to get some answers, Branson, Mo. where they have a huge veteran’s celebration yearly. I have talked to many veterans and determined, yes, Ole was 34th Infantry Division, 135th Regiment Co. K, the Red Bull was Iowa, N.D., Wisc. and Minn. He did land in Africa (Operation Torch) on the beginning of a nightmare that lasted almost three years.. All the men in the 34th Division got the honor of being part of a distinguished unit that meant more front line battle days than any other in the war. Five hundred days or more, frost bite, trench foot, malaria were only some of the things they had to deal with.
A war correspondent Ernie Pyle spent time with several, if not all branches of the military. Here is what he said about his favorite, the infantry, and I quote, “All the war of the world seems to have been born by the few thousand front line soldiers here destined merely by chance to suffer and die for the rest of us. It was neither God, nor flag, nor mother that impelled a pimply faced kid to risk losing his life in an obscene adventure. He did it for the kid next to him, he couldn’t let him down, they needed one another so bad.”
Ole was a Platoon Sargent with three purple hearts and a silver star, Patton said, “Retrain them, send them home” when he saw those farm boys come on shore. They didn’t have any real training. It took about a year for the 34th to perform so well at Hill 609, where Ole was wounded the first time. They earned the respect of all the military around them. Then at Cassino in Italy and on and on. You can read what many generals said about them. Churchill wrote a letter of great admiration and praise not only for the front line soldier, but every member of the Infantry Division. To my knowledge Ole nor Ike Hagen ever said a word about this subject, they couldn’t. I talked to Ike Hagen at the Senior Citizen Center a couple years ago, I had just spent a couple years exploring Ole’s record. I asked Clarence what kind of record Ole had? He brightened up as only Ike could do and said, “it was a good one.” I said, “were you with Ole?” He said, “I was with the trucks”, and I knew he had seen too much. Wouldn’t it be neat if someone could find a way to thank Ike Hagen? It may make all those nightmares and nights seem a little more bearable.. There were other Divisions on either side of the 34th doing the same heroic things.
Thanks Gary for this opportunity to share information and memories. Gary Metcalfe
Reply from Sybil Johnson: I ditto everyone else and say thanks for all of your hard work, in sending out these emails everyday. I have only been receiving them for a short time, but I sure appreciate reading each one, every morning. Winter is surely on its way, here in Wyoming and I think its going to be a hard one. I hate the winds here, like I hated them in North Dakota. I think they are more severe here. Take care everyone and thanks again, Gary. Sybil Johnson |
Reply from Bev Morinville Azure (72): ndgal1953@
| Everyone Lyle hasn’t told the whole story……… He had seen the movie the jerk before He and I went together and when he came over to the house and we would all be sitting around if there was any quiet period (which didn’t happen often) Lyle would bust out with “I WAS BORN A POOR BLACK CHILD” it still makes me laugh when I hear this. I have never to this day laughed as hard as I have with the days I spent with Lyle. He is a true GOOFBALL and if you have not had the privilege to meet him you have missed one of the best times of your life. He is a true friend and I am proud to call him my brother. He was so good to my mom and dad as was Bill Krause. Lyle when you said to me on the plane we are going to die I thought once again you were trying to calm that scary ride by being the GOOFBALL you are . I did not know you were serious and thank God cause from that airplane ride to this day I hate to fly and told Clarence after we returned from German next time I take a boat or you go alone. HA HA I was serious hate flying and have not been on a plane since and don’t plan to. More to come i have many stories about the Olson’s boys .
GOD BLESS YOU …………BEV
Folks, with nearly 40 graduates, I believe the DHS class of 1970 was the largest graduating class that every graduated from Dunseith HS.
Dunseith High School Class of 1970
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