Robert Elmer Stickland, 87, Dickinson, died Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2009 at the St. Luke’s Home, Dickinson. Robert’s funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson with Mr. Martin Wilson and Mr. John Simons officiating. Spring interment will take place at the Dickinson Cemetery, with a military flag presentation to follow the service and will be provided by the Dickinson Honor Guard. Visitation will be from 8 a.m. to service time on Saturday at Ladbury Funeral Service.

Robert was born to Edward Lee Stickland and May (Striker) Stickland on July 6, 1921 near Dunseith.

Following two years of high school, Robert joined the Civil Conservation Corps and served in North Dakota, Arizona and Utah. During WWII he served in the U.S. Navy as an aviation metal smith in the U.S. and Panama. After the war, he worked as a Rural Letter Carrier for the U.S. Postal Service for 30 plus years.

In 1944, he met Irene Adams. They were married in Ayer, Mass. on May 3, 1945 while he was stationed at a Naval Air Base in Quonset Point, R.I. They later made their home in Dunseith where they lived for 31 years. In 1976 they retired to Bozeman, Mont., then transitioned to Dickinson in 1992 and have remained there ever since. Irene preceded Robert in death on April 17, 2002.

They have three sons, Lee of Dickinson, Darrel of Blaine, Minn., and Dean of Olympia, Wash.; four grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; one brother, Leonard; and three sisters, Doris, Joy and Marian.

Robert and Irene met God’s servants in the fall of 1949 and made their decision to follow Christ’s teachings in the spring of 1951. Their lives have been enriched with the love and care of family and many friends.

Hi Gary, Frank Poitra is my grandfather and if possible I would like to get a copy of that article written about him. I have listened to many artists from the Turtle Mountains and have to say there is so much talent that I would love to go to a jamboree with nothing but the Turtle Mtn Artists. For those of you who do not know me, my father was the late Gary Poitra, he was the youngest of Grampa Franks children and I am so proud of the music played by my father and uncles. I cannot tell you how many house parties, weddings, anniversaries that I have sat and listened to my father and uncles play their hearts out. They were well known around the Rolette County and other counties and played many a nights at many bars and events. Like the Metcalfe’s, the Poitra’s were a talented family and the gift was passed on down to many of the children (Rodney, Ron, Stuart, Daren, Timmy, Gary Jr). For those of you that knew the Poitra music, you can attest to the fine country sound that came out. As they grew older, they did not always play together but when a family get together was in place, you can be guaranteed that their would be some good old fashion music and we love to dance!!. Like the article mentioned, the Poitra family was quite huge and when we got together with relatives and friends it was quite the party. I would also like to mention that my father in his earlier years did play with a band from Bottineau called ‘Cindy and the Turtle Mtn Boys’, they were well known also, and recorded a album which was sold around the area. I did see that there was an article about Scotty Thompson also, his wife Cindy and Roger Thingsvold, along with my father were recorded on this album. At the request of my father I did reproduce this album on a CD so he could share with friends and relatives at their request. My uncle Darrel also recorded a 45 that was very good. I do live in Minneapolis and do get over to see my uncle Francis every now and then, and he still loves to play the violin and sing, so that brings back so many memories of my father and uncles. It can be very comforting to put on “Mule Skinner Blues” and listen to my father sing. I wish I could have taped many sessions of the family get together’s. My hat is off to all those talented people from the Turtle Mountains, their music is and will be remembered for many years to come!

Thank you for bringing back some cherished memories!!!

May the music memories of my father Gary, uncles Darrell, Leo, Irvin, Lloyd (aunt Clarines husband), Dominic (aunt Mildred’s husband), Francis, and uncle Alfred.and last but not least my Grandfather Frank live on forever..

Alan Poitra (class of 76)

Gary:I sure have enjoyed the many memories of the greatest band to ever come out of Dunseith. I saw Travis Metcalfe’s e-mail about the band and immediately remembered the band singing “It’s a Family Tradition” by Hank Williams Junior. That was Travis’ favorite song if I remember correctly, and the girls would play it as many times as Travis wanted to hear it. My favorite song from the band was “Peaceful, Easy Feeling” by the Eagles. Great memories to be sure.

I was surprised to see the newspaper clips of my mother and Uncle Jack. I note that one of the pictures encompassed a time when she played with Blanche Hunt, Lorraine Haggerty, Jack Metcalfe and others. That band’s name was the “Country Travelers” and they focused more on bluegrass. Although my mother played in many bands, my favorite was the “Turtle Mountain Stump Jumpers”. That band included my mother and Ole Bursinger as the corp and many others depending on who was home and available. Ole and Glynnis would always stop at the house for a bite to eat (and other libations) after the band got back to Dunseith and many times the music would continue until late in the morning. I especially remember the house parties at my grandparent’s (Bill and Mary Metcalfe) home. The kitchen table was moved to the corner so people could dance and the grandchildren would gather around an air vent in the upstairs and watch everyone dance and have a great time!

Thanks for all you do Gary!

Lyle Olson

Gary,

Your friends in the PI will probably enjoy this. Actually, pretty funny.

Bill