7/10/2014 (2050)

Posted on July 10, 2014 by Gary

No Blog yesterday

For the record I did not get a blog posted yesterday.

Gary

Arthur Martel, former DHS teacher, Accidentally shot

Postings from Don Martel: Rosemount, MN

My brother, Arthur Martel, former English teacher at Dunseith High School, was accidently shoot and died on July 3, 2014.

This is the press release.

Accidental shooting in Becker County kills 70-year-old

BECKER COUNTY, Minn. – A 70-year-old Bismarck man was killed in an accidental shooting Thursday evening north of Detroit Lakes, according to the Becker County Sheriff’s Department.

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A 911 caller reported the shooting about 9:30 p.m., and officers were sent to the scene of the accident near Floyd Lake by County Road 131, the department said in a news release.

Officers performed CPR on Arthur Albert Martel until medics arrived and took him to Essentia Health St. Mary’s Hospital in Detroit Lakes. Martel was pronounced dead at the hospital, the department said.

Investigators were told that Martel had been looking at a .38-special handgun, and when he was handing the gun to its owner, the gun fired and a bullet struck Martel in the chest, the department said.

The shooting is still under investigation.

This is his obituary.

Art Martel, 70, Bismarck, died July 3, 2014, in Detroit Lakes, Minn. Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:30 a.m. Friday, July 11, at Church of St. Mary, Bismarck, with Monsignor Gene Lindemann officiating.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Eastgate Funeral Service, Bismarck, where a vigil service will begin at 7 p.m.

Art was born on June 21, 1944, and grew up in Rolette. After high school he attended college at UND and completed his bachelor’s degree at Mayville State University. Art began teaching English and Speech in Dunseith, after graduation. He worked as a seasonal immigration officer at the Dunseith, N.D. U.S./Canada Port of Entry. Art met Verla in 1967 and they were married on June 7, 1968.

Art moved to full-time employment with the Department of Homeland Security. He served at several ports of entry including, Raymond, Mont., Fortuna, Sherwood, and Antler. Art protected our country for 35 years through the roles of officer, supervisor, fire arms instructor and port director. He lived by the border and kept a loyal, watchful eye, even when not on duty.

Art and Verla had three children, Rachel, Doug and Greg. All of whom currently live in the Bismarck-Mandan area. Art retired from U.S. Customs and Border Protection on Oct. 1, 2005. He and Verla purchased land east of Bismarck and built a beautiful home to share with family and friends as a haven to live out retirement.

Art was an amazing woodworker, creator and artist. He loved animals and with his skilled hands could turn a block of wood into any one of God’s creatures — in beautiful detail and full of color. He also loved the art of taxidermy and could create a look to animals as though he breathed life back into them.

Art was a fisherman, hunter, and loved gardening. Art would have done anything for his wife, children, grandchildren, or anyone he saw in need. He was a private and humble man. He was very proud of his years of Federal service. Art loved this country, and prayed for the U.S. to remain strong and free.

Art stated many times that he would be lost without his wife, Verla, beside him. He lovingly referred to her as “The Boss.” He bragged about how lucky he was to have found such a beautiful bride, and frequently told us that she is still as beautiful as the day they met.

Art loved his children and was so proud of them. He organized gatherings to keep his family close. His children loved him more than words could ever express. They have lost their hunting guide and partner. They have lost their fishing buddy. They have lost the man that they go to for help, advice, and most of all, for companionship and love.

Art loved his brothers and sisters and held exceptional pride in how close they were when they were young.

Art is survived by his wife, Verla Martel; his daughter, Rachel Southam and her husband, Bernie, and their children, Veronica (Jeremy), Natasha and George, and great-grandchild, Charlie; his son, Doug Martel and his wife, Larreta and their children, Serena and Isaiah; his son, Greg Martel and his wife, Angela, and their children, Emma, Nolan, and Alec; and Art’s five living siblings.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Irene Martel; a brother, Ricky; and sister, Joyce.

Art was very knowledgeable about gun safety. His respect for the danger of a mishandled weapon was taught to his co-workers and children over and over. Art held a tremendous respect for the power of a firearm. His life was ended by the tragic misjudgment and mishandling of a loaded weapon by another man. We believe that Art would want this loss of life to be a reminder and a plea to all of you to never underestimate the danger of a weapon.

Go to www.eastgatefuneral.com to share memories of Art and sign the online guest book.

Don Martel

Don,

We extend our condolence to you and all of Art’s family with this terrible tragedy. What an afoul thing to happen. So so sad. Art came in the system after I left, so don’t remember him, but many of our readers will.

Gary

Art Martel Memories

From Vickie Metcalfe (’70): Bottineau, Nd

Gary and friends,

I was saddened to read today July 9, 2013, Bismarck Tribune, the untimely passing of Mr. Art Martel.

Mr. Art Martel had a remarkably positive, encouraging motivating demeanor which he demonstrated daily in his interaction with students in his classes.

He allowed expression of creative writing supplying positive worthwhile feedback.

I recall him encouraging and allowing students to write creative plays which allowed each of us as students to discover, expand and stretch learning way beyond an educational task to excelling.

While he pushed us to develop keen appreciation of poetry, literature and Shakespearian plays, at times a mistake was made in pronunciation or spelling he never made a student feel “small.”

With a respectful farewell, thank you, Mr. Art Martel, a Class Act English and Speech Teacher, Dunseith Public School!

Vickie L. Metcalfe

Houle Family Photo

Posted by Keith Houle: Becker, MN

Identifications Posted by Jim Vandal

Jim Vandal: Gary: back L to R, Ron Houle and wife Janet, Then Allen Houle and his wife Carol behind/R of him, then Gary Houle in the middle with mustache, his wife to his left rear Roberta ‘Bobbi’, then Kenny Houle, then Bonnie “Awalt: Houle and Keith Houle. Front, our L to R: John and Doreen ‘Houle’ Deschene, Pam ‘Houle’ Hagen, Shirley ‘Houle’ Vandal and Norman Vandal, and Sr. Sharon Houle

Carlyle Nelson & Gail Lee Auction sale: Please see attachments

Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Bottineau & Minot, ND

Hi Gary,

Edna Mae (Nelson) Olufson-Smith is in Bottineau visiting her brother, Carlyle Nelson. I was blessed to spend about 45 very enjoyable minutes visiting with both of them at Carlyle’s home (The house that is for sale.)–2 blocks north of my apartment in Bottineau–earlier this evening. They gave this sale bill to me to scan/send to you and to my lists. I told EdnaMae I was going to include this message with the sale bill; she said she’ll be watching for it in your newsletter.

Neola

Turtle Mountain Highway 43 pictures

Posted by Henry Hackman (’66): lmhackman@bis.midco.net Bismarck, ND

Gary

I hope your not going through to much withdrawal since the kids left?

Maybe this will help to take your mind off the kids leaving?

My son Larry Jr., My brother Henry, and I made a little trip down Memory Highway 43 lane, ND a few days ago.

Took a few photos for all to enjoy.

No, I’m not getting a commission but I’m thinking about asking somebody.

Thanks,

Larry

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Blog (113) posted on May 26, 2008

From Esther Murray Fleming (65):

Hi Gary

We are not rich and we cannot afford it. Maybe when I hit the lottery. Thought I’d drop a note to let you know that I am not going to make the Alaskan Cruise. We are not rich and we cannot afford it. Maybe if I ever hit the lottery, lol but I guess not in this lifetime. But whoever is going , please enjoy yourselves and have a lot of fun and think about me, hehehe. Got to go for now love you all

Esther and family

From Gary Metcalfe (57):

Prairie Past and Mountain Memories is a masterpiece book, just compare with other county history, I guess we had a more diverse settlement. However we can’t begin to retain the nostalgia of the years after the war, 1946-1950’s, young men settling issues, bar tenders tending, cops busy, Frank Flynn, John Hiatt, Walter Hiatt and more. Frank had an old Chevy pickup with a spotlight on the cab, it was quite impressive. Neighbors visiting, sidewalks jammed, we younger guys needed the bootleggers just as bad as did the Native Americans. The cops were great, they did not make us feel comfortable in town after midnight, but they didn’t take our beer away or arrest us either, that was Saturday night. All of a sudden it was Friday night dances in the fifties they had bands that even the drummer could entertain the crowd, standing ovation. Tommy Collins from that western part of Ok. that produced so many great country, western stars, was in Willow City one night. Gary Metcalfe

From Dick Johnson (68):

Gary and Friends,

How many of you remember when Isadore “Zike” Boguslawski was the town
cop? He used to cruise town in his pink and white 57 Chevy four door
doing what cops do. There was one night though that Zike nearly met his
“Waterloo”! It was after midnight when Dad was up getting a drink of
water and he just happened to look out our south kitchen window toward
the back of Hosmer’s store. He saw Zike in the rear parking lot of
Hosmer’s, standing by his car and it appeared he was talking to someone.
There was a guy on the roof of the grocery store and Dad watched as he
got down and approached Zike. About that time Dad saw another guy come
around the rear of Zike’s car and start to hit Zike with some object he
had in his hand! Dad jerked on his boots and ran down the alley toward
the ruckus, yelling at the guys at the top of his lungs! They were not
only hitting Zike, but one was stabbing him with a screwdriver! Dad said
the guys saw him coming and took off to the south on the dead run! Zike
was hurt pretty bad and was really bleeding from his many wounds. Dad
thought about putting him in Zike’s car and taking him to the hospital,
but he wasn’t sure the old Chevy was up to the task, so he ran back and
got his black 62 Cadillac and loaded Zike and took off for Rolette as
fast as he dared drive, which I would guess was fast! He said even
though Zike was bleeding from everywhere there wasn’t one drop of blood
on the seat when they got to Rolette, not that Dad was worried under the
circumstances! There was a huge number of cop cars and investigators
that showed up within a short while and they found a bag of what they
considered “professional” burglary tools on the roof, where these guys
had tried to break in through a vent window or closure of some kind. As
far as I know, nobody was ever charged with the attempted burglary and
assault on a policeman. I suppose this was in about 1965 or 1966, if my
memory serves me correctly. Can anyone remember this incident and add
any details I may have missed? Thanks Gary!

Dick

Obituary’s provided by Neola Kofoid Garbe:

Folks, Neola was going through some of her stuff the other day and ran across these two

Obit’s of Hannah Nerpel Bedard and Ray Nerpel. Neola never throws anything away and

most of time can find what ever she is looking for. She has provide us with a lot of

interesting Dunseith memorabilia and Dunseith news. She enjoys all these messages and

said she feels as though she has learned to know you guys quite well, just by reading these

daily messages. She reads everyone of them. Neola’s father was Johnny Kofoid. He owned

the Corner Garage, back in the 50’s and 60’s, in Dunseith. Johnny and my dad were first cousins.

Neola graduated from Bottineau HS in 1957. She retired several years ago from

a career of 40 plus years teaching. Most of those years were spent in Minot. She has a home

in Minot, but also rents an apartment in Bottineau. She goes back and forth.

Back to these Two Obit’s. Hannah and Ray were Brother/Sister. Looking at the their dates of

death, they passed on within one day of each other. Many of you folks are children or relatives

of Hannah & Ray. Hannah & Ray were very well known in the Dunseith Community. The vast majority

of you probably remember them well.

Gary

7/8/2014 (2049)

Posted on July 8, 2014 by Gary

No blog yesterday

For the record I did not get a blog posted yesterday

Gary

Floyd (’45) and Luella Halvorson (’47) Dion’s Picture

comment from Lola Metcalfe (’68): Dunseith, ND

What a sweet picture of two awesome people !!- they are so sweet !!- I remember then back when i was a little girl and they were always happy to see me- !!- they are a well loved couple in this area !!-

Lola

Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Bottineau & Minot, ND

Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Bottineau & Minot, ND

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Blog (112) posted on May 25, 2008

From Debbie Fugere Fauske (75):

Hi Gary:

Regarding Carmen and Floyd Richard’s note: Their
daughter-in-law, Lanette Richard, from Rolette,
recently wrote and published a children’s book. I
think a lot of people would be interested in hearing
about this and finding out how they can obtain copies.

Debbie Fauske

Carmen & Floyd, can you tell us where and how we can obtained copies of Lanette’s book? Thanks, Gary

From Florence Hiatt Dahl (50):

Your Alaska trip sounds fun, but your not seeing much of it. Alaska is bigger then California and Texas put together. You miss seeing Mt McKinley, Alyeska, Fairbanks, Seward, Portage Glacier””””””””””I could go on and on. Have fun””””””

Message/Picture from Dick Johnson (68):

Gary and Friends,

First of all, thanks Doreen Bailey for the pictures. The one of the old
white school sure brought back a flood of memories! It was dated 1956,
the year I started school in that building. Thanks to Trish Larson
Clayburgh for all the memories, and good luck in Montana! There is a
gal, at Lake Metigoshe, who raises Morgans. She used to have a website
called Metigoshe Morgans. Her name is Melonie Pewe, [ pronounced Pay ],
and you two may have something in common with the horses. Nice gal too!

Hearing from Dan McKay, and seeing his picture, reminded me of a deal we
made back in about 1970. I was working at the Peace Garden that summer
and had this old 1947 Harley Davidson that I had fixed up from kind of a
“basket case”. Dan called me and asked if I wanted to sell it. I said I
would if the price was right. Dan asked if I would meet him up on the
San hill so he could look at it. I thought this was an odd place, but
agreed. When we got there Dan said, “how do you shift this thing?” I
showed him how it had a foot clutch and a hand [ suicide ] shifter. I
said, ” haven’t you ever ridden a Harley before?” Dan said, “I’ve never
even ridden a motorcycle before!” He got it going in toward the San and
made it back again to where I was, kind of jerky and wobbly, but he made
it! He asked how much I wanted and I told him $300. He said that was OK,
but would I ride it out to his folk’s place on the south side of town?
Dan came out of the house and handed me the cash. That was when I asked
him why he wanted the old Harley? He calmly said, “oh, tomorrow I’m
taking off for Tacoma, Washington and I’m going to ride it out there!!”
Guys– this old bike had old tires and homemade parts and things I had
rigged to keep it going on 10 to 20 mile runs! I wished Dan luck and
shook his hand and headed for home. I got a postcard about a week later,
from Dan in Tacoma! He said the chain broke in Montana but a farmer
helped him fix it, and then the tail light and license plate fell off
somewhere in Idaho or eastern Washington, but other than that,
everything went fine! I think Ol’ Dan may have had a little ‘Divine
Intervention’ on that trip!. To this day I remain convinced that
SOMEONE has to watch over the young when they do these things!! Below is
a picture of Brenda and me on the old Harley that summer of 1970. Thanks
Gary for this site!

Dick

Dick & Brenda Johnson – 1970

7/6/2014 (2048)

Posted on July 6, 2014 by Gary

Bernie and Lorelie Stokes

Reply from Aggie Casavant (’69): Fort Mill, SC

Hi Gary, Your son Bernie and his wife Lorelie sure make a cute couple, I enjoyed all the pictures. I know you and Bernadette hate to see them go. Thanks so much for all the work you do keeping the blog going. Even if you don’t hear from me often like so many I’m out here enjoying all the post. Tell Bernadette hi for me, and, God Bless you both. Take Care, Aggie

Aggie,

It is always great hearing from you. How are things wish you? We miss your beautiful stories too.

Gary

Floyd and Luella Dion

Reply from Norma Manning: Princiton IL.

Aren’t they the most loving couple. Y’all just look so good. Maybe be home for

the HostFest..Thought and prayers for both everyday. Norma

Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Bottineau & Minot, ND

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Blog (111) posted on May 24, 2008

From Gary Metcalfe (57):

Hey Bonnie Awalt Houle, Vance Bailey would be so proud of you, you always reach back to the old days as well as those wonderful high school years we had in the 50’s. Some of the things we talk about seem trivial to some, but when you talked about the old gravel pit fireworks, the smells and the old cars came back. You mentioned Allen Ryback and I thought of old Dick Ryback and Russel and Ralph who insulated all the old houses, blow in. Remember that old cook car looking contraption they had for the job? Rodney Ryback was younger than them, Allen ???? I am not sure where he fit in.

Samski wrote and I thought of his grandfather, Tony Samski, who managed the old bowling alley before Lee Smith. Martin Samski worked for Lamoreaux Brothers and Gene Samski, a friend of Bing Evans and Red Wilson. Johnie Hill told me about boxing sessions at Samski’s, he said Bing was pretty good at the sport. Say HI to Keith for us Bonnie.
,

Doreen Bailey, that picture of the great hunters is priceless. It is unbelievable to think that the characters that my dad talked about 60 years ago whould appear in the picture. As Seattle is your home town, I will tell you we were there before 1940. My dad, Jim Metcalfe, was Superintendent for Chris Berg a plastering contractor whose office was on Lake Washington off Aurora. In those seven years we lived in at least six locations, one was east of downtown Seattle. Max and Mary Peterson rented a room there, as well as many other N.D. people starting out after the depression. Max had a chuckle and the gravel voice of all time.

My mother, Ella Evans Metcalfe absolutely loved Seattle, as I did. But, I was either retarded or too young to know, my brother and I voted with my dad to buy a farm back in N.D. I guess it was his dream. If we had not, I would have missed out on all of these memories we are now talking about. Gary Metcalfe

Patty Boguslawski Gotbreht (65) with her three sons

Phyllis McKay (65) 2007

Shirley Boguslawski, Margaret Faine, Shirley Decoteau (1964)

Standing: Lola Metcafe, Patt Metcafe, Joan La Croix

Sitting: Joann Houle, Corliss Allard, Randi Mongeon

7/5/2014 (2047)

Posted on July 5, 2014 by Gary

Happy Birthday Bruce Pigeon (DHS ’61): Garrison, ND

Reply From Colette Hosmer (’64): Santa Fe, NM

Bye to Bernie. I’ve enjoyed the photos of all of you with him and Lorelie over these 104 days. Good luck with the immigration paperwork.

Colette

Reply from Floyd Dion (’45): Dunseith, ND

Gary:
This is in reply to Lee Stickland of the picture of Luella & myself.
Cheryl Haagenson took the picture during Dunseith Days at the free
breakfast at the Dunseith Elementery School.We served the coffee,milk
and juice.
Yes Lee I still have the Model A Ford.
The belt buckle is an agate that my brother Derald found and ground &
polished and fit it into a buckle.
Dunseith Days were held June 28, 2014

Floyd

Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Bottineau & Minot, ND

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Blog (109) posted on May 21, 2008

From Floyd & Carmen Richard:

Thank you for including us in this email system. Neither my husband Floyd or I graduated from Dunseith High School but Floyd has always considered Dunseith his home town.( he went to rural schools in the area ) He knows all the people that you mention, and loves to read the emails. They depict a way of life that is quickly vanishing, imagine in todays world, letting your children play in the street,or walk down to the creek by themselves and no one would worry about their safety.!! It was such a peaceful and trusting time. The memories that you share are priceless and should be treasured.

From Lynn Halvorson Otto (75):

Dear Mrs. Bailey, you don’t know me, my name is Lynette Halvorson Otto. My parents are Lester and Dorothy Halvorson of Dunseith. Anyway, thank you for sending the picture of the white school house. I think I attended school there in my 1st and 2nd grades. I remember how big the class rooms were, very tall ceilings, dark wood floors and those big windows. I haven’t seen a picture of that school for many years. Thanks for bringing back the memories. Lynn Halvorson Otto (75).

From Diane Larson Sjol (70):

I want to thank Doreen Bailey for the wonderful picture of the
Dunseith school. It really conjured up many wonderful memories for
me even though I only attended the school during parts of grades 1-5.
I especially remember that terrible rickety old metal fire escape that
we used during fire drills in Mrs. Conroy’s class….scary for a
chubby girl with those wobbly steps!

From Vickie Metcalfe (70):

Gary, I am responding to Mrs. Baileys pictures, particularly the last one.

My dad, Cliff a family story teller,was very fond of Bill and Myrtle Anderson,who were family neighbors of the Metcalfe family at Rabbit City Lake. Dad described them as, ” Mr. Anderson being very tall and Aunt Myrt very short.” He said, “Aunt Myrt’s shopping bags were close to the ground , she was so very short.” When eating fried eggs for breakfast my father would ask me how hard did you work? Then, he’d tell the story about when one of his big Metcalfe brothers going over at their neighbors, the Anderson’s, one morning. ( I believe it may have been during the depression) Mrs. Anderson was serving breakfast,She said, Sit up to the table and have some breakfast, While she served the breakfast she said, “There is 1 egg for Walter, he works hard, 1 egg for Mr. Anderson because he works hard, and 1/2 egg for Charlie and 1/2 egg me because we don’t work as hard, and there is an extra egg for you”. Even in tough times folks shared what they had! Another story was regarding my dad’s name, Mr. Anderson asked my Grandfather to name a son William David, since his name was William David. Grandpa Bill said,” he’d already named his oldest son William, but agreed that David would be a fine middle name for the 7th son.” Another wonderful memory we had with John and Gertrude Awalt was a the 50th wedding anniversary of Bill and Mary Metcalfe in the early ’70s. John and Gertrude had been there best man and brides maid. Also on that day Frank Poitra was playing his fiddle, as he had for their wedding dance. All those folks were neighbors so many years ago. And, a firm bond of respect, through the years. When I was a child, I recall, Charlie Anderson on Saturday nights in Dunseith, crawling into the back seat of our family car and visiting on main street. Years later, Gertrude Awalt was living in Rolla,we were visiting and sharing picture memories, Gertrude gave my mom and I a childhood picture of Charlie Anderson and the Metcalfe boys, which mom reproduced for all the Metcalfe cousins. That photo was such a telling photo of those boys, ” the little rascals” . Thank you Mrs. Bailey for the photo’s which got me remembering my dad’s stories of the Anderson’s who he was so fond of. Vickie Metcalfe

From Dick Johnson (68):

Gary and Friends,

Evie asked what a snowplane is. I was just going to advise her to look at
message 100 for info. Thanks!

Dick

Picture taken July 12, 2007: Note – Date on picture is incorrect

Class of 65 gals – Phyllis McKay, Esther Murray Fleming & Patty Boguslawski Gottbreht

Picture – Class of 65’s first ever reunion – July 12, 2007. The majority of us had not seen one another for more than 42 years.

What a memorable reunion we had. It’s a reunion we will remember for a life time. The class of 65 has been reunited. Gary

Standing: Carol Allard Buxbaum, Ron Longie, Warren Anderson, Karen Loeb Mhyre, Bill Grimme, Ginger LaRocque Poitra, Henry Hackman, Gladys Roussin Azure, Angela Berube Malget, Rene Casavant, Alan Boguslawski, Helen Rivard Christenson, Allen Richard, Esther Murray Fleming, Susan Fassett Martin, John Bedard, Margaret Metcalfe Leonard, John Awalt, Cecile Berube Reynolds, Patty Boguslawski Gottbreht, Ken Nerpel, Phyllis McKay, Gary Stokes, Marlene Richard Parslow, Evie Gottbreht Pilkington, Joan Smith Fuchs .

Kneeling: George Azure, Dean Helgeson, Joe Casavant, Pete Gillis, Raphael Poitra, Ernie Gottbreht.

Missing when picture taken: Donald Egbert

7/4/2014 (2046)

Posted on July 4, 2014 by Gary

Happy Birthday Cecile Gouin Craig (DHS ’61): Sequim, WA

Bernie’s farwell dinner.

Bernie left last night, returning to Seattle/Bellevue Even though he’d love to and us too, he can not stay here forever. He was here 104 days, so we had a lot of good bonding. Now he will file the immigration paper work for Lorelie and her 3 year old daughter to join him in Bellevue, WA. The process will take about a year.

Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Bottineau & Minot, ND

Floyd and Luella Halvorson Dion

Reply from Lee Stickland (’64): Dickinson, ND

Floyd and Luella may have been one of three places:

1 the annual meeting of Model A owners

2 the corporate meeting for PRIDE DAIRY and CREAMERY of Bottineau

3 per Floyd’s belt buckle, he may be entered in the Fourth of July Rodeo here in Dickinson

Possibly his buckle is like mine and is from the 1982 reunion in/of/for Dunseith, with an embossed figure of the OLD RIVERSIDE HOTEL.

I have a buckle, I live +/- mile from rodeo ground, I don’t ride horses, (JOY PETERSON knows that horses and I do not get along; YES, JOY I remember Kit and Kap. I can’t imagine the adrenaline that is present when sitting down on that mass of power!

Show Hit gowes LEE s 7-3-2014

Salem Church Face Book posting

Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Bottineau & Minot, ND

Saying Goodbye to Mother

Joke of the day

Posted by Rosemary (Wayne ’61) Smith: smranch@srt.com Lake Metigoshe, ND

We were  dressed, and ready to go out for the New Years Eve Party. We  turned on a night light, turned the answering machine  on, covered our  pet parakeet, and put the cat in the back yard.  We phoned the local cab company and requested a taxi.  The taxi  arrived, and we opened the front door to leave the house.  As we walked out the door, the cat we had put out in the  yard, scoots  back into the house. We didn’t want the cat shut in the  house  because she always tries to eat the bird. 

My wife goes on out to the taxi while I went back  inside to get the  cat. The cat runs upstairs with me in hot pursuit.  Waiting in the  cab, my wife doesn’t want the driver to know that the  house will be  empty for the night. So she explains to the taxi driver  that I will  be out soon. “He’s just going upstairs to say goodbye to  Mother.”  

A few minutes later, I get into the cab. “Sorry I took  so long,” I  said, as we drove away. “That stupid bitch was hiding  under the bed. I had to poke her ass with a coat hanger to get her to  come out! She  tried to take off, so I grabbed her by the neck. Then I  had to wrap  her in a blanket to keep her from scratching me, but it  worked! I  hauled her fat ass downstairs and threw her out into the back yard!”

The cab driver hit a parked car.

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Blog (109) posted on May 21, 2008

From Dick Johnson (68):

Gary and Friends,

Just a short one on the pop from Omemee. The Dunseith school ordered pop
for some function in about 1962 in the fall. We were in the the old
locker rooms, under the bleachers in the old school, dressing for
basketball practice, when Chris Rasmusson came down with several cases
of pop on a hand cart. He asked Marc Gottbreht where they kept the pop.
Marc saw the opportunity and said, “they usually stack it right here”.
Marc, being the generous guy he was, passed out the pop to each of us
and we hammered a couple and then went up for practice! The next day
they called him to the office. He had SIGNED the delivery ticket!! I
don’t remember if he really got in any trouble. One time in the sixth
grade, Mrs. Lang caught Marc chewing gum for the tenth time and said, ”
Marc, if I catch you chewing gum again, you better have enough for the
whole class”! The next day Marc got caught again! Mrs. Lang said, ”
Marc! What did I tell you”! Marc jumped up and whipped out about five
packs of Juicy Fruit and passed it out to the whole class, INCLUDING
Mrs. Lang!! Marc was tough on Mrs. Lang!! He wasn’t a bad kid, he just
liked to push her buttons!! Thanks Gary!

Dick

Message/Pictures From Doreen Bailey wife of Vance Bailey:

Gary,

Just wanted to let you know; One of Dunseith’s finest, Vance will be back in his beloved childhood home town Dunseith! We will have a grave side service for him on Wednesday May 28th, 10 A.M. – Riverside Cemetery – Pastor Herford. This was his wish to return to Dunseith. Our little family will be in town. After the service we hope to go to Dales for Vance’s favorite chocolate shake and maybe even go for the giant hamburger. Come on down we’ll share our shakes!

I have attached a few picture: 1. Aunts, uncle cousins & etc of Vance’s : The Bailey, Anderson, Awalt picture may indicate, “maybe at one time everyone in town was related.” Some of your readers will recognize themselves.

2. Anderson Richard, Hattie & Clint in front of the Cream Station in the 1930’s

3. The “Great hunters” @ the Mahlon Bailey farm.

— Vance had a terrific memory for names and events,he talked of his childhood friends a lot. I recognize so many of the family names. I feel like a part of Dunseith myself after 55 years with “the” Dunseith guy , but I grown up in Seattle, not near as much fun as you people had in your child hood. Small towns are the best. Thank You, Doreen Bailey, Tempe, AZ

7/3/2014 (2045)

Posted on July 3, 2014 by Gary

No Blog yesterday.

For the record, I did not get a blog posted yesterday.

Gary

Happy Birthday Lola Millang Knox: North Dakota

Happy Birthday Sybil Johnson: Minot, ND

Face Book capture. Not sure of the event.

Floyd and Luella Halvorson Dion

The Gold Wedding of James Darling (Dunseith)

Posted by Natalie (Darling) Ulberg: Minot, ND

Hi Gary:

I came across this picture of my great-great grandparent’s 50th Wedding Anniversary marked Dunseith, ND 1907 and thought it may be of interest to some. I don’t know the actual date nor the location of the gathering. By the flags and the leaves on the trees it appears to have been taken around the 4th of July. The picture is pretty well marked by my grandma Mable (Peterson-married to James Darling #13 in the picture later a Thorne then long time Rolette resident.)

I’ve never seen a picture where, like in the background, some tree branches are cut and placed sideways and appear to me they are holding fabric/banners in the far back. By the looks of the way people are dressed, the decorations, table, chairs and placesettings there was a lot of time and effort put into the celebration!

A happy and safe 4th to all!

Natalie (Darling) Ulberg

Joke of the day

Posted by Vickie Metcalfe (’70): Bottineau, ND

A man and woman were married for many years. Whenever there was a confrontation, yelling could be heard deep into the night. The old man would shout, “When I die, I will dig my way up and out of the grave and come back and haunt you for the rest of your life!”

Neighbors feared him. The old man liked the fact that he was feared. Then one evening, he died when he was 98. After the burial, her neighbors, concerned for her safety, asked, “Aren’t you afraid that he may indeed be able to dig his way out of the grave and haunt you for the rest of your life?”

The wife said, ” Let him dig. I had him buried upside down…

and I know he won’t ask for directions.”

==========================================================================

Blog (107) posted on May 20, 2008

Folks, Please don’t miss any of the messages with pictures near the end of this message. Gary

From Dan McKay (69):

Rod,

Fishing pole in the lake – just the makings of great memories. I’ve had a few poles since then that should have been thrown in the lake so don’t loose anymore sleep over that one. What I remember about that time was rowing that flat bottom boat for about 5 hours from our cabin on Rugby Point all the way across the lake to Brian Johnson’s cabin by the bridge. Not bad for a couple of 10 year olds. It was sure great of his Dad to tow us home except when it got out of the wake and flipped up on its side. Why were we riding in it any way? Nice to know your friends are thinking about you. You have great day Rod and we will go fishing again someday.

Dan McKay

From Cheryl Larson Dakin (71):

Hi Gary

We just got back home to Texas from ND last night. We flew to Minot on Friday the 9th. I had expected the cold and drizzle but not the 4 inches of thick white snow we had that night! Diane and I drove to Dunseith on Monday to spend the afternoon with Bev and had a great time. She looks terrific and we laughed so hard! It was really great to be back in North Dakota. I love the emails. Thanks so much!

Cheryl Larson Dakin (71)

PS – the weather cleared and the trees budded out. It was like 3 seasons in 1 week!

From Gwen Struck Dumas (68):

Hi Gary,

A former pastor of ours in Havre sent this to us. I would like to pass it on. It’s a bit lengthy, but worth it.

My spouse, Clint Dumas, was deployed in July 2004 with the 189th Aviation/ Montana Army National Guard to Balad Iraq. He returned the evening before Thanksgiving in 2005. (He had one month to go to retirement.) It was the longest 16 months of our lives…..ever!!! However the last 2 1/2 years since his return have been very, very difficult. Two months ago he suggested that he may have PTSD and sought council. We drive to Helena (200 miles one way) every other week for the help that he needs.

It is my hope during this Memorial Weekend, that those who know a veteran who served in any of our wars, or knows of a family whose soldier didn’t return, pause for a moment and bring to mind all of our freedoms that we take for granted. Freedom really isn’t free.

And…if any know of a veteran who suffers with PTSD….love ’em thru it!!! They’ve earned it!!!

Gwen Struck Dumas

Subject: Fw: Before You Go

Please read to the end and then click on the website — this is fabulous!

The elderly parking lot attendant wasn’t in a good mood!

Neither was Sam Bierstock. It was around 1 a.m., and Bierstock, a Delray
Beach, Fla., eye doctor, business consultant, corporate speaker and
musician, was bone tired after appearing at an event.

He pulled up in his car, and the parking attendant began to speak. “I took
two bullets for this country and look what I’m doing,” he said bitterly.

At first, Bierstock didn’t know what to say to the World War II veteran. But
he rolled down his window and told the man, “Really, from the bottom of my
heart, I want to thank you.”

Then the old soldier began to cry.

“That really got to me,” Bierstock says.

Cut to today.

Bierstock, 58, and John Melnick, 54, of Pompano Beach – a member of
Bierstock’s band, Dr. Sam and the Managed Care Band – have written a song
inspired by that old soldier in the airport parking lot. The mournful ”
Before You Go” does more than salute those who fought in WWII. It encourages
people to go out of their way to thank the aging warriors before they die.

“If we had lost that particular war, our whole way of life would have been
shot,” says Bierstock, who plays harmonica. “The WW II soldiers are now
dying at the rate of about 2,000 every day. I thought we needed to thank
them.”

The song is striking a chord. Within four days of Bierstock placing it on
the Web, the song and accompanying photo essay have bounced around nine
countries, producing tears and heartfelt thanks from veterans, their sons
and daughters and grandchildren.

“It made me cry,” wrote one veteran’s son. Another sent an e-mail saying
that only after his father consumed several glasses of wine would he discuss
” the unspeakable horrors” he and other soldiers had witnessed in places
such as Anzio, Iwo Jima, Bataan and Omaha Beach. “I can never thank them
enough,” the son wrote. “Thank you for thinking about them.”

Bierstock and Melnick thought about shipping it off to a professional
singer, maybe a Lee Greenwood type, but because time was running out for so
many veterans, they decided it was best to release it quickly, for free, on
the Web. They’ve sent the song to Sen. John McCain and others in
Washington. Already they have been invited to perform it in Houston for a
Veterans Day tribute – this after just a few days on the Web. They hope
every veteran in America gets a chance to hear it.

GOD BLESS every veteran…
and THANK you to those of you veterans who may receive this !

CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO HEAR THE SONG AND SEE THE PICTURES:

Before You Go

OR http://wwwmanagedmusic.com/Music/PlayBeforeYouGo.php

From Alan & Phyllis Campbell (42):

Just read the email from Paula Fassett regarding the pop factory in Omemee and have to add a bit….Back when the Legion sponsored Bingo at the old city hall, the Auxiliary took care of the concessions and Chris Rasmusson and his wife delivered pop up to Dunseith almost every week – – for $1.00 a case !!!!Can you believe that? That was 24 bottles if my memory serves me and the variety they offered was wonderful….our Rich’s favorite was cream soda. They had lemon, lime, cherry, strawberry, orange, grape and probably several others. The Auxiliary always served rice krispy bars and maybe brownies and as a result were able to support many of the worthwhile Auxiliary projects!!!! The main reason for a successsful pop factory in Omemee was the adequate supply of very good natural water
and Chris had his own “secret” recipes for making the flavors. Do enjoy all the emails!!!

From Colette Hosmer (64):

Congratulations, Evie! Just getting kids through to adulthood is celebration enough, never mind raising one who graduated from law school. I wish her luck on passing the bar…..

xox

Colette

From Bonnie Awalt Houle (56):

Dear Gary,

Dale Gottbreth had a garage to the south of our home. One of the Lamoureux Brothers stored a snow plane there, his name started with an O- Ophelia (Spelling wrong) any way he used the sno-plane for hunting. I remember my Parents talking about the amount of use it got during snow storms. My Uncle Charles Anderson did a lot with Mr. Lamoureux.

Dale decided that he should move the garage and turn it into a motel. He hired my Dad (John Awalt). The garage was moved to the corner and is now Dales Cafe, and Motel. The slab of cement left was a wonderful place to roller skate. Dale was quite far sighted as to the needs of the community.

Bonnie Awalt Houle 1956

From Susan Fassett Martin (65):

love to see the old pictures. Nice to hear from Rodney Samski. But it was Miss Masvelton in second grade that probably did shake the dickens out of Mark after he threw the scissors. I was always a little scared of her. I don’t think Mrs Conroy had a mean bone in her body. She was a sweet lady.

I have to add a comment to the birthday party picture that Crystal sent. All the kids in the picture are “Cousins” in one way or another. Pam and I (Susan) are first cousins because our dads are brothers, Pam and Dick are cousins, because Dick’s grandma and Pam’s mother were sisters, Mark is a shirttail cousin because his mother and Emery Carbonneau are sister and brother and Emery is married to my mother’s first cousin, and John Morgan was “related” because his mother was a Watkins and so were Carol Carbonneau and Murl Hill who were my mom’s first cousins because their mothers were sisters. Got the idea? Ahhhhh. small town life. My husband always tells everyone that I am related to most of the people in ND. Not so far from the truth—I love it!!!

Keep the memories and pictures coming.

Love and Prayers, Susan

From Gary Metcalfe (57):

Gary, I am sure everyone has heard of the midnight ride of Paul Revere, but I am not sure if anyone has heard of the daytime ride of Jay Vanorny. One summer morning Jay and I agreed that Ranger, that Big Red loaner horse from Johnie Myer had to go back to Johnie as he was making my new quarter horse hard to catch. So we had a semi leisurely ride the first mile or so, when all of a sudden while passing through Eli Demery’s yard the dogs barked and Ranger turned and backed into Eli’s 50 gal. burn barrel, that was the end of leisure. It was all down hill to old Hwy. 5. Ranger made short work of those woven wire yard fences in Shanty Town, each garden probably had at least one set of hoof prints.

Evie, Dale wasn’t only the best truck driver in that country, he was also the greatest story teller by far. Lucian Bedard did a close second on duck hunting stories. Dale said he was coming around that curve where Carlson and Seim’s lived. He looked in the rear view mirror to see if Ray Buck, our old game warden from St. John was gaining or not. What he saw was a pair of antlers raising up in the back seat. I guess he was not quite dead!

Many of you may not know about Orvin Hagen’s nephew, Oliver and Donnie Nelson’s brother, when his chopper mitts caught fire in the old water tank heater.. Dale took him to the hospital, if anyone could have provided that boy with more time on earth it would have been Dale.

Dale had more than his share of business in him. By the way, his dad, Big George and I mean big, was a class act too. My dad had lots of stories about George, Ray Wilson and the rest of the old boys they were the fun and fiber of Dunseith. I worked for Dale a second year because he wouldn’t have it any other way. Gary Metcalfe

Message/Picture From Trish Larson Clayburgh (73):

Hey Gary,

Thanks again to you for facilitating this, and thanks to all who have been brave enough to write in! Goodness knows how many “chicken lurkers” there are out there….c’mon! Out with your stories and memories! Make Betty Garske proud!

It’s been awhile since I’ve written, but this particular group of emails today just struck me – although I’ve been reading every morning just like everyone else and enjoying all the stories immensely.

I have to say that Dwight’s story about taking care of those cattle during the snowstorm was just astounding! And I can relate to the sore shoulder from shooting the gun, as my 24 yr old son recently had me shooting in prep for elk hunting season in Colorado this year, and it reminded me of hunting with my Dad, Harvey, as a little kid. I can still remember the mirth in his eyes as I hugged that gun to my shoulder at what was it, age 8? I have no idea what gauge that gun was, but it hurt like hell and my ears would not stop ringing! I believe my three brothers are all fairly deaf in one ear because nobody had any idea about ear protection back then….

Dick, I just loved the photo of your Dad. I cannot wait for the “dirty” picture…

And Collete, while I don’t believe we’ve ever met, I just want to add my admiration for your work to the list of others that think it’s really neat that a gal from NoDak could bring such incredible, creative beauty to far flung places in the world. I love those fish!!!!

I’m also going to stand up and say, YES. I’m going to sign up for the cruise, and I think it’s going to be great fun to see you all in person!

Will Rod Hiatt agree to be there and get onstage with a rendition of “There was a boy from Arkansas…”

And is Cheryl Haagenson in on the deal??? And Art Rude? I’m sure we could give a rousing round of “oh oh we’re going to the chapel and we’re ….”
It will be AWESOME! And Cheri Evans, I hope you’re bringing your guitar…My only concern is that there probably will be very little sleeping on this cruise. I remember the reunion back in the 80’s – I think a week went by with no sleep. It was hard to drag ourselves away even for a much needed shower….

By the way, is anybody out there (female, lol) interested in rooming with me? I’m single, but I want to share one of those rooms with an ocean view….

I just got back from a wonderful horseback ride in the Colorado Mountains this evening. I’m riding my Morgan Mare in an endurance race in Montana (Ft. Howes) June 8, and we’re training like crazy. I’ve never had so much fun in my life, except maybe back when I rode with Marlys Medlang, the Fauske’s, and Diana Honsey back in the summers of the early 70’s. Those of you who are horse crazy (ie Rod Hiatt) can relate to this. And the Honsey’s grew the best raspberries ever!

Hey – what about Music Camp memories?? Cheryl Haagenson had a leading role in…..Hm. I think the summer of 1970? She was one helluva a preacher!

By the way, I just pulled out a bunch of photos I took at the big parade day in Dunseith at the celebration in the early 80’s. As soon as I get them scanned, I’ll start submitting them here – I think I have a bunch of photos you will all enjoy…How young you all were!

Tim Hill – my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. May you be healed and may you be at peace. You are so loved!

Ok, I’ve made up for lost time I think – keep all the stories coming folks! What a phenomenon!!!!

Love to All,

Trish (Larson) 73

Trish Larson Clayburgh (2008)

Message/Picture From Kenny Nerpel (65):

Gary,

This is my daughter after the Hooding & Honors Convocation at NDSU on May 9th. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from the College of Pharmacy. We are very happy for her.

The downside for North Dakota parents is that with graduation comes the almost always inevitable flight from the state. I now have a son in Tennessee and my daughter has accepted employment in Colorado.

The upside is that we now have a couple of nice places to visit.

Kenny Nerpel

Kenny, What is your daughters name? Gary

Kenny Nerpel with his Daughter – NDSU 5/9/08

Message/Pictures from Dick Johnson (68):

Gary and Friends,

Paula mentioned Omemee and Chris Rasmusson’s pop factory. From 1953
through 1955 both Mom and Dad taught school in Omemee. Mom had 1-4 and
Dad 5-8, grades. We lived in a big old house next to Darrel and Dorothy
Fassett so I spent the days at their house while the folks were at
school. Darrel was the Standard Oil agent at that time and drove a bulk
truck delivering fuel. The town was nearly gone by this time as most of
the houses had been moved to Bottineau. The story was, as I remember it,
Omemee was supposed to be on the main railroad line but when the
railroad changed directions, the town began to die. There were only
about six or seven occupied houses when we were there. There were many
blocks of sidewalks running nowhere but we had an old wicker baby buggy
that we took turns riding in and pushing up and down these sidewalks.
The big cottonwood trees had lifted the sidewalks and we used to jump
the buggy over these spots and then crash in the tall grass! The
Rasmussons lived about a block away and Mrs. Rasmusson always made
chocolate chip cookies for us kids. But as I recall, she always gave us
milk or water and not pop! Our old house had primitive running water, a
tank upstairs that Dad filled, and then gravity took over from there.
Chris Rasmusson kept losing bottles because people either broke them or
threw them away, so he had a rule; you only get as many bottles as he
got back! A couple years ago one of his daughters put an ad in the Minot
Daily News asking if anyone had any of her dad’s pop bottles as she
would like to have some. A couple months later she had to run another ad
stating she had her basement half full, please, no more bottles! The
pictures below are all taken in Omemee in 53-55. The top two are of Mom
and me in front of our old house. The girl with the scarf on I believe,
is Karen Rasmusson, don’t know the other one.The next picture is Patty
Fassett and me, behind us is Rennick’s house and just north of that is
Rasmusson’s. Pam Fassett is the girl in the black and white plaid
jacket, don’t know the others.The dance picture is Darrell and Dorothy
Fassett in the school gym. All Dunseith folks just temporarily displaced
in Omemee, ND!!

Dick

Top: Bernice Johnson & Dick Johnson

Middle: Patty Fassett/Dick Johnson and ??/Karen Rasmusson

Bottom ??/??/Pam Fassett/?? and Darre/Dorothy Fassett

7/1/2014 (2044)

Posted on July 1, 2014 by Gary

Happy Birthday Donna Wenstad (DHS ’75): Amado, AZ

Salty Desserts

Story from Vickie Metcalfe (70): Bottineau, ND

Gary,

Please give my regards to Bernadette.

I so liked the photo and pie story, you shared on her birthday.

To my Dunseith friends, this tale is about rhubarb.

Life sometimes throws us tangy, yet if we look closer, perhaps,

can find, sweeter Knowledge.

Once again, with Gary’s story of Bernadette’s Pumpkin dessert

I recall my first attempt, baking from scratch _Homemade Rhubarb Cake.

side note ( I don’t believe I ever used a cake mix from a box until I was an adult,)

I believe, I was going into the 4th grade.

I had finally recovered from appendix surgery, and was moving free again.

One morning, after breakfast, I asked my mom if I could bake, and ran to the patch.

I looked and found rosy red, tender rhubarb stalks which I pulled, and cleaned there in the garden.

I estimated and filled a flat pan,went to the house, got a sharp knife and the cutting board, sat on the steps,

I chopped rhubarb like I had watched my mother.

Mom had pulled her recipe from her box and gave it to me.

I read the recipe and did not ask questions or for any help.

After all, I was going into 4th grade and I had read 98 books in third!

……I was “so full of myself again………”

After the pitiful hospital experience in later May, with determined outlook,

I once again claimed back my inner INDEPENDENT nature!

I set the oven on preheat.

I gathered ingredients; cream, sugar, salt, eggs, flour, vanilla.

I got to use Mom’s electric Sunbeam mixer!

And, I mixed while keeping all the tools clean.

I kept fingers out of the bowl, absolutely NO licking!

Yes, I was tempted, but more than determined.

I did not want to jinx this, first time.

I placed chopped rhubarb with sugar in the bottom of the old cake pan.

I put in the 1 tsp. of pure vanilla, and inhaled the smell.

Then folded,and smoothed batter over the rhubarb.

Perfect, Perfection……..

I did waste, a taste, or a lick!

I was not to be deterred by a quick finger lick, however tempting.

The cake pan went into the combination wood/electric stove.

I waited and watched, the clock for the alloted time,and kept busy.

YES!

For my first cake making experience, that afternoon,

as others watched “Queen for A Day” on Television,

I truly OWNED the kitchen!

Our family had just gotten running water that May.

While I was hospitalized, Dad hired Duane Sorbin from Bottineau.

He had finished digging a deep ditch to bring water from the well

and another to a drain field for the sewer.

I did not know this was going to happen. In those days in privacy,

parents made quiet plans and discussed finances without children.

My parents were two of a kind, savers. They saved so they could finally have running water,

and indoor plumbing.

No more going out side to out house toilet or dumping winter slop pails!

No more heating water on the stove! No more carrying buckets of water from the well!

My parents did not tell us about this changing event until one day it was there, it began

while I was hospitalized.

Somehow, in our family there were ingrained lessons, like,

don’t go to school to brag about what the family has.

It was so much fun, because I had used Mom’s electric Sunbeam mixer,

all by myself and I did not tangle scraper or spoon in the beaters.

For once I was careful….I was on my own. It was only me, Queen of the kitchen!

I got to clean up in a stainless steel sink, with hot water flowing from a tap!

I did not have to carry waste water out to water out door flowers.

Me? I did this whole thing by myself.

NO help or or going for advice.

Without a lick……Lickety split!

I washed the batter bowl,mixer, spoons and wiped the counter.

Then, tiptoed around the kitchen careful about a falling cake.

I did not peek into the oven.

Heavenly aromas______fragrant mix of mom’s pure vanilla,

and tangy sweet rhubarb filled the house and my senses.

I was fairly dizzy with delight.It smelled so goooood.

I allowed myself to finally opened the oven at the correct time,

that cake so golden brown edges were just pulling away and the tooth pick came out clean.

The cake looked and smelled beautifully perfect.

Once carefully put in a cooling place, I went off to do outside chores.

Mom began making swiss steak, fresh small garden potatoes and peas for supper.

After barn chores, milching feeding calves and such.

Dad and Ward came in and washed up with plenty of hot water and soap.

They had spent a day of fencing in south pasture woods with Skippy the dog,

and accompanied by…many, many ticks.

Dad with his pliers and Ward with his teeth……….

At the supper table I could not contain myself to be done eating the main course.

Finally time came,

I got up and cut the cake into perfectly…. big pieces. Yumm,

I continued to resist temptation and placed on plates in front of each person.

I watched dad, when he said how good my cake looked.

He took a bite.

His eyes got big and he swallowed and said, “Umm, Vickie after the supper your mom made,

I can’t eat any more.” (disappointed)

Everyone else took a bite. Not one took a second bite.

No one……….

My sister began snickering which erupted with uncontrollable giggling.

Confused, I bit into my piece. UGH! S-a-l-t etched into my pride, my poor wounded pride.

Eyes teared, as hopes for perfect were dashed by a whole lotta salt.

The stomach fell to my feet, thoughts,

“How could this have happened, I followed the recipe to a “T” and a “t”?

Without a word, only Ward kept eating, he’d take another bite, and another,

he finished eating one piece.

He said, “Vickie this is good cake, can I please have another?”

At that moment, I soared into a life lesson.

“For as much as we dream, plan, follow directions, and work toward a goal,

sometimes plans just don’t always turn out the way we imagine.”

“Dreams can be struck downward in a split second and disappointment fill the soul……”

A sometimes cruel lesson.

Stop, think,look closer with awareness, and another gift may appear.

As I look back now and think I didn’t get just one GIFT.

I got many GIFTS that day.

My mother, Lottie,did not scold, because I, put 4 teaspoons of salt not the recipes 1/4 teaspoon.

She did not critically say, “You wasted good food”.

She just quietly cleaned the table. Then, showed me the recipe.

She said, my mistake in messy writing. But, there it was; 1/4 in her writing.

My father did not put me down in anger.

He quietly,pushed away his supper plate, politely said, “It looks good Vickie,

I ate too much of your mothers cooking, don’t believe I can eat another bite.”

And little Ward Anthony?

Ward Allen Anthony said my cake looked and smelled good.

He ate not one but two big pieces.

Awareness, a marvelous glimpse knowledge about my father.

I finally, learned what my father Cliff Metcalfe, knew.

Look beyond, the smell, the snuice chewing, never bathing,

the reeking smell permeating the house after he left,

his snapping ticks with his teeth, yodeling,the squeaky fiddle playing, his silly stories and giggles,

and his odd misshapen skull.

All things that often people found they could use to tease him like an object.

That day ,I too ,saw what my dad saw.

One of God’s own.”A good person. A human with a kind and gentle spirit.”

My first lesson in rhubarb?

Life does at times throw experiences which make me sour.

If I’m lucky the experience is a wee bit tangy.

Hope you all found happy midsomer’s dreams……

I do believe soon when this North Dakota June rain lets up.

I will go to my patch, pull and gather juicy, rosy red rhubarb,

fill my house with tangy smells and sweeter wonderful memories.

Thanks, Gary,

I do have a hot July thunderstorm story which I intend to through my memories.

As ever,

Vickie

==========================================================================

Blog (107) posted on May 20, 2008

From Rich Campbell (68):

Gary,

Thought I would offer a little “testimonial” to anyone considering the Alaska Cruise. My wife and I took this exact cruise last summer. Our 35th wedding anniversary. It was our first. We had a great time. The scenery was spectacular to say the least. I would offer some observations/suggestions to those who are “cruising” for the first time. The 6:30 PM dinner seating is perfect. It gives you time after to enjoy the ship and the entertainment. Plan to diet before or after the cruise–you won’t while on the ship! Take advantage of the entertainment. It was first class. If you can, get the oceanview view cabins. You can enjoy the view all the time. This inside cabins looked claustrophobic. Plan to take advantage of the “onshore” excursions. It adds to the cost but gives you a flavor of Alaska. (remember, for most this is a once in a lifetime event) I would avoid the onshore airplane excursions. One crashed and 4 passengers from our cruise died. I heard of a similar incident about a month later. We enjoyed the crabfest trip and the whale watching trip the best. The train trip was just ok. Stick to the excursions offered through the cruise. They make sure you are back before the ship is scheduled to depart. Bring some warm clothes. It gets chilly when on the ocean. Most of all, have fun.

Rich Campbell

From Rod Hiatt (69):

When I saw the picture of Dan McKay it reminded me of the time he
invited me to go with to Lake Metigoshe to go fishing with him. I don’t
think we were much more than 4-5th grade. We were out in an old row boat
and Dan had a brand new fishing rod that I believe he got for his
birthday. Anyway, Dan being the generous and good friend that he was,
let me use his new rod and reel. He was explaining to me about casting
and I wasn’t getting it about the button you release, so just as I was
to cast he said “Let Go” You guessed it, I let go of everything and his
brand new rod and reel are still at the bottom of the lake. Every time I
think of, hear Dan’s name or go fishing I think about this and feel
really bad. Dan the next time you are up around Long Lake come over to
my little spot and either throw my rod and reel in the damn lake or take
one of mine and maybe I can get over this guilt that has been eating at
me for well over 40 years
By the way my fishing hasn’t improved much since then
Rod Hiatt

From Evie Gottbreht Pilkington (65):

Hi Gary and Dwight,

Thank you for the stories about my Dad, I have no memory of snow planes…..I know my Dad liked speed and drove those Ninty-Eight Oldsmobiles he loved about 90 miles an hour on a slow day. I use to love to ride with him, all the windows down…and get him to take a few of the girls for a ride too….great fun!

Evie

P.S. Exactly what is a snow plane?

P.S. I want to brag just a little, our daughter graduated from law school on Saturday….so now we have a lawyer in the family ….I didn’t know the difference between a lawyer and an attorney but now I do…..an

attorney has passed the bar…..hopefully that will happen real soon!

From Colette Hosmer (64):

Thanks for the generous comments about my sculpture commission….and, Donna, also for the flattering comment but I AM 62 and there’s NO doubt about it. How did we end up in our 60’s?….seemed impossible to imagine when we were in high school.

Dwight….your story was incredible. I can’t imagine too many 10 and 6 year olds today who would even know what to do in that situation, never mind being able to actually do it. They don’t raise ’em like they used to.

Colette

From Larry Hackman (66):

Gary

How are you doing? I thought you would be still sleeping?

Just to let you know the wife and I made a run to the Turtle Mountains this past week end. I thought it was dry around this area, but its a lot drier up North. Willow Creek is dry and the lakes are way down, with some being completely dry. There are very few leaves out and the grass is still brown up there. The wind was blowing so hard we had to hang onto the tombstones at the cemetery to keep from getting blown off the hill. It took a lot of effort but we got done what we wanted to do. It was not as enjoyable as it should have been, as I like to walk around at my leisure, read the names on the stones, and remember the people and the times. It was instead, jump out of the vehicle, do what you can and jump back into the vehicle. The highlight of the trip was stopping at Dale’s and having a jumbo. The restaurant looks real nice and the jumbo was the best I have ever eaten. It was delicious and made the whole trip worth while. I would go have another today if the gas prices weren’t so ridiculous.

Ernie was there wasting his time on a hamburger and fries. Ernie said they have a few roof leaks and are still doing some work on the outside of the building. I told Ernie you have to have a good roof to protect your investment otherwise everything will get ruined in know time. I know he knows that, but I told him that anyway.

Ernie said they are having a lot of problems with fires in the area. In fact all the fire equipment in the area was out fighting a fire three miles north of Dunseith. Ernie said it was the second day of fighting fire in that area. They must have stopped it as the way the wind was blowing, by now it would be knocking on Fargo’s door step.

You take care Gary, and if I get another chance to get up to Dunseith this summer, I’ll be sure and stop and eat a jumbo for you and Bill. Doesn’t that make you and Bill happy and your mouths water. to know that there are people out here thinking of you.

Larry

From Paula Fassett Pfuhl (71):

Crystal mentioned the photo she sent of Pam Fassett’s birthday party was taken in Omemee , ND . I’m just curious how many people remember the pop factory that was in Omemee? It was run by a man named Rasmussen. Our Grandpa Fassett (Bill- my dad’s dad…obviously) used to load up us ‘brats’, as he lovingly referred to his granddaughters and head to Omemee in his green & white Chevy for cases of pop. It was quite a trip. Especially since Grandpa never drove more than 45 mph – made it feel like you really going a LONG distance. Of course, he rarely stopped at a stop sign – just slowed down and always said he’d stop twice at the next one – so that may have shortened the trip up some! I remember Mr. Rasmussen wore wire rim glasses and never had the ear wires wrapped around his ears – they were always just kind of propped over his ears. And he ALWAYS treated us to a free bottle of pop – flavor of our choice – and there were many flavors – strawberry, orange, blackcherry, grape and I think he even had crème soda. It was a real treat for us……and quite the adventure!

Paula

Message/Picture from Dick Johnson (68):

Gary and Friends,

Dwight Lang mentioned in one of his emails how my dad, Don Johnson,
always looked overdressed for Dunseith. I can remember when we were at
the farm, dirty from working, if Dad had to go somewhere for parts,
etc., he would clean up and change clothes before he went. He didn’t
want any one to see him dirty! I have one picture of us, when we were
all in the field, when Dad was black from field work! He was that way
every day but no one ever saw him like that! He made sure of that! We
farmed quite a bit of land, our own and rented, and he did a lot of
field work and repair so he was plenty dirty real often! The picture
below was the way you will remember him but when I find the one of us
covered with dirt and grease I’ll send it!
The other photo is of Ramona Dionne [ Mona Johnson ] when she was a
sophomore at DHS in 1946. Although we aren’t related, my folks spent
time with Mona and Chuck doing things at the lake, etc. This is Mom’s
picture of Mona so they must have been together then too. Thanks Gary!!

Dick

6/30/2014 (2043)

Posted on June 30, 2014 by Gary

No Blog Yesterday.

For the record I did not get a blog posted yesterday.

Gary

Reply from Jean Tooke Berger (’75): Mandan, ND

Hi Gary tell Bernadette not to feel bad I did the same thing with apple crisp. Thank you for the birthday wishes happy birthday to Bernadette.
.

==========================================================================

Blog (106) posted on May 19, 2008

From Dwight Lang (61):

Thank you Dick for giving me the dubious honor of being named the “Pinball Wizard”. Unfortunately. I painfully found out that these pinball skills are not that effective to beat a casino slot machine.

Now about the snow planes: They were not only for fun and games. During the winter of 49 my parents went to Dunseith. I think for a grocery run or something similar. But my brother, DuWayne, and myself were left on the farm. He would have been about ten years old and I, six. Anyway, a real ND blizzard blew up and my parents were stuck in town. This was before we had electricity or a phone on the farm. We did have cattle of course and DuWayne and I were left with the watering and feeding. We ran out of hay in the barn after a few days and ended up carrying grain several hundred yards (it seemed like a mile) through deep snow to keep them nourished. We had a set of snow ski to use or it would have been near impossible. Of course to water the cattle, we had to break the ice in the tank and manually pump (not fun!) the well. Now all was not pain and suffering. DuWayne, during a stretch of boredom, thought up a new game. Take the shotgun with two shells and go back in the trees and see how many sparrows you could come back with. Again I can’t remember if the shotgun was a 16 or 12 gage. But I do recall being knocked on my butt in the snow and the sore shoulder this six year old got from this new game. I quit after on go around.

The blizzard blew for a couple days but then it cleared up but all the roads were impassable. I believe it was after about five days we heard a distant roar. It turned out to be a snow plane with our Dad, Adam, on board with some groceries. I can’t remember whose snow plane it was (I think it was Dale Gottbreitt’s) but I was sure happy to see it. Also, I can’t remember if our Mother, Charlotte, was along or if she came later. I do recall that the US Army came to our rescue by pushing snow out from around the barn and the haystacks whereas we could harness old Chubb and Nancy and haul in some hay. What a winter! Sure glad I’m in Tucson, AZ during the winters when I think back on those good old days.

Well, this story has gotten long enough. Just want to say “Hi” to the rest of the survivors.

Dwight AKA “Pinball Wizard”

From Dick Johnson (68):

Gary and Friends

The picture of Pam Fassett’s birthday party reminded me of a few years
later when I was at Mark Anderson’s in the back of the Gamble store. He
had the neatest toy I had ever seen up until then. It was a complete
Standard gas station with pumps and all the stuff you would have seen in
a real station. It had two garage stalls and real windows and doors. It
was made from tin, as plastic was not the norm yet. I remember playing
all afternoon with this little station and thinking it was more fun than
anything I had ever played with. I hated to go home that day! It’s funny
how these old pictures can trigger the memory to remember things from
over 50 years ago! Thanks Crystal and Gary!!

Dick

6/28/2014 (2042)

Posted on June 28, 2014 by Gary

Happy 66th Birthday to my Lovely Wife, Bernadette Stokes.

Today is a special day in our house. For the next three weeks Bernadette and I are the same age.

Bernadette had kind of a sad event happen yesterday that actually turned out kind of funny.

For her birthday, she baked a huge Pumpkin pie in a large cake pan that she could share with all of her relatives. The pie turned out beautiful too. After the pie cooled she asked me try a piece of which I did. With the first bite, I had to spit it out. When baking the cake she used salt thinking it was sugar. Because of Ants, we store our sugar in the refrigerator. Not sure how the salt ended up in the refrigerator, but it did. Needless to say, Bernadette was very upset. With all of her happy birthday wishes, she has cooled down some this morning.

This evening we have reservations at the Anzani Mediterranean restaurant with Bernie and Loreli. Novie will be along with us too, so it will be just the 5 of us.

Gary

Happy Birthday Debbie Poitra Rondeau (DHS ’77): Belcourt,ND

Happy Birthday Gail Halvorson Schuler (DHS ’72): Bismarck, ND

Happy Birthday Jean Tooke Berger (DHS ’75): Mandan, ND

Happy Birthday Donna (Dale Deceased) Fugere: Renton, WA

Posted By Pam Houle Hagen (’73): Big Lake, MN

Kenneth Joseph Houle
(August 10, 1940 – June 27, 2014)

Send Flowers Send Sympathy Card
Sign Guest Book | Send Private Condolences

Kenneth Joseph Houle was born August 10, 1940 to Aloysius and Lillian Houle in Bottineau, ND, where he was raised and later graduated from high school. He joined the United States Navy in 1960 and served until he was honorably discharged on May 27, 1964.

Ken passed away Friday, June 27, 2014 at his Brook Park home at the age of 73 following a 10 year battle with cancer.

Ken will be remembered for his great humor, determined spirit to live, and an unyielding heart of compassion for his family and friends.

Ken is survived by his wife Corene Houle of Brook Park, children: Brian Houle and his wife Melanie of Centerville, Renee Gritz and her husband Greg of Champlain, Steve Houle and his his wife Gina of Andover, Leanne Grinsteinner and her husband Steve of Hinckley, Dale Houle and his wife Jennifer of Coon Rapids, Tom Houle of Brook Park, Gerald Houle of south Minneapolis, Kelly Houle and his wife Malynda of Princeton, Peter Houle and his wife Jessica of Sartell, Aaron Houle of Princeton; 19 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren, 4 brothers, 6 sisters, nieces, nephews, and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents Al & Lillian (Dostaler) Houle, brother Mike Houle, and nephew Robert.

Memorial Mass for Ken Houle will be at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, July 1st at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church of Pine City with a time of visitation one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be at 11:45 a.m. on Thursday, July 3rd in Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis. Family should meet at Funeral Cortege – Assembly Area #4 at 11:30 a.m.

Arrangements are with the Funeral and Cremation Service of Pine City, Swanson Chapel.

Our condolences are with the whole Houle family with Ken’s passing. Our thoughts are prayers are with you

Gary

Joke of the day

Posted by Larry Hackman (’66): Bismarck, ND

Best Senior Citizen Joke … Ever

A little silver-haired lady called her neighbor and said, “Please come over here and help me. I have a killer jigsaw puzzle, and I can’t figure out how to get started.”

Her neighbor asked, “What is it supposed to be when it’s finished?

The little silver haired lady said, “according to the picture on the box, it’s a rooster.”

Her neighbor decided to go over and help with the puzzle.

She let him in and showed him where she has the puzzle spread all over the table.

He studied the pieces for a moment, then looked at the box, then turned to her and said,

“First of all, no matter what we do, we’re not going to be able to assemble these pieces into anything resembling a rooster.”

He took her hand and says, “Secondly, I want you to relax. Let’s have a nice cup of tea, and then, he said with a deep sigh…..

Let’s put all the Corn Flakes back in the box.”

==========================================================================

Blog (105) posted on May 17, 2008

From Rod Samski (65):

Donald Egbert was the one who pushed my buttons with the snow in the face during recess but I have never forgotten the day Mark threw the scissors. I sat one row over to the left from Mark and one desk forward. When Mark threw the scissors at the back wall of the classroom. Both Billy Grady and Donald Egbert were standing almost together so I never really new who Mark was throwing the scissors at. As Allen said Mark did have a pretty good arm, the scissors REALLY did stick in the wall. And Miss Conroy gave Mark a good shaking that day.

The conversations of the snow planes reminded me of when Dale Gottbreht used to come out to our farm to see my dad, Gene Samski and they would go coyote hunting. Dad always said Dale scared the heck out of him the way he drove the snow plane. Another thing Dale really new his livestock, Dad bought several good breading bulls from him.

Rod Samski

Donald Egbert (65) – July 2007

From Shirley Brennan (60):

Dear Gary will you please send this Randy Kelly. Thanks Shirley Brennan

Dear Randy you might know me I gradduated with Cleo, I saw him at our school reunion such a nice man, anyway I think you look so much alike. I think your Dad and my Dad were close friends.

Shirley Brennan

Note: I do not have Randy Kelly on our distribution list. Some of you may have his address and can forward this on to him, for Shirley. Thanks, Gary

Message/Picture from Crystal Fassett Andersen (70):

Good Morning! Spring has finally arrived in the Pembina Valley Gorge,here in Walhalla ND. The sun is shining and it is 60 degrees at 10 am. I enjoy all the pictures everyone posts and thought I better add one more from my Dad Bill Fassett’s album. It is Pam Fassett’s birthday party,in Omemee ND. Mark Anderson,Susan Fassett,Pam Fassett,John Morgan & Dick Johnson. Thanks Gary ,once again for starting this. We are leaving for the month of June to go to Alaska,(our 2nd trip). So I will look forward to “catching up” when we get home in July. Oh, and Remember our Veteran’s next weekend. That is what Memorial Day is all about and if everyone hasn’t send a donation to the cemetery where their friends and relatives are buried,NOW would be a good time. Thanks again. Crystal Fassett Andersen

Comment: This picture must have been taken in 1950. With 3 candles, this must be Pam’s 3rd birth. Her birthday is November 30th and I think she was born in 1947. I think Dick Johnson was born in 1950 and by the looks of this picture he’s not even a year old yet. Gary

Picture (11/30/1950) L to R:

Mark Anderson, Susan Fassett, Pam Fassett, John Morgan & Dick Johnson

From Bev Morinville Azure (72):

Gary, thought everyone would enjoy these pictures. Bev

GOD BLESS YOU …………BEV

Bev, I see it was last November that I sent these pictures out, so there are a lot of

folks that have not seen them. Gary

Top Pictue: Dan McKay & Pam Lagerquist

Bottom Pictue: Toni Morinville & Randy Kelly

6/27/2014 (2041)

Posted on June 27, 2014 by Gary

Memorial address for Lana Brennan Amsbaugh

The address of Lana’s husband is: Terry Amsbaugh, 704 21st St. NW, Minot, ND
.

Reply to Henry and Larry Hackman’s Grandchildren

From Lola Metcalfe (’68): Dunseith, ND

congratulatiosn to you all !!!_ very happy for you !!- Jay and LOla

Class of 65 Initiation

Reply from Larry Hackman (’66): Bismarck, ND

Could this photo be the answer to Dennis’s dilemma?

Maybe that red headed, freckled, Nerpel gal, that Dennis DuBois regretted not making a move on, back in the day, is pictured in this photo? Or is the answer still blowing in the wind?

Pretty sexy, right Larry Hackman.

==========================================================================

Blog (104) posted on May 16, 2008

From Bev Morinville Azure (72):

Hi everyone , Yes I am growing stronger each day…..I am feeling really good haven’t felt this good for about 3 years . I haven’t been on my puter much cause I to have a wedding this weekend . My son Cody is marrying his high school sweetie Diana this Sat. So we have been busy. Thank u all for your prayers and as u can see we still need allot of prayer for pppl we know that are sick. Sharon I am happy to hear Sally is doing better. Colette congrads on winning the award , I always remember the art u did when we were kids. Cheryl and Diane Larson were here and we had a very nice visit. We laughed till we cried about how much Cheryl and I look like our moms. Gary thank for what u do. Bev (Morinville) Azure 72

From Donna LaCroix Allard (64):

Dear Gary,

What a nice picture of you and your wife.I loved the picture of the family on the motor cycle also. What a way to save gas.

Colette your work is wonderful. Your are so talented. How long will it take you to finish the project? I would also like to compliment you on your looks . You sure don’t look or act like a gal that could be in her 60’s!!!!Hard to believe the class of 64 has also reached the 60’s in years.

I would like to send my condolence to Jim and Sharon Hanson losing their son. Jim lived with us on the Ernest LaCroix farm for a while. After the choirs were done in the evening Jim would get on one of the horses and head north across highway 5 to spend the evening with Sharon. Was fun memories.

Gary thank you again for keeping us up to date on the Dunseith going’s on and the past memories.

Donna LaCroix Allard Class of 1964

I just happen to have a picture of Donna with her cousin Randy Kelly.

Randy is currently serving on President George Bush’s Staff. Gary

Picture/Message from Dick Johnson (68):

Gary and Friends

The picture of my old pal, Rich Campbell, prompted me to send one from
51 years ago! The picture is of Patty Fassett, Rich, and me with our
bikes in 1957. The other photo is Patty and me at the farm in 1964 the
day I taught her to drive the old Ford tractor. I tried to teach her to
drive an old Studebaker the year before, but we had a little trouble
with some trees that were in the wrong place! I spent the rest of that
day teaching her autobody repair! Dad’s car, you know how it goes!

Dick

6/26/2014 (2040)

Posted on June 26, 2014 by Gary

No Blog yesterday

For the record I did not get a blog posted yesterday.

Gary

Postings from Larry Hackman (’66): Bismarck, ND

2014 North Dakota State Bareback Champion

Gary

Henry Hackman’s (’65) Grandson Logan Berg is the 2014 North Dakota High School Rodeo Bareback Champion.

The ND State Rodeo finals were held at Bowman, ND on June 14 & 15, 2014.

This is the third consecutive year that Logan has won the title and will go to Nationals at Rock Springs, Wyoming.

Logan also rode and won the bareback competition at the Dunseith Roughrider Rodeo this past week end.

North Dakota State Class B High School Baseball Tournament

Gary

My Grandson, Nate Leintz and his team “The Hazen Bison” (Region 8 Champions) became runner-up to the state champions at the North Dakota State Class B High School Baseball Tournament held at The Jack Brown Stadium, Jamestown, ND May 29-31, 2014. The Watford City Wolves (Region 7 Champions) became the 2014 State Champions. Dunseith won the tournament in 1972.

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Blog (103) posted on May 15, 2008

Update on Sally Longie From Sharon Longie Dana (73):

Sally is back home in Belcourt Hospital. She can’t put
any pressure on her ankle so she will be laid up for
another 3 weeks or so. She can’t start rehab until she
can step on the ankle to some degree. That’s all I know
for now. She is still on pain medication while she is
healing but she can have visitors.
Once again I would like to thank all those who sent me
emails and updates.

From Bobbie Slyter (70):

To Debbie Morinville: Congrats on the new grandchild and the two boys getting married, also you will be in my prayers when you have your surgery, law know like your sister Bev that you are a fighter and all will be well. love, Bobbie Slyter

From Dave Slyter (70):

Deb Morniville Marmon,

First Congratulations on your first baby grand daughter. They are a joy, aren’t they. Have fun watching her grow up as they do so fast.

Also I will put you on my prayer list. I know when people pray things do work out for the best. You will do just fine. Be Brave. Just look at your sister Bev. She is doing fine and still improving, right Bev?

Gary:

The picture of the Freshman (65) ladies is hilarious. Billy Grimme and Allen Richard never look so good. lol

Thanks for all you do and for sharing everything with us.

Dave Slyter

From Colette Hosmer (64):

Hi Ginger, Thanks for the name. I’m sure the sculptor you mentioned is Bruce LaFountain….I know him well from the old days and also Presley LaFountain. Another home town (Dunseith area artist) here in Santa Fe that I know is Rollie Grandbois. It’s a small world…….

Colette

From Allen Richard (65):

One more on snow planes. Somebody mounted a mower sickle vertically on the front of a snow plane so they wouldn’t need to go through gates when chasing rabbits. I think it worked pretty well — judging by the number of holes in my fences the next spring —–

From Ardys Bakken Horner (Teacher):

Gary, you have a very attractive wife. Ardys Horner

Thank you Ardys, Gary

More achieved pictures, Gary

Rich Campbell (68) July 2007

July 2007

Deb Morinville Marmon (70) & Colette Pigeon Schimetz(70)

Family Transportation in the Philippines.

This picture was taken several months ago by some friends of ours. This is probably a

115cc Honda loaded down with 8 passengers & Misc. Items.

6/24/2014 (2039)

Posted on June 24, 2014 by Gary

No Blog Yesterday.

For the record I did not get a blog posted yesterday.

Gary

==========================================================================

Blog (102) posted on May 14, 2008

From Ann Carbonneau O’connell:

Yes, my dad,Emery Carbonneau,constructed many snow planes in his day. I believe about 17 or so of them. He used drop tanks from airplanes for some,but when they were unavailable he used aluminum piping and stretched canvas over to make the body.The canvas had to have a coat of fiberglass to strenghthen it and I suppose it helped keep the canvas dry.I spent some time helping mix up that fiberglass that came in a powder form and had to be mixed up with a nasty smelling catalist. If mixed too strong it actually smoked. Of course I liked smoke. When airplane propellers became too expensive to be feasable to use he and mom made a trip to Fort Worth, Texas to the prop factory. When he returned home we were orphand for weeks while dad constructed his new toy out in the shop. He made his own turning lathe and it worked mighty fine. Props on snow planes had to be replaced often for reasons afore mentioned. It was a great time to grow up and excitement was at peak when the snow plane came out. It also ment a lot of company that were all invited in for coffee and goodies. Mom and reside in Bottineau now but make nearly daily trips to the farm. Dad did not keep a snow plane for himself, so it is fun to hear where some have ended up. Thanks,Gary, for this great oppertunity to come together and share our stories and memories. I enjoy all the information and keep those pictures comming–especially you Fassett girls.

From Bob Hosmer (56):

Hi Gary and all,

Thinking of snow, I do remember the ride I had with my Dad, Jack Hosmer. It was as you described it Bill, only I remember us actually running into a number of trees that were part of a shelter belt, I believe. The image I have in mind as I sat in back of my dad was his reaching for the top of the steering wheel which was actually half a wheel–something like steering apparatus that needed only a half-circle. He was reaching for the top of the wheel that wasn’t there to move the snow away from the trees when the skies hit the gravel and pulled the craft toward the shelter belt. Dad looked like a raccoon for a few days with swollen black eyes and nose.

Really appreciate connecting with all of you. What interesting experiences you have all had. It triggers a lot of memories in me, too.

Bob Hosmer (56)

From Deb Morinville Marmon (70):

Hi Gary

I just wanted to update everyone on many events to come in my household. On April 22 my youngest daughter Kelsey gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. Her name is Aysah Jayne Abbott and is our first granddaughter that we get to spoil. We have 2 grandsons already. Then on Sat May 24th both my sons are getting married in a double ceremony to their girlfriends of 6 years. Following that I will be having surgery on the 28th to remove a large polyp in my colon and will be spending a considerable amount of time in the hospital. I am diabetic and that carries an extra risk. This is my 12th surgery in 10 years, believe it or not, but none have had any complications so I don’t anticipate any this time. But I would request that any prayer warriors out there among the Dunseith crowd would offer up a short one for my family. They tend to be a little protective and they worry about me.

I so enjoy the stories and pictures that you all send and the anticipation of returning to my computer will help speed my recovery so keep then coming.

Deb Morinville Marmon 70

From Ginger LaRocque Poitra (65):

To Collette,from Ginger, In reply to the sculpturer in Santa Fe, he isn’t
my cousin, but a cousin of one of the people I had traveled with. I know
his last name is LaFontaine, I don’t recall his first name.

From Geri Metcalfe Munro (59):

Gary,
Your wife, Bernadette, looks lovely on the picture, but you just look very business-like, not like her father at all.
It was fun to meet you last summer! I remember your folks so well and you kids were younger than I.
Chuck and Geri (Metcalfe) Munro

From Dick Johnson (68):

Gary and Friends

Just thought about the pinball machines at the bowling alley. I got a
couple emails from Dwight Lang and we reminisced back and forth about
the old days. I hung around the bowling alley [Garden Lanes] quite a bit
when I was young and remember the two pinball machines that stood
against the north wall. Dwight was a master when it came to pinball, at
least in my eyes. He usually won games each time he played and when he
got tired of it he left and we played the rest of his games. I thought
he was the real ” Pinball Wizard “. I won’t tell on Dwight, but SOME
guys knew if you lifted the front of the machine and then dropped it
just when you dropped your nickel in it would roll up a bunch of extra
games! Maybe Dwight knew that?? Ha Ha!! Just another short memory of the
old days in Dunseith! And by the way Gary, who is the young gal you
talked into standing by you for the picture at the hotel? Just kidding,
very nice picture of you both! Thanks!

Dick

Provided by Neola Kofoid Garbe

These are some achieve pictures that I have on file. Gary

L to R: Class of 65 freshman initiation – 1961.

Pretty sexy, right Larry Hackman.

Kenny Nerpel? or Rene Casavant?, John Awalt, Bill Grimme, Allen Richard

6/22/2014 (2038)

Posted on June 22, 2014 by Gary

Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Bottineau & Minot, ND

Born: November 20, 1962

Place of Birth: Anchorage, AK

Death: June 19, 2014

Place of Death: Minot, ND

This memorial provided by:
THOMPSON-LARSON FUNERAL DIRECTORS

Lana Kay Amsbaugh

November 20, 1962 – June 19, 2014
Send Flowers

Life Legacy | Life Stories | Life Timeline | Historic Documents | Family Tree

Life Legacy

Lana Kay (Brennan) Amsbaugh, 51, of Minot died Thursday, June 19, 2014, at home, surrounded by her family.

Lana was born November 20, 1962 in Anchorage, Alaska to Dennis and Mary Ann (Gottbreht) Brennan. Raised and educated in Dunseith and later at Minot State University.

Lana worked for many years as the activities director at Brentmoor Assisted Living. She worked hard to make sure the activities were enjoyed by the residents. She also served for years with the Minot Senior Coalition and served as president. Lana loved animals and spending time working in her garden, she was a master gardener. Lana was the type of person who was always willing to lend a helping hand to any friend or family member in need. Until her death she worked as a sales team member for I Keating Furniture, a job she truly loved.

Lana is survived by : husband, Terry Amsbaugh; daughter, Stacy Terry; son, Robert Terry all of Minot, step children; Polly Randash, Allen Amsbaugh both Fargo, Todd Amsbaugh-MT; mother, Mary Ann Brennan, Las Vegas, NV, sister, Laurie (Terry) Bakken, Kildeer, ND; nephews, Jaylon and Dylan and many aunts uncles, and cousins.

She was proceeded in death by: Father -Dennis, and maternal and paternal Grandparents.

The Family requests that memorials be made to the American Cancer Society

Mass of Christian Burial: Monday, June 23, 2014, at 10:30 a.m. at St. John the Apostle Catholic Church, Minot.

Vigil Prayer Service: Sunday, June 22, 2014 at 5 p.m. at the Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot.

Visitation: Sunday, June 22, 2014 from Noon until 5 p.m. at the Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot.

Burial: Monday at 3 p.m. at Oak Creek Cemetery, Bottineau, ND.

Bernie and Bernadette Stokes

==========================================================================

Blog (101) posted on May 13, 2008

From: Gary Stokes

To: Undisclosed-Recipient@
Sent: Tuesday, May 13, 2008 11:28 PM
Subject: (101) Curt/Ann Rotto, Bobby Slyter, Bev Morniville, Diane Hill, Bill Hosmer, Dick Johnson, Crystal Fassett, Neola Garge (Dunseith Graduates, Dunseith news)

Request from Curt & Ann Rotto (Dunseith Lutheran Pastor 64-68):

Please add us to your Dunseith “update” list.

Thanks.

Curt and Ann Rotto

From from Bobby Slyter (70):

That is a great pic of you and your wife.

Bobby, Thank you. Unlike me, Bernadette has actually retained her youthful look over the years. Lipstick is about the only make up she uses. She’s been asked many times, over the years, if I’m her father. On June 28th she will be 60. We are the same age for 3 weeks each year. December 3rd, this year, will be our 30th anniversary. Gary

From Bev Morinville Azure (72):

hi Gary, I just wanted to tell u thank u again for all u are doing . I spent the after with Cheryl and Diane Larson, and we had a blast. Also I figured that when i didn’t get a letter from u yesterday they stole it again. and last but not least the pic of u and your lovely wife is very nice. thanks again Gary for all u do for us. Bev Azure 72

GOD BLESS YOU …………BEV

You are so very welcome Bev. It is my pleasure. Gary

From Diane Hll Moline (75):

I recall Manvil Sebelius having a snow plane. They lived just
across the creek from us. Tim & Greg may remember more about
the specifics of it. What I remember is he gave us a
frightening ride in it. He also lost a couple fingers spinning
the propeller trying to get it started!

Diane Hill Moline (75)

From Bill Hosmer (48):

Gary and Friends. Recently in a dialogue about snow planes Allen
Richard mentioned a design using aircraft external fuel tanks, and
that Emery may have assembled them. My dad, Jack Hosmer had one of
these and in a test run on someones land south of Dunseith, he and
my brother Bob were aboard. I do not remember the details, I was
out of town, but Dad hit a spot of gravel somehow, lost lateral
control and ran into the only tree within miles. Dad had two black
eyes, and I think my brother got away scot free. Right Bob???

Tomorrow, 14 May my wife Pat and I head for home. Will stop in
Santa Fe, NM to see my artist cousin Colette Hosmer, and get a
report on her latest China venture, and up and coming sculpture for
the City of Santa Fe. Find her on he web site
www.colettehosmer.com. The arrival at the hills of home will be
next Sunday. It will be great to get back into the company of the
likes of those musicians, mechanics, hunters, car guys, golfers,
historians, and businessmen who make our home country interesting
and comfortable. Cheers, Bill Hosmer

From Dick Johnson (68):

Gary and Friends

Another snowplane story. Allen Richard mentioned that Emery Carbonneau
had built a snowplane using a drop tank from an airplane. It was built
for Carmen and Garrett Myer and is still sitting up at Carmen’s farm in
the hills. I just looked at it a couple years ago. It has fallen prey to
the weather and time, but Carmen bought another snowplane just a few
years back and has that one in his storage building ready to go. There
is a story about the Schultz brothers from just east of Omemee, who
built a snowplane using a huge old radial airplane engine. It was said
that one of the brothers had to follow with a pickup with the box full
of gas cans just to keep it going. The big radial really liked her gas!
I think Emery also had made a prop making machine. I talked to him
several times about weight, ski type, and other technical stuff when I
first got my snowplanes. He is a sharp guy and sure gave me lots of good
advice. Curt Halvorson also told me what works best and what doesn’t
when it comes to skis and props etc. These guys still knew their stuff
after many years, and sure helped me out! Thanks to them and to Gary!!

Dick

Message/Picture from Crystal Fassett Andersen (70):

Gary & Men I don’t know much about snowplanes,just that my Uncle Emery Carbonneau had one I remember getting a ride in it. Knowing Emery,it is probably still out at the farm. Anyway,I am enclosing a picture of a snowcar that friends of ours in Watford City built and I guess cause lots of converstaion around those parts when they go “out for a drive”. Crystal

Provided by Neola Kofoid Garbe:

2008 Dunseith High School Graduating Seniors

Provided by Neola Kofoid Garbe:

Dunseith News – May 6, 2008

6/21/2014 (2037)

Posted on June 21, 2014 by Gary

No blog yesterday.

For the record I did not get a blog posted yesterday.

Gary

Lana Brennan Amsbaugh’s passing

Posted by Diane Millang Volk (’77): Sherwood, ND

Lana Amsbaugh, 51, Minot, ND, died Thursday, June 19, 2014, at her home. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Monday, June 23, 2014, at 10:30 a.m. at St. John the Apostle Catholic Church, Minot. Vigil Prayer Service will be on Sunday, June 22, 2014, at 5 p.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot. Visitation will be on Sunday, June 22, 2014 from noon until 5 p.m. at the Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot. Burial will be on Monday, June 23, 2014 at 3 p.m. at Oak Creek Cemetery, Bottineau, ND.

Our condolence are with you Mary Ann Gottbreht Brennan (’58) and your family with the passing your daughter Lana. It is so hard loosing a child. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Gary

==========================================================================

Blog (100) posted on May 12, 2008

Note: Our phone wires got stolen again for the 3rd time in the past 2 weeks, so I was unable to send a message yesterday. Gary

From Marie Iverson Staub (60):

HI Gary

I wanted to get back to you on your question about the cruise. We flew to Ft.Lauderdale and

stayed at the Embassy Suites on Thursday night and they took us to the cruise ship on Friday,

(MS Volendam). we left at 5 PM and arrived in Cartagena, Columbia at 7:45 AM on the 14th

of April. We did a tour of the city. On Tuesday the 15th we went thru the Panama Canal . We

left and commenced the sea voyage and arrived on the 17th in Puntarenas. We did the Pacific Aerial Tram which was my favorite tour.

The 18th and the 19th were spent at sea. We arrived in Manzanillo at 10:52 AM.on the 20th

We did a city and shopping tour. We left there at 8:00 PM .We arrived at 8 AM in Puerto Vallarta and did a tour called Town,Country and Tequila. It was very interesting I really didn’t plan on trying any of the Tequila but after the fifth sample it was tasting really good. Especially the

chocolate and peach flavors. YUM! YUM! We left at 9:35 PM heading for Mazatlan. Arrived there

at 7:20 AM and did a deluxe city tour and got to see cliff divers and the Papantla Flyers.

We left there at 1:41 PM on the 22nd heading for Topolobampo and arrived at 4:30 AM. This is were you can do the Copper River Canyon train several people on the cruise went on it but it was a 18 hour tour and we had heard from several people that you really need to do that tour and spend two or three days to do it right. So we went on a tour of Los Mochis and it was

interesting as we were able to do some shopping were the local people shop. Left Topolobampo

at 11:10 PM for Cabo San Lucas arriving there on the 24th. We were tendered in and just walked around the area everyone decided we had enough of the tours.

The ship left Cabo at 5:00 PM heading for San Diego we arrived there on the 26th of April.

We went to Old Town and more shopping. The ship left there 5:03 PM and headed for Victoria arrived there on the 29th at 2:45 PM and then on to Vancouver on the 30th. I was so ready to come home that was really to long but several people would have wanted to keep going but not

me.

I bet your sorry you asked were we went.

Marie Iverson (Staub) 60

Marie, I am glad I asked you about your cruise. Sounds like you had an enjoyable trip. Thank you so much for sharing. Gary

From Lynn Halvorson Otto (75):

Hi Gary, I remember the snowplanes Tim Martinson is talking about. My uncle Floyd Dion, cousin Curt Halvorson, Terry Halvorson, Dennis Dion, plus many others all had a part in building those snowplanes. One was built for my uncle Harvey Halvorson which was the one sitting by Floyd’s garage. They used to bring that thing up to Willow Lake and we all would take turns getting rides in that thing. It was so much fun and very loud. That brings back a lot of great memories for me growing up in the “hills”.

Lynn Halvorson Otto (75). ps My brother Mike has a lot of old movies of my uncle Harvey’s of those snowplane days.

From Allen Richard (65):

More on Snow planes. A number of guys had them on the prairie. They didn’t work as well in the hills — no brakes and too many things to hit.

Manvil Sebelius had one in the 50’s. I think that is how he lost a couple of fingers — not sure what happened but the prop hacked them of. Somebody said he found them in his mitten.

Gary Pigeon had one he built himself. Tried to build one form an old VW body but it was too heavy. So he went to sheet aluminum and conduit. The last one he built had a 125 HP engine. He and Russell hunted rabbits and fox for a couple winters. I remember he at one time had a 2 ton grain truck full of rabbits — It was the middle of the winter and they were frozen solid. We all remember Russell as being a “pedal to the metal” guy and it didn’t much matter what he drove. Same with that snow plane–he drove and Gary was the gunner. Gary would pop open the hatch above the back seat, stand up and fire away. I drove for him a few times. The trick for hitting the target was to let up on the gas when the hatch popped open. The plane would float on the back skis instead of pounding you with a lot of pressure on the front ski. The problem was ejecting shells that went through the prop. They would knock the leading edge off and the engine would vibrate like crazy. Gary’s temporary fix? Grab the vice grip and break off a similar size chunk on the other blade. and if it worked ok — keep hunting. One Sunday we bagged so many rabbits that we had to swing by his place to unload ——- three times.

After breaking the prop with shells a few times Gary went up to some place in Canada with a tape measure and notebook and took the dimensions from a machine that would cut props from a model. Then he came home and built a machine from the drawings. He would put a laminated piece of hardwood in the machine, turn it on and come back in an hour or so, flip the wood over and cut the other side. Then some final sanding and balancing, a coat of varnish and he was ready to hunt.

I remember John Bedard heading south along # 3 one day in his Pontiac. Gary told me to floor the pedal and the race was on. We had about 3 miles of soil bank and the ditches we full of snow. I don’t recall how fast John said we were going, but it was way past stupid and approaching death wish. Good thing we had a good half mile to coast it down.

Somebody once said that Emery Carbonneau was building one with the external fuel tank from some military plane, but I don’t know what happened with that.

Allen

Snowplanes/Picures from Dick Johnson (68):

Gary and Friends

Reading Floyd’s and Tim’s comments about snowplanes really caught my
attention! Although they were abandoned from use in the late sixties,
some have survived. State laws prohibiting hunting from a moving vehicle
basically brought about their demise. The other factor was the invention
of the snowmobile which kind of took the place of the snowplane for snow
travel. I always liked these homemade machines and about 15 years ago I
found two of them that were for sale, so I made a deal and bought them.
I was invited to a snowplane rally in 1995 at Tolna, ND, where other
guys with this same interest were gathered. We had a cross country ride
for many miles and then a chili feed and refreshments on our return. It
was one of the most nostalgic and fun days I have had for many years. We
formed a group we called the Prairie Snowplaners and have had rallies,
annually, up until the last two years when there hasn’t been enough
snow. Since then I have bought several more snowplanes and parts. If any
one is interested, I have a couple VHS tapes from past rallies I would
share.
Floyd wrote about the Renault car body they used for one sled. John
Boguslawski and I asked Curt Halvorson what he was going to do with the
chassis, [ engine, transmission, and steering, etc. ], Curt gave it to
us! We came up to our farm and got a Model T frame off a discarded hay
rack and built a “dune buggy”. We actually scared ourselves once and
THEN built a rollcage. We painted it pastel yellow with house paint and
had quite a rig! Floyd, if I remember correctly, didn’t you break some
ribs or something while hunting in the Renault-bodied snowplane? I seem
to remember something about that, could be wrong! I have attached a
couple pictures taken of my snowplane taken at one of the rallies.
Thanks Gary!

Picture taken Mothers day, 2008, at the Marco Polo hotel,

following a buffet dinner, in Cebu, Philippines

Bernadette & Gary Stokes

Provided by Neola Kofoid Garbe:

6/19/2014 (2036)

Posted on June 19, 2014 by Gary

No Blog the past two days.

For the record, with a busy schedule, I was unable to get a blog posted the past two days.

Gary

Happy Birthday Bill Krause (DHS ’74): Dickinson, ND

Mensvil Norman Larson’s burial

Posting/Pictures from Diane Larson Sjol (’70): Minot, ND

Thank you to everyone for your support in the loss of my dad, Mensvil Norman Larson. He is now with my mom making sure we do right by him…haha. He was buried with military honors. Here are a couple pictures. As the oldest, I was presented with his flag. Taps resounded around the entire cemetery with two veterans playing the song. The 21 gun salute gave us chills. We were very proud.

Diane

Follow up message from Diane

Dad was very proud of his role in the VFW and loved to drive the jeep. Some of his best friends were in the Bottineau VFW and he treasured them.

Diane

Last night at the Cebu Expat dinner at the Waterfront Hotel

This picture was taken last night at our monthly Cebu Expat dinner that was held this month at the Waterfront Hotel.

Rose is leaving this Sunday, June 22, to be with Art Hagen in Bottineau. She plans on arriving in Bottineau on July 2nd.

Blackfce Mistrel Country School programs in the 30’s

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

Gary and friends,

So many new things about life and I continue learning.

I want to share with you, about something that is now not politically correct but years ago was quite common in country school. Black face mistrel shows

Today, during a short visit with a former Holmes Township neighbor of my family, Marie (Eurich) Beechler told me as a small child she attended Oakes School also called Seim School.

She was in a school program which she was featured in a mistrel show.

She said one of her last visits with Art Seim, he laughed as he recalled that school program. Marie in black face with soot from the school chimney, a red crepe paper dress and her shiny black hair curled tight around her face. Art called her the name that she was called in that play! Mosey.

Maries fond memory reminded me of my dad who as a small child, had hair black as a crows wing and natural curls

Dad shared a lot of “feelings” common to a child. He’d explain openly and without reserve that all feelings were normal.

When ever I complained about hand me down clothes I wore, Dad told me, “When his mother washed clothes he had to go to bed. He was a child of the Great Depression, and had only one pair of worn thin hand me down pants.”

So not to complain about nothing to wear.

Once day, he was explaining about the feeling word_____embarrassment.

He said he was a shy boy, coerced to take part in a school mistrel play at HillSide (Bergan) School.

At the teachers signal he was to leap cartwheels onto the stage, do a somersault, a handspring, say only one line, then tumble off the stage.

His face and hands were covered in soot. And he was assured no one would recognize him.

The night of the program, the time came for his part.

He leapt up on the stage made the appropriate maneuvers. Then taking a deep breath, spread his arms wide with a big smile, and clearly said, “It is I, Lil Black Sambo!”

With a nod, he somersaulted off the stage.

RIPPPP!

The plan was foiled ___the back side of his pants ripped wide open.

He said, “Everyone laughed and laughed,at Lil Black Sambo’s “little white arse”.”

He said under the face paint his face was hot and red, he nearly fainted from feeling__ “embarrassed.

He did not quit school. He faced the teases and he learned to laugh at yourself with others.

Lessons of feelings and laughter.

Only a few days more and t’will be “Midsomers eve!

Thanks,

Vickie L. Metcalfe

Clarence Christianson and Milen Brudwick

Picture posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Bottineau & Minot, ND

Hi Gary,

Two of my handsome uncles. I love the way Milen usually wore his hat when he was young–at a rather a “cocky” angle. He was a fun fellow. Clarence was also a fun fellow, but was more reserved than Milen was. LOL

Notice this picture was taken January 1/no snow on the ground. This picture was taken where Don Rude now lives. It is across the street from the “old” Grace Lutheran Church in the north end of Bottineau (I don’t know the name of the religious group who now owns it.). The lot where the church sits was a vacant lot at the time this picture was taken. It was taken from the west, facing east.

If I can locate the picture of my aunts/uncles that was taken that day, I’ll send it, too.

Neola

==========================================================================

Blog (99) posted on May 11, 2008

Dick Johnson’s (68) (Nicknames):

Gary
> Larry’s story about the bakery sure made me laugh! I had forgotten his
> nickname was Half Pint, until now! How did you get that name? I remember
> Russell Pigeon was Sadie, Val Moyer was Kruschev, Dan Bogus was Worm,
> Connie Mellmer was Goose, and poor Marvin Kalk was Scum.

> Please add and send it back to Gary.

> Dick

Larry Hackman (66) (NIcknames):

Julian Kalk was Kakhy, Vince Kalk was Big Iron, Gary Pigeon was Shaky, Greg
Grimme was Grime, Allen Stokes was Big Alley, John Bogus was Bogie, Ronnie
Johnson was Big Chip, Vernolle Hill was Colonel Klink, Merle Allard was The
Fox, Dwight Coleman was Blackie, Jim Evans was Heifer, Tom Evans was Buff,
Jay Vanorny was Fuzz, Terry Martinson was Grease Pot, Tim Martinson was
Bear, Keith Pladson was Tarzan, Clayton Coleman was C.J., Anton Hackman
was Sluggo, Gary Houle was A.J., Donald Egbert was Lee May, Henry Hackman
was Hank, Andy Patnaude was Jigs, just a few but there were many more.
Who did we miss?

From Gary Morgan (54):

Good Story Larry! It took some of us longer than others to get the message that gifts with cords are reserved for wedding showers.

Gary Morgan
Class of 54

From Bev Morinville Azure:

Larry, You tell the best stories I laughed till i cryed at the christmas story. Hats off to Grandma she was a wise old woman huh. lmao Bev (Morinville) Azure

From Mel Kuhn (70:

Gary,

As usual Larry tells another great story. I just wanted to add my 2 favorite electric motors to his list. The one that replaced the handle on the pump for the well and the one that replaced the crank on the cream separator. As for all the little useless do-dads mine usually don’t get stored in the dark recesses anywhere. I have trouble believing that they actually work as terrible as they do. As I like to tinker I usually tear them apart in an attempt to, as Tim Allen would say, re-wire them and make them work and after much frustration throw them out. Larry, the only problem with your stories is that they are too far apart, they spark many a memory that are buried amidst a lot of dead brain cells. Keep them coming.

Mel Kuhn [70]

From Dick Johnson (68):

Gary and Friends

I want to relay a story I remember about Lawrence Hetle Jr. and his red
and white 57 Ford two door hardtop. We would have been in high school
but I don’t remember the year for sure. It was around 1966. Lawrence had
decided to put this huge Lincoln or Mercury engine in his car. The
engine didn’t fit in the engine compartment very well but he bent and
twisted things and finally got it in there! There wasn’t any room for
him to hook up a gas pedal so temporarily he had a wire running in from
the carburetor through the dash. We were all hanging out at the drive-in
when Lawrence came cruising in with his car. He was all smiles with his
accomplishment, and rightfully so, it was quite a feat! When he was
ready to leave, we asked if it would squeal the tires! He drove out onto
the street heading east from the drive-in and while looking back over
his shoulder, he jerked the throttle wire and lit up the tires! Now so
far this is cool, however, the wire stuck and the throttle stayed wide
open! He laid rubber from side to side on the street and the car got
wilder and wilder each time it switched directions. He was heading for
Hackman’s house on the corner when the throttle snapped back and he got
it under control! I remember some of the kids at the drive-in covering
their heads, thinking they were about to see a mess! He drove home quite
slowly and fixed his throttle! I ran into Lawrence at Kelvin last summer
and asked him about the incident. He grinned and said, ” I nearly ____”!
I guess he also remembered!! Thanks Gary!

Dick

From Allen Richard (65):

Read on to find out about the book written by Lanette (Beechler) Richard. She is the wife of Mark Richard, youngest son of my uncle Floyd and Aunt Carmen (Leonard) Richard of Rolette.

From: carmel@utma.com
Subj: book

I am so excited, my daughter-in-law Lanette (Mark’s wife) has written a children’s book intitled “Tommy and Sara’s Country Adventures” and it just came from the publisher today. It is geared for the pre-teen age group, probably age 10-14. It is a delightfully wholesome book and deals with life in rural North Dakota. It is illustrated by Max Stasuyk.

    The book will sell for $10.95 plus postage.

    If you are interested you may call her at 701-246-3465 or email me and I will see to it that you get one.

    She just came over this afternoon to show it to me and we had to toast her accomplishment with a glass of sparkling grape juice. I am just delighted for her and wanted to share the joy with you. There may even be a book signing at Barnes and Noble in Bismarck or Minot.

Message/Picture from Tim Martinson (69):

Hi Gary, Missed a couple of your emails #81 & #97. I’ve been

laying low lately enjoying your posts wondering who is going to

get up the nerve to send off a memory and hope it is worthy of

jogging the memories of others.

I had talked to Floyd Dion about the snow plane that used to sit along side his garage and here is his reply.

Hi Tim

That snowplane that you talked about belonged to Luella’s brother Halvorson. Curt Halvorson and myself built it , maybe we had other help too. We used conduit pipe for the frame and enclosed it with tin. We had a 65 horsepower airplane engine. It had 2 skis in the rear and one ski in the front.

Then later on we got a Renault car coupe body and a 85 horse engine. Other people that had one were Jim Coleman, and one of the Pigeon boys, and there were other people that had them also. We used to hunt fox and jack rabbits�on the prairie. We had a lot of fun with with those snowplanes.

Well Tim thats about all for this round now.

Floyd

I have not been able to track down a picture of the snowplanes used in the Dunseith area so pulled this one off of the internet to give everyone

an idea of the one Floyd talks about. �I can just imagine taking off across the prairie with one of these.

Take Care, Tim

Picture, July 12, 2007 (Class of 65), Bunch of 60 year olds looking at old school pictures, L to R:

Evie Gottbreht, Kenny Nerpel, Margaret Metcalf, Cecile Berube, Patty Boguslawski, Phyllis McKay,

John Bedard, Warren Anderson & Margaret Bedard

Picture, July 12, 2007

Marcy & Henry Hackman (65), Back table – Shirley (59) & Lana (64) LaRocque and Susan Fassett (65) &

Dean Helgeson (65)

6/19/2008 (138)

Posted on June 19, 2014 by Gary

From Joe Johnson (77):

Gary,

Joe Johnson (77) – a note for Julie Knox Seier (82) and Linda:

I had Mike Bostic as a teacher and as I recall he always had a smile on his face and he did have a great big joyous laugh. I never knew he married, Julie’s aunt, Linda Millang. Through the years I have thought of Mike often because his business class I attended taught very many practical skills that I have used since high school. Mike’s class, an elective course, brings back many memories because my brother Jeff attended the same class, I believe it was first or second period, Jeff was a sophomore and I was a senior. I’m very sorry to hear of Mike’s unfortunate passing, but it seems he had placed his faith in the Rock, Jesus, so Mike will be spending his eternity in a very healthy body.

For Dick Johnson –

Thanks for the 1976 parade photos. When I saw them my first thought was, “That is the Dunseith I remember growing up in.”.

Additionally, Dick, thanks for all the dialogue and history you bring to this email list and Gary thanks for being such a great editor and publisher. Just want you both to know your contributions are highly valued, even by those of us that don’t post messages to this list very often.

Joe

From Don Martel (Teacher):

Hi,

First of all let me thank you for the time and effort that you put into this to make it work, Gary.

Secondly,I feel very blessed in that I knew most of the Dunseith graduates of the mid to late 50′s (58 graduate from Rolette) as well as those of the late 60′s and early 70′s, as a teacher/Principal.

As a past teacher, it is so great to see and hear about the many accomplishments of our students. It gives me a little pride in hopeing that somehow we had something to do with it.

Also as many of you know I am married to Colleen Conroy, daughter of Ed & Florence Conroy, so find it so gratifying when they are recognized for there many years dedicated to the youth in Dunseith. As their son in law I can say they were just great people and I am so thankful for being part of their family.

As an addition to the Email list, Arthur Martel, teacher in the late 60′s, is:

Don Martel

Don, I have added Arthur to our distribution list. I noticed he was hired, as a teacher, in Dunseith, in 1966. How are you guys related? Gary

Message from Mel Kuhn (70):

Howdy Gary,

Just thought I’d let you know that I had carpol tunnel surgery on both hands yesterday so I’m gonna be trapped in my house for a couple of days. I will really be looking forward to the everyday e-mails, so don’t go off on another copper selling spree for a while. Having to count on my wife to cook for me is bad enough without having any contact with anyone else. She has mastered 3 differant kinds of Hamburger Helper though, so I won’t starve. You may have to read this real slow because I’m typing real slow. Keep up the good work and thanks again for all the hard work.

Mel Kuhn

Dick Johnkson’s (68) reply to a message of Neola’s (her reply follows Dick’s message):

Gary,

Neola is partly right, there is a ‘Weasel’ Counts and his brother
‘Gopher’ Counts. They were Louis and Eugene, respectively. Refer to page
24-25 of the Dunseith history book, under Ernest and Helen Counts. I
hope this answers her question.

Dick

Very interesting reply from Neola Kofoid Garbe to Dick Johnson:

Thanks, Dick. I wasn’t aware there were two brothers. I knew very little about the family except for the time Weasel/Renae were at Fred/Wilma’s home. I actually wrote the next paragraph and then came back and added to this paragraph, so it probably doesn’t make much sense!

I was quite young when I first met Weasel, and that nickname fascinated me! I had never heard anyone called Weasel. Wilma Bosch was married to Fred Kofoid. Wilma’s sister was married to Bob Chilton. I think Renae was their daughter, OR I’m mixed-up and Renae is Wilma’s younger sister. The memory fades after 55 years!! I have to admit I don’t know where Mom’s Dunseith book is; it could be in Minot, or it could be here in my apartment somewhere.

I, along with everyone else, really enjoy the pictures/stories you send to Gary for his website, even though I don’t know many of the people–just have heard the names. However, I HAVE learned what fabulous parents you had, and that you must have enjoyed a wonderful childhood/life because of them/your other relatives. From what I know of you/your stories/pictures your send to Gary, “they” did a good job raising you. All are to be commended. Also, from what I gather, you are practicing/carrying on the same values you were taught. To me, there is no higher compliment than that, or better way to honor your parents. I didn’t mean to ramble; I sometimes get “carried away”.

Thanks again to both of you. I am now a little wiser.�

Neola

From Phyllis McKay (65):

Gary,

I am wondering who is in the chariot that was in the parade picture. My brother, Kick, raced chariots but I don’t think that is Kick in the picture.

Phyllis

From Rod Hiatt (69):

Hello Gary and the rest of the Dunseith readers,

Reading some of the stories is about like watching reruns of Andy
Griffith, about half way through you kind of remember what is going to
be said or what happened.
The picture of the horses in the parade shows Brian Fauske driving his
chariot team. In the mid 70′s we had about 20 different teams from
Dunseith and Bottineau running chariots and chuckwagons in Bottineau
and Towner every week. My brothers Laurel and Rick as well as my
Dad(Howard) and myself had hitches and others from Dunseith were Brian
and Russel Fauske, Wayne Barbot, Kick McKay, Bob Brennan, Ernie
Gottbreth, the Lagerquist boys(not sure on who all was driving) old Art
Longie, and Keith Coleman.
We would race every other week in Bottineau and the opposite weeks in
Towner. With Dad buying horses in a number of different states we always
had new ponies coming in to be tested for racing and our club always had
the fastest. It seemed like Ray Nerpel new when he was coming with them
as he was always at our farm to help harness and break new teams. At one
of the first finals in Towner the Botno/Dunseith drivers took all the
trophies except for a couple of classes that we didn’t have teams in.
Dad said he wasn’t sure what was harder, breaking some of these wild
ponies to drive or teaching some of the guys how to drive. When he sent
Ernie G. out of the yard on his first solo drive, we wasn’t all sure
that he and the horses would be coming back together, but we could hear
him hollering for half mile or better.At the end of the evening people
from the stands would come down to the hitch rails to look over the
horses and everyone would sit around and swap lies about how they won or
why they didn’t(sounds kind of like fishing)
Anyway it was a great part of the past that alot of people enjoyed both
drivers and spectators

Gary I forgot to mention 1 other driver and that was Stormin Norman
Hiatt. I don’t think Norman ever won a race but he was always there. At
our year end awards night Norman was presented with the Sportsmanship
buckle. He told everyone that he was going to look it over really good
because once he put it on he would never beable to see it. I do have a
picture of Norman in the lead, but that was at the start of the race
right before the flag was dropped.

Message/picture from Dick Johnson (68):

Gary and Friends,

In reply to Susan Malaterre Johnson’s question about Axel Johnson, I
would believe there was a mix up. Axel and his mother and sister and
brother [my grandfather] came to America on a steamship, but not the
Titanic. They arrived from Norway in May of 1907 and entered through the
famous Ellis Island in New York Harbor. Axel was about 13, and Hans [
Grandpa ] 9, and Louise about 6. The Titanic actually sank in 1912 on
her maiden voyage. I suppose the ship they were on seemed like the
Titanic to kids that age! I guess Susan’s question was if Axel told me
the story? He told me about seeing the palace of the King of Norway when
they arrived in the capitol before they boarded the ship. He told of the
rough seas and cold weather on the trip. My Grandpa Hans also told about
the palace, etc. He died in 1965 and I never got to really ask him about
the particulars. I sure wish I could have had that chance! The picture
below is of Axel Johnson in 1965. It was taken in the Rolette Hospital
just before my Grandpa Hans died of cancer. The family was all there to
see him. Another sad time. Thanks Gary.

Dick

Axel Johnson – 1965

6/16/2014 (2035)

Posted on June 16, 2014 by Gary

Blog (98) posted on May 8, 2008

From the Tim Hill Family/Friends:

Dunseith Alumni & Friends:The Hill families would like to thank everyone who attended the
Benefit or sent contributions for Tim & Laurie Hill & family.
We had a good turn out. It was fun seeing so many Dunseith
people there. The benefit fund will remain available to
receive contributions for those who were unable to attend:
United Community Bank; Tim Hill Medical Fund; PO Box 10;
Burlington, ND 58722.

Tim just returned from his monthly visit to Rochester. He is
currently battling a cold, or bronchitis, or whatever crudd has
been going around. He is on an antiabotic and is being closely
monitored. This is very hard on him. We ask you to keep Tim in
your prayers for strength and healing, and the opportunity of
receiving a heart and kidney donor.

Tim said I could give his e-mail address if anyone wanted to
contact him personally. It is hillklan@srt.com.

Thank you again for you kindness and support. Diane Hill
Moline (75), Mom-Murl Watkins Hill (50), Brenda Mueller (70),
Greg Hill (72), Joanne Evans (74), Bruce Hill (80), and Lynn
McKay (82); and Laurie Evans Hill (75).

From Ardys Bakken Horner (Teacher):

Gary it was good to see a photo of you and Stan Salmonson who is the godfather of my daughter Heather, Joan worked at the school
while I was teaching there and they became good friends. I am interested in finding out what Gayl Lamoureux is doing these days,
I still remember the day she broke her ankle and her horse got away and she was afraid to take off her boot because she knew it would swell right away.
Ardys Bakken Horner

From Loretta Neameyer Wall (72):

To Randy Flynn, That was interesting news about Sister Albert. My sister and I went to the Academy for 2 years (7th and 8th grade). We remember Sister Albert with many, many fond memories. She is a neat gal.

Loretta J. Neameyer-Wall

From Allen Richard (65):

To Randy Flynn:

Thank you so much for the update on Sister Albert. The nuns all wore black and white habits back then. I had no idea how old she was. If you know of any way I can send her greetings please let me know. Do you know anything about her mental condition? Having me in class probably didn’t help it a lot!!

Allen Richard

From Marie Iverson Staub (60):

Hi Gary,

Were back from our cruise, it was great fun but 3 weeks was to long to be on a boat. The weather was beautiful but the humidity was to high in a lot of the places.

I missed getting your emails.

Marie Staub

From Diane Larson Sjol (70):

Colette,
All I can say is that I am proud that you are my cousin and I admire
your wonderful talent! Can’t wait to see you this summer.
Diane

From Dick Johnson (68):

Gary and FriendsI recognized the center picture of the creamery fire of January 1950 to
be the back of the barber shop where the Godfreys lived. It had that
brick entry on a quonset style building that was finished on the inside.
CJ Coleman got the job of demolishing the barbershop and the drugstore
and I drove truck for him, hauling debris to the landfill. I was able to
save the 18 by 36 quonset and moved it home for a storage building. The
south side was wrinkled and slightly rusted from exposure to the
creamery fire. On the inside of the building on one metal rafter it said
“Awalt and Melhouse–1948”, written in yellow chalk. I found this when I
removed the inner lining and insulation before moving the building. Just
thought it was interesting! Thanks Crystal for the pictures, and Gary
for the site!

Dick

Story from Larry Hackman (66):

Gary

End Of An Era

Electricity arrived on our farm in the Turtle Mountians in about the year, 1953. A yard light to light up the farm yard and lights in the house were the first electric items installed. The kerosene lamps were retired to the top of the cupboard and were brought down only when the electricity was knocked out by lightning or a storm. A radio was the next electrical item purchased, as I remember waking up to it. My mother would put it on every morning and listen to it, as she went about her work in the kitchen. The next electrical item was a new electric singer sewing machine. I remember traveling to Bottineau with my parents to pick it up. My mother was so thrilled to get it. She loved building dresses for my sisters. The old sewing machine that was powered by her foot on a rocking pedal was traded in for the new machine. You really had to be coordinated to sew with one of them old machines.

Husbands really got caught up in this phenomenon called electricity. When it became time to get a gift for the wife, whether it be for a brithday, anniversary, Valentines Day, Christmas, or for any other holiday or reason, he would get her, a electrical kitchen appliance. It was the best of both worlds. The kitchen appliance usually made the job of preparing food or some other tedious task easier. This of course made the wife happy. The end product of these appliances was food, this of course made us men happy.

Them pictures on the appliance containers and the thought of new recipes, made our mouths water.

The toaster with sliced store bought bread and sweet butter was a great invention. So great, that we did not even notice the mouth watering smell of baking bread disappearing from the kitchen.

The electric coffee percolator was a must in every kitchen. Everyone tryed to out do each other with these coffee pots. It seemed every time you went to have coffee with someone that they would have a taller, sleeker, more shiny electric coffee pot to display in the center of the table or on the counter.

The waffle iron was another great gift. I think we had waffles every kind of way you could have waffles for a while. My favorite was putting the batter into the iron and then adding strips of hickory smoked bacon, and cooking them together. mmm-mmm good.

There were many other great kitchen appliances, such as the crockpot, the microwave oven and of course the Bunn drip coffee maker. We could not stand to be without our Bunns.

Then there were the not so great kitchen appliances, that made more work then they saved. The fry daddy, the George Foreman grills, the blenders, the slicers and dicers, the toaster ovens, the pretzel twiisters, and the candle stick makers. These electrical appliances would gradually diappear from the kitchen counter and be stored in the darkest corners at the bottom of the cupboard or in the back corner of the basement somewhere. Some never to return to the light of day and some would only make an occasional appearance.

Us men, however, failed to pick up on the disapperance of these appliances. Some were disappearing without ever being used. We just continued watching the commercials and other advertisements for all these great gadgets to make all these great foods to look and taste better. We continued buying them as gifts for our spouses, more or less thinking of the food rather then work it was going to take to make this food or worse yet, the clean-up of the appliance. The clean-up is probably the greatest downfall of most kitchen appliances. So, it was bound to happen?

It was Christmas. My son-in-law and daughter and their family were at his folks house for Christmas Eve celebration and gift opening. Other people at the house, were my son-in-laws, three brothers and their families. Gift opening for the grandchildren and the children was completed. It was time for everyone to sit back and relax and watch Grandpa and grandma ( dad and mom) open their gifts. Everything was going great. Everyone was owwing and awwing over the gifts that they were taking turns in opening. Then the last of the gifts were placed in their laps. Their gifts from each other. Dad, Grandpa opened his, it was great, just what he wanted. He looked at his wife and smiled and said thank you. The Gandchildren began to cheer, and beg for Mom, Grandma to open her gift. She tore the Christmas wrap off, and there in her lap was a box with pictures of curly fries all over it. She was staring at it in amazement. Grandpa was smiling with pleasure. His four sons were proud and smiling with approval as they knew their dad had nailed the gift giving dilemma again. Their thumbs were up and they knew immediately what they were going to get their wives next. They could see themselves sitting back and eating deep fried curly fries, just like Arbys makes, until their tummys hurt.

Then Mom, Grandma spoke! With a tear in her eye. She looked straight at her husband, and she said,” If you ever get me another gift with a cord attached to it, I’m going to shove it up your donkey (ass)”. Then something happened, that doesn’t happen often for a mother-in-law. The four daughter-in-laws all looked over at their mother-in-law with smiles of approval.

The End of an Era!

larry

Message/Pictures From Evie Gottbreht Pilkington (65):

Hi Gary,

I started an email to you and attached one picture then it disappeared….so hopefully this is not a duplicate…..

The fishing trip pictures are probably all from the 50’s….My folks, Alma and Dale were friends with Lucien and Hannah Bedard and Janet and Bill Evans.

I was thinking that John Bedard might be able to identify more of the people than I did….I know his Grandfather is in the group.

The Brodeck’s (Tessie is in the pictures) lived across the street from us when we lived in town by the Sister’s….so the Gottbreht Gang was a photo taken by Ted Brodeck. George and Ernie have on cowboy shirts from Penny’s and Grandpa George bought them black leather cowboy boots with red tops to complete the outfit…..I didn’t get any….my first memory of jealousy LOL.

It was a special blessing to have Janet and Bill Evans in my life; they were my God-parents. Janet was a great influence on me, along with my Aunt Cora Mongeon, we all loved pretty things. I never missed a visit with Janet when I went home to Dunseith…after all the years we still talked church, decorating and flowers….some things never change. I have a collection of costume jewelry pins from some of my aunts and favorite people in my life. I have attached these pins to velvet ornaments and each year I put them on my stairway garland. These people are thought of and memories shared of them each Christmas when friends admire this collection. I have two beautiful pins Janet gave me the year before she died and pins from Auntie Cora that Uncle Roland gave me when I lived with him the year after Cora died in 1966. I credit him with starting my collection.

Evie Pilkington

949-246-6984

6/15/2014 (2034)

Posted on June 15, 2014 by Gary

Happy Birthday Mark Schimetz (DHS ’70): Rolette, ND

Happy Birthday Joan Richard: Dunseith, ND

(Dunseith memories) Shared letter to Neola Kofoid Garbe

From Lee Stickland (’64): Dickinson, ND

NEOLA

I knew YOUR DAD ! Our home was three (3) blocks west, south side, NW corner lot.

I expect that YOUR DAD ‘assisted’ me with any boyhood attempts to repair that failed me. He could dig me out of that CORNER.

I began working for Alvin Moe at the Corner Garage when I was about 12 years old.

I put a set of points in a distributor for the first time with 2 (two) “retired” gents on each fender. It was dark enough under that real steel hood, reachin’ back for the distributor and tryin’ to keep hold on that little brass screw without 10 feet of shadow and four (4) friendly sources of instruction and encouragement. Best/Better days of my life—I keep tellin’ ’bout ’em, anyway.

Neola,

YOU select the best and fitting history lessons for all of us in YOUR posting. My son, Eric, got all A’s when he went to the Univ of S Ca to achieve a major in HISTORY. I mention this because when WE learned HISTORY it was NAME-DATE/DATE when-NAME of. He enjoyed it as he likes ’cause and effect’, does not respect memorizing.

The approach for learning history now is to examine what circumstance most likely led toward or away from an incident and what was the initial positive or negative effect and eventual/resulting/existing/currently interpreted conclusion(s).

It is MY OPINION that if we could keep most or some of the politicians out of the MIX more could work better.

How do I know. I sure don’t. When I was a NH adm, I was charged with the duty of looking after the care of the pioneers that tilled and built America; I went to DC many times. The folks who were OUR residents and lived at the nursing HOME were not able to travel to attempt to remind elected officials that there is more to their job than votes.

The squeakin’ wheel may get the grease but it is also good to keep the reins tight.

YOU are doing great, NEOLA ! LEE S

Fathers day dinner at TGI Friday’s in the Cebu Ayala mall

As you can see, we don’t all have our food yet in this picture.

The restaurants in the Philippines do not bring all the food at the same time to your table. They bring it as it is prepared.

I had the their bacon cheese burger today. It was a delicious half pound burger with fries. Bernie opted for the mini burgers.

On a trip to Bohol with Art and Rose several years ago, we ordered hamburgers with Ice cream. While the burgers were being prepared they brought us our Ice Cream. Needless to say we sent the Ice cream back. One needs to tell them ahead of time, when ordering, not to do that.

==========================================================================

Blog (97) posted on May 8, 2008

From Betty Lamoureux Malone Badgett (49):

Thank you for adding me to your distribution list – after talking with Shirley yesterday – I found my 1947 “Wahoo” year book – and had a great time reading the comments from Dunseith friends and classmates – brought back a whole lot of memories!

My sophomore year of high school was the only year I went to High School in Dunseith – although I, of course, attended the first eight years of grade school there. And spent summers in Dunseith.

Thanks again. Betty Lamoureux Malone Badgett (I was married twice).

Request from Rob Olson (79):

Gary-

Please put me on your email list. I graduated from Dunseith in 1979. My
mother was Loraine Somers and I see that some of the attachments are of her
singing. I would love to receive some of her songs.

Thanks
Rob Olson
Grand Forks, ND 58201

From Randy Flynn (70):

Gary,

To Allen Richard and others who attended Notre Dame Academy in
Willow City.

Allen, when I read the message from you about Notre Dame
Academy in Willow City and Sister Albert, I thought you would
want to be updated on your grade school teacher, Sister Albert.
Sister Albert Marie ( Helen Burkhartsmeier ) is my wife’s
great Aunt. I am sure you remember her calling you “sugar
lump, sweetie pie, honey bunch”. She was still saying those
words when she was 70 and planning to retire. I know she
enjoyed teaching the younger grades, especially if you spoke
French with her. When Sister Albert heard of your
accomplishments, she would always beam. She was very proud of
all of you.

Sister Albert taught in Walhalla following her time in Willow
City and completed teaching in Valley City, North Dakota.
Sister Albert loved her students and touched many lives in
North Dakota. Crystal Fassett Anderson and other people living
in the Northeastern part of the state may hear Sister Albert
mentioned also. Sister Albert presently lives at Maryvale
Convent just north of Valley City. Sister Albert is in her mid
90’s and has lost most of her interest in eating. I hope you
will keep Sister Albert Marie in your thoughts and prayers.

Randy Flynn

From Colette Hosmer (64):

Thanks Ginger and Shirley for the kind words. Id be interested to know the name of that cousin, Ginger, if you remember — I probably know him (or at least have heard of him). And if you ever make it back to Santa Fe, give me a call.

Crystal and Susan — I always enjoy your photographs. I remember going to a few of those baseball games (could be because some of my girlfriends and I liked watching Duane Fugere being athletic…….we thought he was pretty cute).

Colette

Message/Pictures from Colette Hosmer (64):

Gary…..thanks for your interest. Here are a couple of photos of
the models that I built and proposed. The proposal also includes a
lot of written statement stuff that I won’t bore you with. There
will be 27 to 30 carved granite fish (representing Rio Grande
Cutthroat Trout) each 2ft. High x 31/2 to 4ft. Long, . Each fish
will be installed with a concrete footing and they will be arranged
to simulate flowing water…….a stream or river.

I’ll send you a photo of the finished piece if I manage to live
through this project.

Colette

6/14/2014 (2033)

Posted on June 14, 2014 by Gary

Dunseith Journal’s

Postings from Neola Kofoid Garbe: Bottineau & Minot, ND

“The Dunseith Journal” was the Dunseith newspaper when Dad owned a garage in Dunseith–at least for part of the time he was there.

Neola

==========================================================================

Blog (95) posted on May 6, 2008

From Allen Richard (65):

A couple more things about 2nd and 4th grade.

Yeah Billy Grady had a way of pushing our buttons. Pushed mine once too, but it was outside and I didn’t have access to anything but a snowball. Mark’s button was a hair-trigger. I remember the scissor whizzing between me and whoever sat in front of me. And it stuck in the wood in the wall about 10 feet away. Seems Mark had a pretty good arm.

As to 4th grade — I don’t think I have ever heard a negative comment about Mrs. Conroy. Certainly none from me! I remember all the things others have said, and the fact that she was a heck of a softball player. And about artwork, Kenny Nerpel sat next to me to my left. We used to draw in our “tablets” when we had free time. We would compare what we had done. Always wished I was half as good at drawing as he was.

Mrs. Conroy was kind and gracious her entire life. One of the last times I saw her was shortly before she passed away. She drove downtown and was trying to parallel park next to the drug store as I recall. The spot was tight and she touched the car behind her. I was walking to my truck and she asked, “Could you guide me into this place? or maybe park for me?” Like I could refuse any request from her. Anyway, she was with another lady about the same age, the streets were crowded and spots were scarce. I parked the car for her and asked about her ability to get the car out when she wanted to leave. She said, “I’m not in a big rush, I’ll just wait until one of the cars leaves.”

Amazing lady.

Allen

From Shirley Olson Warcup (49):

Gary and all,

I went online a few weeks ago and found several sites with info about Colette Hosmer and her work. She is a very creative gal. I’m enjoying hearing about all of the Dunseith happenings. When I spoke to Audrey a couple days ago we decided we could say we were almost related–her mother’s sister (Bernice Kelly) was married to my brother-in-law’s (Don’s) uncle (Axel Johnson). It’s a little bit of a stretch but ???? I can’t promise, but I will try to proofread my e-mails before pressing “send” from now on–that might eliminate a spelling error or two. Again, thanks for keeping us all informed, Gary.

Shirley Warcup

From Ginger LaRocque Poitra (65):

Colette, I would like to congratulate you on being awarded the largest
monumental sculpture commission ever offered in Santa Fe, New Mexico. You
have to be an excellent artist, I would like to see some of your work. I
went to workshop a couple years ago, to Albequerque, but we went to Santa
Fe, because one of the people I was with had a cousin in Santa Fe who does
sculpting. He goes to different places in the world to get the stone he
uses to sculpt. He showed us the procedure. His name slipped my mind, but
his arm was hurt,he has lost a lot of the it’s use and he continues
sculpting, his son helps with the lifting etc.. I have always been
interested in art. Must have come from Mrs. Conroy’s class!

Ginger Poitra(LaRocque) (65)

Shirley Brennan’s (60) reply to Dwight Lang’s (61) Reply to her Qustion:

Gary,

Would you please send this to Dwight Lang

I want to thank you for the information so it was Adam Lang, Ray Brennan, it would be nice if I found the 4th one.

Were there 2 Lang boys memory fails me? When I was at the school reunion, I asked about you.

Shirley Brennan

Shirley’s Question: My Dad ( Ray Brennan) was suppose to fight in WW1 along with Max Peterson and three other men..They took the train to Churches Ferry before they got to CF the war was over I would like to know who the other 2 men were, if anyone knows?

Shirley Brennan

Pictures from Cyrstal Fassett Andersen (70):

Here is a picture of the 1953 baseball team that my Uncle Darrel Fassett played on. They drove some fancy cars!! Crystal Fassett Andersen

Picture:

Standing: Don Fassett, Duane Fugere, Guy Knox, Roger Johnson & Virgil Vanory

Seated: Bob Leonard, Jim Footit, Darold Grenier, Lloyd Awalt, Gary Morgan & Darrel Fassett & John Leonard batboy

Here’s another picture of one of my sister Susan’s birthday parties.It is taken in our front yard in Dunseith,across from the creek. It was in August but no year. Crystal Fassett Andersen

Picture:

Back: Pam Fassett, Toby Daley, Karen Loeb, Carol Jasper, Susan Fassett, Bill Grimme, Marlene Richard. Evie Gottbreht,

Judy Jo Johnson & Mark Anderson..

Front: Debbie, Randi & Donnie Mongeon

Creamery fire Pictures from Cyrstal Fassett Andersen (70):

Going through my Dad.Bill Fassett’s pictures,I found these from the Creamery Fire of Jan.1950. Before my time,but someone mentioned it in an email. Not the clearest pictures but someone may recognize someone. From the looks of the pincurls in the ladies hair, it must have been Saturday night!! Crystal Fassett Andersen

6/13/2014 (2032)

Posted on June 13, 2014 by Gary

No Blog Yesterday

For the record, I did not get a blog posted yesterday.

Gary

Condolences

From Dick Johnson (’68): Dunseith, ND

Gary and Friends,

I haven’t had much time to catch up on the alumni blog lately. I
would like to offer my condolences to Diane Larson Sjol, Cheryl Larson
Dakin, and their sisters on the passing of their father Norm Larson and
to Amie Casavant on the loss of his wife Brenda and to Gwen Struck Dumas
and Edith Struck Lampman on the untimely death of Lee Struck. We all
feel the loss of these good people as they were an intricate part of our
big family of Dunseith folks. As always, thanks Gary for keeping us
all in touch.

Dick

Posted by Sue (Gary 57) Metcalfe: Forsyth, MO

Gary, here is a picture of our son Andy and Gary. They went on a canoe float trip in mid May on the Buffalo River in Arkansas. There were five other guys with them. They had some rainy weather but some nice sunny weather for their three day two nights on the shores of the river.

Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Bottineau & Minot, ND

Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Bottineau & Minot, ND

==========================================================================

Blog (95) posted on May 6, 2008

From Bill Krause (74):

Hello Gary and Everyone! Thanks to Ivy for sharing that e-mail! I was there a few years ago and also can say it was and is very moving to be there in their presence. Thanks to everyone who shares all these stories. Although I was only in DHS for the last 3 years of high school, reading all these stories and memories is very enjoyable. Especially yours Dick Johnson. Your Dad had a big impact in my life the short time I knew him.Just thought i would let you know..Thanks Gary for all you do keeping this lifeline flowing for all of us to enjoy.Thanks again,Bill Krause(74)

Update on Sally Longie From Sharon Longie Dana (73):

She is doing a little better. The skin grating on her
leg is the most painful. They did have to put a plate
in her pelvis. She also had a whole in her bladder.
One ankle dislocated and the other more severly hurt.
From what i gather they have both been fixed. They are
not sure how long her stay in Rochester will be but
they do know the stay in mInot could be very lenghty.
She is a very lucky woman!!! Again I appreciate all
your emails and prayers.

From Colette Hosmer (64):

Hey Ginger,

I remember Lorna Doone and also Hiedi being read in Mrs. Conroy’s class. I was totally fascinated — and like you, still vividly remember the stories. I also loved her class because she had so many art projects (just last month my mom gave me a table cloth that I’d painted for her in Mrs. Conroy’s class). Mrs. Conroy let me draw big pictures all over the blackboards and praised me for them. I would have to say that Mrs. Conroy was my first art teacher. It’s wonderful to read comments from all of the people she influenced. I wish she was alive today so I could tell her that I was (unbelievably) just awarded the largest monumental sculpture commission ever offered in Santa Fe, New Mexico….go figure. You can’t underestimate the power of one dedicated teacher.

Colette

Colette, Can you please fill us in on the monumental sculpture commission that you were awarded? Gary

Folks, I found an exhibit of Colette’s that I have pasted on the bottom of this message. Gary

From Mel Kuhn (70):

Howdy Gary & All,

As being a very shy child and teenager I tended to kind of stay in the corner and kept a low profile throughout my school years so I don’t have [don’t remember, did someone mention huffing a lot of gold spray paint?] many tall tales to regale. Although I do seem to remember a small fire in shop class one day. It seems that Mark Schimetz wouldn’t believe me that liquid gas doesn’t burn, it’s the fumes that burn. Well for some reason or another [did someone say something about huffing gold spray paint?] we had dumped some gas on the ground right outside the shop door and we decided to test out my theory. I quickly threw a match into the puddle of gas and out it went. Mark must have threw his match a little slower and low and behold we had fire, we had a lot of fire. I can’t remember the rest of the details [did someone mention gold spray paint] maybe someone can fill us in. We must have gotten into some kind of trouble, but maybe seeing as this was the only such incedent that I was ever involved in———–what was that about gold spray paint??

Mel Kuhn[70]

From Bonnie Awalt Houle (56):

Dear Gary,

In 1955, a new addition was put onto the old white two story school house. It was an Assembly Hall with classrooms extending to the east forming two rows of rooms with a hallway down the center. It was completed at the end of the class of 1956’s Junior year. We were planning the prom at this time and Mr. Conroy and Mr. Jerstad gave their permission for us to hold our prom in the Large Assembly Hall. I don’t remember much about the decorations, I do remember having records as our music. Can anyone else remember more then I do. It seemed like a huge addition at the time, this was the first Home Ec. Rooms we’d ever had and our first home ec. class with Pat Ward as our home ec. teacher. At the end of our Senior year she was expecting a baby so didn’t return to Dunseith. She taught us to knit, and insisted that we pluck our eye brows, and shave our legs. She complained that altho we were all able to cook we weren’t much for having centerpieces on the tables, etc. She wouldn’t take into consideration that our home ec. class was first thing in the morning after Marching Band Practice which didn’t give us much time to be decorating the breakfast table! I did appreciated learning to knit and sew.

Bonnie Houle Class of 1956

Request from Shirley Olson Warcup (49):

Gary,

I recently spoke to Betty Lamoureux Badgett, daughter of Charles and Olive Lamoureux, and although she did not graduate from Dunseith, she would like to get the e-mails. She would have been in the class of 49, however, after her mother died in 1945 she went to Los Angeles to live with an Aunt. When she came home for the summer after her freshman year in Ca. she decided she wanted to stay in Dunseith so remained there for her soph. year. She returned to LA for her Jr. and Sr. year, got married, and has remained in the L A area since then. We have communicated untermittently for many years and when I told her about the ” Dunseith Memories” e-mails, she requested that I ask you to add her name. Her e-mail address is:

Shirley Olson Warcup

From Dick Johnson (68):

Gary and Friends

Back in the mid 60s, I wanted to hunt deer one fall but had no deer
rifle. Dad didn’t have a gun big enough for deer and he didn’t care that
much for hunting anyway. I decided I was going to buy a deer rifle
myself, so I went up to the hardware and they didn’t have anything I
could afford. I went across to Gambles and told Art Henning I needed to
buy a deer rifle. He showed me what he had and the cheapest one was
around $80. I said, “Art, I don’t have anywhere near that much money.”
He looked at me for a while and said he might have something that would
be more in my price range. He reached in behind a counter and pulled out
an old German Mauser 8MM with wood nearly to the end of the barrel! He
said the guy traded it in because it kicked too hard! I told him I
wasn’t scared of that and asked him how much he wanted. Art said I could
have it for $15. Now that’s more like it! I was aiming at the picture on
the wall and planning my best shot, when Art said, “now I suppose you’ll
need some ammo.” Well, yeah I suppose! He set a box of shells on the
counter and then got this sly grin on his face! Again I said, “how much
for the shells?” Art said, ” 8 bucks!” ART!–
$15 for the gun and $8 for the shells??! Oh well, I bought it and shot
my deer. Now for the rest of this story. The next year I traded
something to a friend and got a Winchester 30-30, so the old Mauser was
sort of extra. Dan Bogus gave me $20 for it and now he was the proud 15
year old owner! We always went over to Boguslawski’s right after school
everyday and watched the Three Stooges for a half hour before basketball
practice. Alice always had a large coffee can full of cookies waiting on
the footstool for us. She and Ed were at the school doing the cleaning
by then so we were there alone. One night Dan came in from school and
went into his room and came out with the Mauser rifle and then went down
in the basement. About half way through the Stooges, there was the
loudest BANG I have ever heard. John and I both jumped off the couch ran
for the basement door. The entire house was full of dust from the
concussion. Every seam in the sheetrock on the ceiling sifted out dust!
When we opened the door to the basement you could hardly see for the
dust. John went down first with me on his heels. John fell down and so
did I! Dan had set a pop can on the step and shot at it. The cellar was
dirt walled and there was dirt behind the steps. This is where Dan had
been shooting his .22 and I guess he thought he could do the same with
the 8MM!! The reason we fell down was that Dan shot a little low and
blew one tread clear out of the stairs! I remember both the relief of
finding Dan, OK, and then the tongue lashing John gave Dan, there in the
dust! Just kids doing what kids do while they are trying to grow up in
old Dunseith! Again, thanks Gary!

Dick

Question from Neola Kofoid Garbe (Bottineau HS class of 57):

Gary,

Was Mrs. Masvelten, Gladys Masvelten? Did she have a daughter named Marjetta? If so, she was my fourth grade teacher in Bottineau.

Thanks.

Neola

From Allen Richard (65):

To Ginger:

You are on target with our second grade experiences. Angela and I transferred form Notre Dame Academy in Willow City into 2nd grade. First grade was pretty advanced. We were writing long hand–no printing–by mid year, and had phonics coming out our years. In 2nd grade I was relegated to “rhythm sticks.” We were lucky that first grade was so tough. We were almost ready to go to 3rd grade when we got to Dunseith.

Notre Dame was a Catholic boarding school, and the reason some of us went was because in Currie Township all that was available to us was summer school. That is why I was sent to boarding school. There were five in our first grade class: Rene Casavant, Angela, Joanne Houle, Stephen Berube and me. Second grade was in the same room. Some of the second graders included Doreen Houle and Joe and Gerald Casavant. The teacher was a wonderful nun, Sister Albert.

Now the nun that supervised the boys dorm ( Gary Houle was one of my dorm mates.) was another story. Sister Hector’s wake up call involved a one-by-four. That is how I became a morning person. It was pounded into me. Of course waking up to find that the toilet bowls had frozen over helped us wake up too.

Interesting how we all survived.

Allen

From Susan Fassett Martin (65):

I remember being yelled at by Miss Mastveltin in second grade, and for a child of my temperment it was not a good thing. If I remember correctly, we had certain hooks to hang our coats on and she and another person were standing where my coat was supposed to go, and I, instead of saying anything, stood patiently waiting for them to move so I could hang up my coat. She yelled at me and told me to go sit in my desk and I so vididly remember that more than anything else in second grade, except for when Mark Anderson threw a pair of scissors at Billy Grady and they stuck in the wall.

I loved Mrs Conroy’s class too, Ginger. I remember her teaching us to count money and make change by playing store. I also have some of my artwork from 4th grade.

We had a huge snow storm here on the 1 and 2 of May. We had big snowdrifts and they got up to 4 feet in the hills. It is mostly melted as of today because the temps jumped into the 70’s today and will be there again tomorrow.

Gary, I looked for you in the audience on Deal Or No Deal tonight as they were in the Phillipines. I guess Howie didn’t send you an invite–HA!!

I was in Walhall ND last weekend at my sister, Crystal’s for a 4th birthday party of her granddaughter. Paula was there too along with other family members. We had a great time. It was colder than cold most of the time though. They had had an ice storm a couple of days before we got there. I love the Dakotas—the weather can change in a heartbeat. You always need to be prepared for anything.

Thanks for all the memories and pics.

Love and prayers to all. Susan

PS.–my Aunt Dorothy(Strietzel) Fassett had back surgery a short while ago and is still recuperating. She and Uncle Darrell are still planning on their annual trek from Fla to ND for the summer. Please add them to your prayers.

From Gary Stokes:

Folks, Speaking of 2nd grade teachers, Gerry LaFromboise-Marcavage was my 2nd grade teacher up at Ackworth. Gerry was living in Rolla at the time. She and her husband have recently moved back to Belcourt. Gerry stayed at our house when she was teaching up at Ackworth. As you can see, she was a very attractive young lady in 1955 of which she still is today. As I remember, Gerry had guys coming out of the woodwork wanting to go out with her.

In the picture below, we had a little Ackworth reunion, with Gerry, this last summer, 2007, at Dale’s. Stan Salmonson & Harvey Hiatt, I believe, were in the 6th grade, Barbara Hiatt (Cote) was in the 8th grade and of coarse I was in the 2nd grade when Gerry was our teacher. Gerry was 18 years old at the time.

Request: Can some of you folks that live in the Belcourt area please pass this on to Gerry if you can? I think she is staying with her mother and her number is (701) 477-8634. Richard LaFromboise is her brother.

6/11/2014 (2031)

Posted on June 11, 2014 by Gary

No Blog Yesterday

For the record I was unable to get a blog posted yesterday.

Gary

Happy Birthday Forence Pladson Sime (DHS ’62): Deering, ND

Obituary posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Bottineau & Minot, ND

MENSVIL NORMAN LARSON

Mensvil Norman Larson, age 89 of Bottineau, died Saturday, June 7, 2014 at a Minot hospital. Funeral service’s will be held on Thursday, June 12, 2014 at 10:00 A.M. in the St. Marks’s Catholic Church in Bottineau. Burial will be at the St. Mark’s Cemetery also of Bottineau. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 10:00 A.M. until 9:00 P.M. with a prayer service at 7:30 at the Nero Funeral Home in Bottineau.

Mensvil Norman Larson, Jr. (“Norm”) was born June 3, 1925 in Bottineau, North Dakota., the son of Mensvil N. Larson and Alma Marie (Anderson) Larson. Norm was the oldest of three sons and was raised on the family farm in the Turtle Mountains at Lake Metigoshe, North Dakota. He was educated at Roland Township School and later completed his high school education in Bottineau. Norm pursued a liberal arts degree at the North Dakota School of Forestry in Bottineau where he was a member of the Lumberjack football team. He was later inducted into the college’s football hall of fame for a winning season in 1947. He obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from the University of Omaha in 1961.

On August 21, 1950 Norman married Verdellis L. Richard in Dunseith, ND and to this union four daughters were born. Norm joined the Army in 1945 and spent the next 25 years serving in many capacities from platoon leader to commanding officer. He served in WW II, Korea and Viet Nam. His last assignment was as Battalion Advisor in Minot, ND. Norman received numerous commendations, including a meritorious service award, the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry and the Bronze Star. Life in the Army involved many separations and took the family to different army posts every three years, both in the U.S. and Germany. Norm gave credit to his wife for her ability to keep the family together and cope with the many moves the family had to make. He boasted that his wife was the “best Army wife a guy could have”. Norm was proud to serve his country in the Army and continued his involvement as a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) until his death. Norm retired in June 1970 as a Major in the Army and moved his family to Bottineau, North Dakota, where he and his wife owned and managed the Texaco Station and Larson’s Casuals.

Norm grew up with a family dedication to public service and service to the community. He carried on that tradition throughout his remaining years. Norm served on the Bottineau City Council for 14 years, was the president of a regional planning council, a member of the State Planning Commission, member of several civic and veteran organizations, served as the first president of the Sons of Norway in Bottineau and as mayor of Bottineau for six years. His years in the army fostered his love for military memorabilia and history. He often participated in Bottineau’s annual Memorial Day event and could be seen driving his 1950 army jeep in the parade. He had a love for reading and current events. He entertained friends and family with his many stories of life on the farm and adventures in the Army. Norm enjoyed spending time with his family and driving up to the family farm in the Turtle Mountains. Prior to his death, Norm said that his goals were to never tarnish the family name, provide service to his country, raise his family and make it to his 90th year. He accomplished those goals. He was a good husband, a caring father and grandfather, and a good citizen. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends.

Norman is survived by his two brothers, Richard Larson (Seattle, WA), Delbert Larson (Bullhead City, AZ), four daughters, Diane (Scott) Sjol (Minot, ND), Cheryl (George) Dakin (Bedford, TX), Norma (Bob) Nelson (New Milford, CT) and Karen Larson (fiancé Mike Johnson) (Rock Lake, ND), grandchildren, Ryan (Christina) Harris, Michael (Adriana) Harris, Megan Nice, Katie Nice, Aubrey Millar, Jayden Sjol, Kendra (Josh) Heiland, Cory (Lauren) Dakin, Kelly Dakin, Matt (Jessica) Dakin, Austin Vaughn, Jordan Vaughn, Stacy (Kirk) Lee, Nick Balsamo, Ashley Balsamo and Anthony Balsamo, 22 great grandchildren and one great great granddaughter. He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Verdellis L. Larson.

Mensvil Norman Larson’s Jeep in the Bottineau Memorial day parade

Posting from Neola Kofoid Garbe: Bottineau & Minot, ND

Hi Everyone,

Mensvil Norman Larson often participated in Bottineau’s annual Memorial Day event and could be seen driving his 1950 army jeep in the parade.” This is a picture of Norman driving his 1950 army jeep in one of the Memorial Day parades in Bottineau. As you can see, the three fellows with Norman are also “local” men. I’m very proud of all these men. Leo, Al, Gary–thanks for your continuing service to our community over all the years.

Neola

Mensvil Norman Larson

Posting from Larry Liere (’55): Devils Lake, ND

Gary

Thought you would like to post this.

LARRY

National Guard Retiree News

This correspondence has been sent to your email address at your request from NDNG retiree Pam Miller. If you have information that is of interest to fellow NG retirees please share (i.e. death of retirees, items pertaining to our retirement/benefits, retirees doing great deeds, invites to NG functions, etc.). Items such as jokes, religious preference, or political party will not be accepted. Send all correspondence to Pam at: spmiller@bis.midco.net. Pam is solely responsible for the content.

Mensvil Norman Larson

(June 3, 1925 – June 7, 2014)

MENSVILE NORMAN LARSON

All,

I found, by accident, the online funeral notice for our ESGR associate, M. Norman Larson from Bottineau. The last ESGR activity he participated in was Erling’s meeting in Rugby in December 2013.

Norm was drafted into the Army in July 1945 and served stateside until March 1947. He mobilized with the ND Army National Guard in 1950 as a Sergeant with the Company C, 231st Engineer Combat Battalion, Bottineau, for the Korean War and continued on active duty until 1956 in the grade of 1st Lieutenant. His check-blank says “Major, USA (ret)” but I have not verified if that was continued service in the Guard (assume so) or with the USAR.

Here is the link to his obituary:

http://www.nerofuneralhome.net/mobile/obituaries-details.cfm?o_id=2551310&fh_id=13570#obituaries

Shirley J. Olgeirson

Military Personnel Services Corporation Contractor North Dakota National Guard ~ Employer Support Specialist North Dakota Committee, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve PO Box 5511 Bismarck, ND 58506-5511

Office: 701-333-2016

Email: shirley.j.olgeirson.ctr@mail.mil

Pam Miller

National Guard Retirees

Dinner last night at Casa Verde’s in the Cebu Ayala Mall

Last night after picking Lorele up from her work, we had dinner at Casa Verde’s in the Ayala Mall.

After dinner we had banana splils at the Dessert Factory.

Doing all this I ran out of time to get a blog posted.

Gary

==========================================================================

Blog (95) posted on May 5, 2008

From Ginger LaRocque Poitra (65):

Warren, I read the e-mail about how hard 3rd grade was, I don’t recall if
you said you were at Dunseith School for 2nd grade. Well anyway, I always
remember my mother saying that the (class of 65)third graders had to have
their mother’s teach them at home or they (us) would have to re-do 2nd
grade again. Reason being our second grade teacher Mrs. Masveltin had not
taught us much, I remember she did a lot of piano playing. I can see that
most of us must have had some problems, because we missed out on so much
that second grade year. I remember my mother had a blackboard set up
teaching me math. When I was in the first grade I remember how I loved to
read. Miss Srauss was such a good teacher.

I remember Mrs. Conroy reading books to us “Lorna Doone” and that book was
written in french, Another was “The Secret Garden”, I remember watching
the movie later in life and saying to myself, that wasn’t the way that
story went, I visualized it so vividly when Mrs. Conroy read it to us.

Evie, and others who contributed, also in Mrs. Conroy’s classroom we did a
lot of mirror coloring (I don’t recall the correct name for it) I colored
the most in the book she put together afterwards, so she gave it to me. I
still have it.

I remember wanting to be an artist, I really enjoyed drawing. I’m happy
that Colette went ahead and did it.

Ginger Poitra(65)

From Aggie Cassavant (69):

Hi Gary, I just finished reading and looking at the pictures of The Tomb of The Unknown Soldier. All I can say is thanks Ivey for sharing those with us. I visited there a couple years ago, theres no words to describe how emotional and patriotic it makes a person feel.Our brother Eddie’s daughter Brandi just got back from touring it 2wks ago with her class from Rolette. I told Eddie this is going to be a pretty moving expierence for Brandi, especially with the Iraq War going on and all. Then when i talked to her a couple days after she got back,she said they actually witnessed a funeral with the flag draped casket and horse drawn carriage.She said, it’s something she will never for get. Our brother Gerald and his son Micheal both did a tour of duty in Iraq the 2nd and 3rd year. When Micheal was on his way home, Gerald was on his way over, so they had a few hours in Kuwait together before continuing on. I can’t thank the Lord enough that he brought them both back safely.Our family has been blessed for it being a military die hard family that my brothers have been thru Vietnam in the 60’s and now Iraq,and they all get to come home. So anyway for those of you who have never been to Arlington Cemetery, please go see it it’s a pretty life altering expierence. Hope you all have a real Blest Day… Aggie

From Shirley Brennan (60):

Dear Gary,

My Dad ( Ray Brennan) was suppose to fight in WW1 along with Max Peterson and three other men..They took the train to Churches Ferry before they got to CF the war was over I would like to know who the other 2 men were, if anyone knows?

Shirley Brennan

From Fern Pladson Beaver (67):

Lola Metcalfe Vanory’s (68) to the Longie family:

Our thoughts and prayers have been with Stella and family– and of course
Sally! and her children!– what a sad thing!–

Verlin and Stella were always two of the nicest people I’ve known. How
they loved those children! and they are nice kids —
Our son Joe worked for Danny last summer on Danny’s concrete construction
company and thoroughly enjoyed Danny and the crew. If you went through
North Hill in Minot last summer you would have seen them doing concrete up
there- When we built our new shop last summer- Danny brought the whole
crew and equipment and did the concrete for us — that was soo nice of
him!!–
I hope Sharon keeps us updated- We will surely be praying for them all!–
Lola V

From Karen Loeb Mhyre (65):

Thanks so much. Our family took a trip last summer to Alaska,on Celebrity Cruise Lines but I spent most of my trip entertaining either my 2 year old granddaughter or my 86 year old mother, so I did not see a lot of the sites for myself. Maybe this would be a great opportunity to do some of the “field trips”. I will talk to Jim about this idea and see what we can work out!

Here in Ann Arbor, Michigan it is spring and we are seeing land hearing lots of birds. The new tulips, daffodils and forsythia blooms are a sure sign of the winters passing. I return home to Seattle on May 15th.

Fiona (my granddaughter)\ and I attended the annual ANn Arbor Pow Wow held at the University of Michigan A rena a few weeks back. There were folks from all over the region. Very inspirational. Fiona loved the “Blanket Dance” that we got to participate in. Some of the “regalia” worn by the different dancers were truly works of art. We had a great afternoon.

Karen Loeb Mhyre

From Diane Larson Sjol (70):

Good morning everyone.

I remember making May baskets and sneaking around town putting them at
people’s doorsteps. It was alot of fun. Through all my travels
growing up, we never did that anywhere else and I remember being so
disappointed about that whenever May Day rolled around. Anyone
remember in Mrs. Conroy’s class, taking old 78 records and she must
have heated them up somehow and then we bent them and made bowls out
of them and sprayed them with gold paint. I think gold paint must
have been sprayed on everything from macaroni cigar boxes to anything
else we made to give our parents. She also had another craft where
she put marbles in the oven and took them out and put them in cold
water and then they cracked inside…When I think about going to
school in Dunseith, I remember the cafeteria with those big bins of
bread and butter; of playing dodge ball and being out on the
playground; of being afraid to go down the rickety metal stairs of the
fire escape during a fire drill and looking down and the entire school
looking up at me. It was a fun time

Message/Picture from Dick Johnson (68):

Gary and Friends

How many of the kids that went to school at the old school can remember
the old flagpole with the stone base? It sat on the east side of the
school yard and was there for many years, as I recall. The stone base
and the pole were painted white, when I was in school, and from the
picture it was the same in 1946! The high school kids in the picture
are: Bottom to top–
Eleanor Awalt, Shirley Sunderland, Spencer Teal {?}, and Bernice Olson
{Mom}. Thanks Gary!!

Dick

6/9/2014 (2030)

Posted on June 9, 2014 by Gary

Happy Birthday Dan McKay (DHS ’69): Mooreton, ND

Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Bottineau & Minot, ND

Mensvil Norman Larson
(June 3, 1925 – June 7, 2014)

Send Flowers Send Sympathy Card
Guest Book | Sign Guest Book

MENSVILE NORMAN LARSON

Mensvil Norman Larson, age 89 of Bottineau, died Saturday, June 7, 2014 at a Minot hospital. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, June 12, 2014 at 10:00 A.M. in the St. Marks’s Catholic Church in Bottineau. Burial will be at the St. Mark’s Cemetery, also of Bottineau. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 10:00 A.M. until 9:00 P.M. with a prayer service at 7:30 at the Nero Funeral Home in Bottineau.

==========================================================================

Blog (93) posted on May 5, 2008

Folks, I had a nice visit with Minnie Knox Flynn today from the class of 47 and also a teacher for many years in Dunseith. She mentioned that the Dunseith Lutheran church would welcome donations for the furnace. I’m not sure if it’s for repairs of the existing furnace or a new one, but they have run low on funds to repair/replace it. Gary

From Karen Loeb Myhre (47):

Hi Gary,

One of the mementos I acquired at the reunion last summer was a great folding photo album/case in the goodies bag. It had a hard cover and held all my “gramma pictures”! Sadly, I have misplaced it. I was hoping to email the home to see if I could get another one. I am unable to locate an email address or figure out who to contact. Do you have any suggestions?

Your site/blog is wonderful. I can read every week or so and get my fix of North Dakota memories!

Take care,

Karen Loeb Mhyre

Folks, I am putting together a class list for the class of 47. Jean Metcalfe Maki was in that class, so I asked Vickie Metcalfe about her. Vickie replied with a very nice letter about her aunt Jean that I have included below. She also sent a copy of this letter to Jean’s Daughter, Dianne Reed, of which I have pasted below just ahead of Vickie’s letter. Gary

From Dianne Reed, Jean Metcalfe Maki’s Daughter:

Dear Gary,

Vickie Metcalfe sent me the email she sent you about my mother, Jean Metcalfe. There were a couple of errors, so I thought I would change a few things and re-send it to you. If you need any further information, please let me know.

Vickie Metcalfe’s (70) letter with Dianne Reed’s Corrections:

GARY,

I’m at school and do not have my records with me so for now, this is
off the top of my head memory.

Re. My dear aunt, Jean Arleen (Metcalfe ) Maki passed away the Saturday, before Thanksgiving November 16, 1984. I represented my family and flew to be with her family for the funeral.

Jean Arlene Metcalfe (actually named Jean McLean in reference to her paternal grandmother. Her name was changed on her birth certificate) was the only William and Rose Metcalfe child to be born in a hospital, Bottineau Hospital.

When her father, William passed away in the summer of 1935, Jean moved into Dunseith with her mom and attended grade school and began high school there. One of her best friends was Donna Aitchison whom she corresponded with for years.

During the war, Her brothers, Cliff ( US Navy) and Emil US army), purchased a house with/for my grandmother in Seattle. In the early 40’s, Grandma Rose and Jean moved from Dunseith to Seattle where they lived.
Jean graduated from high school in Seattle in 1947 and was married to Waino Maki, I believe in 1949.
Waino who was 100 % Finnish decent, was actually born in upper peninsula Michigan and named Willard Makinen ( another birth certificate error.) During the war, he was called Waino Maki and after never changed his name back because of all the paperwork hassle.
Aunt Jean was the mom of Dianne Wynn ( Maki) Reed b. Feb. 1956 and Eric Wayne Maki b. Sept. 1962.

Jean was a a doting aunt. A homemaker who decorated her home in warm country colors and the coffee pot and cookies always fresh. Her house always smelled wonderful. She smelled floral when she enveloped you in her warm arms. She was a big woman with style. One time, she amusingly said, her daughter’s opera voice teacher called her” a handsome woman” . Jean was a family connector. She also was fond of telling stories about her school days and friends in Dunseith.

Jean lived her entire married life about 6 houses down from her older sister, Leona (Metcalfe) Oswell in (Shoreline) ie. North Seattle. Uncle Waino passed away in June of 2003. Jean and Waino are buried together at Evergreen Washelli Cemetery in Seattle.

Her daughter Dianne lives in Monroe and became a teacher. Dianne continues to connect with the ND cousins. What specific information
would you like. I can delve into my genealogy box or contact her daughter, Dianne.
Thanks for asking about Jean. I loved her. Until Later. as ever. VICKIE
—
Vickie L. Metcalfe

From Dick Johnson (68):

Gary and Friends

I found some more lake pictures and remembered some crazy things that
happened up there. Dad and Cliff were always pulling tricks on each
other, especially when one or the other was on the skis and the other
was driving the boat. We had a “surf board”, we called it, it was a
piece of plywood with a rope attached to the boat and another rope for
the person to hold on to when riding. This was real good to teach
someone to ski before they actually tried the skis. One time it was
hooked to the boat and Cliff said, “Donald, jump on and we’ll go once
around the lake.” This was after Dad had become a good waterskier so it
wouldn’t seem to be much of a challenge. Now this board was meant to be
ridden SLOWLY, but as soon as we left the dock, Cliff said to me, “hang
on, we’re gonna give him a ride.” Cliff took off and Dad was doing his
best to stay with it, and was, until we got to the south shore and Cliff
turned real sharp. Dad was bouncing over the wake and flew off. The
surfboard went up in the air and then caught the water and went down
until it hit the muddy bottom and being it was attached to the rope,
which was attached to the boat, the boat stopped in just a few feet and
Cliff and I slammed into the dash at about 30 MPH. We sat there,
stunned, while Dad was having a laugh! I remember Cliff pulled the rope
and pulled us back until we were right above the board, and he really
had to pull hard to get the board out of the mud!
Those of you who were at our old cabin, will probably remember that my
mom, Bernice, never drove the boat. There is a reason! One morning Dad
talked her into learning to drive so he could ski. I was still to young
to drive. They went around the bay and I could hear them talking, over
the sound of the motor. As they were coming in toward the dock, Dad
said, “OK pull the lever back.” No change. “Pull it back”! No change! I
took off from the dock just as they hit the shore, WIDE OPEN!! The boat
flew through the air and landed up in front of the cabin with the engine
screaming . Dad shut the key off and said, “I said pull it back”! Mom
was bawling and said, ” I was pulling it back”! Dad said, “Not that
lever, the other one”! She was pulling on the gearshift, not the
throttle! He never asked her to drive again! I got a bit older and I
drove. The picture below was taken at Lake Metigoshe on my eighth
birthday in 1958, when they gave me a new pair of waterskis that were
made for kids. I learned to ski that day and learned to slalom {sp} on
my thirteenth birthday in1963. I also tried to barefoot a couple years
later and made it about 20 feet before I took a tumble. I could hear my
buddies in the boat ,laughing, as I was running on the water just before
the lights went out!! The other people in the picture are Dad, Shirley Warcup,
Myrtle Olson, Hans Johnson {sitting on dock}, and Henry Olson { on right
}. Thanks Gary!

Dick

Dick Johnson

6/8/2014 (2029)

Posted on June 8, 2014 by Gary

No Blog yesterday

For the record, I was unable to get a blog posted yesterday.

Gary

Happy Birthday Kelly Woods (DHS ’89): Vancouver BC

Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Bottineau & Minot, ND

Mansvil (Norman) Larson
(June 3, 1925 – June 7, 2014)

Send Flowers Send Sympathy Card
Sign Guest Book

MENSVILE LARSON

Mensvil Larson, age 89 of Bottineau, died Saturday, June 7, 2014 at a Minot hospital.

Our Condolences are with Diane, Cheryl and the all of Norman’s family with his passing. You gals were very close to your dad too and were both there for him with his failing health in the days before his passing.

The Conroy’s

Reply from Lola Metcalfe Vanorny (’68): Dunseith, ND

I believe that was in August of 1972 as I couldn’t attend– i was in the hospital with my new Baby Tina Renae Vanorny (Corley)!!_LOL!!!_ Born 8=16-1972– and Rev Bakken’s wife had had her baby by then also !!!!

They were the perfect example of dedicated and valuable teachers- I remember staying with Mrs Conroy so i didn’t miss a school program or a practice of some sort i can’t remember now – but i remember i wore a pajama top of Don’s – and their home was so cozy and comfy and we felt perfectly at peace and comfort there- !! and she didn’t have to “fuss over us !!!- I THINK MARTHA LAMB STAyed THAT NIGHT TOO!! as it was storming and she got to wear one of colleens nightgowns- = but don’s pajama top was cozy also !!!_LOL!!!– I just remember the peace and the love in that home just like my own at home!!!_

God bless their sweet souls- !!!–LOla

Brenda (Aime) Wheeler Casavant?

Question from Lola Metcalfe Vanorny (’68): Dunseith, ND

Aggie!- wan’t Brenda a Wheeler ??– and i remember 40 years ago they wanted to abort her baby to treat her and she refused!!! I hope i have this right- !!!- her Dad Lorne visited us and was so upset with her t!! the priests and nuns and Dr’s and nurses pressured her to have the abortion to save her life and she refused !!!!! and had the baby and then did the treatment and then went on to live a full life !!!! — a true trusting Christian lady !!!- – I hope i have this story straight- !!! LOla

Bernice Christianson Carlson’s Passing

http://www.amundsonfuneralhome.com/memsol.cgi?user_id=1321649

She was preceded in death by her parents, one brother, Clarence Christianson and five sisters: Alma Halvorson, Helen Bye, Emma Halvorson, Ella Mae Christianson and Florence Struck.

Life Legacy

Bernice G. Carlson, 94, loving wife, mother and grandmother died June 3, 2014, at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks from a brain hemorrhage.

Bernice Christianson was born September 14, 1919 in Bottineau, North Dakota to Casper and Ella Christianson. She was one of nine siblings growing up on a farm in the Turtle Mountains of northern North Dakota during the trials of the Great Depression. She attended a rural school in her early years and graduated from Bottineau High School in 1937. Immediately following graduation, Bernice enrolled at Minot State Teacher’s College and in 1939 received an associate degree. She taught in a one room schoolhouse that included grades one to eight. Hard work was the norm as she not only taught eight different grades but also acted as custodian and maintenance person for $50 / month.

While at Minot State, Bernice met Harold Carlson of rural Antler, North Dakota. Despite turning Harold down for a first date, they were married on June 12, 1942 and remained inseparable for seventy-two years. That same year, after Harold’s graduation, they taught together in Greely Consolidated School District until moving to Glenburn, North Dakota in 1944. At that point Bernice ended her formal teaching career and began her most important job as a mother and “teacher” to her four children: Nancy (Ron) Halvorson, Gary Carlson, Pam (Edward) Carlson and Keith (Charlotte) Carlson. Bernice and Harold moved to Grand Forks in 1954 where she lived for 60 years.

Bernice was a gentle caring woman who generously poured her life into the success of her husband and children. She was a great listener who was always ready to be an encouragement to others.

Traveling was truly enjoyable for her. As a child she dreamed to see the North Dakota State Mill and Elevator in Grand Forks. She once laughed, “Now I can see it every day from my front yard.” Trips to the West and East coasts, Alaska, Europe, and Hawaii were some of her favorites. She loved to cook, and her exceptional lefse and krumkake were two favorites. She loved gardening and her family secretly believed “she talked to her plants” to encourage their growth.

She was deeply loved and will be sorely missed, but we rejoice that she now resides in the loving arms of her Savior, Jesus Christ, for a new life in eternity.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one brother, Clarence Christianson and five sisters: Alma Halvorson, Helen Bye, Emma Halvorson, Ella Mae Christianson and Florence Struck.

She is survived by her husband, four children, and eight grandchildren: Jennifer Willging, Susan Hanson, Laura Schirber, Sara Halvorson, Christine Kruse, David Carlson, Becky Carlson and Elizabeth Carlson and ten great-grandchildren.

A funeral service to celebrate Bernice’s life will be held on Saturday, June 7 at 11 A.M. at Grace Baptist Church, 700 24th Ave South in Grand Forks where she was an active member.

Visitation at Amundson Funeral Home in Grand Forks will be held Friday, June 6 from 5 to 7 P.M. Visitation will also continue the hour prior to the service at the church.

Interment will be at Memorial Park Cemetery in Grand Forks.

A guestbook may be signed or viewed at www.amundsonfuneralhome.com
Amundson Funeral Home 2975 S. 42nd St. Grand Forks, ND

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Blog (92) posted on May 4, 2008

From Darrel Fassett (47):

Regarding the picture Dick sent you with the three unknown people: on Bernices left is Robert Molgard, on his left is Shirley Sunderland and the girl in front next to Andy Berube is Patty McAtee(her father owned the bakery.) Darrel

From Dave Wurgler (64):

Hey Gary—- Talking about burnt toast, the 40 years I have been one the corner at 3rd and main in Rugby, our local cafe was about a half of a block from my station and back then every morning I and other business fellows would gather for breakfast and we would order our whatever we wanted and with my breakfast I would always order toast with peanut butter and the waiters would say light or dark, and my saying was burn it cause it’s no sense eating warm bread. It didn’t take long when they would bring the food the waitress would say this one belongs to Dave. then we would shake dice for the breakfast and 70 percent of the time ——I got lucky—–musta been the burnt toast. Gary hadda throw that in. Luv ya all—Dave

From Larry Hackman (66):

Hi Gary,

I hope and pray things are improving for your family.

Remember the fourth grade, when Mrs, Conroy got us all organized. We got to elect class officers for the first time. With this came the reponsibility of finding ways to earn and accumulate money for our class. We were getting big so fast. But the biggest advantage was that we got to go to the basketball games at the old city hall, free. We got to sell soda pop, and candy bars from the little room across the top stair landing from the little room, where they sold admitance tickets for the basketball games. Mrs, Conroy would ask for volunteers, usually two girls and two boys. The girls usually sold candy and pop through the open window, and during the breaks in the games, us boys would carry pop and candy around the hall and sell it, to the people that stayed in their seats. I always considered it a fun time, and it was the only time I got to go watch the basketball games at that age. Selling pop and candy at the basketball games must have been exclusive to the fourth grade. Because, in the following years, we sold Fanny Farmer Candy to make money. There were three kinds weren’t there? White, brown, and a mixture? I believe, we did this all, so we could pay for the prom, we had to put on for the class of The 65er’s. You guys were so lucky!

The theme of the prom was “Moons Over My Hammie” or is that a Grand Slam Breakfast at Denny’s Restaurant? I forget.

larry

From Sharon Longie Dana (73):

Special thanks to Vicki Metcalfe for giving me that
update on Sally, She had talked to Dan’s wife in
Bottineau. Thanks Vicki you’re AWESOME!!!!

Picture from Glen Williams (52):

Gary…this is a photo of my father Ischem Glenn Williams in his WW I military Uniform.. probably taken in 1918…he was wounded severely in France during WW I….

later he was a Rural Mail carrier and the Post Master in Dunseith…Currently his photo is on Display in the Historical Museum at Fort Missoula.. Let me know if the photo came through…

Glen Williams

6/6/2014 (2028)

Posted on June 6, 2014 by Gary

Condolences to the Lee Struck Family

From Jay (66) and Lola Metcalfe Vanorny (’68): Dunseith, ND

Our condolences to the Struck family !!!_ Lee was a really nice guy !!!- and I considered a friend!!!_ –even though he was in Jay’s class- ^^ 66– interesting life!!!_ Jay and LOla Vanorny

Happy birth day Ron Peltier!!!

From Lola Metcalfe Vanorny (’68): Dunseith, ND

Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Bottineau, ND

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Blog (91) posted on May 2, 2008

Shirley Brennan (60) – From Dianne Millang Volk (77):

We have always been proud of our aunt Shirley Brennan (60) and all that she has accomplished from a wheelchair; now people in the Minot and surrounding areas know how she spends her free time.

She was on the KMOT-TV news April 30th. You can watch the video by going to the following address:

http://www.kmot.com/News_Stories.asp?news=18100

Gary Stokes’ comments to Shirley:

Shirley, You and I have exchange lots of email messages and now I’ve finely gotten to see you in this Video. When I saw you on this video, there was no doubt in my mind that you and Dianne’s mother, Velma Brennan Millang, are sisters. We frequently see your name too, with the inputs that you have been providing with these daily messages. I’m not sure how many of our folks realize your handicap or realize that you became handicapped, in an accident, with a school trip, I believe in your senior year of 1960. You told me the story, but I don’t remember the exact details. Maybe you or Dianne can fill us in with that one? You are to be commended for all of your life’s accomplishments. You have had steady employment and have done a lot of volunteer work throughout your life and have lived independently all these years. If there is a will there is a way, and you have done it. Gary

Update on Sally Longie From Sharon Longie Dana (73):

6 hour surgery on thursday went well. Two broken
ankles and a broken pelvis. Lots of recuperaton time.
she was awake when they cut her out of the vehicle.
Possibly one more surgery. Will keep you all posted.
Thanks for the wonderful emails of prayer and concern.
They are greatly appreciated and I will pass them on
to my Aunt Stella and family.
To cousin Bill and Lynn in Oregon, please keep your
Mom informed. Thanks a bunch.
Sharon Longie Dana

From Floyd (45) & Luella (Halvorson) (47) Dion:

Hi Gary

You said in one of your email that your dad like burnt toast. I remember when I worked at the creamery, he said I want my toast black,and if it is not burnt, I would send it back and have it burnt black.

Ok Gary thats all for now

Floyd

Folks, I had a nice visit with Luella Halvorson Dion yesterday. She fell earlier this winter and broke a bunch of bones. She said she spent 2 1/2 weeks, convalescing, at the Good Samaritan home in Bottineau. She is back home now and is on the mend. I think she said she is still in a wheel chair, but she said things are heeling. With all things considered, she is doing well. Gary

Reply to Floyd Dion, Yes my dad loved his toast black. He also never ate any green vegetables, but loved his raw onion sandwiches. He never drank water either. Coffee, with lots of sugar, was pretty much 100% his beverage, even on hot days. He lived to be nearly 85. A few years before he died, the doctor asked him when he had his last complete physical and he told the doctor “In 1942 when I got drafted into the Army”. Gary

May Basket Reply from Vickie Hiatt Lafontaine (73):

good morning all, this is in response to Don Lamoureux may day storie. It
wasn’t just a town thing. Every year for as long as I can remember Mom
would make up a May basket and we would sneak up to grandma Margies{Hiatt}
put the basket at her door ring the bell and run like crazy, and she would
chase us. We would then go in and have some of her out of this world sugar
cookies. I was glad to hear from my 5year old granddaughter that they
still do may baskets. Her class took baskets to the local nursing home.
also to Sharon Longie your family is in my prayers. Vickie LaFontaine
{Hiatt]

Provided by Neola kofoid Garbe:

6/5/2014 (2027)

Posted on June 5, 2014 by Gary

No Blog posted yesterday

For the record I did not get a blog posted yesterday.

Gary

Happy Birthday Ron Peltier (DHS 1970): Dunseith, ND

Posted by Don Malaterre (’72): Siouxfalls, SD

In Memory of Lee A. Struck

Lee Allen Struck, Age 66, of Hudson, died on May 18, 2014 at the VA Medical Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Lee was born on February 19, 1948 in Havre, Montana to Lawrence and Eva (McNair) Struck. His formative years were spent in Rudyard, Montana until moving to Dunseith, North Dakota where he graduated from Dunseith High School in 1966.

After high school Lee attended college at Luther in Decorah, Iowa for three years before being drafted by the United States Army. He served in Korea and then returned to Luther College where he graduated with a degree in Psychology and Theology. During this time he married Patricia Law in 1972. They later divorced.

Lee moved to Phoenix, Arizona and worked as a business analyst for ATT for 22 years. After 22 years in the corporate world Lee realized a dream and for 7 years spent time on stage pursuing an acting career. He appeared on stage at community theaters in Phoenix, Mesa, and Durango, Colorado.

Lee returned to a life of work and fun when he purchased a motor home traveling the upper Midwest as a yarn representative. He enjoyed meeting shop keepers from all over his region and developed a love affair with fibers.

Growing tired of the road, Lee settled in Hudson and became active in his church. His passion was mission work. He assisted in clean-up efforts after hurricanes Katrina, Ike and Sandy; traveled to Haiti to help earthquake victims; worked on building projects in Jamaica; plus participated through Bethel Lutheran Church in Hudson in taking two trips to Tanzania. Lee’s passion for mission formed deep friendships with those he served. In the weeks before his death Lee was putting plans together to serve with the Fuller Foundation on a building project in Kentucky.

Lee enjoyed music, reading, playing trumpet, theater and art. He had an impressive collection of books of all types. Lee was also a student of the Bible. He loved studying it and learning as much as he possibly could. Lee was a sports nut and enjoyed watching sports with the guys at the Cigar Shop in Hudson. He liked hockey, basketball, and especially baseball. His favorite baseball team was the Yankees and his favorite player Mickey Mantle. Lee was a regular at the local coffee shops; he could often be seen working on his laptop at Hudson Bagel.

Lee was preceded in death by his parents Lawrence and Eva Struck. He is survived by his sisters Gwen (Clint) Dumas of Havre, Montana and Edith (Slater) Lampman of Hudson, Wisconsin; nieces Michelle Geyer of Denver, Colorado, Elizabeth Lampman of Portland, Oregon and Allison Lampman of Willmar, Minnesota; and nephew Michael Stevenson of Havre, Montana. He is also survived by many cousins, aunts and uncles.

Through his travels and mission work Lee touched the lives of many. Upon news of his passing calls came in from all over the United States. From old high school buddies, to those he served with in Korea, from friends who traveled with Lee on his mission work to relatives; these were the relationships that Lee cherished. Lee and his tireless desire to serve will be missed.

A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00pm on Tuesday, May 27, 2014 at the Bethel Lutheran Church in Downtown Hudson. Visitation will take palce one hour before the service at the church. Interment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.

Send an Email Hug

If you would like to express your condolences to the family, click here and we will pass your wishes along through an email.

Gillis Family

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

Gary,

In response to your question (was Pete Gillis part of this famly?), Yes.

The Gillis family is a big family.

I only mentioned those who were “students”, when I was at Dunseith School in the ’70’s.

Coming to Bottineau, I became acquainted with Victoria (Krogen) Gillis and her daughter.

She told me immediately she was related to all of the Gillis family in Dunseith, and fond of them all.

Victoria is the grandmother of Scott Gillis Wager who wrote the Gillis /Keeble article for the Courant.

Victoria Gillis is a very special, special lady to all who know and appreciate her.

She talks alot about all her e Gillis connections in Dunseith and Bottineau.

A survivor of the 1918 flu she has told me alot of oral Bottineau history!

Vickie

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Blog (90) posted on May 2, 2008

Question/Request from Kathy Casavant Ellingson (74):

Hi Gary & All,

Just to say thanks for all the letters & info, I read them all at 6am before I go to work. I was just wondering, would anyone out there have a picture of the cooks that worked in the old grade school (big white building), you know Mrs. Knudson, Marie Casavant (my mom) etc. I would love to see the picture if anyone has one out there. Thanks Kathy Casavant Ellingson.

Shirley Brennan’s (60) message to Sharon Longie Dana (73):

I am so sorry to hear about your cousin Sally. I will pray for all involved.

Gary:Today being May Day, I wonder if anyone else remembers having made up May baskets full of candy and dropping them off on door steps. As a real little kid, I remember it was actually a little tortuous, because as I remember it, boys gave to girls and vice-versa, and then were supposed to chase each other around. This may have been one of those “town kid” things that happened versus “up in the hills” or “out on the prairie”.

I can also remember the City Hall burning down, partly because what little kid doesn’t have to go and watch a big fire. I also remember it because a bunch of us kids went poking around in ruins afterwards, I’m sure our fake Converse All Stars or Keds tennis shoes were the perfect protection against all the broken glass, nails etc that we were poking around in. We managed to find the spot that was the gun locker, and made off with the Legion’s rifles, which seemed like perfect toys for us at the time, even with all the wood stocks burned off. I think we got to play with them for a few days, until my dad (Jay) came home to tell me the Legion couldn’t replace the rifles unless they turned in the old ones, so the toys had to go back.

Don Lamoureux (75)

From Neola Kofoid Garbe:

Thanks, Gary. Thanks for including Felicia’s Caring Bridges’ site. I just visited her site–very interesting. So far, 33039 relatives and friends have visited her site–that’s a BUNCH!!!

Neola

Message/Pictures from Dick Johnson (68):

Gary and FriendsSome time back I told the story about riding Hiatt’s horses. On my tenth
birthday {1960} my folks gave me a Welch pony they bought from Hazel
Hiatt. This horse was only “green broke” and was exciting to say the
least. She would try to dump me or scrape me off in the brush every
chance she got! After a while I learned to pay attention ALL the time I
was on her! I got good enough that she couldn’t throw me so she kind of
gave up trying. One time though when I was riding over to the neighbors,
I was riding bareback and both the horse and I were soaked with sweat
from a very hot summer day, as we went up a hill the old phone line was
just above my head. I reached up and slid my hand along the smooth
galvanized wire as I quietly rode along. About that time, someone
decided to make a call and cranked the old phone. The shock went through
me and then through the horse and the next thing I knew, the horse was
gone and I landed on my back on the ground. This time it wasn’t her
fault, I goofed! She had a colt and I broke it to ride and made a good
horse out of it. In 1968, I sold both of the horses to Johnnie Myer and
bought an old Harley Davidson for $150. I got bucked off there too, but
that is another story! Thanks Gary!

Dick

This is a message that Neola Kofoid Garbe sent out to her Bottineau bunch. Felicia is the Daughter of Dean Lamb (70) Deceased.

Hi Everyone,

Felicia Lamb was in a serious car accident awhile ago; she is still recovering from it. Her dad was Dean Lamb (70), a veterinarian in Bottineau. He was from the Dunseith area. Felicia’s aunt is Martha Lamb Schepp (68) from Newbug. If you are unable to attend Felicia’s benefit, but would like to contribute, I would think donations can be sent to David Geiszler, 10349 Svingen Road, Bottineau, ND 58318.

Neola

BENEFIT FOR FELICIA LAMB

For all of us who would like to help Felicia and her family in some small way… here’s our opportunity

Country Breakfast Benefit

Sunday May 18th

8:00 am ~ 1:00 pm

Bottineau High School Multipurpose room

Matching funds by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans

For more info please contact Dave or Phyllis Geiszler

6/3/2014 (2026)

Posted on June 3, 2014 by Gary

Happy birthday Ann Carbonneau OcOnnell: (BHS ’68): Bottineau, ND

Carol Watkins Carbonneau, Ben & Mattea Johnson & Ann Carbonneau OcOnnell

Happy Birthday Heidi Hanson Daneilson (’69): Willow City, ND

Brenda (Aime ’66) Casavant passed away.

Posting from Kathy Casavant Ellingson (’74): Bismarck, ND

Hi Gary, Just want to let you know that Aime my brothers wife Brenda, passed away last night Sunday June 1st. She struggled with cancer for many years. She was a fighter & a true inspiration to all of us. She knew Jesus her Savior & now is spending time with him. This is a HUGE loss for us but especially Aime & his children. Please keep them in your prayers. Thanks Kathy Casavant (Ellingson)

Aime,

Our condolences are with you with the passing of your wife Brenda. It’s hard. You recently told me she was Terminal, but I didn’t realize her time was this near. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Gary

Charles Dion’s Obituary

Posted by Betty Watschke Cooley (’45): Redmond, WA.

Gary:

I’m not sure if this address is the correct one for you, and for some reason I’m unable to locate a newer one.

I’m behind in handling e-mails, but never miss reading yours that arrive. I think I remember reading something about Charles Dion’s death, but don’t remember seeing an obituary. I saw the one in the Seattle Times newspaper so will copy it to send to you if you think you want to put it in the DHS news.

CHARLES T. DION

Charles died pecefully in his sleep on April 28, 20l4. He was born in Dunseith, ND on October 24, l92l and was the oldest of 3 boys. On April l8, l942 he married Orissa Horsman. They just celebrated 72 years of marriage. Charles was an Army Medical Technician during WWII and served time in the Philippines and in Japan between l944 and l946. In l947 he joined King County Metro as a bus driver and towards the end of his career, he drove the Seattle Monorail. He retired from Metro in the early 80’s. Both Charles and Orissa were licensed Amateur Radio operators and made many “radio friends” around the world. Charles is survived by his wife Orissa, his brother Floyd (Luella), sister-in-laws Edith Dion, Eunice Marshall, and Dorie Davis(Wayne), and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother Derald. At his request, no services will be held.

Best regards, Betty Watschke Cooley, Class of l945.

Thank you so much Betty for sharring Charles’ obiturary. It is most apreciated.

Also thank you so much for your touching personal note. Our son Bernie, who is here now visiting, lives very close to you. His lives in the 147th block of 39th street in Bellevue. 39th street is the boundary between Bellevue and Redmond.

Gary

Gillis Family Vets

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

Gary,

I believe at least 3, if not more, Gillis family members

who are all Dunseith graduates have served our country in recent years.

Coming to mind, are Dean, John and perhaps his brother Mike.

The Gillis family, as the Metcalfe family have Scottish then Canadian roots.

My Dad told me, his father was acquainted with the Gillis family patriarch as they both

immigrated separately from Ontario, Canada as young men.

I believe they met when they each first settled in Towner County.

Thank You.

Later, Vickie

Vickie,

Is Pet part of this Gillis family? He too was in the Army and spent time in Vietnam.

Gary

Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Bottineau & Minot, ND

Hi Gary,

Quite by accident, Vickie and I met (along with two common friends) at the bakery a few days ago. As we were visiting, this article came up in the conversation. We decided this might be a good time (around Memorial Day) to share this article with your blog readers. Your opinon, please.

Neola

News

True heroes to the country’s freedom

By Scott Wagar

01/28/2014

It was a photo found on a social network. It was a photo of two young men of Native American descent standing in a doorway dressed in double-breasted suits with spit shine shoes on the teenagers. There was also a caption with the photo which stated their names and that the photo was taken at the Wahpeton Indian School.

Although the photo was somewhat ordinary, the caption added an interesting sentence to the photo which made it intriguing, because it stated these two young men would go on to become soldiers and were “two native heroes” of their ancestors while fighting for their country’s rights and freedoms in combat zones.

The two young men were Frank George Gillies of Dunseith and Woodrow Wilson Keeble of Wahpeton. In their time in the service, one would give the ultimate sacrifice of his life, while the other would receive the Medal of Honor posthumously.

FRANK GILLIES

Frank Gillies was born on May 14, 1923, in Dunseith. He was the oldest child of John and Lucy (Davis) Gillies. During Gillies’ youth, he was raised on his family farm and attended the Indian Day School in Dunseith for five years. Gillies then went to the Wahpeton Indian School for three years before going on to graduate from high school at Flandreau Indian School in South Dakota.

At age 19, Gillies, who was a Chippewa Indian, volunteered for the Navy at the beginning of World War II and entered into the service on Oct. 18, 1942 where he was trained as a torpedo man on a destroyer called the U.S.S. Johnston.

The Johnston was a Fletcher-class destroyer. In the Navy, the ship was known as a “tin can destroyer” because it was considered a light ship when it came to its small size and limited armament on board. Its primary weapons included a number of rather small size 125 mm (five inch) guns and torpedoes.

The Johnston was laid down on May 6, 1942 by the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp., in Seattle, Wash. It was launched on March 25, 1943, and commissioned on Oct. 27, 1943, under the command of Lt. Cmdr. Ernest E. Evans, who like Gillies was of Native American lineage.

The ship was ordered to the Pacific Theater and took part in battles during the Marshall Island and Solomon Island campaigns in the first part of 1944. In October of that year, the Johnston sailed to the Philippines to assist in that operation under the overall command of Gen. Douglas McArthur after his famous speech of “I shall return” after he was forced to leave the Philippines in 1942 after the Japanese invasion of that country.

After being supplied at Admiralty Island, the Johnston sailed on Oct. 12 with Taffy 3, one of three units of Rear Admiral Thomas L. Sprague’s Escort Carrier Task Group.

Their first task for the Johnston was to protect the escort carriers maintaining air supremacy over eastern Leyte and its gulf.

In the morning hours of Oct. 23, 1944, the Battle of Leyte Gulf started when U.S. submarines attacked units of the Japanese fleet coming from the South China Sea into a beachhead at Leyte.

The following night, the Japanese’s Southern Force (made up of battleships, cruisers and destroyers) was annihilated as it tried to enter the Leyte Gulf.

At around the same time, a larger Japanese unit, Center Force, came under heavy attack by Admiral William Halsey’s attack carrier planes, which made the Japanese turn around and retreat. However, the Japanese Fleet subterfuge Halsey, which in turn made Halsey move north with his aircraft carriers and battleships to attack a decoy Japanese carrier. With Halsey removed from the Leyte Gulf, this left the Johnston and its small escort unit alone in the gulf on the evening of Oct. 24.

With Halsey out of the picture, on the morning of Oct. 25, the Center Force made its way into the Philippine Sea and headed toward Leyte Gulf up along the coast of Samar with only the Johnston and its task units standing in its way.

On that morning, U.S. air patrol were out and reported to the Johnston that they were in the direct path of the Japanese Fleet, which was bearing down on them with four battleships, eight cruisers and 11 destroyers.

Evans went into action immediately and ordered his crew on the Johnston to place a smoke screen between the U.S. carriers and the Japanese force.

Being too far away to use its light guns, the Johnston broke formation, went through the smoke screen and went straight toward the Japanese fleet to get in range where the Johnston began firing at the enemy fleet.

The Johnston fired over 200 rounds at the Japanese, while Gillies and the other torpedo men of the ship sent all 10 torpedoes at it adversary before the ship went behind its smoke scene once again.

When the Johnston came back out of the smoke scene the second time, Evans saw the damage his torpedo men did to the Japanese’s heavy cruiser, the Kumano, which had its bow blown off and was retreating.

Celebrating its hit on the Kumano didn’t last long, because within a short period of time the Johnston was hit six times by shells to its bridge, which caused the ship to lose its power to its steering engine, along with a portion of its guns and render its gyrocompass unusable.

Although damaged, the ship’s men made repairs as best as they could and continued on with the fight. Orders were placed for the other American ships to conduct a torpedo attack. The Johnston, who wasn’t able to keep its position due to its damaged engine, and with no more torpedoes left, made every effort to move and fire its remaining guns successfully at the enemy.

Instead of retreating, the Johnston stayed in the fight and continued to lay down fire on the Japanese.

At one time, the Johnston saw the American carrier, the U.S.S Gambier Bay, under heavy fire by an enemy heavy cruiser and began firing its guns on the cruiser to draw the ship away from the carrier. The Johnston also shelled the cruiser four times.

As the battle continued, the Johnston continued to draw fire on enemy ships attempting to get the enemy to turn on its ship. However, as the battle continued, numerous Japanese ships set its dials on the Johnston and hit the ship a variety of times, destroying its last engine, bringing it dead in the water.

The Japanese ships then surround the Johnston and started attacking the ship from every side. As ammunition poured through the ship, it took out a forward gun, another gun and a 40 mm ready ammunition locker. With things looking grim, the men of Johnston kept fighting and asked for more shells to fire.

As they continued, Evans, who already had two fingers blown off in the battle, stayed steady and yelled orders to his men who were turning the rudder of the ship by hand.

However, the shots kept coming from the Japanese and as the end came to the Johnston, an enemy destroyer came within 1,000 yards of the ship and placed one final fatal shot into the ship which caused the Johnston to sink.

Of the 327 men on the ship that Oct. 25 day, only 141 were saved. Of the 186 men killed, around 50 were killed in battle, 45 died on rafts from their wounds and 92 men were able to get off the ship with Evans, but as they floated away from their ship they disappeared and were never heard from again.

One week before the Christmas holiday, the Dunseith Journal reported that Gillies had been killed in the battle. Gillies’ body was not returned to the family, but a memorial service was held in Gillies’ honor at St. Louis Catholic Church in Dunseith with family, friends and members of the American Legion in attendance.

WOODROW KEEBLE

Woodrow Keeble was born on May 16, 1917, in Waubay, S.D. to Isaac and Nancy Keeble. At a young age, the family moved to Wahpeton, N.D. where his mother was employed by the Wahpeton Indian School. Unfortunately Keeble’s mother passed away at a young age, but the family stayed in Wahpeton where Isaac enrolled all of his children, including Woodrow, into the Indian school.

Keeble, who was a full-blooded member of the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate of the Lake Traverse Reservation, enjoyed sports, especially the game of baseball where he pitched for Wahpeton’s amateur team and took the team to 10 straight victories.

His talents in baseball were so skillful that the Chicago White Sox started to recruit Keeble, but World War II stood in Kebble’s way when his Army National Guard unit was called up to fight. However, his pitching arm would come in handy as a soldier, and he would save a lot of his fellow soldiers’ lives in the midst of battle because of his pitching arm.

Keeble was part of the North Dakota 164th Infantry Regiment and the outfit was sent to the Pacific Theater to fight the war. The regiment’s first battle was Guadalcanal and the 164th landed on its beaches in October of 1942 where they joined the First Marine Division which suffered a number of losses in their attempts to clear the island of Japanese soldiers.

For the 164th, Keeble operated a Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR) and used his pitching arm to throw grenades with exactness at the enemy, which assisted in saving lives of Americans and bringing victory to the Battle of Guadalcanal.

After WWII, Keeble returned to Wahpeton and accepted a job with the Indian Day School. He also married Nettie Abigail Owen-Robertson in November of 1947.

In 1951, the 164th was reactivated and sent to the Korea War. The men trained at Camp Rucker in Alabama before moving on to Korea. While at Camp Rucker, the commanding officer had to select sergeants for deployment to the front lines of Korea and decided to do so by drawing straws. Keeble refused to draw straws. Instead, he volunteered because he felt that with his experience in WWII he could teach the younger soldiers how to fight in combat.

Keeble was assigned to George Company, 2nd Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, and with his combat experience and leadership ability he was quickly promoted to Master Sergeant and leader of the 1st Platoon.

As the company went into combat, it was ordered to the central area of the Korean peninsula to capture a series of steep mountains where the Chinese were utilizing the town of Kumsong as a supply depot.

The operation, which was called the Operation of Nomad-Polar, started on Oct. 15, 1951, and lasted for six days straight. During the battle, Kebble was wounded on Oct. 15 and then again on Oct. 17, 18 and 20 for which he was given only one Purple Heart. For his actions on Oct. 18, he was awarded the Silver Star, but his action on Oct. 20 would one day grant him posthumous the Medal of Honor.

Oct. 20 was the sixth day of fighting for George Company and as Kebble arose that morning he was suffering with two gun shot wounds to his left arm, a grenade wound to the face which almost tore off his entire nose, a twisted knee and a concussion from a grenade. The night before, physicians removed 83 pieces of festering shrapnel from Kebble’s body.

As the battle for Hill 765 was to start, and deeply entrenched with Chinese soldiers, Kebble was ordered to stay back from the battle, but he refused to let his men go alone and led them into battle.

As he lead his men that day into battle, Keeble saw that American soldiers had become pinned down by three well fortified machine gun bunkers.

Without any regard of his own life, Kebble rush to the pinned down soldiers and then crawled forward to the first machine gun emplacement. As the Chinese trained their gun fire on Kebble, he used his pitching arm from his baseball days and threw a grenade directly into the bunker and took it out completely.

Keeble then moved forward on the second emplacement and directed another grenade in the bunker and destroyed that one.
He continued up to the third emplacement, this time with a heavy barrage of gun fire and grenades raining down on him from the Chinese, but Keeble once again destroyed the last bunker with complete accuracy of a grenade that he threw at the emplacement.

Keeble’s men then started moving forward up the rigid mountain side as Keeble laid gun fire down on the enemy where he caused heavy causalities.

From there, Company G gained an important objective of the battlefield, all due to Keeble’s brave fighting.

Recommendations were made three times for Keeble to receive the Medal of Honor for the feats he did that day, but the recommendations were lost twice, and the third one was turned down due to a technicality of regulations that prevented the third request to move forward.

For his bravery in combat, Kebble was awarded the Purple Heart (twice), Silver Star, Bronze Star for Valor, Bronze Star for Merit, Combat Infantry Badge (first and second awards) and the Distinguished Service Cross.

After the Korean War, Keeble went back to Wahpeton and to his job at the Wahpeton Indian School. Soon after he returned home, he was diagnosed with tuberculosis. He was sent to Minneapolis, Minn, for treatment which ended with doctors having to remove one of his lungs, which caused a series of strokes that left him with the inability to speak, partially paralyzed and he could not work the remainder of his life. His wife, Nettie, passed away a year later, leaving Keeble to raise his son Earl alone.

With his illness, Keeble fell on hard times and he had to pawn his military medals for money. But, with the determination he had lived his life by, he moved forward in life, married Blossom Iris Crawford-Hawkins, the first Sioux woman to earn her Doctorate of Education.

On Jan. 28, 1982, Keeble passed away and was buried in Sisseston, S.D.

Sadly, the Medal of Honor alluded Keeble in his life, but family and friends in honor of him worked hard to make sure he received the medal.

Through assistance from Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-ND; Sen. Kent Conrad, D-ND; Sen. John Thune, R-SD and Sen. Tim Johnson, D-SD, Keeble’s family was granted Keeble’s Medal of Honor posthumously by President George W. Bush through an Act of Congress on March 3, 2008.

Two years prior, Conrad and North Dakota Adjutant General Michael Haugen presented Keeble’s family with a duplicate set of his medals he had to pawn at the Wahpeton Armory.

The photo of Frank Gillies and Woodrow Keeble on the doorstep of a building at the Wahpeton Indian School is an extraordinary photo of the two Native American boys who would grow up and go on to give everything to their country.

The caption in the photo is truly correct, Frank Gillies and Woodrow Wilson are “two native heroes” for their people and for their country. They are individuals that should be remembered at all times in our country’s history for the feats they did for our nation.

Writer’s Note: Sources for this article came from the Gillies family, LaVallie family, the Dunseith Journal, Wikipedia and the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.

==========================================================================

Blog (89) posted on May 1, 2008

From Evon Lagerquist (77):

The accident that Sally Longie was in was the same one that the Bercier boy got killed in…….

From Bob Slyter (70):

my prayers and good thoughts go out to the sally longie family

From Vickie Metcalfe (70):

Gary, Heartfelt prayers to Stella Longie and family as they aid Sally in recovery. Many years ago, Danny and Sally Longie were great third graders, with excellent involved parents. What a wonderous world we live in, that you, a former Dunseith kid living half way around the world could communicate the care, concern and prayers of us other former Dunseith kids, reaching and connecting so many. That’s Character! Thanks. Vickie

From Bev Morniville Azure (72):

Sharon , I am so sorry to hear about Sally , i am praying for her , I just talked to her Mom the other day after church, Please keep me informed ok hey Also talked to deb the other day she said u may be coming home for Diana and Cody’s wedding …….wow that would be great. keep me informed ok mdf Bev Azure (72)

sharon i will try and get ahold of debbie on thrusday when i get bk from minot and see what she has heard ok. bev

Message to Sally Longie from Cheryl Larson Dakin (71):

You are in our prayers.

Cheryl Larson Dakin

Felicia Marie Lamb’s WEB sight provided by Vickie Metcalfe (70):

Note: Felicia was in a really bad car accident several months ago. She is the daughter of Dean Lamb (70) (Deceased) and the niece of Martha Lamb Schepp (68). Martha, can you please fill us in on the details again? I noticed that 1,077 folks have signed her guest book. That is amassing support.

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/feliciamarielamb

Marjorie Landsverk Fish’s (57) reply to Angela Berube Malget (65):

Dear Gary and All,

I just read the articles and Obituary on Urbain Cote.

I copied it all and am sending it to Howard as he doesn’t do e-mail.

My brother Howard Landsverk has talked about Urbain a lot and mentioned his visits to him. On the picture you sent Howard is the first one in row 2. It looks like he has his army uniform on.

I also have history with the round Cote barn. I got engaged out there in 1958,

I was married for 47 years to Lyle Fish. I lost him to cancer in 2005..

I am glad I got Erling Landsverk into your E-Mail chain. I’m sure he finds it very interesting. He is my first cousin and lives in Portage Wi. I live in Horicon Wi.

Thanks Gary for all your work everyday on the e-mails. It’s sure too bad that people have to steal wire, gas, deisel fuel now and etc. I hope things get better and not worse.

Marjorie Landsverk Fish

From Keith Pladson (66):

To Gary and all,
It is funny how we each remember things that happened just a little differently. 1966 was a big year for me, because I graduated that year, yet I don’t recall us having a big snow storm. That’s not to say we didn’t, I just don’t recall it. However, I very well recall the storm of 1969. That too was a big year for me, as I entered military service (US Army) on April 3rd of that year. I lived in Bottineau at the time, and the day after it finally ended, I and some friends went for a snowmobile ride up Main street. We couldn’t see any cars parked on Main Street, but we knew they were there because you could see their radio antennae sticking our of the snow drifts. We would then stop and dig down in the drift to see what kind of car it was, etc. Wow, a lot of snow!I was in Ft. Lewis, WA (basic training) when all the spring melting took place, but my sister Fern (1967) was living in Minot at the time and she sent pictures of the horrible flooding that Minot experienced when all that snow turned to water. It doesn’t seem like ND gets many of those BIG storms anymore — or at least not that I’m aware. Here in VA, we get a different kind of snow. We have gotten several big storms of 12 to 20 inches over the years, but usually the temperatures are around the freezing point when the snow falls, so it’s wet heavy snow with very little drifting. Our biggest storm in the (almost) 40 years my wife and I have lived here was January 7-8, 1996 when we got around 30 inches. Two weeks later it was all gone. It flooded everything. Most winters we get only a few inches of snow and some years, like this past winter, we get nothing — not that I miss the snow. And, I sure don’t miss those 40 below zero temperatures of ND fame!!! Brrrrrrrr.

From Diane Larson Sjol (70):

I guess I never knew they made Jumbo’s at Patti’s place until several
years ago when I moved back. Colette Pigeon (Schimetz) one of my best
friends and her husband Reid (a third cousin) made some darn good
Jumbos….It is something you just can’t get anywhere else. When we
take visitors to get a jumbo, especially the little kids, they can’t
believe there is a hamburger that big! Bev, expect some company from
Cheryl, Norma, Karen and me the week of the 12th of May..Karen’s
daughter is getting married the 16th in Minot and the sisters will be
home so we will come a callin!

From Cheryl Larson Dakin (71):

Happy May Day Everyone!

Does anyone make May Baskets anymore? I remember making them out of cupcake papers and pipe cleaners, filling them with treats and leaving them at the door steps of our friends. It was almost as fun as Valentines Day parties!

Cheryl Larson Dakin (71)

Message/picture from Dick Johnson (68):

Gary and FriendsThe attached picture was taken in 1959, at what I believe was Grandma
Anderson’s birthday party. She was the mother of Gertrude Awalt and
Charlie and Walter Anderson, and spent the last part of her life living
in a small house in Awalt’s backyard. I used to walk over to her house
and she would give me cookies and milk. If I remember right, she had a
wood cookstove that she baked in and cooked on. This picture shows a
group of neighbor ladies with her in front and center. It has been a
very long time but I am quite sure this is Grandma Anderson, if not
please correct me, or if I have anyone else wrong please feel free to
send the right name. I am doing this from memory as there are no names
on the picture. Thanks again Gary!

The ladies L_R:
Standing—Irene Teal, Dorothy Egbert, Rose Kalk, Thelma Johnson, Joyce
Evans, Marie Allard, Marie Thompson, Lela Cota {nearly hidden},Joy
Nordquist, Arla Millang, Bernice Johnson, Agnes Berg, and Aggie Nicholas.
Seated— Beatrice Olson, Grandma Anderson, and Myrtle Olson.

Dick & Folks, I have found and pasted below some of the class of 65’s conversations, from February 2007, talking about Grandma Anderson. At the moment these are the only messages that I can find, but I know there were many more comments, but I just can not find them all that the moment without sifting through hundreds of email messages. Grandma Anderson was well known and well like in the Dunseith community.

” Mrs John Awalts Mother”, Mrs Bill Anderson (Myrtle). (John’s Grandmother)

Name (Last, First Middle)	Date of Death	County of Death	Gender	Age	Date of Birth	State of Residence	County of Residence	Action
ANDERSON, MYRTLE C	06/15/1961	Rolette	FEMALE	91 Years	12/20/1869	North Dakota	Rolette

From: “McKay, Phyllis”
Subject: RE: John Awalts GrandmotherOh how my family loved Grandma Anderson!! I couldn’t wait to be taller
than she was. I’m not sure I ever achieved that goal!! I remember going
to see her when my brother Dan was small and we were outside playing
when Dan ate some dirt. Don’t ask me why he would do such a thing but he
did!! My mother was trying to wash out the dirt from his mouth when
Grandma Anderson said “Good Lord, dirt anent anything to worry about. We
all eat 7 pounds of dirt before we die anyway!” That was something I
remember raising my own children. Don’t sweat the small stuff. A
philosophy to live by!!

After Grandma Anderson passed, we had a few parties in her little house.
Her house was located real close to John’s parents’ house. Do you
remember that John? It was about the time the twist came out. You
brought your record player with all the latest songs. Oh the fun we
had!!
Phyllis

From: “John Awalt”
Subject: Re: Phylliss – RE: John Awalts Grandmother

My grandmother what great memories it’s amazing how little things can all
the sudden flood your mind with all these memories, Grandma was under
five feet tall and a very easy going person and so was my mother. The
parties we had at grandma’s old house were great fun and only a whisper
away from my parents bedroom window, but they never said a word about the
noise. I still have the record player and all the records, the grandkids
love them. One great memory is when my mother made cupcakes and had me at
four years old take some over to my grandmother after I came back to the
house grandma came over with the cupcakes and showed mother and asked why
they had no frosting on them when it was pain to see that they had at one
time. They both had a good laugh and nothing was said to me. I also
remember your parents coming to town and getting the mail with horse and
buggy.Thanks Phyllis for the memories

john awalt

Ø Johnny,I, too, have fond memories of “Grandma Anderson” and Charlie. I think
your mother had another brother, but I can’t remember what his name was.
My father’s family must have grown up with the Anderson ‘s because I have a
picture of my dad and his brothers with Charlie Anderson when they were
just little maybe 6-8 years of age. They look like the little rascals and
I’m pretty sure they were.

I don’t remember where her house was but I remember going there with my
parents before I was in school. She and my Grandma Evans were good
friends. If I remember right, she had as much spunk as grannie on the
Beverly Hillbillies.

Yes, the people in Dunseith were all pretty much family when we grew up;
everyone seemed so connected.

Margaret Metcalfe Leonard

Lola Metcalfe Vanorny, ew
HI!_ just had to add my two cents worth–about Gramma Anderson–I remember her because she and I were roommates in the Rolla Hospital when
she broke her hip- I was 2nd or 3rd grade I think with ear infection. I
loved her — a tiny little lady that was fun to talk to even for a 9 year
old– I don’t think she ever came home after that- I could be wrong
though–

Lola

6/1/2015 (2025)

Posted on June 1, 2014 by Gary

Happy Birthday Arliss Halvorson Lider (DHS ’54): Bottineau, ND

90th Birthday party for Gary Stokes’ God Mother

Posting from Lynda Parrill Jordan (’69): Yerington, NV

Gary,

Our family is having a 90^th birthday open house for Mom (Marie Parrill) on June 15. I have attached a picture and the information for the open house. We would like to have this included in your blog if possible and at your convenience. The two great grandchildren in the picture are my grandchildren.

Thank you,

Lynda (Parrill) Jordan

Conroy’s Honored by the Dunseith Community

Posting from Don Martel (DHS Principal): Rosemount, MN

Hi Gary,

Perhaps this is something you would like to post in the blog.

The event was on Aug. 27, 1972.

Mr. Conroy died in Oct, 1972 at age 65.

==========================================================================

Blog (88) posted on April 28, 2008

From Shirley Olson Warcup (49): 
Gary,
     Glad you’re back on line–we missed you!  Back in the mid 40’s there was a snow storm that created road problems for several days.  Two young boys (15-16 yrs. old) from the Mohall/Westhope area had stolen a car, made it almost to Dunseith when they became stuck in the snow.  They were picked up by someone and ended up in the Dunseith jail.  At that time we were using the firehouse/jail as a warming house for skating.  We were about the age of these boys.  We brought them donuts, candy, sodas, comic books and spent more time in the firehouse than we did on the skating rink.  Frank Flynn took them to the cafe for their meals every day.  Someone suggested we ask Mr. Flynn if he would take them to a new movie we were all planning to see.  No one wanted to ask him.  After much discussion, I believe it was Audrey Hassen who agreed to do the asking.  Much to our surprise, he said he would  do it.  Mr. Flynn and the boys sat in the back row and all the rest of us sat two rows in front of them. Perhaps that could still happen in Dunseith, but I doubt that it would happen anyplace else.  These two boys ended up in “Reform school”–I know–I got a letter from one of them and we corresponded for a short time.
                                Shirley Olson Warcup
Correction from Mona Dionne Johnson (48):
Correction as to dates – I said last part of 45 and spring of 46 and it

should have been the Fall of ’44 or the spring of ’45, as

Betty and Bob graduated in ’45.  Sorry about that.   Mona Dionne Johnson
From Bev Morinville  Azure (72): 
Gary,  I  am so glad u are  back online…………   we all miss each other   when u  are  gone. I   almost   go  through  withdrawal.  hahaha   anyways I   just wanted to  say hi  and  thank  u  so much Gary  for  this wonderful service u do  for  us.  I have  found   old friends like Joyce and  Rita  we  were  all  very  close  friends   in HS  ………now  have reconnected  and  will be  getting togther in July.  Thank  u  so much   without  u  we would  never have connected.  I would also  like  to  thank  all of u   again  for all your   well wishes  while I  was recovering  and   going through  radaition . I am done now and starting to feel   good  again.  thank u   all again.  Martha  could u  update us  on  Deans  daughter and  how  she is  doing? Dick  u  tell the  greatest  stories  keep  em  coming  please.  thanks again Gary    God  Bless  u  and   your  family.  Bev  Azure  (  Morinivlle)

From Diane Larson Sjol (70): 
I had to chuckle when I read Dick’s rendition of braving the snow

storm just for kicks.  I remember when it would be blowing and

storming.  We couldn’t wait to go outside and walk through it even if

it was just in the backyard.  My mom would have a fit.  Of course it

took longer to bundle up than it did for us to stay outside and in

we’d come full of wet clothes and rosy cheeks ready for some hot

chocolate.  I also loved the sight of Main street Dunseith in the

photo….sure brings back some fond memories.
From Dave Slyter (70):
Hi Gary:
Just an interesting question, I am sure that is on everyone’s minds.   How many do you have on your list that you send these listings too?   Have always wondered.
To Diane Larson (70)

You and your sister Cheryl, Dennis Dion, and Bev and Deb Mornville, didn’t really have to walk all the way out to Dales to get a Jumbo Burger as you could have stopped at Curt’s Drive Inn, or Patties Place right in town, as they too made them there at the Drive Inn.   I was a cook there and made those things all the time.  It was fun to make them as well as to eat them.  Of course I would always try and make a mistake with one around dinner time as we always got to eat our own mistakes.   ha
Thanks Gary for all your efforts.
Dave Slyter (70)
Dave, To answer your question.  I currently have about 570 folks on the Dunseith Alumni email list.  Some of those are dupes with spouses because I list everyone separately. The daily distribution goes out to about 520 folks.  Gary
Picture Provided by Susan Fassett Martin (65): 
Sophomore Class of 1945 (Class of 47)
First row; Eleanor Awalt, Lola Striker, Patty Mc Atee, Laverne Schick, Shirley Wentland, Doris Schneider, Darraine Habberstad, Jennine Watkins
Second row: Donna Aitchison, Alice Goodsell, Janice Striker, Delores Hiatt, Luella Halvorson, Mildred Brennan, Jean Metcalfe, Velma Brennan, Lorraine Christianson, Gloria Plante, Minnie Knox
Third row: Leo Murray, Leonard Stickland, Raymond Haagenson, Harvey Halvorson, Darrell Fassett, Dee Nelson, Wayne Molgard, Allison Fiske, Darald Dion, Llyle McDermott, Miss V. Marie Nesting, Advisor

5/31/2014 (2024)

Posted on May 31, 2014 by Gary

Happy Birthday David Roussin (DHS ’77): Fort Worth, Texas

Reply to the Urbain Cote Picture below

From Darrel Fassett (’48): Boynton Beach, FL

The people in the Urbain Cote picture are: Back row:Ydola Pigeon, Dorothy Strietzel Fassett, Betty Watshke and Urbain Cote.

Middle row Howard Landsverk, Bernice Olsen Johnson, Bob Molgard and Shirley Sunderland.

Front row: Patty McAtee and Andre Berube.

Darrel:

Darrel,

Your ID’s matched all the others that replied to this photo back in April 2008 listed below. Good memory.

Gary

Bernadette with her Niece’s

These are several pictures that were taken at our Cebu Expat dinner this past Tuesday.

Novie and Edelyn are Bernadette’s sister’s girls. Novie is 32 and Edelyn 35.

Novie has 4 children and Edelyn 1.

Since Bernadette got sick, 1 1/2 years ago, Novie has worked for us full time. She takes

good care of her Tita (Aunt). Unless we are going out, she is off at 6:00 PM.

With Bernadette, for Novie, the fringe benefits are good.

We have hired Bernadette’s cousin to be with her every evening from 6 to 10.

==========================================================================

Blog (87) posted on April 27, 2008

From Al-lyn [Mrs. Bill (Willie) Longie (60)]:

Hi Gary,

My name is Al-lyn and from all I have heard about you from my husband Bill I feel I could already know you. I would be surprised to find out that you have heard from Bill as he rarely finds time to correspond but I have certainly heard plenty about the reunion last summer and the time he spent with valued friends. I can easily say it was one of the most significant and moving personal experiences Bill has had in the 40 years we have been married. He came back from seeing all of you with a “new lease on life” and re-energized from touching back into his youth.

Now both he and I are looking forward to the next get together, the Alaskan cruise. Could you share with me the email address of the travel coordinator so we can start making our plans. That is half the fun.

Looking forward to meeting you,

Al-lyn

From Martha Lamb Schepp (68):

Hi Gary,

I was like so many of your followers, wondering if all is well with you and your wife. I look forward to your emails almost every day.
We took our grandsons, Dawson and Gavin to their home in Rugby tonight. There were snow flurries on and off in the Rugby area. We need moisture, we’ll take any kind, but sorta wanted to put in an order for a warm rain. Just happy for the day!! Martha Lamb Schepp (68)

From Sharon Longie Dana (73):

To Vickie Hiatt LaFountaine

Prayers are with you and your family!! Always!!
The people in the picture above are: Back row:Ydola Pigeon, Dorothy Strietzel Fassett and Urbain Cote.

Middle row Howard Landsverk, Bernice Olsen Johnson, Bob Molgard and Shirley Sunderland.

Front row: Patty McAtee and Andre Berube.

Sharon Longie Dana

From Pyllis & Alan Campbell (42):

To help complete the names that are still missing from that Methodist/Lutheran church choir picture – I can fill in a couple of the names ….the young man who wasn’t identified is Don Keplar – son of the Rugby minister who was supplying the Methodist church – and the un-identified lady is Mrs Charles Keplar – the minister’s wife.

As an additional personal note, Gary, we want to tell you how much we appreciated all the help your Dad Bob gave to Alan’s aunt and uncle Anne and Glen Campbell all the years they lived in Botno. He was a wonderful neighbor who shoveled their sidewalks and saw that the grass was always cut. He always went in for a visit too and they also enjoyed visits from your mother Elaine.

Phyllis and Alan Campbell

Phyllis & Alan: I would like to share your personal note with the group, because we have many Dunseith Alumni Bottineau folks on our list that knew Ann Campbell. Many of these folks are married to spouses or have relatives that had Ann for a teacher. She taught school for many years at various schools in Bottineau county. Most folks that knew my dad knew that he loved to talk. With his visiting, he mentioned Ann many times and he was asked, real often, if she was related to Alan. I heard that question asked many times, with my annual visits back to ND, when I’d be out with my father. A lot of folks never made the connection of Alan & Ann. Dad spoke highly of Ann and he thoroughly enjoyed doing the things that he did for her. I too learned to know Ann quite well with my annual visits. She was a wonderful lady. Glen was gone by the time I came into the picture, so I never really knew him. Gary

Methodist/Lutheran Choir Picture:

Back Row: Don Johnson, Findel Helgeson (immigration Inspector who replaced Les Greener), Gary Morgan (young man about town), Don Hosmer, Alan Campbell, Don Kepler, Jerry Williams, Clark Crum, Glen Williams Jr.

Middle Row: Florence Conroy, Jennie Cook, Inez Hosmer, Millie Crum, Don Conroy, Rod Armentrout, Duane Lang.

Front Row: Marjorie Morgan, Elsie Schneider, Mrs. Charles Keplar, Irene Teal, Betty Jane Schneider, Elaine Schneider.

From Shirley Olson Warcup (49):

Gary and Dick,

I wish I, or “Snookie”, could be more help with identifying people in the picture in E-mail 86, but I’m just not sure who the girl in the front row is–could it be Patty McAtee? I couldn’t find a single picture of her in the Centennial Book. The top row people are identified correctly. The middle row, from the left, is as stated, probably Howard or Erling (I’m not sure which), then Bernice, Bobby Molgard, and Shirley Sunderland.

I’ll check with “Snookie” again to see if she has had any miraculous memory recovery!!! Don’t hold your breath though, she doesn’t seem to remember any better than I do!! (Actually, that Snookie moniker makes me feel a few years younger–but it doesn’t seem to help my memory.) Gary, once again, many thanks for the joy you’re bringing to so many people. I enjoy reading all of the accounts of “Dunseith happenings” — they’re a bright spot in my day!

Shirley Olson Warcup

From Bill Hosmer (48):

Gary, the picture of the group with a few unknowns include Bob Molgard
sitting next to Bernice Olson and Shirley Sunderland on the other
side. The girl in front looks alot like Patty McAtee, whose dad had
the bakery earlier, and who was our scout master when WWII started.
She was in the class of ’47. Bill Hosmer

From Mona Dionne Johnson (48):

Note: Mona, I see you and Bill Hosmer are both from the class of 48 and you are also Metigoshe neighbors. Gary

Next to Bernice Olson Johnson, Bob Molgard, Shirley Sunderland
Front row: Patty McAtee (right) and Andre Berube
That Pic was taken either in the fall of ’45 or the spring of ’46 before Betty and Bob graduated (’46)
Mona Johnson

Note: Shirley, Bill & Mona; you guys all agree with who’s who in this picture. You are all undecided if that is Howard or Erling Landsverk in the Middle row. If this picture was taken in the 1945 or 1946, we’ll assume this is Howard Landsverk because Erling left Dunseith in 1943. Gary

Back row: Ydola Pigeon, Dorothy Strietzel Fassett , Betty Watshke, Urbain Cote.

Middle row: Howard Landsverk, Bernice Olson Johnson,
Bob Molgard, Shirley Sunderland

Front row: Patty McAtee, Andre Berube

From Cheryl Larson Dakin (71):

I thought just copper and wiring was stolen off of roof tops here! What a pain. We miss you when you’re gone and happy to have you back! You rock!

Cheryl

From Diane Larson Sjol (70):

Talking about the jumbo burger at Dale’s….when Deb and Bev
Morinville and Dennis Dion and my sister Cheryl and I were in the 4th
and 5th grades, we gathered up what change we could find and earn (had
a puppet show and made 35 cents) and finally had the $1.10 we needed
for a jumbo burger. We walked what seemed like miles from town to
Dale’s and shared our burger. Every time my sisters come home or
someone new comes to visit, we take a trip to Dale’s for a jumbo….no
one makes a burger quite like that anymore.

From Dick Johnson (68):

Gary and Friends

Thanks to Crystal for the 1966 snowstorm pictures. I just can’t quit
looking at the old main street stores the way I remember them! The one
of the drug store also shows the little gas station in front of the
Dakota Hotel. It’s the little building with upturned eaves that sat
between the hotel and the cabins. These pictures are treasures!! This is
the storm of 66, I think, as there were cars stuck on top of the drifts
on Main street, some 4-5 feet off the street! They actually drove on top
of the drifts and then fell in! I remember how strange they looked the
next day when the storm was over. During the 66 storm, I walked all the
way over to John Boguslawski’s, just for kicks. It was nasty! I stood
along side the Stone Garage for a while just to rest and get out of the
wind for a bit. The snow was blowing so bad I needed the leeward sides
of the buildings to see where I was! Yes I know, crazy!! But when you
are 16, you are daring! When it got toward evening and was time to go
home, I called home to tell the folks that I was on the way. Mom asked
me to stop at the Crystal Cafe and get a large order of French fries as
she had a craving. The cafe was empty except for the cook and Marian
Hackman, who was the waitress. I told them,” Mom wants a large order of
fries”. They brought out a grocery bag nearly full of fries!! They must
have thought we were starving at home!! The storm of March 69 was
similar in many ways, blizzard conditions and big snowfall amounts. I
was going to college in Bottineau and they shut down the classes even
though the students were mostly on campus. The streets there, too, were
several feet deep! It took the local National Guard unit to help open
the streets. We do have storms here in the winter but not like the
blizzards of 66 and 69! Two to remember!!!

Dick

Request from Glen Williams (52):

Gary…Spoke with Leland Hagen last night…he says he would like to be added to your list of Dunseith Folks who receive your “newsletter”….

Thanks..

Keep up the good work…do enjoy your work.

Glen Williams. Class of ’52

Leland Hagen (50)

5/30/2014 (2023)

Posted on May 30, 2014 by Gary

Happy Birthday Alice Pladson: Roanoke Rapids, NC

Keith (’66) Tyler (Grandson) Alice Pladson

Trip to Dunseith

Reply from Marshall Awalt (’51): Newport, NC

Gary,

I just returned from my yearly trip to Dunseith and the weather was beautiful. The people who take care of the cemetery have done another fabulous job. The place always looks great and we got to visit with old friends. The trip to North Dakota is always exciting and will forever have a special place in my heart.

Marshall

Choir picture ID’s

From Gary Morgan (’54): Garrison, ND

Gary & all,

Thought I would identify some of the blanks in the photo of the choir that Dick Johnson so kindly provided. I think this must have been about 1952. The fellow next to Don Johnson is Findel Helgeson. He was the immigration inspector that replaced Les Greener. I think he was later replaced by Kenny Shirk. Between Alan Campbell and Jerry Williams is Rev. Kepler”s son. Rev. Kepler was the minister in Rugby and commuted to Dunseith as an interim pastror for awhile between ministers in Dunseith. Next to Inez Hosmer is Millie Crum. In the front row, next to Elsie Schneider is Mrs. Kepler and next to her is Irene Teal, then Betty Jane Schneider and Elaine Schneider.

Keep Up the good work!

Gary Morgan

Class of 54

Gary M,

Thank you so much for filling in all the blanks of the missing. I have updated the list of those in the picture pasted below that also includes your original reply to this photo. This time you have identified Mrs. Kepler too. She was the only one not previously identified. For those of you wishing to save this picture, I have included the names with the picture when saved.

Gary S.

Dunseith Airport is at the Peace Garden.

Reply from Doreen Larson Moran (BHS ’61): Usk, WA & Hazelton, ND

I found Bob’s 2008 AOPA Airport Directory.

Location: 11 miles north of city..
Coord: N48-59.87; W100-2.61 Mag Var: 9E Navaids: MOT 117.1 035
66.4

Elev 2314

When I saw that Dunseith Airport was getting funds – I suspected it was at
the Peace Gardens. Finally found the Directory.

I thoroughly enjoy the posts.   Glad you are getting good times with your
families.   Take care.   I am headed to Bottineau and the Hills for our
Leo/Gina Larson Family Reunion.     Dad – Ledolph was the oldest of the nine
siblings.   We could have close to 100 with our three generations heading to
the Farm and the MCC – Metigoshe Christian Center from June 29th- July 2nd.
I plan to be back to Bottineau (from our Hazelton Retreat) for the July
10th Sons Of Norway Picnic at Tommy Turtle Park.   I would love to be back
for the SON celebration of summer solstice June 23.
Yes, Danny and Eunice (Larson) Lovaas plan to be there.

Doreen Larson Moran – BHS ’61

==========================================================================

Blog (86) posted on April 26, 2008

From Bob Slyter (70):

To vicki hiatt, I did not know that your husband was ill, I will pray for him as well as for your family, please let me know how things go love ya

From Rita Parisien Anderson (73):

Note: This is part of a personal message that I received from Rita that I wanted to share with all of you. This is the fruit of the labor. You are very welcome Rita. Gary

Gary, because of the emails and class rosters one of my best friends in
elementary and middle school until she moved away have reconnected and we
are going to meet up this summer thanks so much .

From Sharon Longie Dana (73):

For Vickie Hiatt LaFontaine
I too thought of Wanda as i do ever year in April. It
was a tough time for the class of 73. While Vickie,
and Marsha were in the hospital Brenda H and me and
some of the others close to Wanda and Steve had to go
to school. It was an awful week and one I truly
thought i would never get thru it. Wanda and I had
known each other since we were 5 and our birthdays
were only 11 days apart so we shared many things. I
was grieving so much that week but at the same time so
thankful that Vickie and Marsha were alright and i
probably never told them that. I to would like to
thank our classmates from Dunseith High, you were all
awesome to me that week and I have never forgotten it.
Linda Johnson and Bev Mornville looked out for me like
they were big sisters and the Medrud family let me
grieve with them like family. I will always miss
her!!! I to remember the play and Doraldeen as the
witch…………that was so much fun!!! There were
lots of good times. and Gary doing this is awesome. I
have received emails from friends I never thought i
would hear from again. When I went in the navy in 74 I
started a new journey for myself and after my
grandparents moved to Washington, i sort of left
Dunseith behind but there were lots of good memories
and those are all resurfacing now after many years.
So thanks Gary for putting this all together!!! Its a
great service your doing for alot of us!! and I agree
were all having coffee(tea) tofgether every morning.
Sharon Longie Dana(proud to be from the class of 73)

From Mona Dionne Johnson (48):

I remember when Don and Cliff got their new boat. Cliff & Don had some
go out and amongst them was my husband, Chuck.
Of course, Chuck learned to water ski and came home, stating that “I”
had to go and learn to ski! I, didn’t know how to swim at the time, and
said so, but that wasn’t good enough. So, off we went for me to learn
and have fun. Well, as I remember, Cliff was in the boat driving, I was
down in the water with skis on, off I went and got UP this first time –
made a circle and then dropped when I
thought I was near their cottage – my nearsightedness had me out a
ways. Then, the next time I was going to go again, I was determined to
get up, but one foot was behind the other and it wasn’t happening, but I
was plowing water and finally the bar snapped out of my hands. Chuck
came up behind and we both started laughing – the top of my suit had
dropped down to my waist, and the boat was coming back for my to try
again. The laughing and trying to get my suit up in time – relaxed me
and up again I went for another ride. Some fun that day, and the start
of many ski rides that occurred later when we would have our own cottage
and boat to enjoy ! One of the many memories of our times with Dunseith
friends. Cherished ! Mona Johnson (48)

From Dave Slyter 70:

Gary and all,

Being a custodial supervisor here at NDSU some days has its challenges. With 14 employees and 8 buildings to monitor it gets interesting to say the least. But the other day as I was helping out in one of the oldest buildings on campus, I found myself actually enjoying my job. And it is all because of this site and one certain class room in the Dunseith Elementary building.

One of my employees has been out sick for a while so to help my other employees out, I went up to clean in Minard Hall of NDSU. The floor that I was cleaning on, is where they teach a lot of Math classes. And of course being the old building that it is, it has the old chalk boards still being used. Now a days they have the nice white boards that are a lot easier to clean and a lot easier to write on and a lot easier on the eyes to look at. But as I was washing these boards, I started thinking about this site and the memories that are brought to everybody. At that very moment I thought of an incident that happen to me in the 4th grade. Our teacher was, Mrs. Berube.(Florence) Another one of my favorite teachers in Elementary. One day during class, I think it was Math, Brian Fauske and I were sitting in the second to last seat in the 1st and 2nd row of the class room. Brian was in the 1st row and I in the second right across from him. We started to send notes to one another. I don’t know what the heck Brian wrote on his note but it lead me to write the message, “Go to Hell” ha Ooops Big mistake.

As I was handing the note to Brian, Mrs. Berube’s eyes caught something in the back room and of course that was me. She came and took the note from my hands and read the note. Looking into my eyes she asked politely what was the meaning of that note. With red face and every one staring at me, I said,(and I can’t believe it myself), I wanted to meet Brain in the Hall. Mrs. Berube being the kind person that she was, knew that is not what the note meant. What did Brian do? He looked at her, smiled, shrugged his shoulders and he was off the hook. ha

Mrs. Berube, of those of you that knew her, didn’t have a mean bone in her body. She just looked down at me and said, David, I would appreciate it if you would stay in during recess, the rest of this week and wash my chalk boards for me. I thought oh gees, I am going to hate this. During the first day it was not fun as every body went outside and I got stuck staying in washing the boards. Being a fourth grader that was brutal punishment. She always had her little pail of water and rags sitting right there each day. By the second day I was starting to like the punishment and started thinking that I was the teachers pet.

So when I was washing the boards at Minards Hall, I actually found myself enjoying washing the good ole chalk boards once again and thinking of pleasant memories of Mrs. Berube. So thank you Mrs. Berube for the nice memory and teaching that note passing doesn’t pay and thank you Gary for this site. Without it, people would just keep their thoughts to themselves and memories would be lost.

Dave Slyter (70)

Story From Larry Hackman (66):

Gary

That picture of that Jumbo Burger you sent out the other day, reminded me that it must be getting time, to make another journey to Dunseith and indulge, in feasting on one them delicious Jumbos, to satisfy a craving that I seem to get a couple times a year. My mouth is watering already. Another highlight will be to see how George and the crew have remodeled the place after the fire. It looked like a new, nice place on the pictures.

Back, to the Jumbo Story.

I remember Herman Martinson telling me the story of,

The Origin of the Jumbo. He said Dale Gottbreht came into

the bakery on a mission, one nice summer day. Nobody would come up here in the winter time would they? Not even a Texan? Herman said, Dale told him, that he had relatives coming up from Texas and he was a little tired of hearing how things are always bigger and better in Texas. So, he was going to show them that some things are bigger and better in North Dakota. He came up with this idea to serve them Texans a North Dakota Hamburger. He told Herman that these hamburgers were going to have to be huge. Dale then explained to Herman what he wanted him to do. He wanted Herman to make hamburger buns the size of a dinner plate. Herman agreed to take care of this portion of the plan, and made the buns for Dale. Dale then served up these North Dakota Hamburgers to his Texas friends with all the fixings that they are famous for today. Can you emagine the looks on them there Texan’s faces when they saw them North Dakota Hamburgers. I,m sure the burgers were served with allot of jokes and get even type comments. If you know Texans like I know Texans, I’m sure there was a get even strategy born that day and was played out somewhere? Maybe someone will fill us in with the rest of the story?

I have a Texas friend that still insists to this day that North Dakota is a northern county of the state of Texas. It just goes to show you that knowing a lot and thinking you know a lot are to different things. Try to explain that to a Texan? They just didn’t have Mr. Hepper for Geography class in Texas is all. Oh, I know in a Texans mind Texas is the whole world, why have Geography? I don’t know why, but it sticks in my head that Keith Smith’s fake ear kept falling off in that Geography class? Must have been from the heat of the subject.

While going down memory lane and thinking about The Snow White Bakery and Herman and some of his employees, I remember Herman always had a baseball game on the radio while he worked. The first emplyee I remember is:

1. Abe (Hassen Jr.) Murry cheerfully walking and whistling his way down Main St.with that huge bakery tub, loaded with bread tucked in the crook of his arm. His fancy 1956? baby blue and white Chevy sitting in front of the bakery ready for take off as soon as he got off work. I remember his dad standing on Main, crying for what seemed like weeks after his car accident and death. A sad time for the entire town.

2. Vince Kalk (Big Iron) washing and waxing his 1950 flathead Ford on Sundays’ behind the bakery.

3.Julian Kalk (Khakky) always greeting the Sweetheart bread guy that delivered flour to the bakery with, ” If it isn,t the guy, who drives the truck, with the big red heart on”? Of course the conversation always degraded from this point on and I would have to leave as I was still kind of young for this type of conversation. Right.

4.Warren Murry (Muff) who also died in a car accident on highway #3 between Dunseith and Rugby. I don’t know what them Dunseith guys had for them Rugby Girls? Funny you would think that it would be the correction line curve south of town that would have caused most of these accidents, but they all happened on the streight aways before and after the curve. Although I remember a few going off the curve.

5.Marvin Kalk, who had a difficult time in school but still wanted to graduate, was struggling.. Herman, realizing that Marvin had trouble reading, would read the subject material to him. Marvin’s grades improved and he graduated high school. Then he got drafted. May he rest in peace..

Some of the Snow White Bakery guys that I remember,

from a guy that use to hang out there.

Larry (Half pint)

From Vickie Metcalfe (70):

Hi Gary, (For Your Information)
On the Hillside School photograph, sent in by Ken Nerpel, other folks
may be able to also identify the other kids as: Leona Metcalfe, Clayton
Bergan, Agnes Belgarde (Peltier), Clarene (Poitra) StClair, ?Dick
Demery, Miss Olson was the teacher, I think she may have taken the
picture.
Our family doesn’t have any photos of my dad’s childhood, so it was
wonderful seeing these photos again. I believe my Aunt Leona showed
them to me yrs. ago.
Also a side note;
On Saturday evening, June 28, 2008, We Metcalfe Cousins will be joined by
the Nelson cousins, also Cousins of cousins or Friends of Cousins, and any
Kelvin Community folks for a no host gathering at Kelvin Klinic. Anyone
with ties to the area is welcome!
Thanks So much.
Vickie Metcalfe

Note: The names listed are not in order & not complete.

Leona Metcalfe, Clayton Bergan, Agnes Belgarde (Peltier),

Clarene (Poitra) StClair, ?Dick Demery, Emil Metcalfe,

Clifford Metcalfe, Eleanor Metcalfe

From Gary Morgan (54):

Hi Gary & All,..We missed you.
About 1950 the creamery that was located where Garden Lanes is now, burned down. It was just luck that the fire didn’t take the whole block. Having suffered two major fires in a couple of years, the Gamble Store and Creamery, it was painfully apparent that the fire department had to upgrade their equipment. About the only way organizations could raise substantial sums was by holding dances and smokers.
About this same time, a new minister came to serve the Methodist Congregation. His name was Rev. Ramquist and he lived in Bottineau while serving the Bottineau and Dunseith congregations. Rev. Ramquist was determined to clean up “Sin City” so when the Dunseith Firemen held a money raising smoker in the basement of the city hall, the Reverend fetched the sheriff and they raided the smoker. Since it was imperative that the fire department at least get a new truck, most, if not all, of the pillers of the community were caught in this den of iniquity. Sin City indeed!
The next day there was a big writeup in the Minot paper about how a gang of vigilantes had run the Reverend out of town. Actually, a couple of fellows followed him out of town just to be satisfied that he was gone and not coming back.
Shortly after that, the Methodist Church Board determined that Dunseith needed fire equipment worse than they did a crusading minister so Rev. Ramquist was asked to leave. He later perished while white water kayaking somewhere.
Between ministers, we Methodists were served on an intirim basis by Rev.
Kepler from Rugby which finally leads me to the point of my story…the fellow
between Alan Campbell and Jerry Williams in Dick’s picture of the Methodist Choir is Rev. Kepler’s son but I can’t remember his first name.
A revised roster of names on the picture is as follows:

Gary Morgan
Class of 54

Picture from Ken Nerpel (65):

Gary

Here is a photo of Dick Johnson and the Fabulous Turtle Mountain Hillbilly Band performing at the St. John senior center. Art Rude Sr. is in the picture front row center with a large group of ladies, and to my right is old friend Jimmy Birkland.

Ken Nerpel

From Allen Richard (65):

To Angela: OH MY GOD. I am so glad you sent this to Colette. Ydola and the Robert Brothers could fill in the gaps I’m sure. Then there is the largely unknown thing about Mom’s and Ydola’s older brother Jack (his baptismal name was “Ubald” a mis nomer–I saw him in early 1996–in his early ’80s and his hair was thicker and darker than mine–oh yeah—–and curly. Jack moved to CA. in his early 20s–with an 8th grade education—————and went on to be high up in the design of the hydraulics of the
B-17 landing gear. Our Grand mothers, Rebecca and Hortense were sisters—so much for the powers of the gene pool coming from the fathers. “Jack” and Urbain were first cousins. Check with your Mom on the details of this—and their cousin– Geof Marcil.

It was so good seeing you this summer.

Allen

Gary and Friends

Angela Berube Malget, yes the gal in the middle row is Mom, and the one
in the back, on the left, is Dorothy Strietzel Fassett. She was my dads
aunt even though they were in the same grade. Big family with lots of
kids! I’m not sure about Betty Watschke in the back row. I have the
1946 Wahoo, the DHS yearbook and the picture of Betty looks a little
different . It looks like maybe Shirley Sunderland is the other dark
haired gal in the front row. My aunt Shirley Olson Warcup would know for
sure, how about it “Snookie”?? Thanks Angela for a picture I have never
seen before! Thanks Gary!!

Dick

Back row: Ydola Pigeon, Dorothy Strietzel Fassett , Betty Watshke (my mother thinks), and
Uncle Urbain.
Middle row: Howard or Erling Landsverk??, Bernice Olson Johnson,
??, ??.
Front row: Shirley Sunderland ?, Andre Berube (my uncle – my Dad’s brother –he was
2 years older than Urbain).

5/29/2014 (2022)

Posted on May 29, 2014 by Gary

No Blog yesterday.

For the record, I did not get a blog posted yesterday.

Gary

Pictures taken at this months Cebu Expat dinner at the Shangri-La Mactan Resort and Spa

This month (Tuesday) we had an outside buffet dinner at the Shangri-La. It was one of the hottest days I have ever seen here in the Philippines too, so it was kind of warm, but we survived and had fun. The days high was 94. The evening temps were in the high 80’s. As you can see, some of us were perspiring, not the natives though. PS – Bernie Stokes may be Filipino, but he is not a native, so he does perspire.

Gary

Bernadette with her two Nieces (Sisters)

Edelyn, Bernadette, Novie

==========================================================================

Blog (85) posted on April 25, 2008

Folks, This is Kind of long. Please don’t miss the picture on the bottom. Many of you are in it. Gary

From Sharon Peterson Harmsen (63):

Hello Gary,

It’s amazing how I look forward to receiving your emails each and every day and now that I haven’t rec’d one since # 82, I’m concerned that you may be ill or something of that nature. Perhaps you are on a much needed computer vacation??? Or, perhaps my computer has decided to not accept your mail??? In any regard, thank you so much for the wonderful way in which you’ve connected the Dunseith community.

Now, that being said, have there been no further mailings since you sent out # 82 which is dated April 21, 2008?

It is dark and overcast here in Bismarck today. We got some much needed precipitation last evening and are hoping for much more as this part of the state is in a drought situation. Some farmers are starting their planting while others are waiting to see what the weather does since fuel, fertilizer, chemicals, etc are so very expensive at this time.

Please let me know if you have taken a break or if I am actually missing current updates. Thanks so much for all you do.

Sharon Peterson Harmsen (class of 63)

From Shirley LaRocque Went (59):

HI GARY, HEY I HAVEN’T RECIEVED ANY E-MAILS SINCE SUNDAY THE 20TH OF APRIL. I MISSED THEM SO MUCH AS THAT IS THE FIRST THING I DO IN THE MORNING, READ MY MESSAGES. HOW ARE YOU DOING ? I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK AS IT IS SO WONDERFUL TO READ ALL THE MEMORIES ABOUT DUNSEITH, AS I LEFT THERE WHEN I WAS 18 ALONG TIME AGO.LOL I DO HAVE LOTS AND LOTS OF RELATIVES BACK HOME. THANKS AGAIN GARY SHIRLEY(LaROCQUE)WENDT

From Gary Metcalfe (57):

Hey Gary, I have not received any letters from you for the last three days. I am just checking to make sure I have not been missed on the list OR checking on you to make sure you are well. Hear from you soon. Gary Metcalfe

From Diane Fugere (75):

Gary:

I have not received an email from you for a couple days.

Wondering if there is a problem on my end??

Thanks,

Diane Fugere

From Clyde Satrang (51):

WE HAVEN’T HAD ANY E MAILS FROM YOU FOR A FEW DAYS. WHAT
HAPPENED? WE REALLY MISS ALL THE NEWS FROM THE DUNSEITH
AREA. WE DO HAVE THE BOOK FROM THE AREA. INTERESTING READING.
CLYDE SATRANG

From Gwen Struck Dumas (68):

Hi Gary,Haven’t received any e-mails from you this week. Hope all is ok with you.

Gwen Dumas

From Marshall Awalt (51)

Gary

I love all the e-mails and look forward to them every morning.They perk you up better then your first cup of coffee. I feel the storm that came through the other night must have horsed things up as number 82 was the last one I received if you can resend the ones I am missing I would greatly appreciate it.

Keep up that great work

Marshall

From Diane Larson Sjol (70):

Gary,Funny how you have spoined us with these emails. We haven’t gotten
any from you for a day or two and we are wondering if you are sick or
just taking a couple of days off etc. Hope all is well and you
certainly do deserve a break. Take Care. Diane

From Bob Slyter (70):

did’nt get any messages today, sure hope that you and everything is alright have a great day hope to hear from you tomorrow

From Dick Johnson (68):

GaryDidn’t a message go out today? I know you probably deserve to have a day
off one of these days! Usually I check my junk and filters etc., but
there isn’t anything there so just thought I would check. Thanks Gary!!

Dick

From Angela Berube Malget (65):

Hi Gary and Everyone,I am writing a response to Erling Landsverk who requested information
regarding some of his classmates. My name is Angela Berube Malget. I
graduated with Gary in 1965. I am a niece of Urbain Cote. He and my
mother, Fern Berube Lagasse, were brother and sister. Lawrence Berube
was my father. We lived on the farm south of Dunseith with the big
round barn with cattle on the main floor and dancing on the upper
level. My Uncle Urbain and his dad (Alfred Cote) designed and built the
barn in 1946-47. Some of you older alumni may remember dancing in that
barn. That was always an exciting time for us kids. We got to stay up
late and the next day we would roam the parking lot picking up debris
and collecting coins, pop/beer bottles (loved that refund money for
candy), you name it. Peggy Wurgler commented on that a while back. We
were happy to see that the barn had been restored. I realize this took
place after you left. Did you get back to Dunseith very often?

I am attaching a copy of my Uncle Urbain’s obituary and part of a eulogy
that pretty much describes his life. He was a pretty special Uncle —
so talented and loved and missed very much by his family and friends. I
want to add to the paragraph about his musical talents. It states that
he played the piano and organ–he also played the trumpet in a dance
band in his younger years prior to getting married. My mother said he
could play any instrument he picked up. Also, he was a janitor for a
few years at the old white school in Dunseith in approximately 1953,
prior to their moving to Seattle. Perhaps some of you remember him from
there. The airplane (2 seater) that he was building (he started it in
the basement of his house) could not be completed because of his
health. It was eventually sold. Vivian, his wife, is my first cousin
on my Dad’s side. I spoke with her a couple days ago. She said she did
not know you Erling, but had met your cousin Howard who had visited them
once in AZ and a couple times in Seattle. My mother, Fern, mentioned
that when she was visiting her brother, Laureus Cote, in 2000 or 2001, a
Landsverk came to visit but she does not remember the first name. I
presume both you and Howard would also have known Laureus, Urbain’s
older brother. He lived in Bremerton, WA. He died in 2006. He worked
in the Navel Ship Yard in Bremerton, WA with Gary — small world. My
mother is the oldest sibling and only one still living. She is 91. She
found a picture of Urbain and some of his friends which was taken
either after he returned from the war or perhaps during a leave. I am
also sending that picture. Hopefully, some of you can help identify
some of the people. I feel badly, Erling, that you won’t be able to see
this picture. Some are definite to us:

Perhaps Colette Pigeon Schimetz can show this to her dad and he can
identify them or perhaps Howard or Marjorie can help. To Dick Johnson
— do you think it could perhaps be your mother sitting in the second row?

I hope this helps a little Erling. If you have questions or there is
more that you would like to know, please let me know. It certainly
would have been nice to talk with you at the reunion had I known your
connection with my Uncle. I have enjoyed reading the emails you have
sent especially the response to National Geographic. I really admire
your positive attitude. Wishing you good health and happiness.

.
Angela Berube Malget

Back row: Ydola Pigeon, ?? , Betty Watshke (my mother thinks), and
Uncle Urbain.
Middle row: Howard or Erling Landsverk??, Bernice Olson Johnson??,
??, ??.
Front row: ??, Andre Berube (my uncle – my Dad’s brother –he was
2 years older than Urbain).

Urbain Cote Eulogy

Message/Picture from Dick Johnson (68):

Gary and FriendsFirst of all, Mel Kuhn did a fine job assessing the Jamboree. The
“silver tongued devil” can’t improve on his message! I would like to
thank Mel for being our sound man and helping with set up and tear down,
which is a big job! I too, think it went well.

The enclosed picture is taken in about 1954. It is in the Methodist
church {stone church} and is probably the church choir except for my dad
who was Lutheran. I think the rest are Methodist? I can name most of the
folks but not all.

The folks I marked “unknown” are only unknown to me as most of you
probably know them. Thanks Gary!!

Dick

Back row L-R: Don Johnson, unknown, Gary Morgan, Don Hosmer, Alan
Campbell, unknown, Jerry Williams, Clark Crum, unknown.

Middle row: Florence Conroy, Jenny Cook, Inez Hosmer, Colleen Conroy,
Don Conroy, Rod Armentrout, unknown.

Front row: Unknown, Elsie Schneider, unknown, unknown, Millie Crum?,
Elaine Schneider.