3/23/2014 (1991)

Posted on March 23, 2014 by Gary

Pictures for ID

From Dale Pritchard (’63): Leesville, LA.

Gary,

In the first picture, I am trying to get some identification on the three girls on the right. What I do know is as follows: L-R Back Row: Shirley, Lorraine and Lois Pritchard (my sisters). Center Row: Darold Pritchard (my oldest bother), Patsy Smith (Doris Smith Pritchard’s sister) and (?). Front Row: John Pritchard (my next older brother), Dale Pritchard, (?) and (?). I believe the picture was taken “around” 1950 judging by own size.

In the second picture, the same three girls are located #5, 6 and 7 from the left. Again, the line up is Dale, Darold, Lois and John Pritchard, ?, ? and ?, and Patsy Smith.

Thanks for any help anyone can provide.

Dale Pritchard

Back: Shirely, Lorraine & Lois Pritchard

Center: Darold Pritchard, Patsy Smith and ?

Front: John Pritchard, Dale Pritchard, ? and ?

Dale, Darold, Lois and John Pritchard, ?, ? and ?, and Patsy Smith.

North Dakota, Parade of State Champions

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

Larry,

In the process of pasting pictures preparing yesterday’s blog, your pictures got replaced with that newspaper article. It is not something I do, it just happens. Most of the time I catch these errors, but yesterday I didn’t catch this error until I was posting the blog in our website.

So sorry for this error Larry.

Gary

Gary

I hope this note finds you and your family doing well.

I have to let everyone know that I will have two grandchildren marching in this years North Dakota, Parade of State Champions along with many other State High School Champions during the break between the North Dakota Class B Girls State Basketball Competitions being held at the Dome at Fargo, North Dakota. The parade will take place with introductions between the game for third place and the Final game for the ND Class B Girls State Championship.

Hope you all will be watching.

Proud Grandpa,

Larry

Wayne Johnson, Son of Beatrice Dailly (’38), Obituary.

I knew Wayne when I lived in Bremerton. I used to see him often when he worked at Lowe’s hardware store. Wayne and I had lots of nice chats with my many visits to Lowe’s. He was always very friendly and very helpful too.

Wayne’s mother, Beatrice, was a sister to Ernest Dailly. She too is such a nice friendly gal. She lives in the Oak Manor apartments in Bottineau.

Wayne wife’s (Joan Bergman Johnson) parents were Harold and Margaret Bergman, another nice family.

We extend our condolences to Joan, Beatrice and all of Wayne’s family with his passing. He will be missed.

Gary

Wayne Nilen Johnson

of Bremerton, WA

July 12, 1940

to March 12, 2014

Wayne Nilen Johnson was born in Bottineau, N.D. to Joseph and Beatrice Johnson. He was the oldest of eight children. He graduated from Bottineau High School, and then received his business certificate from college.

Wayne married Joan Bergman in September 1961. They moved to Bismarck, N.D. to start their new life together. While in Bismarck, N.D., they had two sons: Kirk and Craig. In November 1968, they ventured out West to Bremerton, Wash., where Wayne started his new job at the Kitsap Sun newspaper as credit manager, and later as an office manager. In 1989, he started his own excavating business.

Wayne was an active member of the Holy Trinity Catholic Church and enjoyed taking the Eucharist to shut-ins. He developed real friendships with those people. He was a very gregarious, gentle, and caring man with a sense of humor that most enjoyed. He was totally involved in his sons’ lives and was their best friend as they grew up. He coached Kirk’s little league baseball team and was active in Craig’s Boy Scout Group. Wayne enjoyed fishing, golfing, motorcycling, and in later years his golf cart enabled him to join our neighbors, children, and pets on our half-mile road.

Wayne passed away peacefully with his wife by his side. He was preceded in death by his father, Joseph. Wayne is survived by his wife, Joan; mother, Beatrice; sons, Kirk (Melissa) of Tacoma and Craig (Judy) of Gig Harbor; two grandsons, Nicholas and Kyle; seven siblings: Julie (Merle) Kroeplin, Gary (Marsha) Johnson, Patty (Arnie) Kleppe, Ryan (Bev) Johnson, Paul (Sharon) Johnson, Barton (Marina) Johnson, and Cathy (Mark) Brekke; plus five nieces and seven nephews.

There will be a funeral Mass at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church and celebration of life gathering, approximately the first week of May. Online memorial can be seen at www.tuellmckeebremerton.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to a charity of your choice in Wayne’s name or to “Disabled American Vets”

Book

Posting from Susan Fassett Martin (65): Spearfish, SD

This is a book that I have in my collection. Just thought people might be interested in seeing it.

Joke of the day

Posted by Don Malaterre (’71): Sioux Falls, SD.

Ole, an 80 year old man was having his annual checkup and the doctor asked him how he was feeling.

“I’ve never been better!” he boasted. “I’ve got an eighteen year old bride who’s pregnant and having my child! What do you think about that?”

The doctor considered this for a moment, then said, “Let me tell you a story. I knew a guy who was an avid hunter. He never missed a season. But one day went out in a bit of a hurry and he accidentally grabbed his umbrella instead of his gun.” The doctor continued, “So he was in the woods and suddenly a grizzly bear appeared in front of him! He raised up his umbrella, pointed it at the bear and squeezed the handle.”

“And do you know what happened?” the doctor queried.

Dumbfounded, Ole replied “No.”

The doctor continued, “The bear dropped dead in front of him!”

“That’s impossible!” exclaimed Ole. “Someone else must have shot that bear.”

“I think your catching on, Ole…” replied the doctor.

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Blog (55) posted on March 25, 2008

From Ardys Bakken Horner – Former Teacher:

Gary thanks for calling and starting this communication circuit. a big Hi to my former students when I taught 8th grade English and 7th
grade home economics. I think Mrs. Nelson was the main home ec teacher, they just gave me 7th grade to keep me happy. I wonder how many of you remember the incident of the dead baby rat quite frozen in my top drawer one day (right after lunch).!! i never did find out who found that poor little thing and left it for me to “notice” after roll call, i can still remember Dan Morgan chuckling about that one. Ardys

From Martha Lamb Schepp (68):

Dear Gary,

My e-mail has been down for some time. I enjoy the correspondence so much. I see back in January where you were asking if I knew about Lynne Abrahamson . I have talked with a couple aunts in the Turtle Mountains and they do not know a Lynne Abrahamson. There are Abrahamsons in the area that we are not related to .

On another note I would like to ask for prayers and concern for my brother Dean Lamb’s daughter, Felicia Marie Lamb. She was seriously hurt in a car accident in the Minneapolis suburb of Glencoe, Minn. on Friday morning. She was in a snowstorm and went into a skid and slid into a larger vehicle on a two lane and ended up rolling her car. Things have been touch and go this weekend but I think it was a better night last night. She has a bleed in her head, broken collar bone, punctured lung from broken ribs, fractured pelvis, she is on the ventilator, Thank goodness for seat belts or we may have lost her. To read about her progress you can go on website:
caringbridge.org/visit/feliciamarielamb Felicia plans to be married in Bottineau in June. Thanks for your concern.

I love the stories that are jogging our minds. Keep up the site. My husband and I are waiting to hear more about the cruise. We have been on one cruise and had a great time. An Alaskan cruise was one thing we were planning to do when we retired but we think it would be fun to go with people from Dunseith. (Retirement is still a ways away).

Martha Lamb Schepp

Replies from Paul Grossman (70):

Reply: To Sharon Longie Dana {73} Paul Grossman {70} Sharon you surely know what all older 3 grader boys say when they first see the new 1 grade girls and I quote [ Know there’s a new girl that needs a teeter- totter ride ] those were the days.

Reply: To Diane Larson{70} Paul Grossman {70} Diane Your memory is better than mine – I due remember the barn shaped house and the Fountain’s . There were alot of Sisters . They had a store next to the Fountain’s and Margate would spend alot of time there and that’s how I got to know them. The hoola hoops were always fun especially when the boys could beat the girls at there own game. Sister Pat doing fine- she lives south of Velva ND.

Reply: To Crystal Fassett Anderson {70} Paul Grossman {70} Crystal Thank You for the SPECIAL pictures I will always cherish them- The pictures that you all share are most likely the only ones that some of us will ever be blessed to see again. A simple Thank You is not even close enough, my most humble regards Paul [70}

Reply from Erling Landsverk (44):

HI GARY;

YOU ASKED ABOUT OUR HOME LOCATION, AND HERE GOES; WE LIVED IN BOTTINEAU COUNTY, OUR FARM BORDERED THE COUNTY LINE ON THE EAST. WE LIVED ABOUT 1 MILE WEST OF THE JOHNSON FARM THAT WAS LOCATED ON THE WEST SIDE OF WILLOW LAKE. WE ATTENDED DUNSEITH HIGH SCHOOL BECAUSE IT WAS MUCH CLOSER, BESIDES I LIKED DUNSEITH ALSO. NOT THAT BOTTINEAU WASN’T PLENTY O K, OUR FAMILY SEEMED TO KNOW MORE PEOPLE FROM DUNSEITH, AND OUR MAIL CARRIER (GLEN WILLIAMS) WAS ALSO FROM DUNSEITH, AND MY UNCLE BUILT THE DEPARTMENT STORE THAT WAS LATER KNOWN AS THE MYHRE DEPT STORE AND SO ON.

I DO REMEMBER A PART OF THE STOKES FAMILY COMING TO OUR HOME ONE EVENING, AND I REALLY DO NOT KNOW THE REASON OR THE OCASION BUT I DO KNOW MY PARENTS WERE VERY PLEASED WITH THE VISIT. I DO REMEMBER PLAYING SOFT BALL AT THE ACKWORTH SCHOOL AND THE RESULT WAS NOT GREAT FOR LOON LAKE SCHOOL # 2. THAT WAS O K OUR TEACHER ADAM LANG HAD MARRIED A HIATT GIRL, AND PERHAPS THAT WAS WHY WE HAD TO GO PLAY AND GET DEFEATED. INCIDENTALLY, I ATTENDED HIGH SCHOOL WITH A GREAT GIRL NAMED BETTY RADLEY, WHO WAS LIVING IN YOUR AREA I BELEIVE. AND I KNEW QUITE A FEW OF THE HIATT STUDENTS. ONE IN PARTICULAR WAS A GOOD FRIEND, AS THEY ALL WERE BUT WE KIND OF HIT IT OF QUITE WELL, AND THAT WAS NORMAN HIATT. I HOPE TO HEAR FROM SOME OF MY OLD FRIENDS, BUT AT MY AGE, PERHAPS SOME HAVE EITHER GONE TO THE PROMISED LAND OR HAVE MOVED AWAY. JUST THE SAME SHOOT ME A LINE OR TWO

KINDEST REGARDS

ERLING LANDSVERK

Erling, You mentioned knowing Norman Hiatt. He is now deceased, but all 4 of his children, Jim, Maryls, Vickie & Lori are all on this distribution list. Also, from the location of your home, It sounds like you would have lived about a half a mile north of the current Lester Halvorson farm. Lester & Dorothy’s daughter, Lynn, has been forwarding all these messages to her folks. You may remember some of the Halvorson’s. Gary

Question from Jan Bergan Evans (66):

Hi Gary I was wandering if anyone knows what happen to Jim and Judy Olson Olsen?? He was a business teacher in 1965 66 Thanks She also was a teacher but I can’t remember what she taught

Folks, LeaRae Parrill Espe was asking this same question a few months back. We have been unable to locate them. I noticed in the Dunseith book, James & Judith Olson were hired, as teachers, in 1966. Please let us know if any of you have any idea where Jim and Judy may be living these days. Gary

From Arlan Wenstad (64):

Hi gary me again. Do you remember when your dad and Therman Parrill had a head on car accident right at the Willow Lake school hill. We were playing ball at recess at the time, when we heard a crash. Good thing no body got killed,but pretty shaken up. I don’t remember what kind of cars they were driving, but they were both totaled out. Maybe it’s a good thing it happen there, because i’m sure they both slowed down because of school kids.

Arlan, I don’t remember that accident, but my dad wasn’t noted for being the best driver in the world. Since you guys were playing ball, this must have been in the spring or fall months. I do remember my dad having another accident on that same road, in the winter, with Johnny Lagerquist. That too was a pretty hard impact, but, as I remember, both cars were still drivable. I remember being in the car with that accident. I was about 5 years old at the time. A year or so later we had another accident when the train hit our car, near the cemetery, going into Bottineau. Our car was totaled in that accident. We were very lucky to be alive.

Evon Lagerquist, can you ask your mother if she remembers that accident? Clayton or LeaRae, Maybe you guys can ask Marie if she remembers the accident that my dad had with them too. Gary

Message/Pictures from Dick Johnson (68):

Gary and All Friends

I have enclosed a couple pictures taken at Lake Metigoshe in
about 1991. Dwane and Candice Getzlaff had a 50s night at the
drive in. We have a cabin just a short way up the road from
there and he asked me to bring one of my cars to help make the
night a sucess. The car is a 1956 Ford Crown Victoria. We got
into the swing of fifties clothes, at least my wife and
daughter did! When Jennifer asked me “how are you going to
dress Dad”?, I said “just put on a white T shirt and leave the
rest alone”!! I look like the fifties all the time!!! We had a
great time and several other guys brought out their old cars
too! I had this car for about 22 years and sold it to a very
good friend from St.John, just a couple of years ago. He really
wanted to have it and I was looking for something else anyway!
It has been really great hearing from more new people, please
keep the memories coming!! Thanks again Gary!

Dick

3/22/2014 (1990)

Posted on March 22, 2014 by Gary

No Blog yesterday

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

Gary

Happy Birthday Diane Millang Volk (DHS ’77): Sherwood, ND

Happy Birthday Julie Knox Seier (DHS ’82): Minot, ND

Dave and Winifred Eurich’s Granddaughter

Happy Birthday Wendy Strietzel: Minot, ND

Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Bottineau & Minot, ND

Carol Baker
(April 27, 1949 – March 18, 2014)

CAROL BAKER

Carol Baker, age 66 of Dunseith, died Tuesday in a Minot hospital. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday at 10:00 A.M. in the Earth/Eagleheart Cultural Center in Dunseith. A wake will be held on Monday, beginning at 4:00 P.M. in the Center. Burial will be in the Sunrise View Cemetery of rural Dunseith.

Carol Jean Baker, a daughter of Louis Deschamp and Mary Cecelia Day, was born on April 24, 1947 at Rolette. She was reared and educated in the Dunseith area. After her education, she remained in the Dunseith area. On June 1, 1987 she was married to Paul Baker at Belcourt. He passed away on March 7, 1997. Carol has continued to make Dunseith her home.

She enjoyed raising her children and grand children, traveling visiting with family and friends. Carol was a member of the Indian Alliance Church of rural Dunseith.

She is survived by daughters, Deloris Baker, Dora Roussin, Jessica St. Claire, Patricia Roussin, Miranda St. Claire and Felisha St. Claire; sons. Michael Baker, Kevin James, Christopher Baker, Leslie James Jr. and Tony Baker; 12 grandchildren; sisters, Alfreda Longie and Ginger Pawlak; many nieces and nephews.

Pictures from Dale Pritchard (’63): p Leesville, LA

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Blog (54) posted on March 24, 2008

Gary Stokes’ (65) reply to Rod Hiatt (69):

Rod, I can remember your dad, Howard Hiatt, being a power house batter at our annual Ackworth Alumni picnics that were held, annually, the first Sunday after the 4th of July at the Ackworth school. Traditionally the adults would play baseball after the meal. When your dad would get up to bat, it was very common for him to bat the ball deep into the woods of Margie Hiatt’s pasture to the west of the school grounds.

I can also remember your dad being a very skilled deer hunter too, with the annual deer hunting parties they used to have at the Harry Hiatt farm that was owned by Stanley & Alex Gilje and Carl Myre from Rolette. Your dad always got his deer the first day and then would fill a host of other tags for the rest of the hunting party. Traditionally they’d have 40 to 50 folks in that hunting party. I know your dad filled my dads tag with a deer many times. From what I understand, in our folks younger days, they used to get a deer or two or three or four with their trips, in the winter months, to get loads of hay from the stacks in the fields.

Gary

Reply from Dick Johnson (68):

Gary and Friends

I remember the 60 Chevy that Dave Wurgler owned. It was a white
two door hardtop and I think Bob Peterson did buy it after Dave
traded it in. I currently am building a 409 engine with three
deuces to put in a 1951 Merc two door. The car is going to
Minot shortly for a four inch top chop at Nodak Classics. Stan
Saylor, a good friend of mine, is a master at chops. He is in
the Dakota Cruisers car club, of which I believe Arlan Wenstad
is also a member.I’m sorry if this email sounds “Greek” to some
of you, but my fellow gearheads know what I’m refering to!! I
think that the 58 Pointiac that Dave and later Billy Satrang
owned also had a green insert on the side, which had a row of
stars running the length of it. Does my memory serve me
correctly? Happy motoring!!

Thanks Gary!!

Dick

Gary Stokes’ (65) reply to Erling Landsverk’s (44) letter to the National Geographic Society attached yesterday:

Erling, What a wonderfully written letter to the National Geographic Magazine. Did you get a reply from them or better yet, I’m hoping they published it? You have described North Dakota and the people living in the state well and without exaggeration. Where in the Turtle Mountains did you live? I lived in the Ackworth community. Our farm was locate 5 miles west of the Peace Garden. We could see the Arnold Zeiler farm located on the SW corner of the Peace Garden 4 miles to the East and about 1 mile north from our place. Gary

From Larry Hackman (66):

This article was in the Bismarck Tribune a while back. The orgin of the nameing of Rolette County. The author of this story has several stories of North Dakota history in his web site.

larry

3/20/2014 (1989)

Posted on March 20, 2014 by Gary

Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Bottineau & Minot, ND

Carol Baker
(April 27, 1949 – March 18, 2014)

Send Flowers Send Sympathy Card
Sign Guest Book

CAROL BAKER

Carol Baker, age 66 of Dunseith, died Tuesday at a Minot hospital. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday at 10:00 A.M. in the Earth/Eagleheart Cultural Center in Dunseith. A wake will be held on Monday beginning at 4:00 P.M. in the Center. Burial will be in the AllianceCemetery of rural Dunseith

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Blog (53) posted on March 23, 2008

Folks,

Again, I’d like to remind everyone that I reply to or include in the daily messages each and every email message I receive from you folks. If you don’t see your message or if you have not gotten a reply from me, then I have not seen your message. You can use anyone of my 3 email addresses to send messages. I have discovered that a very small fraction of email does not get delivered with no reply letting the sender know that it did not get delivered.

Please keep these message coming. It’s so nice hearing from each and everyone of you.

Gary

Former Teacher – Ardys Bakken Horner:

When I called Marsha Getzlaff Bakken, putting the class list of 74 together, she mention that Mrs. Bakken had been a school teacher in Dunseith. Marsha gave me her phone number, so I called her. Mrs. Bakken was hired at Dunseith in 1968. She taught 2 years at Dunseith followed with another 3 years teaching at Belcourt. She taught 8th grade English. Her husband was the pastor of the Lutheran church in Dunseith.

Talking with Ardys, she told me that she has remained in communication with a lot of the Dunseith folks over the years. She mentioned a lot of you folks that are on this distribution list and she especially remembers the folks from Pam Fugere’s class and that would have been the class of 73. Putting the math together, she would have had the class of 74 too, the following year. Gary

Ardys’ address: Ardys Bakken Horner, 14144 Fox Lake Rd, Detroit Lakes, MN 56511. Phone (218) 847-1483

Susan Malaterre Johnson’s (69) Message & reply to Picture:

Hi, Ask Debbie and Bev Morinville if they remember making “mud pies” out side of the city hall when we met some real rock band members. We grew up withing sec.s and tried to push our pies aside. I never made the concert because my Grandmother, Amy Bradford, would not let me out. I heard that they had an wonderful time. Susan Johnson

What beautiful children. If only we could compare the best of times to today, They may have more opp. and be beyond us, but do to the whole package, we win. S malaterre

From Keith Pladson (66):

Gary,
It’s really enjoyable reading all your emails about Dunseith and the input from fellow alumni of DHS. A big kudo to you for getting this started and keeping it going. Please continue it.

Now, a response to a couple of recent inputs.

First to Mr. Allen Richard.
I don’t remember you, and you probably don’t remember me. However, as a fellow alumni, it sounds like you’ve done well. Congratulations.

I don’t personally share your reverence for Mr. William Jefferson Clinton and quite possibly don’t share your views on politics in general. (I happen to believe “global warming,” gas prices and our economy would be pretty much the same today regardless of who is sitting in the White House!) But, one of the things my dearly departed mother used to tell my siblings and I when we were young, was that the quickest way to ruin a good relationship was to start discussing “politics” or religion.” With many years of living behind me and upon reflection of that lifetime, I have to agree with her. So please, with all due respect, lets not make this a political forum and ruin a good thing.

To Russell and Glenda Fauske.
Do you have any photos of the “Fauske Fiddlers” you are willing to share with all? I’ve had the pleasure of hearing you and your sons play a couple of times and really enjoyed it.
Keith Pladson (66)

From Sharon Longie Dana (73):

message for Paul Grossman

what ever happened to your brothers Peter and
Parrill??? where are they now?? I remember riding
bikes with them and playin softball.

From Erling Landsverk (44):

GARY STOKES:

THANK YOU FOR THE GREAT COVERAGE OFTHE ALUMNI OF DHS, AND THE SURROUNDING AREA.

I TOO AM A FORMER RESIDENT AND STUDENT AT DHS, BUT I WOULD HAVE GRADUATED IN 1944, ALONG WITH MY COUSIN HOWARD, HAD I REMAINED IN NORTH DAKOTA, BUT MY FAMILY MOVED TO WISCONSIN IN 1943, SO I COMPLETED MY LAST YEAR OF HIGH SCHOOL IN WISCONSIN.

HOWEVER I HAVE NEVER FORGOTTEN OR FAILED TO RETURN FROM TIME TO TIME TO THAT WONDERFUL PART OF THE COUNTRY, AS A MATTER OF FACT I WAS PRESENT AT THE LAST ALL SCHOOL REUNION IN 2007, AND HAD THE TIME OF MY LIFE. IN ORDER THAT YOU MIGHT KNOW THE EXTENT OF MY REGARD FOR NORTH DAKOTA, I HAVE TAKEN THE LIBERTY OF ATTACHING A LETTER THAT I SENT TO NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC, CONCERNING AN ARTICLE THEY PRINTED IN THE JANUARY ISSUE ON PAGE 140. I HOPE THAT I GET A CHANCE TO MEET YOU, BUT AS MIGHT EXPECT, I AM IN MY EIGHTIES, ANDI HAVE REASONABLE HEALTH, BUT ITS A LITTLE TOUGHER TO GET AROUND THAN IT USED TO BE.

THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THE GREAT E MAIL

KINDEST REGARD

ERLING LANDSVERK

Rod Hiatt’s (69) reply to Dick Johnson (68):

Dicks recollection of my baseball incident jarred my memory (not quite as
much as the ball did). The only 2 things that I remember about that, was
when they were hauling me back to my house, when I came to, I heard
Carmen Meyers tell them to push my eye back in as it was falling out (not
a good thought to wake up to) and the nurse asking me if I was trying to
be another Mickey Rooney (I think she may have meant Mickey Mantel) but
then again she may have seen me play ball and the Mickey Rooney thing
was probably closer.
I also got hit in that same lot by the Catholic church by a golf ball
hit by Mark Schimitz. I must have been a good target.

Dave Wurgler’s (64) reply to Dick Johnson (68):

HEY–Dick Johnson: wow 58 chev with 348, that was big and a baby to the 409 for seventy seven dollars you stole that son of a@@##HHHtch. Still had that car, worth big bucks. When I left Dunseith I had traded my 58 Pontiac with Joe Speath as the salesman for Theels for a 60 Impala 2 dr ht and Billy Satrang bought the the Pontiac and when I got to Rugby the little chev wasn’t fast enough so I traded for a 63 SS 409 which held its grounds until the muscle cars became the power so I retired the 409 and went top dog. Today the 409 is worth about thirty to forty grand. make a long story short seventy seven dollars wasn’t a bad investment. I think Bobby Peterson. Sharons brother ended up with my 60 Impala. Happy Day everyone.———-Dave Wurgler

Mark Schimetz’s (70) Reply to Dave Wurgler (64):

Dave, I just had to comment on the Star Chief I bet that baby screamed!!

See!, I had a 57 Pontiac Star Chief, with a 347 ci. 4bbl carb and 4 speed automatic transmission, and as you said it wasn’t slow shifting after the rpms came on, Best car I ever had, heater cores under the seat, windows wouldn’t even frost windows on the coldest winter days,,,,,, but that was kind of embarrassing sometimes. Auto emoticon

I had Gary Pigeon work the engine and tune it. The ribbon would run out of room as it turned red across the speed-o-meter, and was still climbing. Imagine, on F78 bias ply tires. Auto emoticon

I missed the purchase of two of them one a 4dr. the other a 2 door,, by hours.

I have had GTX’s, Roadrunners, Impala’s SS models, 4 Pontiacs, and more but that 57 Starchief was always my favorite of them all. It was a 4dr hdtp and I traded a 60 Chevy impala convertible to Lawrence (junior) Hettle for the Starchief. I saw and visited with him and his brothers for several hours after his mothers funeral. I told him I would trade him again the same way. He said he would take the same trade again, I don’t think anyone could have been happier about a trade of vehicle.

Messages from Bev Morinville Azure (72):

Happy Easter to u all, Paul Grossman WOW talk about a blast from the past……. we always had so much fun with u Grossman boys I will always remember u guys on May day and we would always swear that this year u wouldn’t catch us and we tryed to be so dang sneaky but u guys always came up with the most cleaver ways to catch us. Would be a blast to see u guys again. Were are u all at.. Did u remember having all those dances at our house? Hope things are great for u I think about u guys so often . Bev Morinville ( Azure)

Sharon Longie please email me at my personal e mail addy ok ndgal1953@yahoo .com i would love to reconnect with u have thought about u so many times during the years.. Bev

From Dave Slyter (70):

Gary and all DHS Alumni:

Hope your Easter is a blessed one with family and friends. Fargo has 6 inches of fresh new snow. But hey, its 36 above. ha

Dave Slyter (70)

3/19/2014 (1988)

Posted on March 19, 2014 by Gary

Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Bottineau & Minot, ND

Lillian Allard
(Died March 16, 2014)

Send Flowers Send Sympathy Card
Sign Guest Book

Lillian Allard, age 86 of Bottineau, died Sunday at a Bottineau nursing home. Funeral mass will be held on Friday at 11:00 am at the St. Mark’s Catholic Church in Bottineau. Visitation will be Thursday from 1:00 pm until 9:00 pm with a prayer service at 7:00 pm all at the Nero Funeral Home in Bottineau. Burial will be at the Notre Dame Catholic Cemetery at Willow City.

Lillian Rita Allard, a daughter of Noe and Alma Cote, was born on January 19, 1928 at Willow City. She was reared there and graduated from the Notre Dame Academy in 1946. On November 4, 1947, she married William Allard at Willow City. They made their home at Overly. They retired from farming in 2002 and in 2003 they moved into Bottineau. One year later, they entered the Bottineau Good Samaritan center. Bill passed away on September 8, 2008.

She was a member of the Notre Dame Catholic Church in Willow City where she was a member of the Altar Society. She later became a member of St. Mark’s Catholic Church in Bottineau. She was also a member of the Overly Homemakers and T.O.P.S.

She is survived by her daughters, Judy Allard of Bottineau, Susan (Leland) Larshus of Bottineau, Lori (Al) Scheirlinck of Boissevain, Manitoba, and Renae (John) Steinauer of Bellevue, NE; 6 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; one brother, LeRoy Cote and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her son, Leslie Allard; 4 brothers and 4 sisters.

Arrangements were with the Nero Funeral Home in Bottineau. Friends may sign the online register book at www.nerofuneralhome.net.

Clayton (Kick) McKay’s Grandson, Michael James Rameden Obituary

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

Michael James Rameden

Birth Date:	November 7, 1991
Place of Birth:	Maddock, North Dakota
Date Departed:	March 16, 2014
Resided:	Ray, North Dakota
Age:	22

Michael James Rameden, 22, of Ray, ND, died Sunday morning, March 16, 2014 in a tragic automobile vehicle accident, west of Williston, ND.

His funeral will be celebrated Friday morning, March 21, 2014, at 11:00 a.m. at the old Ray High School Gym. Pastor Steve Anderson will officiate and interment will take place sometime in the spring at Persilla Watts Cemetery in Rugby, ND.

Michael was born November 7, 1991 in Maddock, ND to Jerry and Cleo (McKay) Rameden. He was raised in Maddock, until age six when he went to live with his mom, south of Ray. He attended Harney School, switching to the Ray School for sixth grade. He graduated from Ray High School with the Class of 2010. Mike loved football and was the quarterback and a running back for Williams County Firestorm, and also played basketball and ran track for Ray. He was also a member of the student council, and was a honor student, a tech guy for plays put on at the school.

After school he attended Bismarck State College for two years and NDSU in Fargo for a year. He worked at the Buckle while in Bismarck, a job that totally fit Michael’s love for clothes. He like to look good and was always well dressed. During these years, you would find Michael at the gym, at work or school.

Michael was a perfectionist, took good care of his things, and liked everything to be orderly. He even his kept his work truck clean and neat. He wasn’t afraid to try anything new, and always leapt at the opportunity for a new task at work.

Mike enjoyed the outdoors and activities outside such as paint ball and snowmobiling, although he could also play video games indoors for hours too.

Michael loved his family and friends dearly, and they loved and adored him. He was very good with his nieces and nephews, a loving brother, uncle and son. Michael had a big heart and always looked out for those in need, whether it be ensuring less fortunate students didn’t get picked on or wearing a snazzy red dress while raising money for Relay for Life.

In March of 2013 he met a wonderful young lady, a nursing student in Bismarck, Andrea Boerger. They were currently engaged to be married.

Surviving Mike are his family: father, Jerry Rameden of Maddock; mother, Cleo Rameden of Ray; his three brothers, Clinton (Angela) McKay of Williston, Clifton (Jeanette) Rameden of Rugby, and Joseph (Courtney) Rameden of Maddock; grandma, Mary Jane Armstrong of Rugby; grandpa, Clayton McKay of Dunseith; his fiancee, Andrea Boerger of Bismarck; eight nieces and two nephews, Kendra, Krystal, LaRissa, Kaitly, Mckayla, Dillon, Kyler, Kelsey, Taya and Alyssa; one grand-niece and one grand-nephew.

He was preceded in death by his grandma, Mary Ann Dosch, grandpa, Joe Rameden; and his great-grandparents.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Relay for Life or the charity of one’s choice.

Friends may call at the Everson Funeral Home Thursday from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. and Friday at the old gym for the hour preceding the funeral.

The Everson Funeral Home of Williston is caring for the family.

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

Gary
I had to forward this note and pictures of my 3 year old grandson.
Isaiah loves super heroes.
Larry

————————————————–
From: “Lynn Hackman”

> Went into Isaiah’s room after naptime and he had on his “jet pack” he told
> me! Flash unders!

Joke of the day

Posted by Keith Pladson (’66): Roanoke Rapids, NC

Six retired Irishmen were playing poker in O’Leary’s apartment when Paddy Murphy loses $500 on a single hand, clutches his chest, and drops dead at the table. Showing respect for their fallen brother, the other five continue playing standing up.

Michael O’Conner looks around and asks, “Oh, me boys, someone’s got to tell Paddy’s wife. Who will it be?”

They drew straws. Paul Gallagher picks the short one. They tell him to be discreet, be gentle, don’t make a bad situation worse.

“Discreet??? I’m the most discreet Irishman you’ll ever meet. Discretion is my middle name. Leave it to me.”

Gallagher goes over to Murphy’s house and knocks on the door. Mrs. Murphy answers, and asks what he wants.

Gallagher declares, “Your husband just lost $500 and is afraid to come home.”

“Tell him to drop dead!” says Murphy’s wife.

“I’ll go tell him,” says Gallagher.

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

Blog (52) posted on March 22, 2008

From Dick Johnson (68):

Gary and all

I hope you all have a Happy Easter with friends and family!!

Dick

From Sharon Longie Dana (73):

Hi Gary,

This has been great remembering some of the
Dragon Days” I agree with Paul ONCE A DRAGON ALWAYS A
DRAGON

This message is actually for Paul…I remember you my
first day of school…..you gave me my first teeter tot
ride……I thought you were awesome. ( :0 )

Message to Bev Morinville Azure.
Hang in there you’re almost done. You were always a
survivor and you can get thru this. Thoughts and
prayers are with you each day. I have many memories of
you, me, Wanda, Vickie, Brenda, and Marsha. Those
were the days.

Sharon Longie Dana

Reply from Allen Richard (65):

I keep that picture in my office. I live in a community overrun by Republicans. I use it as a reality check–like how much was gas when Bill was in office? I don’t know, but it costs Susan and me $500 a month to commute these days–up from $175 when we moved here.

I was first elected to the legislature in ’76 and left in ’90. I first met Clinton in the mid ’80s when he was keynote speaker at the Democratic Convention in Fargo, and several times while I lived in DC. That picture was taken at the White House in ’93 when I was a lobbyist for National Farmer’s Union. The woman in the picture was my boss, Barbara Webb. Clinton hosted a meeting with all of the Farmers Union state presidents and the DC office staff. The meeting was about NAFTA—he didn’t agree with what we had to say. His side won–our side was right.

Allen

Diane Larson Sjol”s (70) Reply to Paul Grossman (70):

To Paul Grossman

Paul,
Do you remember the Larson kids that lived in the house shaped like a
barn next to yours and across from the Fontaine’s. I remember your
sister Patty, you (you were in my class) and Peter and Parrell. We
had great fun playing at your house and climbing trees in your
yard….I remember playing with hoola hoops and Sister Rose marching
over to us and telling us we shouldn’t be moving our bodies like
that…it was sinful… We were in the 3rd grade and didn’t have a
clue what she was talking about. Your yard seemed a bit closed in
with trees and hedges (?) so I remember playing with them over there
so she wouldn’t see us. We didn’t want to go to hell! How is your
sister these days and where is she?

Diane (Larson) Sjol

From Glenda (Russell 64) Fauske – The Fauske Fiddler Concert:

Note: Russell & Glenda’s boy’s, Tyrell & Austin Fauske, are the Fauske Fiddlers.

Check out their WEB Site http://www.fauskefiddlers.com/ Gary

Greetings Folks,

I thought some of you may be interested in attending the Fauske
Fiddler concert at the capitol in Bismarck on Sunday, March 30,
2008, at 2 p.m. We hope some of you can make it!

Fauske Fiddlers Honor Lincoln’s Legacy

The Fauske Fiddlers of Bottineau and John Halone of Rolla on
guitar will perform a variety of old-time folk music at 2 p.m.
on Sunday, March 30, 2008, in the Auditorium at the State
Historical Society on the capitol grounds in Bismarck. The free
public concert is part of the Sensational Sunday Performances in
the music month of March, and will honor President Abraham
Lincoln’s Legacy in North Dakota.

President Lincoln did some things that greatly impacted North
Dakota. In 1861, he appointed his personal physician, Dr.
William Jayne, to be the first governor of Dakota Territory.
Lincoln signed the Homestead Act in 1863 that offered a quarter
section of land free to anyone, including women, who could meet
the requirements. In 1864, Lincoln also signed the bill to
build a transcontinental railroad across the northern part of
the United States. In about 30 years, Dakota Territory changed
from an unknown frontier with just a few people to the State of
North Dakota full of people, farms, ranches and towns.

The settlers who arrived were mostly Norwegians and Germans,
with a few from other countries also suffering from drought or
depression. Many were young and single, and missed their
family, homeland, and traditions. Only the most precious things
could be brought, and they brought their fiddles, which were
small, light weight and could go anywhere. The Fauske Fiddlers
will play a variety of old-time fiddle tunes, including waltzes,
polkas and reels that were brought to North Dakota by the
settlers. The program will also include a few of President
Lincoln’s favorites, such as the Battle Hymn of the Republic,
Dixieland, Aura Lee, Nellie Gray and the beautiful, haunting
melody of Ashokan Farewell.

This concert is set at the beginning of North Dakota’s
observance of the bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln’s birth on
February 12, 2008. The state’s commemoration will be held in
conjunction with the official national observance, which begins
began on February 12 and continues through February 12, 2010.

###

The Lazy RF Ranch (701) 263-4742
Russell and Glenda Fauske
RR 1 Box 139
Dunseith ND 58329

Picture from Crystal Fassett Anderson (70):

I thought Paul & Randy would enjoy this picture”from our younger days” Crystal

Picture L to R:

Front: Gordon Fuchs, Roxanne Fuchs & Laurie Evans

2nd: Jeff Evans, Bob Mongeon, Randy Flynn, Paul Grossman & Rod Hiatt

Back: Colette Pigeon, Stephanie Evans, Randine Fuchs, Crystal Fassett, Pennie Kester, Dennis Dion, Holly Myer,

Cheryl Kester & Paula Fassett

3/18/2014 (1987)

Posted on March 18, 2014 by Gary

Happy Birthday Jay (Betty Watschke DHS ’45) Cooley: Redmond, WA

Dunseith Drive In

Reply from Dick Johnson (’68): Dunseith, ND

Gary and Friends,

The Drive In in Dunseith has been a going concern for over 50
years now. I remember when Curt was building it so I suppose that’s
makes me old? One experience I had at the place was early on when Pam
Fassett was there her first day as an employee. We’re family as Pam’s
mom and my grandmother are sisters so I don’t think she’ll mind if I
tell a cute story about her first day on the job. I was surprised when
she came to the window to wait on me on a hot summer day. I asked her
if she would make me a chocolate malt and she did. She mixed it real
well on the mixer and made sure it was thoroughly mixed by going around
and around in the bottom of the paper malt cup. I paid and thanked her
and then jumped back into my car with my malt. When I sat down, the
whole bottom fell out of the cup and dumped my malt in my lap! I had to
get back out and try not to let the malt get on the seat. She saw what
happened and felt terrible but I had vinyl seats so it was just to go
home and put on a different pair of jeans. I just laughed it off but it
didn’t make poor Pam feel much better.

My old buddy Mel Kuhn and I sometimes travel around the area and
once and a while eat at the Drive In on our way through. One day last
summer we were there and Mel noticed that they no longer had three sizes
of cups for beverages. The sign said they only have medium and large
drinks so Mel, in his wisdom, said to the young gal, “Then you only
have small and large drinks.” She said, “No we have medium and large
drinks.” Mel said, “Well then, wouldn’t your medium be your small
drink when you only have two sizes?” She just stood there blank. Some
things just go over some people’s heads I guess. Of course Mel doesn’t
mind messing with other people’s minds either. Her blank look cracked
me up.

The Drive In opened on about this past Friday and I had a Jumbo
there on Saturday. It was just as good as ever. Larry Hackman—eat
your heart out–you won’t find one that good in Bismarck!

Thanks Gary!

Dick

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

Blog (51) posted on March 21, 2008

From Paul Grossman (70):

Gary

Hi this is Paul Grossman [70] I just wanted to stop, by to say HI to-all- I have surely enjoyed the a-mails and the return replies. As Randy put it , this is a great platform for Dunseithians to continue to communicate. We all know that he was always trying to communicate with Crystal but she was just always a step ahead of him. Those were the days . Ha Ha. Its been lots of fun sending and receiving e-mails from old friends. Growing up in Dunseith was great fun but leaving in the 9 grade was heart-breaking- one thought his world was falling apart. Life makes many turns, as we all know-These e-mails have giving me lots of added joy and I know that I will be stopping by more often – to say HI or just put in my 2 cents as I have limited memories- BUT ONCE A DRAGON ALWAYS DRAGON. New friends are nice to meet but old friends are ALWAYS TO KEEP. By the way Randy’s story about the play and fire extinguisher does not surprise me any, as he and Duane were always into something , as was I. I think we all can remember or would like to remember that those days were different and special [all wrapped up together.] Best Regards to all Paul [70]

From Diane Fugere (75):

Gary:

I sent the story below to Bev Morinville Azure then to Dick Johnson and he
asked that I send it on to you:

Bev:

Hey, talking about your dad reminds me of when I was a “chef” at Dales Café,
many, many moons ago. Your dad ordered burnt toast, so I made “dark” toast.

He sent it back and said “burnt”, so I made it a little darker, he sent it
back and said “burnt”. So finally I burnt it, he was happy.

I think of your dad every time I make the toast even a little too dark.

Diane Fugere

Diane, Please continue to include us with your memories. Gary

From Arlan Wenstad (64):

Thanks Gary for putting in my story about Dave Wurgler. Thinking about the Lansdverk’s, I think it was around 64 or 65 Rodger was hit by a car crossing the street from the AC bar he was hit so hard that his shoes were still at the place of impact, and dragged several feet where he was picked and hauled to Bottineau hospital. They didn’t expect him to live, but we always said he had nine lives. Nels Lansdverk was a neighbor and I stayed there a lot of times went to Willow Lake School together. Maybe this isn’t to important, but it happened in Dunseith. Thanks again Gary

Arlan, Each of these memories are equally important for all of us to enjoy. Future generations will love us for having documented all these memories of history. Gary

From Dick Johnson (68):

Gary and friends

When I was between my sophomore and junior years in high
school, Theels in Dunseith had a lot behind Alvin Moe’s gas
station. Joe Spaeth was the salesman. He took in a 1958 Chevy
Bel Air two door hardtop on trade. I wanted that car so bad but
didn’t have the $500 they were asking. He let several people
try it out and one time it came back with the engine knocking!
This was my chance. Joe said he would let it go for a hundred
bucks, AS IS! I sat down in his little office and started the
old routine of [I’ll use the term- Negotiating] for this
message! I told Joe I had $77 to my name. He said OK and
started to write up a sales slip. He put down, Purchase Price
$77, Sales tax $4, Title $2, Etc. I said, “Joe I have $77.” He
cussed and ripped up the slip and started over from the bottom
up. He said if it got any cheaper he could just as well give me
the #(&%^@ thing. John Bogus and I towed it to our garage
behind the lumber yard and started tearing it down. I put in a
rod bearing and a rod cap and a new oil pump. We fired it up
and it ran like a new one. The engine was a big 348, Chevy’s
biggest engine at that time. I drove that car on weekends
mostly, because it was tough on gas. I got race fever from that
car and even though I was only 16, there wasn’t anyone around
who I wouldn’t dare race! This went on for quite a while until
one day Frank Evans came back from working in Minnesota with a
Pontiac GTO. I hadn’t seen a Pontiac yet that could beat my
Chevy so when Frank grinned and said “want to run it?”, I
said “sure, why not.” He left me so fast that I thought my car
stopped!! I felt like one of those old boxers that gets back in
the ring and gets knocked cold by the new kid!! I sold the car
to Randy Kelly for $75 and later he sold it to a guy from
Belcourt. They left Dunseith and rolled it before they got to
Belcourt. End of an era, I guess!

Thanks Gary.

Dick

Gary Stokes’ (65) reply to Colette Hosmer (64):

Colette,

Those were some geat pictures you sent from China. Thank you for taking the time to share them with us. How much longer do you plan on being in China? Has Jan been there the whole time with you? When you get back, please fill us in on your trip.

Gary

Picture taken in 1964 or 65:

31 Jim Berube, 23 warren Anderson, 35 Ken Nerpel, 45 Tom Evans, 33 Allen, Houle, 13 Jay Vanory, Coach Gene Hepper

41 Alan Boguslawski, 21 Mitch Evenson, 25 Dwain Gooden, 15 Carmen Myer, 11 Donald Mongeon, 43 Larry Hackman

Folks, this is another picture I found in my archives.

Allen Richard (65) was in the North Dakota State senate for I think about 12 years.

Allen was also a teacher at DHS for a few years. The folks from the classes of

74 & 75 have told me they remember Allen well, as being their teacher.

Allen currently is living in Midland MI. Gary

3/17/2014 (1986)

Posted on March 17, 2014 by Gary

No Blog yesterday

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

Gary

Happy Birthday Doreen Bailey: Tempe, AZ

Happy Birthday to Cheryl Haagenson (’71)

From EdnaMae Nelson Olufson-Smith: Edmonds, WA

Hi to Cheryl Haagenson – and Margaret? old days at Rendahl and in the hills on the Willow Lake road? Happy birthday from EdnaMae Nelson Olufson-Smith

Dunseith Drive in Story

Posted by LeaRae Parrill Espe (67): Bottineau, ND

Hello LeaRae,

This message went to my spam and I missed it until now. Is it by chance from you? The from address got dropped so I don’t know who it came from. I do know that it is from someone in the Class of 67 though.

Thanks,

Gary

LeaRea’s Reply:

Yes the story on the Dunseith  Drive In was from me. Thanks for posting it now.

Nearly every day there is something I could or should respond to. I loved the haying stories. Terry and I both have a few of those also. Terry, his mom (Frances) and sister Claudia had to do the haying alone several summers.   (Elmer was working at the air base. Orvin Hagen, Warren Schneider and Elmer carpooled. They left around 5AM and weren’t home again until late, tried to get a few winks and back with the same the next day for five or six days a week. Big brother Dennis was either at summer school or in Mountain Iron, MN working in the iron mines.)

They stacked the Seim meadow and were very proud of their accomplishment until Elmer informed them the stacks may be too big to move.

Say hello to Bernadette. I am hoping things will stabilize and you can all enjoy

Bernie’s visit.    LeaRae

.

LeaRea’s Dunseith Drive In Store:

In reply to Larry Hackman’s recollection of the Dunseith Drive In . It was built by Clifford and Curt Halvorson. Curt was my first boss and he trained me in about two or three days. Working at the Drive In was not Curt’s favorite thing. On day three or so Curt thought I had things under control and told me he was going home for awhile. Shortly, a whole bus load of people drove up. I was making malts and flipping hamburgers as fast as I could. (I bet there were a few undercooked items that day, oh well ,no harm done, didn’t hear of any sickness or death). Later, he came back and asked why didn’t you call me and I answered that I was too busy to even think of it. Anyway, I believe it was the next year Elve Fuchs bought it and like Larry said they ran it through the 60s until Patti Metcalfe Coleman Woods bought it. and later Reid.

I worked there for Curt with Bertha Myers and Thelma Johnson. We had a blast. Thelma was very particular on keeping the grill clean and the grease clean. Bertha not so much. I remember I loved to make those soft serve cones. I am sure Curt lost money on the first wave of 10 centers I put out. I remember making a larger one for Elwood Fauske on a hot breezy 90 degree type day. As he walked away it slid right off the cone. I hope I made him a new one. The first time someone ordered a shrimp basket , I made a mistake and made a shrimpburger. Curt told me to eat it and I asked if I had to eat all my mistakes and he said no, but you will like this and he was right, those were the best shrimpburgers.

I remember working during the noon hour my junior year as I came in tardy a few times tardy to Mr. Dietz’s chemistry class. I don’t think many kids could afford to eat out and skip the 20c lunch cooked by Stella Schmeitz. Who would even think of missing that lunch?. ( It was mostly adults who ate there at noon at the drive in if I remember correctly ) Stella’s cooking was so awesome. I remember sitting across from Deverde Nicklaus at the Bottineau school lunch room. He had taught in Dunseith before here and he couldn’t believe what he was expected to eat-glued together macaroni and cheese. He just shook his head and stated the two best cooks were his wife and Stella.

Before Stella we had Mrs. Knudson. She was from Norway and went back to be with her children after my 9th grade. She was a good cook also, but Stella really spiced it up. Hot lunches started my first grade year (55-56). We brought sack lunches the first couple of weeks and then Mrs. Knudson came.

Joke of the day

Posted by Mel Kuhn (’70): St. John, ND

In a tiny village on the Irish coast lived an old lady, a virgin, and very proud of it. Sensing that her final days were rapidly approaching, and desiring to make sure everything was in proper order when she dies, so she went to the town’s undertaker (who also happened to be the local postal clerk) to make proper “final” arrangements.

As a last wish, she informed the undertaker that she wanted the following inscription engraved on her tombstone:

“BORN A VIRGIN, LIVED AS A VIRGIN, DIED A VIRGIN”

Not long after, the old maid died peacefully. A few days after the funeral, as the undertaker/postal clerk went to prepare the tombstone that the lady had requested, it became quite apparent that the tombstone she had selected was much too small for the wording that she had chosen. He thought long and hard about how he could fulfill the old maid’s final request considering the very limited space available on the small piece of stone.For days, he agonized over the dilemma, but finally his experience as a postal worker allowed him to come up with what he thought was the appropriate solution to the problem.

The virgin’s tombstone was finally completed and duly engraved, and it read as follows:

“RETURNED UNOPENED”

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

Blog (50) posted on March 20, 2008

From Janice Leonard Workman (56):

Gary,

hi, I am missing #35, 38 and 48. If you could send them I would be grateful. Bonnie mentioned that we babysat when we were younger. What she didn’t say was we did it for 25 cents an hour. And also speaking of Gerald Anderson, I ran into him at a hotel (bar) in Portland about 3 years ago. My group of Red Hatters took the train from Tacoma to Portland for an overnight trip. I was standing at the bar (of the hotel we stayed) ordering a last drink during Happy Hour and this man asked how the group got down to Portland . When I said by train, he said he hadn’t ridden on a train for 30 years, and I told him that I hadn’t either and the last time I was on the train I went to Dunseith, ND. He said he only knew 2 people from Dunseith and he was one of them. Turned out to be Gerald. We had a good visit but I neglected to get his address or phone number.

Dick Johnson, one of the girls in the second picture you sent (#49) is Audrey Hassen and I think one is a Sunderland girl.

Thanks again Gary , this is so fun to ready every morning. Janice Leonard Workman

Janice, We have two Gerald Anderson’s in our Alumni. One graduated in 1958 and the other in 1961. I have pasted their contact info below. Mark’s Brother Gerald graduated in 1961. He has email and is on our distribution list. Mark (65) (deceased) and Gerald’s (61) parents were the former owners of the hardware store. Gary

26	Anderson	Gerald	5765 Madisonville Rd	Hopkinsville, KY 42240	(270) 886-4311	No email address	58
27	Anderson	Gerald	9207 Palm Shores Dr	Spring, TX 77379	(281) 379-1071	sander0216@aol.com	61

Reply from Diane Larson Sjol (70):

Looking at that picture of the kids in the back of the truck…amazing
…no seatbelts! It is a wonder any of us survived…..hey, those
were the days and growing up in the 50s and 60s when kids still played
outside

I remember sitting on top of the coolers in Joe’s grocery store with
Debbie and eating these cookies that were covered with marshmallow and
coconut and thinking we were pretty cool because Joe let us have
anything we wanted and for FREE! I also remember my Aunt Lee letting
me work with her in the back of their grocery store (Hosmers) when I
was about 10 getting veggies ready for the shelf. And walking through
the back door in Krystal’s cafe where Francis Morinville worked.
She’d give us a cookie or a drink and out we’d go. We pretty much had
the run of the town. Everyone looked out for everyone else. Man,
those were the days

Bev Morinville Azure’s (70) reply to Cheryl Larson Dakin (71):

Cheryl, I remember well going to the park to play and that kool aid was awful ….But I am thinking it was the way we may have mixed it lol maybe we didn’t read how to mix it or did we bring a measuring cup along ? lol I remember the week our folks let us 4 girls spend the whole week alone up at the lake in your trailer home they had up here I think that was the very firsr party I had ever been to lol so it was really all your fault I turned into a party animal but then. funny to think now i am the first one to go home and not even drink!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! lots of memories of u Cheryl and Diane. maybe i should dig out some old pic’s . lol Bev

Dick Johnson’s (68) rely to Bonnie Awalt Houle (56):

Gary and Friends

Bonnie Awalt Houle’s story of my baseball aptitude was not too
far off. When I was six or seven, Lowell and Johnny Leonard let
me join them in a game of baseball over in their yard. I didn’t
have a clue what you were supposed to do so they told me each
move to make. When I hit the ball, they yelled “run to first”!
Then someone hit the ball and they yelled “run to second”, And
then it was third, I did exactly as I was told, not knowing
what purpose it had. When the ball got hit again they
screamed “run home, run home”!! So I did. I ran HOME!! To our
house. I never lived it down!
I did play a lot of baseball later and yes Bonnie I did pitch!
I was not standing more than 3 or 4 feet from Rod Hiatt on
third base one time when he was hit in the eye by a line drive.
He nearly lost his eye. One other time I hit a ball and hit my
mom [I talked her into pitching} right on the nose. Black eyes
and big nose, etc. Later in a game down in the old city park, I
was playing right field with the sun directly in my eyes. We
were playing Rolla and they had this big lefthanded batter. I
heard the crack of the bat and saw a glint of the ball just
before it ticked the top of my glove and nailed me on the chin.
I started having second thoughts about this game! The next time
he was up to bat, I was ready!! The sun was really bad by now
but he wasn’t going to get by me this time. The pitch; crack;
wizz; I had the glove higher this time and the ball was lower
and I got NAILED right where you think, right there in front of
God and everybody I had ever met. I think that was when I
decided basketball was more my kind of game!!!

Dick

Message and Pictures of Dale’s from Evie Gottbreht Pilkington (65):

Hi Gary,

Rick Gottbreht’s wife Sandy sent these photo’s today…..it was great to see the new interior of the café. We are so delighted that everything is up and running for the George and Ernie. George has a new manager so that will give him a well-deserved break.

All is well in California …..my kids are involved in real estate and mortgage loans and so far the market here has not killed us! Praise God……I do real estate appraisal and have watched homes drop 30%…..but I think we are at the bottom. At this point I would love to insert a bunch of political “stuff” but don’t want to open the door for Allen R. lol

Evie Pilkington

949-246-6984

PS…..I always have trouble opening pictures…I down-loaded these to desktop and then was able to open them in windows.

Greetings from China with pictures from Colette Hosmer (64):

Dear Gary and Everyone,

Greetings from China. My sister Jan traveled with me this trip and
time is speeding by. I’ve managed to squeeze a little work in
between the fun. Below is a photo of Jan trying out the exercise
equipment at the beach park (we’re based in Xiamen, a port city on
the mainland directly across from the island of Taiwan). That’s me
balancing on the wobbly planks at the Floating Village. I didn’t go
very far from the boat– didn’t want to wind up with the bottom feeders.

I’ve enjoyed continuing to read everyone’s contributions to the
Dunseith e-mail exchange while here in China.

Colette

3/15/2014 (1985)

Posted on March 15, 2014 by Gary

Happy Birthday Rene Casavant (’65): Mesa, AZ

Happy Birthday Cheryl Haagenson (’71): Dunseith, ND

Brent & Teri (Vandal) Armentrout

Posted by Larry Liere (1955) Devils Lake, ND & Mesa, AZ

Finding friends from the Bottineau, Dunseith, and Willow City area.

Once a month our wives have book club at the homes of one of the members so the

husbands have a boys night out. Last night since it was Lent we thought we should

go to the Monastery. While we were visiting a young couple walked in and started to

visit with us. Since Mesa, AZ has a lot of Snow Birds most people ask where you

are from so when I said North Dakota the young man said he was from Bottineau and

his wife was from the Willow City area. I then said I lived in Dunseith until 3rd. grade

and the conversation was on. We had a great time talking about people we all

knew from the area around Dunseith, Rolette, Bottineau, and Willow City. I thought

it was great that these young people (I am older then his Dad) knew at least by

name people my age. The couple I met was Brent & Teri (Vandale) Armentrout,

His Dad is Rodney Armentrout and his Mom Marlene was a Kraft. I have to thank

Teri & Brent for the drink they purchased you see the Monastery is a bar & grill with

volleyball courts outside and a place to grill if you want to grill your own. It is a very

small world.

Larry,

Yes indeed it is a small world. Teri’s dad, Mike Vandal, was our very first bus driver following the closing of Ackworth. Her granddad, Arnold Zeiler, was his back-up driver. This past summer I saw Mike and Sandra Zeiler Vandal in the Bottineau bakery. Rodney and Marlene are Prominent Dunseith folks too. All wonder people.

Gary

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

Blog (49) posted on March 19, 2008

Messages from Aggie Casavant (69):

Gary thanks so much for putting this website together, its so fun and interesting to read,and catch up on everyone, and old memories. I especially enjoy the stories from Dick Johnson, he has such a gift in making stories from back in the day so vivid, it brings you right back to Dunseith, and the photos are great .Thanks Dick, keep the stories and pictures coming. Aggie (not ever never Agnes) Casavant.

Gary, I just sent my first e-mail, then came across Dicks e-mail about that cold breezeway going down to the lunchroom, who could forget it, you could smell Mrs Knutson’s chile or chicken noodle soup all the way down the hallway, you knew when you got to those steep steps in the old building that you were on the home strectch. Thanks Gary for the kind words especially about our mom who cooked in the kitchen, as for our family its gotten bigger, like 52 nephews and neices,and approx 18 great ones. Were all still very close in heart, but Joe and I are the only ones who live out of state. Joe near Minneapolis and me here in South Carolina, which has been home now for a total of 23 yrs. And still working with kids in lockdown, sad to say, a field with a lot of job security these days. But all and all I live a very blest life, and loving most minutes of it. So if anyones ever out this way, you’ll have to give me a call 1-803 389- 2368. Aggie Casavant

Aggie, I have 13 of your family siblings in our class lists. I am missing 3 of you. I will send you the list of who I have so you can tell me who I’m missing. You come from a wonderful family of 16 and you are all alive and well. Gary

From Cheryl Larson Dakin (71):

On weekends when we were in gradeschool, Bev and I and sometimes Diane and Deb would pack a picnic and go to the creek to play. We would go to Morinville’s store and get hot dogs or bologna and bread and Nectar. I remember it being really strong. I’m wondering what we mixed it with. Surely not creek water! Do you remember Bev?

Request from Marjorie Landsverk Fish (57):

Hi Gary,

I just talked to Erling Landsverk who is a cousin of mine and lives in Portage Wi. He was in the class of 44 in Dunseith and they lived up in the Turtle Mts. around where you lived I think. He remembers the Stokes. The family moved to Wi. and he spent his last year of highschool in Rio. I told him about all the different families that he knew more than I did since he is the age of my brother Howard; 13 years younger than me. Those guys really know how to reminise and I know he would like to read the E-Mails.

His e-mail address is: joannanderling@

They live at Portage Wi. Please add him to your list.

Thanks a lot,

Marjorie Fish 57

Erling, It’s my pleasure to add you to our list. I’m assuming that you probably lived in the Willow Lake school area. Gary

Reply from Bev Morinville Azure (72):

your very welcome Gary , just wanted u to also know my radaition is getting harder each day , my mouth inside is all burned and now and at the point where i ca’t eat except for boost . keep me in your prayers please . 3 qnd 1/2 weeks to go Bev

Message from Bonnie Awalt Houle (56):

Dear Gary,

I did a lot of babysitting when I was a teenager. One that stands out is babysitting for Dick Johnson. Dickey loved to play ball, every day we would play catch or as I told my Dad, Dickey would play catch and I would play run. Dick could catch the ball but he had lousy aim and I was always running after the balls that he threw. I told my Dad that Dick Johnson might play baseball some day but he would never be a pitcher because the kid couldn’t aim! My Dad told me it was a case of the baby outsmarting the babysitter, that Dick probably enjoyed watching me run after all those balls. So next time I babysat I explained that if he threw a wild ball he would be made to run after it. It was amazing how much his aim improved. Altho, I bet he never improved enough to become a pitcher. I babysat for Mark and Gerald Anderson, the Mornville kids and the LaCroix kids. I also baby sat for the Hosmer Girls. It was one of the best ways to make money in Dunseith. Janice Leonard and I would help Hosmers store take inventory during Christmas Vacation every year, Helen Watkins and Mrs. Peliter, were so fun to work with, they treated us great.

Bonnie (Awalt) Houle, Class of 56

Message & Picture from Trish Larson Clayburgh (73):

There is a huge buffalo ranch north of where I live, between Ft Collins and Cheyenne. These big boys were just hanging out in a corner of the pasture and came right up to let me feed and pet them. I didn’t know until that day that buffalo have long black tongues. Pretty kool huh?

Trish

Picture (July 2007) from Diane Fugere (75):

Gary,

Diane Fugere, Denise Hagel, Vicky Johnson, Carolee Casavant, Gail Henning, Debbie Fugere, Laurie Evans, and Diane Hill.

Some of the gals from the Class of ’75.

Diane Fugere

Pictures from Dick Johnson (68):

Gary and friends

These pictures were taken in the spring of 1945. The kids were
in the back of Dad’s Dodge truck on the way to Belcourt to
watch a baseball game between Dunseith and St. John. Some of
the kids in the truck are LaRose Ketterling,Audrey Hassen, and
Shirley Olson {Mom’s sister}. Dad had this truck while he was
in high school to make a few bucks hauling grain and gravel,
etc. I don’t know how often he had hauled kids, but this time
he did! Those of you who can identify others, please do. As you
can see, Dunseith won 13 to 11!

Dick

3/14/2014 (1984)

Posted on March 14, 2014 by Gary

Happy Birthday Jeff Skjelver: Rugby, ND

Making Hay

Reply from Dick Johnson (’66): Dunseith, ND

Gary and Friends,

The stories of making hay sure bring back the memories. When my
grandpa used a buck rake and ‘overshot stacker’, I was too young to
help. When he got the Farmhand loader in about ’54 and mounted it on
his B John Deere, the overshot was parked for good. Eventually I was
old enough to be the guy in the stack leveling and packing the hay with
a pitchfork. The old B was a narrow front tractor and MANY times when
he was bringing the load up, it would start to tip over and he would
have to drop the load to avoid tipping the tractor on it’s side. It
didn’t always work either and then we had to pull the tractor back over
onto both rear wheels by hooking on with another tractor. It still
seemed much easier than the overshot stacker. This was how the hay was
put up until Grandpa died in ’65. That’s when my dad got the idea we
should have a square baler. To me, that was the most hated machine that
ever was used on this place! Most people call the small bales ‘idiot
cubes’ and I totally agree. First you have to slowly bale them, then
hand pick and load them, then hand unload in a stack, then hand feed
them to cattle. The bales weigh about 70-80 pound each so it’s just a
mean job. We also had a ‘bale skid’ behind the baler and had one guy
(guess who?) stooking the bales in piles of 11 and sliding the pile off
by using a bar that I would stick in the ground. I remember every hot
miserable day out baling thinking that as soon as I was old enough to
leave this place, I would NEVER look back. Well, I never left! When
Dad got the job starting music programs for the Turtle Mt. School
Division schools in Manitoba, he asked if I would want to do the
farming for a year or so on my own while he concentrated his time on his
new position? I hadn’t had a teaching job offer yet so I agreed. We
had seeded quite a few more acres to alfalfa hay the year before and the
thought of well over 15,000 square bales nearly made me sick. I already
was having back problems from a bulged disc and I could only imagine
what was coming. I dug out Grandpa’s old hay sweep for the Farmhand
loader , which we had mounted on a better tractor, and I put new teeth
in it and had it mounted on the loader one day when Dad came driving
in. I saw this weird look on his face as he drove past. He came
walking down to the shop and asked, “What in the heck are you doing?”
I simply said, “I’m NOT baling and hauling any more DAMN square bales!”
He had to let that soak in for a few minutes but didn’t say another
word. I put up 40 hay stacks by myself that summer and actually kind of
enjoyed it. I didn’t have a man in the stacks so they were not always
perfect ‘bread loaf’ haystacks but as my neighbor Jack Peterson jokingly
said, “I never saw a cow look a stack over before starting to eat it,
so who cares what they look like?” Within a couple years we got a
Haybuster Stacker and then got the first of several big round balers
which have basically become the mainstay of modern hay production.
Before I rented out some of the farmland, we were up to 2200-2300 big
round bales each year. By weight comparison, there are about 18 small
square bales in ONE big round bale. If you do the math on that one, it
would put a good man in an early grave trying to handle that many square
bales. I don’t lift anything now as the bales weigh too much to even
think about, around 1200-1400 lbs, so the hardest part is to pull a
hydraulic control lever on a loader in an air conditioned tractor cab.
That, my friends, is my idea of progress! Once when a bunch of us were
discussing which was the best way to put up hay, my good friend Bill
Peterson said, “Pitch it up and then you’ll KNOW it’s up.” No truer
words were ever spoken. I’m attaching a picture of Grandpa Hans Johnson
taken in ’54 with his ‘new’ Farmhand loader on the old 1937 B John
Deere. Modern equipment in 1954. Thanks Gary!

Dick

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

Blog (48) posted on March 18, 2008

From Dick Johnson (68):

Gary and Friends

For many years Joe Morinville ran a grocery store on Main
street in Dunseith. For part of that time, my grandmother
Myrtle Olson work there as a clerk. I used to help her on
Saturdays carrying out bags of groceries for customers. One
Saturday one of our local guys who drank too much {about
everyday} came in to buy some groceries. He was loaded to the
gills and was staggering and mumbling as he went about his
shopping. After we put his goods into a paper sack, he grabbed
it and headed for the door. When he reached for the door handle
he passed out and fell over backwards onto the floor, spilling
his bag all over. I was about ten years old and didn’t know
what this was all about! Grandma mumbled something and said “we
can’t leave him here, he’s blocking the door.” She told me to
grab his feet and she grabbed his arms and we tried to drag him
out the back door. He was too heavy and we only drug him a
short distance. About that time a delivery man came in the back
door and said ” is he dead?” Grandma said “no he’s drunk!” The
guy asked where we were trying to drag him. She said “outside
in the back” to which he said “hold the door!” He was a big guy
and he dragged the guy out and set him up against the back
wall of the store. I picked up his groceries and set the bag in
his lap and went back inside. I went out to the back several
times to see if he was still there and one time when I looked
out he was gone! ONLY IN OLD DUNSEITH !!

Again, thanks Gary!!

Dick

From Neola Kofoid Garbe (Gary Stokes’ Cousin):

3/13/2014 (1983)

Posted on March 13, 2014 by Gary

Happy Birthday Rod Parrill (’73): Bottineau, ND

Stacking Hay

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

Gary when i read about stacking hay with a bull rake etc– and i remember as kids being “in the stack” it really makes me wonder- —

The first few years that Jay and I farmed there came along the grapple fork on a 4010 John Deere tractor —

We hayed the “habberstad” farm– from The Habberstads for 20 years!!—- before the “Big Bale ” days– Jay and I would take off 2 weeks of vacation the first 2 weeks of July every year – from San Haven– He would mow the hay – (ahout 100 acres-) down by the Anthony’s south of Dick Johnson and Keith Smiths- we would have to open and close about 5 gates to get to it from the NOrth!!LOL!!! —

He would mow and i would rake– nothing to it!! – I drove my little ford tractor pulling the John Deere rake- which was new at the time we bought for $750 — all i had to do was enjoy the outdoors and sing to myself– and when the evening came such a calm and soothing relaxing time!!- our poor kids had to either have 2 babysitters a day or go to see their grandparents in the evening!!- But Jay could stack hay with the grapple fork and make perfect haystacks which we would hire to have someone haul home in the fall- !! simple times– -LOL!!-LOLA

Stacking Hay

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

Gary, +/- 55 years ago, I was at Bill and Joy Petersons’ for the summer. Bill said that we were going over to the east farm and for me to bring the truck. I said that I had not driven anything in my life; Bill said well when we get there YOU will have.

We used the over-shot hay stacker; cousin Sharon sat in the black truck ALL day and moved it back to pull hay up to top of stack where I stood. I did my best to not get covered over or to be knocked off of the stack. I walked around in

fox-tail above my waist. Premise was to pull the hay to the corners and to pack the hay.

My premise was to pray for rain from each little clouds that may dare to obscure the hot summer sky over North Dakota.

Now we know most of the story of why Sharon is such a lovely cousin, she was baked just right while sitting in the black truck for 10 hours per day.

LEE s

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

Blog (47) posted on March 17, 2008

Dave Wurgler’s (64) reply to Arlan Wenstad (64):

LOL: Arlan, I don’t really remember the day with your 58 Ford, but I do remember you very well and kinda recollect your car. Definately those were the good ole days and they kept getting better as far as cars and speed. The ole 58 Pontiac was a StarChief 2 dr ht.with a 389, 4bbrl carb with a hydromatic trany, kinda slow at shifting but once she got the rubberbands tight she was gone. HaHaHa—fun fun fun. From that time on I bought and and restored a number of G.M.’s Including S.S. Impalas 409’s and Chevelle muscle cars along with Corvettes. It’s lotsa fun and I enjoyed it. Gary, thanks for what you are doing for this site, keep the e-mails comming and I will fill in when the time is right for rembering when. Dave Wurgler

Reply from Bev Morinville Azure(72):

Gary, I am not sure if u knew this or not when we were grewing up everyone got Debbie and I mixed up , so much so even to this day we both answer to either name . We have even had people that don’t know we have a sister called us the oppiste name. so we get such a laugh when this happens i just thought it to be so funny now people are even calling her an azure . wow life is great isn’t it ? thanks for all the hard work u do Gary I love this site. Bev Azure ( or is it Marmon) lol

Pictures from Dick Johnson (68):

Gary and friends

The attached pictures are of particular interest to the Awalts,
I would believe, because they are of the Anderson family in
about 1920. It was taken in their yard here in the hills by my
Grandpa Hans Johnson. This was according to Cynthia Johnson, my
grandmother, from whom I got the pictures. The picture in their
garden has writing on the back, telling who is pictured. It
says L-R, Louise Johnson, Gertrude Anderson [Awalt},Emma
Anderson, Walter Anderson, Neely Anderson, Myrtle Anderson,
Hans’ Mother,and Charlie Anderson. I had reprints made for the
Awalt family and will get them to Eleanor as soon as they
return this spring. She can then distribute them. Enjoy!

Thanks Gary for forwarding these to all!!

Dick

From Larry Hackman (66):

Gene LaFromboise (class of 64) makes front page of sport section of the Bismarck Tribune Mar. 16, 2008. He took the Dunseith boys basketball teams to class B state in 1987 and 1990.

3/12/2014 (1982)

Posted on March 12, 2014 by Gary

Hay Stacking – Reply to Dale Pritchard’s posting

From Keith Pladson (’66): Roanoke Rapids, NC

Gary,
So sorry to hear that Bernadette’s health has taken such a turn for the worst. For the families of those suffering from any type of dementia it can be a very challenging ordeal. After watching Alice’s mom suffer with it for the last few years of her life to the point where she couldn’t remember any of her children, I can really feel for you Gary and all of Bernadette’s relatives. They seem to be such a close knit and loving family which is a blessing to both Bernadette and you. Our prayers are with all of you.

A few comments on Dales Pritchard’s input about stacking hay. I never saw your dad’s bull rake pusher. I certainly heard enough about it, just never saw it. We to put up a lot of hay stacks in my growing up days too. We had an old “D” John Deere that we pushed the bull rake with and we had an old 39 Chevy pickup that we pulled the rope on the stacker with (though I also remember times when the pickup wasn’t available and then we would use a team of horses). We also used the team to pull the mower and the old dump rake. And I had many turns on both. One thing different on our stacker from yours (I noted from the photo’s you provided), ours had a tall backstop on the back reaching up about 10 feet or so, so it made building the stack a little easier and didn’t allow the hay to fall back into the block and tackle and rope assembly.

Keith Pladson (66)

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

Blog (46) posted on March 16, 2008

Memorial service for Milly Crum Rude (55):

Hello, we hope this email finds you well…

Thank you for your kind words, thoughts, prayers, and gestures. We (the family/ kids) haven’t been on the computer much with all that has been going on so accept our apologies for not yet replying to you.

As promised we wanted to update you with the memorial service arrangements. Mom is being cremated, and Dad’s hope is that we will have her ashes back in time for the memorial service so we pushed the date out just a little… Here are the details:

A memorial service remembering Millie’s life and accomplishments will be held on Saturday, March 22nd at 1 pm at The Renton First United Methodist Church, 2201 NE 4th St , Renton , WA 98056 , 425-255-5403 (http://www.gbgm-umc.org/renton1stumc/). All are welcome.

Memorial contributions will be put toward something Millie felt passionate about – the King County Horse 4-H program.

Please feel free to forward this information to others, as I know my email distribution list is very small relative to the number friends, family and lives that have been touched directly or indirectly by the works of our mother.

We look forward to seeing many of you at the service next Saturday.

– The Rude Family

Millie’s brother, Clark, asked me if I would contact those who knew Millie to let them know that the funeral will be in Seattle on Saturday, March 22 and that cards and condolances may be sent to: The Millie Rude Family, 14415 196th Ave., S.E., Renton, WA 98059-7838.

Gary, if you would pass the word, it would be much appreciated.

Thanks,

Gary Morgan
Class of 54

Arlan Wenstad’s (64) memory of Dave Wurgler (64):

In the year of 63 I was working for Lamoureux Brothers, when lunch time around I would cruise the streets of Dunseith. One time I went to Dales gravel pit and made a u turn to head back to work. When I was heading back this 58 Pontiac came from behind, he didn’t pass right away but stayed beside me. I knew what he wanted to do. I put my foot to the floor, but that didn’t work to well. He shifted gears and lift me like I was standing still. The guy in the 58 Pontiac was Dave Wurgler. The last time I saw that car was owned by Billy Satrang of Rolette. Maybe Dave doesn’t remember, but I always will, The was a white 2 dr hard top with a green insert in the back. I was driving a black and white 58 ford at that time. from Arlan Wenstad

Bev Morinville’s (64) reply to Larry Hackman(64): ndgal1953@yahoo.com

First of all thanks to Larry for the story about the Turtle story, I can just see dad laugh his ass off as your mom turned red. and answered . If I am not mistaken I think dewy has moms turtle card I will ask and if he does I will copy it and send a picture of it. Again Larry thanks for the memories u made my dad. Now about the picture of the class of 1970 Debbie Morinville is my sister but not married to my husband Clarence Azure (haha) unless I don’t know something She is married to Kenney Marmon

Bev, I’m so sorry. That was my mistake listing Deb as an Azure. I know very well who each of you are married to. I just wasn’t thinking when I typed that. Gary

From Ellen Graff Myrick (58):

Gary,

IN your email today you mentioned that you numbered the emails as you sent them. I don’t have one with the # 8, but I did get one dated 2/9/2008 nor one with the #14 but I did get one dated 2/15/2008. Should I assume that you just forgot to number the email messages sent on those dates? Thanks for doing this to keep Dunseith memories alive. I enjoy reading them daily. Ellen (Graff) Myrick (58)

Ellen S. Myrick
“Do not ask the Lord to guide your footsteps, if you’re not willing to move your feet.”

Ellen, You are absolutely correct. The #8 message sent to your group was not mumbered and none of the #14’s were numbered. Gary

These are four of Dunseith’s finest former teachers that attended the class of

65 reunion. Jess Selzler Hosmer was missing when this picture was taken.

Folks, PLease send Pictures. As you can tell, I have a lot from the class of 65 and a few from some of the other classes. We’d love to see recent pictures of you guys as well as those from the past. Gary

3/11/2014 (1981)

Posted on March 11, 2014 by Gary

Happy 43rd Birthday Bernie Stokes: Bellevue, WA

Note: Two weeks from today, March 24, Bernie will be arriving here in Cebu. He has a hundred day break with his job at Microsoft and he plans on spending all hundred days here in Cebu. Needless to say, Bernadette is very anxious for his arrival.

Gary Fulsebakke

Reply from Pamela Fugere Schmidt (’73): Mandan, ND

Gary,

Big congratulations to Gary Fulsebakke on his performance at Carnegie Hall in New York! What an honor! Gary, you have always had the most incredible voice – you make us all proud!

Stacking Hay in the 50’s

Pictures/posting from Dale Pritchard (’63): Leesville, LA

Gary,

Here’s some archive stuff for you. They are labeled 1950s but they were accurate throuth the mid-60s too. As you know, we stacked hay in the days before bailers. Getting the hay from the field to the stack site required a bull rake on the front of a tractor, which was really hard to steer when loaded. But my Dad could figure out a solution for almost anything. To get rid of that hard steering problem, he bought an old truck with duals, took the body off, installed an old dump rake seat (facing backwards), did something with the transmission so you would be in what was a forward gear but actually driving it backwards with rear wheel steering (what was the front). It really worked fantastic with the weight on the dual wheel end and the other end free for steering. For traveling to and from the fields we just took out two bolts holding the bull rake on. For the road trip, we got on and hung on. Top safe speed was probably 25 because that rear wheel steering could give you some nasty surprises. My Dad was always amused at cars that met or passed us on Hwy 43. They were all staring so hard trying to figure out what we driving that a few almost ran off the road. And they thought the “Ma and Pa Kettle” thing was all old time movie fiction!. We called it “The Bug”.

More on the Stacker with the pictures from above.

Dale Pritchard

Dale,

It has been a long time since I have heard the term “Bull Rake”.

I remember well that old truck that your dad converted into reverse moving bull rake. It pushed a lot of hay too and fast.

The bull rake was used to gather the hay from the raked up windrows that was transferred to the stacker. A tractor was then hooked onto a cable that lifted the hay from the staker to the stack.

Your dad was a master welder too. Whenever the neighbors needed anything fixed, your dad would weld it for them. Often times folks would go to the hay field to ask him to weld something too. He’d always shut things down, go home and weld whatever they had that needed welding.

Gary

Name Correction

From Geri Metcalfe Munro (’59): Fargo, ND

Hi Gary,
On the picture I sent, this is my brother Jimmy (James Evans Metcafe). His daughter, Cheri, is married to James (Jim) Evans.
Geri

Thank you so much Geri for the correction

Gary

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

Blog (45) posted on March 15, 2008

From Larry Hackman (66):

Gary
Back in the sixties a salesman came to Dunseith and as he went about his business he passed out business cards to employers and employees. What was unusual about these cards was that they did not give you the name of the salesman or the business he represented. These cards, if you accepted one, automaticly made you a member of the Turtle Club.

On this particularily nice sunny day my mother and I came out of the Crystal Cafe and were about to get into her 1958 red and white Oldsmobile that was parked in front of the Garden Tap. That Oldsmobile was a beautiful car that was first owned by Paul and Amelia Dacoteau. Real nice people that had bought the car new and had kept it in mint condition while they owned it. My mother had bought it second hand from a auto dealership.

My mother and I, were about to get into the car when Joe Morinville standing in the doorway of his store across the street, hollered at my mother. Marian, he yelled, ARE YOU A TURTLE? My mother’s face got a little red, as she took a quick a look around at all the other people on Main. Everyone had stopped and were all focused on her. Time seemed to stand still as they all waited for her reply. My mother looked back at Joe and shouted, You bet your sweet ass I’m a turtle. Then we both jumped into the car and got out of there. Looking back I could see, that Joe was bent over laughing. My mother was laughing so hard, that she could hardly drive. I was looking at her and we got home and into the driveway and she stopped laughing, she looked back at me, and said, I’m not nuts.

She reached into her purse and took out a business card, and handed to me. The card stated that she was a member of the TURTLE CLUB.

The rules were on the back of the card. To greet a fellow member. you are to ask, ARE YOU A TURTLE? Your reply,

if you are a card carrying member is to be, YOU BET YOUR SWEET ASS I’M A TURTLE, ASK ME AGAIN IF I’M A TURTLE! So, as you can see that this would be a guestioning and answering session with no end in sight. No wonder my mother wanted to get out of there, and its no wonder that Joe took advantage of the location. I can just emagine Joe, laughing and explaining to everyone on main, what had just happened. People really knew how to have fun back then, Didn’t they? My mother kept the card in her purse and every time she came across it, she would start laughing and had to tell us again, the story about Joe Morinville asking her if she was a turtle.

ARE YOU A TURTLE?

larry

From Dick Johnson (68):

Gary and Friends

Hearing from Don Conroy made me think of this story. Dad, Don
Johnson, as you know taught under Ed Conroy. Ed was our
respected superintendent at DHS for many years and then served
as principal for a few more years. The story goes, Dad wore toe
rubbers on his dress shoes. For those who don’t know what these
are, they basically cover only the soles and about an inch up
on the shoes all around. Well, Ed would keep putting on Dad’s
and then going home. When Dad was ready to go Ed’s were still
there and his were gone. Now dad couldn’t wear Ed”s because
they were too big but Ed could stretch Dads on. After a few
times, Dad wrote his name in the inside in big letters so Ed
certainly would see it when he went to put them on. Wrong!! The
next day they were gone again. Dad said “what can I do to
correct this” to Gene Hepper, another teacher and coach. Hep
said he thought he knew what to do and would take care of it.
When Dad went to put on his rubbers later, on the inside it
said “Don Johnson OR Ed Conroy!! Everybody had a laugh!!

Dick

3/10/2014 (1980)

Posted on March 10, 2014 by Gary

No Blog yesterday

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

As I mentioned before, Bernadette’s condition seems to have dropped to a lower level. She is really having problems expressing herself not being able to think of the words she wants to say. This morning she was able to eat breakfast unassisted. At noon and the rest of the day she had to be spoon fed. For the most part her memory is OK, but she does have periods where she doesn’t seem to understand what is being said to her and what she says makes no sense. She normally goes to bed before me, but is discontent until I go to bed. After I am there she is content for the rest of the night. She normally wakes up once during the night to use the bathroom of which she needs my assistance with. During the days she normally lies on the couch or sits in her recliner with her eyes closed.

Gary

Happy Birthday Betty Allard Heinz (DHS ’60): Overly, ND

Evan/Metcalfe Picture

Posted by Geri Metcafle Munro (’59): Fargo, ND

Hi Dale and Gary,

I need to replace my computer–this is the best I can do with this picture. I’m still looking for more pictures of my Uncle Martin Evans/Dale’s dad.

Hugs,
Geri

Pictures posted by Iris Wolvert: Willow City, ND

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Blog (44) posted on March 14, 2008

From Alan (42) & Phyllis Campbell:

Thanks for adding us to your continuing list!!! We’ve been getting a lot of the messages courtesy of our son Rich and daughter Cathy. Alan’s memory is fading tho some of those long ago things come back easily and we both have many good memories of Dunseith and all the wonderful people who lived (and many still do!) there. Alan and I moved to Dunseith in 1953 and he got his feet wet in a hurry after his Dad had a heart attack and needed help at the Security State Bank. We raised all four of our kids there and felt they had good educations and lots of good friends – as did we. The reunions in 1982 and again 25 years later were very special occasions for us and we are delighted you picked up the computer communication system and are keeping memories alive and well!! Best wishes to all and keep up the good work! Phyllis and Alan Campbell.

Request from Julie Knox Seier (82):

Hi Gary,

You likely have no idea who I am, my name is Julie Seier. I use
to be Julie Knox, Guy and Lola’s middle daughter. I graduated
from Dunseith in 1982. I got your name and email address from
Monte Espe, who is my Mom’s cousin. We somehow got talking
about your website at Glen Millang’s funeral. He thought I
would be interested and suggested that I email you to get
connected to the site. So here I am, very interested! I would
appreciate it so much if you are able to get me connected.

Thanks so much,

Julie Seier

From Lynn Halvorson Otto (75):

Hi Gary, I haven’t been back to ND since last summer. We go back once a year over summer break to visit family and friends. The boys, we have three sons, are leaving June 16th for the states and will come back mid August. Our oldest graduates this June and will attend NDSU, Fargo in the fall. My in-laws live near the twin cities and so we travel there first and then onto ND.

Reading over your class list for 75, so many people I have forgotten about. I look forward to getting hopefully a complete list so I can contact them just to say hello. Best regards, Lynn Otto

Gary Metcalfe’s (57) reply to Don Conroy (56):

I appreciated what you said about Bruce, Don, he truly was a gifted individual. Three years of high school with Bruce was an adventure. Some of the things that he did better than anyone else at that time were the old pin ball machine at the old bowling alley. He had that mastered. His mentors were older guys, Harvey Hobbs and George Goodsell to name a couple. He must have learned the jack rabbit business from those guys because when we went out “shining” jack rabbits on winter nights, he’d knock them over big time. And dancing…I am sure he had the corner on dancing at school dances and big dances at City Hall in Dunseith and Willow City. Good memories. Gary Metcalfe

Message & Pictures from Dick Johnson (68):

Gary and All

I found some more and haven’t heard any negative comments yet
so will send them. You can see the front of Hosmers and to the
left is the Cities Service Pumps where the AC Bar was later.
The two gals on the left I’m not sure of but the third is Mom
[Bernice Olson Johnson],Shirley Sunderland, LaRose Ketterling,
Betty Watschke, and Eleanor Awalt. The print date on the
pictures is March 18, 1946. The second photo is in front of
Kadry’s Pool Hall with Bernice, Eleanor, and Shirley. Same roll
of film but maybe not the same day. Thanks Gary!

Dick

Message & Pictures from Dick Johnson (68):

Gary and All Friends

I knew Larry Hackman had some more stories about the old days!
Good job Larry, I’m still laughing! When you said “tipping” it
reminded me of Brenda’s uncle. He had some surgery once and
when people asked him when he could go back to work, he said
the doctor told him not to drive more than 5 or 6 miles at a
time and not to lift anything heavier than 12 ounces. Just
happened that he lived about 5 or 6 miles from the bar! He
followed his doctors orders!!
I found several pictures of uptown Dunseith in 1946. The cutie
by the showhall is Eleanor Awalt Stickland. The other is of
Shirley Sunderland,Bernice Olson Johnson, and Eleanor. This was
taken in front of the Stone Garage with the Bank and Post
Office in the background. I will send more if I don’t get to
much “grief” from the gals!!! Thanks for the help on this Gary!!

Dick

3/8/2014 (1979)

Posted on March 8, 2014 by Gary

Happy Birthday Dana Henriksen Johnson (DHS ’66): Meridian, ID

Dunseith Independent basketball team Patch

Picture from Randy Flynn (’70): Happy Valley, OR.

Gary,

This is the embroidered patch (Chenille for a Letterman’s Jacket) from the 1948 Dunseith Independent basketball team. This is in my father’s, Jack Flynn, memorabilia. I had it dry cleaned and it still is in good shape. The patch is about 7 inches across with 1 inch letters.

Randy Flynn

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

Gary,

Yes, what am I doing up at 3:19 am on 3-7-2014?

Writing a Happy Anniversary (17) to my son, Eric and his wife, Kim.

Their planned union that occurred in Tucson on a ‘snowy day in May’.

Surely, the travels through life have included wading across Willow Creek and negotiating Hwy 43 in 1957 before reaching I94 which was completed in 1969. This journey included Kim achieving 2 (two) doctorate degrees and having chemistry research papers published in respective journals.

Eric learned and taught martial arts and went to China for one visit to enjoy seeing the origin of some of those creations. He was able to complete 4 years at a Univ of Calif college with straight A’s, having some of his compositions become included in a ‘HOW TO WRITE…’ instructional college-level textbook,

MOSTLY there is now my having a GREAT Grandson, SAM (Samuel) Garrett Stickland.

GARY The care, love, and attention that YOU have for and pay to Bernadette these days at home, in her home, YOUR home, is the BEST CARE I know of. My experience of 20 years in nursing home administration has emphatically shown me that THERE IS no substitute for FAMILY. Having the staff to assist YOU and to attend to every need for Bernadette is so wonderful. Bernadette’s being familiar with and feeling most comfortable when knowing these special ladies are ever-present is a gift from each of them to each of YOU. I have no doubt that their total heart and hearts’ ache is for both of YOU.

(The “R” from the assumed name of STRICKLAND was left in Ireland in 1794. The mispelling of our name by the general public, when they listen but fail to hear, OUR name as spoken and write they STRICKLAND, is hereby explained.)

The STICKLAND family moved to Bristol, England in the early 1800’s, traveling by boat, (London Fog up in that area, Ya know, so the airports were socked-in and no flights were available.) I fail to recall much of that trip except that I got sea sick then, again, too.

14 degrees right now, 87 degrees ‘advertised’ for July 32, 2014.

When I was 12 years old I had a paper route with 72 customers that I delivered, 6 days per week. Each day offered the privilege to get a pail of water for Mrs Hill and Mrs Buchann from Tom Cassidy’s well.

Tom and Maggie lived about 1 and 1/2 blocks south of where Fauske’s lived in Dunseith. That is where my ‘inkling’/wanting to be in the health care field began. My visits with these ladies included unspoken content of history, psychology and human relations that no book contains.

I knew that Vivian Hewson could not drill chemistry into my thick skull and I understood that Diane Lier could never convince me that there was NOT a STOP sign but there was a sine in geometry.

Life is made up of choices. Like I wrote to Eric and Kim,

“A TOTALLY SMOOTH MOUNTAIN CANNOT BE CLIMBED”.

Always LEE S

Lee,

Thanks for the kind words and compliments. You are so right about home being the best place. Bernadette would be extremely depressed in a nursing home. Being home she is in her natural environment and still has command of her house.

Today, for the first time, when we went to the mall Bernadette was in a wheel chair. She swore she’d never use a wheel chair, but when the time came, she readily chose the wheel chair. She can walk short distances and that is about it. We were prepared and have a wheel chair.

Gary

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Blog (43) posted on March 13, 2008

Condolences to the Millie Crum Rude (55) Family from Gary Stokes (65):

You guys have my sincere condolences with the loss of your mother and grandmother. I talked to Millie, about 6 weeks ago, on January 24th. We had a wonderful conversation. I was asking her if she was related to any of the Rude’s in the Bottineau or Dunseith areas and she said she was not. We discussed things in general. She was so warm and friendly and she did tell me about her cancer. I wish I would have had the chance to meet her in person.

I am assuming you guys are monitoring her email. I will continue sending these messages to her email address for the next week or so or until some of you tell me differently.

Gary Stokes

360-362-1222

From Rhonda Hiatt (75):

Gary,

I am trying to get caught up with all your e-mails since the move, and to say Thank you, thank you, thank you to all who sent the pictures with Mom and Dad in them. Sometimes I will hear an old song and remember hearing it at the bowling alley on the jukebox when Mom and Dad were bowling. They loved to bowl. And fishing with Patty and Babe Coleman, well they just loved those two. They always came back and said how much fun they had together. I remember all the times they went to Waterhen. They just enjoyed those trips so much!

When I saw the picture of Mom, I could not believe how skinny she was!!

Thanks again everyone for all the stories and pictures. It makes the day brighter!!

Rhonda Hiatt (75)

AmWest Entertainment

rhonda_hiatt@yahoo.com

360-666-3228 home

502-664-9168 cell

Barbara (Cathy) Kalk (65) Lopez family:

Folks, I was going through more pictures and I found these of Barbara Kalk

With her husband Alfred of 40 years and their 7 children.

I think most all of us that were in Dunseith schools in the 60’s remember Barbara.

Barbara (Cathy) and Alfred celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary this last

summer. Barbara does a lot of work with the church and Alfred is a teacher with a

doctorate in education. He is probably known as Dr. Lopez to his students.

They live near Minneapolis.

Barbara, you and your siblings have done very well with your lives and have all come a long way

from what you had, growing up on the north side of Dunseith, with almost nothing.

You have a lovely family. Gary Stokes

3/7/2014 (1978)

Posted on March 7, 2014 by Gary

Gary Fulsebakke peforms at Carnegie Hall in New York

Message from Grary Fulsebakke (’71): Devils Lake, ND

Hi Gary,

Recently my vocal ensemble from Lake Region State College performed at Carnegie Hall in New York. There were several people who expressed interest in the trip so here is a short synopsis of our adventure. We joined voices with 4 other college choirs, under the direction of Peter Eklund, forming a mass choir of 110 voices. We rehersed for three days and our concert was on Sunday evening, February 16, at 8:30 pm. We sang the Schubert Mass in G, along with soloists and orchestra. The piece was about 25 minutes in length. Ticket prices went from $40 – $110 and the concert hall was sold out. At the end of the piece we received a standing ovation from the appreciative audience! The experience exceeded all our expectations and we had an absolutely great time!

Thanks, Gary Fulsebakke

Reply from Rosemary Smith

Posted by Vickie Metcalfe (’70: Bottineau, ND

Vickie: I have been emailing back & forth to Curt Eriksmoen today. Here is some info that you may interest you.

Rosemary

I see the blog attaches my article to the Fargo Forum. The Forum archives my articles after a week and people then have to pay to see it. If you want a site that lasts, hook it up to the Bismarck Tribune. My Trib article can be found at http://bismarcktribune.com/news/columnists/curt-eriksmoen/a-look-at-sakakawea-s-role-in-expedition/article_f497c54c-a09a-11e3-ba54-001a4bcf887a.html

I noticed your address is Lake Metigoshe. Have you run across my books at the Gifts By the Lake shop? We now have seven different volumes.

Reply from Iris Wolvert: Willow City, ND

So sorry to hear of Bernadettes illness..don’t recognize the symtoms..interested in knowing the diagnosis and name of the illness..sounds like it has been a prolonged and progressive disease..hope she will be able to maintain until the children come to visit..seems the nieces are very attentive and your patience are invaluable to her maintaining her dignity .all so important …Strength to you and and the family! Sincerely Iris

Bernadette has a non reversible disease called Vascular Dementia. Gary

Joke of the day

Posted by Don Malaterre (’72): Sioux Falls, SD.

After the golf game the old boys entered the club house where the club pro asked, “Did you guys have a good game today?”
The first old guy said, “I had the most riders ever. I had five.”
The second old guy said, “I had 7 riders, the same as last time.”
The last old man said, “I beat my old record. I had 12 riders today.”

After they went into the locker room, another golfer who had heard the old guys talking about their game went to the pro and said, “I’ve been playing golf for a long time and thought I knew all the terminology of the game, but is a rider when you hit the ball far enough to actually get in and use the golf cart?

The pro said no, a rider is when you swing the club so hard you give yourself a wedgie.

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Blog (42) posted on March 12, 2008

Passing of Millie Crum Rude – Dunseith High School class of 1955:

Dear family & friends,

It is with great sorrow I write this email to let you know that today (March 11^th, 2008) our mom, Millie, passed away. As you know she has had a long battle with cancer and today, while surrounded by family and loved ones, came to an end.

We are working out the memorial service arrangements and will communicate that to you in a follow up email. Included below are some email/phone number contacts if you’d like to reach out.

In the mean time we are putting together a slide show and would appreciate any pictures, videos or memories you are willing to share. Please contact Melissa (Millie’s granddaughter) at mtarling@hotmail.com for additional information.

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers…

The Rude Family

Tarri (Rude) Steiger – cell 509-954-6996, or at Rude home 425-255-6942

Traci (Rude) Mercer – tracimer@expedia.com, cell 425 443 4671 or 425 736 7889

Thor Rude – tntrude@msn.com

Message from Millie – 1/24/08

Good Morning Gary,

I finally am looking at my e-mail — I haven’t opened it for about a month! My health problems (cancer of the bladder that has spread to the lymph nodes) has really been giving me problems – I had surgery in Dec. 23rd and Dec 26th and am still recovering from those.

I will give some thought to your request for “memorabilia” and/or “stories” on growing up in Dunseith. My family did not move to Dunseith until 1949 and lived there until 1955. My grandarents (Oakes and Crum) were pioneer settlers in Dunseith.

I have 249 unread e-mails that I need to look at. It was nice to talk to you the other night. Keep in touch.

Millie (Crum) Rude

From Don Conroy (56) – A Memory of my friend, Bruce – class of 1956:

Hi, Gary: My daughter, Shannon, has sent me so many of your interesting e-mails that I have finally succumbed to participating in the process. I was into it a few years back but you have developed such a network and I have thought it would be fun to send along a few of the unique memories I might be able to dredge up from the depths of a fading mind.

Bruce Poeppel was a special grade-school friend. He was the best around in two unique skills. And I don’t mean just a little better that most of the other boys—-he was way on top. One activity was playing marbles using a four or five foot diameter circle. He would cradle that “shooter” marble in his thumb/finger grip, breath on it once (for moisture) and fire it at a target two or three feet away. The “shooter” nearly always flew like a rocket, unerringly, knocking a marble out of the ring while the “shooter” sat spinning exactly at the point where the target marble had been. Then Bruce usually cleaned out all the rest of the marbles. It got to the point where he’d have to take a handicap in order to find competition. I was amazed, always, when I was at his house at the buckets and buckets of marbles around the place.

Bruce was deadly with a slingshot. Most of us might fire off a pile of rocks at a sparrow or a bottle and occasionally nail something. I rarely saw Bruce miss anything he aimed at. Of course one of the secrets to his success was the fact that his missles weren’t rocks. Bruce fired off marbles. His supply was, of course, never-ending thanks to we foolish hopefuls who thought there was a chance of maybe winning a few marbles occasionally. With Bruce, it just didn’t happen. I never thought much about it when we were kids but Bruce was extremely careful about the shape of the slingshot crotch. It had to be in the form of a “U”. Everyone else used the much more common “V” shape crotch. Bruce would search for days to find that perfect shape. In that era no one bought a commercially made slingshot. They may have been around but I never saw one until years later. When I did finally happen to notice a good-quality slingshot years later in a sporting goods store it was interesting to see it was of the Bruce Poeppel “U” shape.

Don, I just talked to Mary Poeppel, Bruce’s widow. She told me Don died from cancer in 2001. I have pasted his death record below. Mary is from England. They met when Bruce was stationed in the service over there. Mary will be moving to Yakima WA shortly. I’ve listed her present address below. She said they will forward any mail that she gets.

I have also exchange many email messages with your daughter Shannon. She’s such a nice lady. My cousin, Neola Kofoid Garbe, knows her and initially gave me her email address when I was trying to locate you about 1 1/2 years ago. Gary

Mary Poeppel

211 3rd Ave

Ellensburg, WA 98929

(509) 925-5741

Bruce POEPPEL – U.S. Social Security Death Index
Birth: 24 Jan 1938 State Where Number was Issued: North Dakota Death: 24 Apr 2001

From Gary Morgan (54):

Hi Gary & All,
Another Adrian Egbert Story…..I remember one day Adrian came into the lumber yard to discuss, with my dad, the feasability of a concrete vault for his grave. Seems Adrian had been to the cemetary and observed what he considered and inordinate number of fat, well fed, gophers running around. Adrian did not want his remains to end up as gopher poop. (unlike Dick Johnson, I can’t write like Ade talked) I don’t know whether Adrian got the concrete vault but if you visit his grave at Riverside Cemetary, you will note the concrete slab covering his grave.
Incidently, to round out the cast of “Desperate Ambrose”…Jim was Jim Footit and CC was Cecelia (sp?) Carbonneau.

Gary Morgan
Class of 54

From Cathy Campbell Springan (73):

Gary,

Randy Flynn wrote about some of the messages going to his SPAM. I, too, have that problem although mine doesn’t seem to follow any pattern. If I don’t find a message waiting from you in the morning, I check my spam and pull it out.

Cathy
.

Missing Message from Trish Larson Clayburgh (73):

Hi Gary,

Today’s email included a response to Flavia, but I don’t remember seeing anything from her. Did I miss an email? I thought I had read them all, but if you wouldn’t mind resending her missive, I’d love to read it.

She and I were classmates and friends the year she came to Dunseith. I would love to hear any news of her life…

Trish

Trish, It was message (38). I forwarded it to you. Did you check your spam?

Mel Kuhn’s (70) reply to Randy Flynn (70):

Gary,

I would like to thank Randy {Flynn} for his explanation about the fire extinguisher. It probably explains why I’m partly brain dead. I’ve managed to fry a good part of my nervous system so along with getting to live with a lot of pain it seems I’ve misplaced a lot of memory. I worked with way to many farm chemicals and paints in my younger days. Now my children and other people’s children tire of hearing me preach about safety. Dick Johnson, with his excellent memory, is one of my keys to the past. I get up a 5:30 every morning looking forward to an e-mail from Gary to jog these old memories loose. About the every third e-mail, Gary sends on 3 different addresses and maybe you just haven’t hit the allow button on one of them in your spam filter.

Mel Kuhn

Mel, Despite having been exposes to all those chemicals and bad elements, you are still a very sharp fellow today. About my email addresses, I do use 3 and they are all good addresses for sending messages to me. Outlook Express makes for easy management of multiple email addresses. With the volume of email that I generate, I need the versatility of all three email addresses. Gary

Message from Rhonda Hiatt (75):

Hi Gary,

Well I finally got moved, but still waiting on our furniture. I will be working in Portland, but just couldn’t see living there. We found a really nice place in Battleground, Washington and can see Mt. Saint Helens from our front yard. The one thing I don’t miss is the cold weather back home. It has been very very nice here with only a few days of rain.

When I had the internet and phone hooked up the guy came out and we started talking and he is from Balta, ND. I knew his cousins. The guy we are leasing our house called us and wanted to know if we had any questions about the place, and as we were talking, he said it’s funny your from SD, because I was born and raised in ND. I told him I was also. He was from the Wishek area. It is a small world!, and nice to know that ND is here also.

Still playing catch up with all your e-mails. Sad to hear of all the passings. My thoughts are with the families.

My new address and phone are below:

8907 NE 275th St.

Battleground, Washington

98604

360-666-3228

Thanks again for everything you are doing.

Rhonda Hiatt (75)

rhonda_hiatt@yahoo.com

360-666-3228 home

502-664-9168 cell

Bobby Slyter’s (70) reply to Patti Metcalfe (67):

to patti metcalf: was it not amazing how well mom and dad could bowl, none of it rubbed off on their kids tho, the closest would be brenda, i remember the trips to water hen and hated those early mornings to

Message form Tina Pladson Bullinger (78):

Gary,

I love all the e-mails!!!! It’s nice to read up on people from the old hometown. Even though I graduated from Bottineau (as did Arlan Hagen), I still call Dunseith my hometown!

I was looking at the picture of the LaCroix girls, and am I correct in assuming that Lydia is a sister to Elwood? She sure looks like him. It is a great picture.

I’m glad you added me to the mailing list, keep up the great work!! I especially love the stories and pictures.

Thanks for the picture of our group, I never thought I’d be brave enough to sing in public, but the guys give me much encouragement, and we do a lot of laughing, which is so good for the soul!!

Keep in touch cousin,

Tina

Tina, Yes Lydia and Elwood Fauske are Siblings. Gary

Picture provided by Neola Kofoid Garbe:

Most of the Hills and Plains Gospel (Group?) are in this picture.

Dunseith folks with this group are Don Boardman (61), Dan Pladson (75)

& Tina Pladson Bullinger (78)

3/6/2014 (1977)

Posted on March 6, 2014 by Gary

No blog yesterday.

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

Bernadette has not snapped out of her last spell. Her motor skills – walking, balance and use of her arms and hands are a problem at the moment. Also her speech is slurred and she has problems expressing herself. She is unable to hold her eating utensils. Even eating with her hand, she has problems lining her hand up with her mouth. Novie and Mirasol normally end up feeding her. Four of her first cousins are here now visiting. For the most part she is not depressed, hopefully that will not change. She is most excited for our kids to visit. Bernie will be here on the 24th of this month and Sheryl on the 28th of April with her fiancé and Nevaeh, her 9 year old daughter.

Gary

In regard to the Dunseith Independent Basketball Team

Reply from Mona Dionne Johnson (’48): Bottineau, ND

Since, my husband, Chuck Johnson, was on it beginning in 1948 and of course I attended all games I could get to including tournaments – some those players were – Les Greener (player & coach), Jack Flynn, Harold Larson, Hazel Olson, Virg Vanorny, Darrel Fassett, Chuck Johnson, Paul McCloud, Leo Murray, Don Thorson, Bonar Law. I may have missed someone ? Those were the games !!! brought in traveling teams, and teams from Minot and Bismarck, etc.
Can’t locate the pic I have of them, but if I find it, I will send it on.

Mona Johnson ’48

Ella Mae Poeppel Vogsland (DHS ’50), Grafton, ND, Passed away

Message from her daughter Jennifer Napier:

Hi,
I found your name among my mother’s belongings and it seems that you are perhaps the organizer of information about the Dunseith class of 1950.
I just wanted to share the sad news that my Mom passed away this January. I figure that you can share the information with any classmates that may not have heard. I’m sure that anyone who knew Mom understands that our loss is great. She had nothing but positive things to say about her memories of High School and the friends that she made there. Thank you for keeping in touch with Mom and sending her all the contact information of her classmates.
Ella Mae’s daughter,
Jennifer Napier

Thank you Jennifer for letting us know of your mothers passing. Our condolences were with you and the rest of her family.

Gary

Feature Image

FACTS

Born: June 17, 1932
Death: January 4, 2014
Place of Death: Her Home

GUESTBOOK

Share your thoughts and memories in the guestbook.
Sign the guestbook
Read the guestbook

Send Card

BIOGRAPHY

Ella Mae Vogsland, age 81, passed away peacefully at her home near Grafton on Saturday, January 04, 2014.

Ella Mae Poeppel was born in rural Dunseith, ND on June 17, 1932, the daughter of the late Emil and Bonnie (Graham) Poeppel. She graduated from High School in Duseith and went on to graduate from Christy’s Beauty School in Bismarck, ND. She moved to Grafton to work as a beauty operator. She met and married Dennis Vogsland on July 3, 1954 at Dunseith, ND. The couple lived and farmed near Grafton until retiring in 1996. Dennis passed away on Dec. 9, 2010.

Ella Mae was a member of the Bethel Free Lutheran Church and WMF. She belonged to several bridge clubs in Minto and Grafton. Her greatest joy was being able to spend time with her many grandchildren.

Ella Mae is survived by her children: Robin (Brenda) Vogsland, Rio Rancho, NM; Scott (DeeDee) Vogsland, Grafton, ND; Jeffrey (Tammy) Vogsland, Santa Ynez, CA; Chris Vogsland, Grafton, ND; Brett Vogsland, Grafton, ND; Jennifer (Randy) Napier, Grafton, ND; Julie (John) Ferguson, Riverside, CA; Susan (Mike) Narloch, Grafton, ND; 17 grandchildren and her sister, Ruth Ann (Kenny) Leens, Kingman, AZ. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, granddaughter, Rachel Vogsland, brothers: Louis, Ralph, and Bruce and her sister, Betty Lou Stepina.

Funeral services will be Wednesday, January 8, 2014 at 10:30 A.M. at Bethel Free Lutheran Church. Visitation will be Wednesday for one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at the Zion Lutheran Cemetery, rural Hoople, North Dakota

FUNERAL SERVICE

Wednesday January 8, 2014, 10:30 A.M. at Bethel Lutheran Church
Click for Map and Directions

VISITATION

Wednesday January 8, 2014, 9:30 A.M. – 10:30 A.M. at Bethel Lutheran Church
Click for Map and Directions

History of Sakakawea

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

You have been sent this article from Vickie Metcalfe
Gary, Today’s Fargo Forum features Sakakawea in Eric Eriksmoen’s weekly article. I probably learned about ND’s greatest lady from Mrs. Conroy before I heard the names Jefferson, Lewis and Clark. Mrs. Conroy told us how to pronounce the name and although others pronounce it differently, I’ve never varied, what Mrs. C. taught first.V.M.

Did you know that: Mystery enshrouds history of Sakakawea
Curtis Eriksmoen – 03/02/2014

Joke (No Joke) of the day

Posted by Rosemary (Wayne ’60) Smith: Lake Metigoshe, ND

And God created the Midwest

On the sixth day, God turned to Archangel Gabriel and said,

“Today I am going to create an area of land called The Midwest. It will be
a land of outstanding natural beauty. It shall have tall hills and rolling
plains full of game and eagles, beautiful sparkling lakes bountiful with
bass and streams full of trout, forests full of deer and turkeys, valleys
with fertile soil with an abundance nutrients to grow things, and rivers
teeming with fish.”

God continued, “I shall make the land rich in resources so as to make the
inhabitants prosper, I shall call these inhabitants Midwesterners, and they
shall be known as the most friendly people on the earth.”

“But Lord,” asked Gabriel, “don’t you think you are being too generous to
these Midwesterners??”

“

Not really,” replied God.. “Just wait and see the winters I am going to
give them!”

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Blog (41) posted on March 11, 2008

Patti Metcalfe Woods (67) reply to the bowling picture:

Gary,

Thank you so much for adding me back in your mailing list. My computer is still not 100%. I bought a new computer but still get messages saying my

email is full. Sooooooo next step is having a computer guru take a look at it.

The picture of the 1st place bowling team was a treasure. In the early 70’s Fred and Margo Hiatt invited Dwain and I to bowl on a mixed bowling league with them.

Little did we know that they were pros and we were novices (to say the least). We had lots of wonderful times. Margo had the cutest giggle. As I remember Fred and Margo took us fishing to WaterHen and taught us their fishing tips. I couldn’t believe we actually got up before dawn so we could be out on the lake by sunrise.

Bing Evans was my Uncle (Mom’s brother), Bill Fassett and Edgar Anderson were our friends parents, Don Johnson was my favorite Choir teacher.

What a wonderful childhood we all had in small town USA. I enjoyed it so much I stayed. I love to travel but there is no place like home…

Patti

Picture Patti references From Crystal Fassett Anderson (70):

Hello It’s me again! Would the people to whom we send our contributions to help with the cemetery upkeep, please post their mailing addresses. My husband, Dale & I are both retired postmasters, so like to have proper addresses!! Thanks & just for fun I am attaching a picture of the 1955 Dunseith Men’s bowling league 1st place team. Freddie Hiatt, Bing Evans, my Dad Bill Fassett, Don Johnson & Edgar Anderson with Galen Olson on next alley (he was on the 2nd place team.

From Randy Flynn (70):

Gary,

Once again thank you for your time as well as providing this
platform for Dunseithians (?)to reminisce. As I try to catch
up on your daily missives I have discovered 3 missing from the
past couple of weeks. They were found in my SPAM account,
every third message, #32, 35, and 38. I await #41 to determine
if this is a continuing pattern. Do others have a similar
problem? Is there a fix on my end of the message. Since I
receive most of the messages, I do not believe I have added
your name to my SPAM list?

Mel Kuhn, in your earlier messages you mentioned the play with
the Genie and your fire extinguisher prop. I think the play
was called MAX or was it MAXX. I remember being the genie and
wearing satin pants and slippers with curled up toes. I am
certain my children would love to see a picture of me in that
attire.

As I remember the fire extinguisher prop, it was a great idea.
I thought it was Duane Sebelius and you, who came up with the
original idea of handling the fire extinguisher. The fire
extinguisher used for the rehersals was a CO2 type from one end
of the high school building. Art Martel, the director of the
play, was not overly thrilled with it’s use but the noise and
fog caused by the CO2 expanding had a nice effect. The CO2
evaporated without a noticeable residue. Many of us wanted to
play with the prop after play practice and we emptied the CO2.
The Office did not want to refill the fire extinguisher so Mr.
Martel said we could do without the prop. Being the ingenious
fellow that you are, you procured a fire extinguisher from the
other end of the building in the Junior High School. Thinking,
correctly, that Mr. Martel and the Office would be watching the
High School end of the building where other CO2 fire
extinguishers could be found. The fire extinguisher for the
night of the play was a dry chemical extinguisher fully
pressurized. Without any practice I think you held your hand
on the lever a bit longer than normal. It was quite a sight.
If EPA knew we were shooting a corrosive residue in the air for
all to breath, the school would have been closed and probably
fined. I guess dry chemical is like lead based paint, a little
bit won’t kill you. But I am sure Art Martel or the Office
wanted to kill us.

Stay well, Stay warm.

Randy Flynn

Reply from Dave Slyter (70):

Gary:

What a way to start a Monday morning. I got to work and I was bogged down with phone calls and employees calling in sick and was way to stressed. I sat down read a couple of letters and laughed until I was almost sick. ha The story Dick told about his dog and fish was hilarious and the story about the grave falling in was the highlight of my morning. Thank you folks for all the great stories.

To Dick and Crystal. Thank you so much for the very nice pictures of our parents. Was really great to see them in their younger days. The last pictures you sent of your folks and the Evans and Dion’s was really nice. Thanks for all the great pictures and memories.

Dave Slyter : )

Reply from Bev Morinville Azure (72):

Dick, I am glad I made your day with the story of you and duke, and the pic u sent is great . Thanks for all the memoies u all bring back it is the newpaper I wake up with each am. thanks alll Bev

Susan Fassett’s (65) reply to Pete (65) & Verena Gillis:

Congratulations to Pete and Verena on their newest grandson. They are so precious. I have two –ages 1 1/2 and 4 years and they live just 45 minutes away, so we spend lots of good times together.

John and I are heading south on Wednesday for a couple of weeks. We will be attending a wedding of a niece in Sierra Vista AZ and then up to Mesa to spend Easter weekend with our kids.

Love all the memories and pictures.

Hugs and Prayers, Susan

Reply from Paula Fassett Pfuhl’s (71):

On Crystal ’s photo: the boy in the cage w/blue shirt is Albert Johnson. I think he represented whoever the ‘opposing team’ was for the homecoming game. I don’t know who the boy in front is, but the girl in the polka-dot dress is I believe, is Sharon Longie.

Paula

I think the guy in front is Allen Houle? Gary

This is the picture that Paula is referring to

Folks, I was going through some of the pictures and I noticed this nice picture of the LaCroix Family.

Some of you have seen this picture before, but a whole lot of you have not. This is a beautiful

Picture of Lydia (Fauske) LaCroix and the girls. Gary

3/4/2014 (1976)

Posted on March 4, 2014 by Gary

Dunseith Independent Basketball team

Reply from Glen Williams (’52): Missoula, MT

Thanks to Gary Morgan…I knew he must have some history of the Independent BB Team of the late forty’s….The names do bring back old memories for sure….Les Greener was the backbone of the team as I recall….Of course one person does not make a team…but without Les…they would not have won as many games as they did…

Glen Williams

Posted by Larry Liere (1955) Devils Lake, ND & Mesa, AZ

This picture posted 3-2-14 with Glen Shelver as coach reminded me that Glen and my

Dad Tony Liere refereed many basketball games together before we move to Devils

Lake. I have said many times Barry Shelver was my best friend while we lived in

Dunseith. Glen and my Dad would take turns driving us to the lake to swim during

the Summer. On the same day as this picture was posted I was at the Mesa, AZ

North Dakota Picnic. We sign in by County and I saw that Dave Shelver and his wife

had signed in. Dave was very young when we moved but in later years when Dave was

living in Rugby his Son and my Son both joined the Army National Guard and went to

Basic Training together. Too many people at the picnic so I was not able to find Dave

and his wife. I am wondering if they live in the Mesa area? Rolette County didn’t have

anyone sign in because they had a mix up and someone hosted a private party for their

County. When you are from a small state like North Dakota and you know a lot of

people from there, it becomes a small world.

Dick Johnson’s Posting

Ron Longie asked if we remembered the Buffalo from Mrs. Conroys
class. I remember making them from something like sawdust and a
homemade “binder agent” glue of some kind, am I right Ron? I
seem to remember they had an odd smell as we made them.

Reply to Dick Johnson’s Posting From Ron Longie (’65)

Dick

We made our buffalo’s from plaster of paris, we poured them in molds and when dry put names on bottom, and painted them brown with green grass.

.

Larry Hackman’s (’66) reply to Dick

Dick

this is what I think happened.

You must have been staying with Grandma and Grandpa

You were playing around out in the barn yard before heading for school.

You fell into into one of them fresh cow pies.

You had your going to school clothes on and you weren’t suppose to be playing out in the barn yard,

and so you got on the school bus with that fresh pie clinging to the knee of your pants, couldn’t tell

Grandma or Grandpa or you would have been in big trouble.

You got to school and Mrs. Conroy’s room, and here she wanted you to make a buffalo Knick Knack for your mother.

You of course wanting everything to be precise and authentic had all this stuff hanging on your knee

and looking at that and the mold, decided if its going to look like a buffalo that it should also smell like a buffalo?

What do you think Mel?

Can you see little Dick, smiling like he just killed the cat, as he scraped that cowshit off his knee into that buffalo mold and it and him smelling alike?

Larry

.

Mel Kuhn’s reply to Larry

Larry,

I can picture that in my mind just as you described it. I think I could even smell it. I’m probably having lunch with Dick tomorrow. I’m gonna check his knees before I sit at the same table with him.

I just got home from Bismarck about an hour ago. It was just about as damn cold there as it is here. On our way down Saturday morning about 6:30 it was -32 degrees just north of Rolette.

Mel

.

Larry Hackman’s reply to Mel Kuhn

Mel

Yes, its been damn cold here in Bismarck also. I think you would have had to go as far south as Texas

or even further, to get away from the cold. What the hell were you out traveling for when it is -32 degrees below zero? What was the wind chill?

Was the car able to stay warm enough for you? I remember having to take one of my brothers who was in the army, to Minot, in the middle of the winter,

to catch a plane in the middle of the night back in the late 60’s. Why did planes only fly out of North Dakota in the early, early morning hours back than? It was so damn cold the car would not warm up, we froze all the way there and all the way back home. The car was able to keep the wind shield partially clear and that was about it. At least on the way home in the early morning, we were able to stop at town restaurants along the highway every so often and have something warm and warm up, for the next jaunt down the highway to Dunseith.

Did you check both of Dick’s knees? He is getting older now, you know.

I don’t think our class ever made any creatures in Mrs. Conroy’s fourth grade class nor anything else that I can remember.

We must have been one of them classes more interested in academics?

Larry

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

Blog (40) posted on March 10, 2008

Bill Hosmer’s (48) reply to Flavia Moraes (73):

Gary and Flavia. It was interesting and joyful to read the mailing
from Flavia. You may not remember, but one time in the late 70s or
early 80s I contacted you in Sao Paulo.   I was staying at the Maxsud
Plaza Hotel. Alan Campbell gave me your number because he knew I would
be travelling there. Certainly it would be understandable for you not
to remember it, but it was an event that I’ll not forget. I was a
demonstration pilot flying the Cessna Citation business jet in those
days, and spent many trips and days landing at all the major airports
of Brazil. Even some minor ones. Anyway, you came to the hotel, and
we had dinner in one of the restaurants, and talked about Dunseith and
all the people we both knew. I was so proud to be dining with such a
beautiful woman, and knowing how much the Campbell’s loved having you
with them made it a special occaision. Most of the time we dined late
and left in early hours to get through the day, but for some reason
that day’s flying was over early, so I had an unforgettable dinner date
that stays with me.   Wonderful, Flavia, to hear from you through this
magical circuit which Gary has made possible. Undoubtedly, you would
be a most welcome visitor to Dunseith, but as you may have read, the
town is not the same, and yes, we senior citizens who gather there now
and then talk about those other days and those who shared our time in
those eras of innocence and small town wonderment.    Cheers and
greetings to you, Bill Hosmer

From Florence Pladson Sime (62):

Gary, Bonita Enno would like a update on the cruise as she thought that
sounded like it would be fun. She was a class mate of my daughter. Her
email address is, shopping101@aol.com. I sure enjoyed all the info that
you send. It is quiet interesting what people remember about Dunseith. I
remember when the snow wa so deep on main street that you couldn’t see
the drug store from Hosmers store. That was in the early 1964. I was
working at hosmers store at that time. That storm happened over night.
There were cars completly covered with snow on the north side of the drug
by the hotel.

Florence, I will send Bonita the preliminary info about the Dunseith Alumni Alaskan Cruise that I sent out a while back that is being planed for the 3rd week of July 2009 departing from Seattle. The 2009 Alaskan Cruise schedules are not out yet. When they are available April/May and Sandra Trevers Llewellyn (60), our travel agent, gets a cruise in place, we will be sending out detailed information so folks can start booking. For now folks can be planning. The earlier folks book, the better (more) cabin choices they will have. This will be a fun trip for all. Gary

Dick Johnson’s (68) reply to Bev Morinville Azure (72):

Gary and Friends

Bev Morinville Azure’s memory of me and my dog Duke made my
day! It sure sounded like something he would do. I had that dog
from the time I was eight until I was in my mid twenties, 16 or
17 years! He was a character. One time we came home and someone
had left a cleaned, frozen, and wrapped, Northern Pike fish on
our doorstep. We asked the usual people who might have left us
this present but everone said “not me”. We had a great fish
supper from it anyway. At bowling one night a while later Dad
was telling this story to the bowlers. Joe Evans said “that was
YOUR #*^&%(@@_(&%^ little brown dog”!! Duke was out making his
rounds and Joe had laid his fish out on his picnic table to
freeze it when he saw Duke grab it and take off. Joe ran out
and chased him but the more he yelled the faster Duke ran! Joe
didn’t know it was my dog and we didn’t know it was Joe’s
fish!! The guys all had a good laugh, Dad said, when he told
Joe, THANKS!! Thanks Bev and Gary.

Dick

Connie Peterson Lagerquist’s (74) reply to Gary Stokes’ (65) question asking about Terry Counts (74):

Hi Gary,
I’m really enjoying your e-mails. As for Terry, he is
alive and well. He works at the Belcourt hospital. I
see him now and again. He is married. His wifes name
is Norma, but not sure of her maiden name.
Connie

Bobby Slyter’s (70) reply to Crystal Fassett (70) (pictures):

reply to crystal fassett, thank you so much for the pics of homecoming especially the one with my big bro richard, used to be such a handsome chap wonder what happened, now i am glad that i live in kansas, kind of far for him ti come kick my behind teee heee thanks again p.s. bet they don’t do homecoming like that anymore

Story from Larry Hackman (66) – Dunseith Cemeteries:

Gary,

Weighing in on the care of the Dunseith cemeteries. I agree most could use some TLC. I to travel up north once or twice a year to stop in at the cemeteries and to quench my craving for a jumbo burger. Dick you and your group have Little Prairie Cemetery looking nice. Good job.

My brothers and I use to take care of St. Louis and Riverside cemeteries back in the sixties for Harry Douglas. The cemetery supplied three push lawn mowers, of which usually two would run and hand operated grass clippers, plus a couple of spades and wheelbarrows. We supplied the labor. Mowing that hill was a real job. Clipping around the grave stones was always slow and time consuming. The wheelbarrows and spades were used to haul topsoil from a stockpile at the southwest corner of the cemetery, to fill in over the graves that had settled. We soon tired of the wheelbarrows. My oldest brother attached a hitch to his car bumper and went got a two wheeled trailer we had on the farm. We then used it to haul topsoil to the grave sites. This method was a lot faster and whole lot less work. Wheelbarrows still had to be used to get into the tight areas but we didn,t have to push them as far. It would take us 3 to 4 days to do both cemeteries and we would have to get them done a week or more prior to each holiday and sometimes in between holidays if it rained. Pushing lawn mowers up and down that hill was a real job.

I remember one of my brothers was mowing along when all of sudden he let out a yell. A grave had caved in, and he had went down with it. He thought something had a hold of him? He did not know whether to shit or go blind? Thank heaven he did neither. After all, we all had to ride home together in the same car and with three brothers that were both tired and hungry, was enough of a struggle.

I remember Harry Douglas explaining to us that each grave usually settled three times. First when the wooden vault would give way, then when the casket gave way and then the body. The concrete vaults that are now required to be used by state law, solved most of this problem. Aren’t we lucky?

My older brother use to also accompany Harry Douglas to Devils Lake whenever he had to pick up a new grave stone. He had to do the heavy lifting for Harry. He said, He never did enjoy the trip, as Harry would drive all the way there and back on the shoulder of the road and at a speed of 35 mph. He still remembers hitting and crossing every road approach there and back.

In the later sixties toppling over grave stones became popular among the younger people. Us cemetery people were sure glad when they moved onto cow tipping. I’m sure that this cow tipping activity ticked-off the udder guys. I just want you to know I’m against tipping of any kind, except for a beer or two.

larry

Picture provided by Dick Johnson (68):

Pete (65) & Verena’s Gillis’ new grandson:

To:	Gary
From:	Verena
Message:	Gary, Here is our little addition to the family. His nails were so long! His mom cut them now so shouldn’t be scratching his face up any more, lol. He is so sweet!

3/3/2014 (1975)

Posted on March 3, 2014 by Gary

No Blog Yesterday.

For the record I did not get a blog posted yesterday

Gary

Happy Birthday Brenda Hoffman (’68): Greenville, SC

Happy birthday, Eldon Berg

From EdnaMae Nelson Olufson-Smith: Edmonds, WA

Even if it is not leap year. I Remember when you were born!!!!! Your mom was my sister’s tutor (Vonnie was “in bed” for 6 yrs. with rheumatic fever) when we lived at Art and Christine’s (aunt) just two houses south. Good old Rev. Mjoyness (never knew spelling of his name) was between our houses. Have another great year!! EdnaMae Olufson-Smith (enjoying the California sun for a few months).

Dunseith independent Basketball team

Reply from Gary Morgan (’54): Garrison, ND

Gary and All,

My computer has been down so I have been out of the loop lately. In catching up on my e-mails I note that Glen Williams mentioned the Dunseith Independent basketball team of the late 40s and suggested that I might remember the team members. It just happens that I have a team picture that was taken moments after Casselton had beaten them for the state championship. This must have been in 1948 or 1949. Anyway, members of the team on that picture were: Les Greener, Darrell Fassett, Paul McLeod, Virgle Vanorney, Chuck Johnson, Hazel Olson, Harold Larson, Leo Murry, Jack Flynn and a fellow named Taylor, I think he taught at Belcourt. I would attempt to send the photo but unfortunately, its in Garrison and I’m in Minot for the winter. Also, Mona Johnson may remember what year that was.

Les Greener was a remarkable basketball player. He had that knack to make those who played with him better. If I am not mistaken, he had been a Little All American at a college in Mitchell, SD. I can’t remember the name.

Enough for now. Keep up the good work, Gary.

Gary Morgan – 1954

Gary M,

I checked my pictures and I don’t think I have the picture you are referring too. I have pasted several others below from the 40’s.

Gary S.

Cebu, Philippines: Potluck dinner at the Stokes house yesterday

A few of our friends visited yesterday with a potluck dinner. The main purpose of their visit was to see and visit with Bernadette. They came at noon and left at 6:00 so we had a nice long visit. The gals were inside and we guys outside. Bernadette was truly energized with their visit too.

Gary

Several nice pictures taken at our Expat dinner last Monday at the Marco Polo

Bernadette and Novie (Niece) with several of our friends

Bernadette and Mirasol (Niece) with several of our friends.

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

Blog (39) posted on March 9, 2008

Bev Morinville Azure’s (72) reply to Dick Johnson (68):

Since Dick likes to remember all those old times here is one I remember of DIck….. Colette Hosmer had made the coolest igloo , A lot of us were playing ( I think over at the Campbells) and we could hear someone yelling, we followed the sound and when we looked in the igloo there was Dick on his hands and knees trying to crawl into the igloo but his dog Duke wasn’t going to stand for that and had Dick by the seat of the pants. we laughed so hard. When I think of u Dick this is the memory that stands out. Bev Morinville(azure)

Dick Johnson’s (68) Reply to Ron Longie (65):

Ron and All Friends

I think we played dodge ball with those old red Voit rubber
balls as they were not to hard if you got hit! The
animals “sculptures” we made were hand formed and mine was
supposed to look like a horse. It didn’t seem to resemble any
known creature so it wasn’t kept.
The changes you mentioned about Dunseith are noticed by many.
It is called “progress” and Ron, I think although there are new
schools and new businesses with new buildings, the town has
lost the character it had in the old days. Things have
certainly changed and I guess that is inevitable, however, my
memories haven’t and maybe this is why I cling to those
memories so desperately. I will be sending some pictures of
Main street that my mom had taken in the mid 1940’s. Most were
with Mom and her friends in front of various businesses. This
really brings back memories of the way WE remember our town!!
I suppose Mom’s friends will read this message and go into
panic, but I’m afraid they coming {the pictures} anyway, gals!!

Dick

Message and pictures from Crystal Fassett Anderson (70):

I am putting all my Dad’s slides onto my computer and thought everyone would enjoy seeing how we did homecoming up right “in the olden days”. That’s Richard Slyter carrying the colors & leading the parade. Patty Metcalfe was Queen,Randy Mongeon & Pam Lagerquist were princesses and that’s our beloved Don Johnson leading the famous DHS marching band…remember carrying the ladder & rope to practice “rank & file”??. If anyone recognizes any one else,please let me know,so I can edit my picture. Oh, on the freashmen float, I know Larry Tooke & Ronnie Houle are of the football players. Enjoy Crystal Fassett Andersen Class of 70

3/1/2014 (1974)

Posted on March 1, 2014 by Gary

No Blog yesterday

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

I spent a big part of my day deleting over 350,000 comments from the Dunseith Alumni Blog that were taking up 3.1GB of memory. Our limit is 1GB. GoDaddy was going to shut our site down on March 10th if I didn’t get the data base below 1GB. I succeeded in getting them all deleted. I have now blocked all comments from being posted to our site. Most all of those 350,000 comments were spam advertisements. At first they were all being sent to my email address. I was getting hundreds each day, so I shut them off from going to my email, but they were still going the data base of our website. Our site now is under .1GB, so we are fine.

Gary

Happy Birthday Eldon Berg (BHS ’67): Kenmore, WA.

Happy Birthday Jean Eurich Roland (DHS ’80): Minot, ND

Happy Birthday Vonda Melgaard Antonson (DHS ’76): Maddock, ND

Happy Birthday Deb Salmonson Metcalfe: Dunseith, ND

Reply to Dick Johnson’s Posting

From Ron Longie (’65): Yakima WA

Dick

We made our buffalo’s from plaster of paris, we poured them in molds and when dry put names on bottom, and painted them brown with green grass.

Dick’s Posting

Ron Longie asked if we remembered the Buffalo from Mrs. Conroys
class. I remember making them from something like sawdust and a
homemade “binder agent” glue of some kind, am I right Ron? I
seem to remember they had an odd smell as we made them.

Edward and Matilda (Ducheaneau) Boucher

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

Sharron,

Thanks so much for the wonderful information about Edward, Matilda and brothers! Never “enough already” – we can’t wait for more. This is exactly the kind of detail I’m looking for.

Cousin Bill,

I always appreciate your kind words. Flattery works!

Edward and Matilda (Ducheaneau) Boucher

Reply Carmen Richard: Rolette, ND.

Wow, I really appreciate all the Boucher info that Sharron posted, if she has more, I would love to have a copy. Floyd’s mother was a Boucher. Our son Dan bought a farm that was owned by Henri Boucher, and the barn was built by Oliver Boucher. It is still in use today. Wonder how old it would be?

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

Gary

My grand daughter who is a junior, sprained her ankle badly at a basketball practice then again at a high school basketball game.

The Turtle Mountain Star

came through with a cartoon I had to forward to her, with a little modification.

Larry

Joke of the day

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

Last year, I replaced, like, all the windows in my house with those expensive, double-pane, energy-efficient kind.

Today, I, like, got a call from the contractor who installed them.

He complained that the work had been completed a year ago. and I still hadn’t, like, paid for them. OMG!

Hellloooo,………… Just because I’m blonde doesn’t mean that I’m, like, automatically stupid.

So, I told him just what his fast-talking sales guy told me last year — that these windows would, like, pay for themselves in a year.

Helllooooo? It’s been a year, so they’re, like, paid for, I told him.

There was only silence at the other end of the line, so I finally hung up.

He never called back.

I bet he felt like an idiot.

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

Blog (38) posted on March 8, 2008

Message from Flavia Moraes (73) – Exchange student from Brazil:

Flavia, I have added you to our Dunseith Alumni Distribution list and I have pasted your address & contact info for the folks below. Gary

Dear Gary

Thank you very much for your e-mail. It is so great to receive news from ND.

I lived with the Campbells for 6 months and you are totally right when you say they are nice folks. They were so nice to me that they made me love them forever. We still keep in touch and I know they are getting old…. so I am always willing to come back to Dunseith to meet them.

I have wonderful memories from the time I spent in Dunseith and I am sure I will never forget.

Did we meet when we I was in the States~

Let´s keep in touch…

Best regards

Flavia

Moraes

Flavia

Est. Carlos Q Telles, 81 apto. 71 Torre Lago

05704-150 Sao Paulo – SP – Brazil

55 11 2125.0216

From Diane Millang Volk (77) – Dunseith Dragons:

Thank you for all the e-mails. They are a joy to read.

Last Tuesday night MLS (Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood); my daughter and son play for MLS; played the Dunseith Dragons in the boys Basketball Regional playoffs. It was one the most intertaining and fun games I have ever seen. The Dragons won by two in double overtime. The compettion was fast and furious, both teams came out ready for a fight. What struck me the most was that even thro the competition was tight both teams treated each other like they were best friends. The Dunseith boys and their coach represented the town very well. They played hard but were still gentlemen on the court. Last night the Dragons played Bishop Ryan for the championship game. The Dragons may of beat the MLS Mavericks earlier in the tournment but the Mavericks were out in full forse hoping that the Dragons were to beat Ryan. The Dragons had won the respect of the Mavericks where Bishop Ryan had failed to do so. As our neighbor sitting next to us said, “We really should cheer for Ryan as they come from our District, but the Dragon players and fans deserve it more.”

Diane Millang Volk ( Class of 1977)

Ron Longie’s (65) reply to Dick Johnson (68): longies@netzero.net

Dick Johnson, when we did our Buffalo it was with plaster of paris, we had rubber molds filled them one day, and the next we painted them. Dick did the guys still play dodge ball or should I say jungle ball very few rules. I was totally taken back with the changes in Dunseith, I kinda felt like a foreigner in my own town. I guess I was kinda expecting my little peace of heaven not to change, but as we know all things change. Take care nice talking at you.

Ron Longie

Provided by Neola Kofoid Garbe – Thank you Neola:

2/27/2014 (1973)

Posted on February 27, 2014 by Gary

No blog yesterday

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

Gary

Happy Birthday Paulette LaCroix Chisholm (’68): Newark, DE

Boucher (Busher)

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

Diane and Gary,

The buck stops here for the misspelling of Boucher (Busher). There’s a local Santa Fe Politician named “Busher” and it doesn’t take much to confuse me at this great old age. Diane, I’ll share any information that comes my way.

Colette

Cynthia Johnson Photo

Reply from Kim Fassett: Coos Bay, OR

It was so great to see “Aunt Cynthia” in the photo(s). It was always a special ‘treat’ when she’d come over to visit Mom (Dorothy Fassett) in Portal. She was a very special lady!!!

Les Halvorson

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

Gary and all!!_

Happy BIrthday Bobby Slyter an old friend and classmate- !!- and many more!!-

I saw the posting on Les Halvorson’s Birthday!- Happy birthday Les !

Jay and I were just talking about him last evening- listening to be ball games!

What just amazes us is that Les has been the sports broadcaster ever since we could remember–! on radio!— year after year for how many decades?? and i think he knows the name of every player on every team without reading it– after one game- !! or else he has a tremendous apptitude for reading really fast!!!_ But he never misses a beat with who has the ball their number and name!!- for how many schools- !!– and what they are doing every moment and all the plays- !!! —just a “natural”

I enjoy the sports okay –usually listen just cause Jay listens to them-! but listening to Les makes it so much more interesting- and he is certainly easy to listen to!! – not like some of the monotone- pro-sports- broadcasters!!–

I don’t know Les real well but do Myra– as she was an “underclassman” by a few years- — and then as a Just Super terrific school secretary for the Bottineau HIgh School———— again-! – I think she knew every kid that walked in the door and could tell the parents exactly where they were in and probably after school– she was so gracious to give the kids messages from me or for them to me- to keep in touch every day – with our hectic schedules- and the kids just loved her!!!- The Bottineau School sure lost an awesome lady and a tremendous asset – when they lost her to First National Bank- where again she is a just terrific lady– what an asset to that institution and community!!!

Glad to see Bernadette was up and out and having fun again!!_ and good to see Art and Rose enjoying themselves- !

they tell us spring is coming!!- anyhow we can’t complain as we are snug in our homes- and the animals are taken care of and sheltered- !! it is NODAK and that is expected- and I am an eskimo – so i enjoy the cool fresh air – rather than the heat of summer- !!- I can always dress warm- but in the summertime- i better be in the AC!!– LOL!!-

Course i don’t have to work outside either- which makes a big difference-

had a good visit with Brenda Johnson for her Birthday we always visit each other on our birthdays– again!- they had the Frozen Fingers Festival in February — I forgot to ask her for a tape if they made one!!- will have to do that- I just love to listen to their songs–

best regards-LOla and Jay

Edward and Matilda (Ducheaneau) Boucher

Reply from Sharron Gottbreht Shen (’59): Watertown, NJ

Matilda Duchesneau, daughter of Francois Xavier and Marie Lucier came to Dakota Territory shortly after the family was displaced by fire destruction of their MA home in 1884. FX and Marie Duchesneau with 13 of their surviving children embarked for DT the next year. Marie Deline Almaide, born in 1865, described their travel by train in 1885 to Devils Lake and then by wagon to Schell Valley where FX Duchesneau persuaded FX Dubois to sell him his newly build two story dwelling. Cash was a commodity hard to ignore and Dubois had interest in another site. It was here that Almaide accepted Euclide Lamoureaux and was married in 1886.
At the time Edward Boucher sought the hand of Marie Matilda Duchesneau, September 1893; he was the sole Boucher of that family in Rolette Co. It may have been his neighbors or brothers of the bride who helped him build that first log residence since the second home of FX Duchesneau was located nearby. The log home was soon replaced by a frame home.
Victor Boucher arrived in 1896 and walked from Devils Lake. Edward’s brother Olivier Boucher, arrived in 1897 by wagon. Edward and Victor helped build the first log home of Olivier Boucher, widower, and their mother Philomene Duchesneau Boucher who had the care of his three sons who came by rail [“Soo line”] in 1898. The first home straddled sections claimed by Olivier, Philomene and Victor.
Much more to share with Leona and family. What was the Soo line?? Sharron

PS
Uncle Ernie Boucher told me that his uncle Olivier Boucher was the better builder of the family. Olivier was no doubt on hand during the second construction of Edwards home and barn. Olivier led the Thorne community in the construction of St Michel’s Catholic Church which is now Sacred Heart of Rolette. The cemetery that served Thorne is named St Edwards Cem. because Edward Boucher donated the land.

If you read the fine description Bena Dubois Fassett wrote of her home in Prairie Past, you will know about the excellent work of FX Dubois who built the first dwelling of young Matilda and her 13 siblings in Dakota territory.
enough already! Sharron

Reply to yesterday’s (1972) posting “The Harmonica Man”

From Vickie Metcalfe (’70): Bottineau, ND

The Harmonica Man is a wonderful story!

What a great man, who those kids will remember more than Bill Gates.

Spring is soon just over the horizon!

But music is in the “hear” and now.

Thanks Rosemary for the warmth you shared on this cold, windy February
Day.
Vickie

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

Blog (37) posted on March 7, 2008

From Jim Robillard (58):

My heartfelt condolenses to the Millang family.

God Bless Jim Robillard

From Bill Hosmer (48):

Gary, and Dunseith Friends, Some time back, one of our networking folks
asked about examples of Colette Hosmer’s art. She has a web site:
Colette Hosmer.com       This has examples of her work, pictures of her at
different locations, including China. There are many facets in the site,
biography, philosophy, and more.   I am very proud of her, and there will
be many who will find the site of interest.   Certainly, I find all the
correspondence and lore of our home land fascinating, and go to that
email, before any of the rest I get. Vance Bailey started something very
special, and those who contribute are special in many ways.    Thanks,
Gary, for making life more interesting and bringing this community into
closer awareness, friendship, and appreciation for our common heritage.
Life is great.   Cheers, Bill Hosmer

Bill, As most of us know Colette is back in China this month on a work asignment with her Art.

She said if she has a chance she will send us a message and a few pictures, if she can, while she’s there. Gary

From Dick Johnson (68) – Answers to some questions:

Gary and Friends

Paulette asked about the men dancing at Kelvin. I think it was
a Turtle Mt. Jig, popular in this area. “Little Raymond”
Belgarde was one of the best around.No matter how fast the band
played Raymond could jig, in time, without missing a step!

Diane Larson Sjol said she saw dead cougars by the gas station.
Leo Medrud shot a Lynx in the hills in about 1962 or 1963. I
wouldn’t doubt he had it in town, probably at John Kofoid’s
station to show people. Diane could this be the time frame?
There were more lynx then, than today. What we now are seeing
are mountain lions, a larger animal, as in Glen Williams photo.

In Gary Stokes message #22 he said the rolls at Hermans were
three for a dime and that is correct. Hard to believe. I think
it was mentioned earlier that they were a dime each and even
that would have been a bargain!

Susan Fassett Martin- I want to know when you will be here this
summer. We should get together with others who are interested
in our combined memorabilia. I am kind of a packrat when it
comes to old pictures so I seem to have many of interest not
only to me but to others as well. I would enjoy sharing them
with everyone who is interested.

To the Berubes-Muzette, Angela, or Robert, in a prior message I
said I thought Robert broke his leg while snowskiing in the
ditch, behind a car. Did that happen or was I mistaken? No big
deal but it has been bugging me. Can anyone else remember this
happening?

Dick Johnson

Dick, Ron Longie mentioned that he plans on visiting the Dunseith area again this summer too. It would be nice if Susan was there at the same time. We could put a message out announcing a time and a place for folks to see them whether they are there together or separately. Gary

From Neola Kofoid Garbe (Gary Stokes’ Cousin) – Dunseith Basket Ball:

Dunseith Boys lose to Bishop Ryan 61/48.

This means Bishop Ryan will go to the state tournament. I think these two teams played each other last year at the region also, and Bishop Ryan won then, and went on to state, too. Bishop Ryan had only one loss this year during their regular season–to Dunseith. The games weren’t televised tonight, but on the news, they said Dunseith had 20 turn-overs, which really hurt their score.

I was hoping Dunseith would be the champs tonight. Then we would have seen them on TV next weekend and root for them to win STATE!!!!

Neola

Provided by Neola Kofoid Garbe:

Picture from the Courant

August 29, 1919 – February 29, 2008

From Gary Stokes (65):

We’ve seen Raphael Poitra’s name some in the last few days, so I thought I’d provide

a picture of him along with Pete Gillis

Picture L to R: 7/12/07

Repael Poitra & Pete Gillis (Class of 65)

From Susan Fassett Martin (65):

This is from a farm directory of ‘Rolette county dated 1948, 5th edition.

2/25/2014 (1972)

Posted on February 25, 2014 by Gary

No Blog yesterday

For the record I did not get a blog posted yesterday

Gary

Happy Birthday Les Halvorson (DHS Teacher): Bottineau, ND

Happy Birthday Bobby Slyter (DHS ’70): Wichita, Kansas

1893 Chicago World Fair ad

Reply from Roberta (Gary ’63) Houle Champlin, MN

Hi Dunseith bloggers–
The following is in regard to the ad that Melvin Kuhn provided about the Chicago World Fair of 1893 (also known as the Columbian Exposition) which was mentioned in the original blog #35 and again in blog 1971. This advertising was also mentioned in the book described in the next sentence. I read a book recently about how Chicago was chosen over New York City for the site of the Fair. It also told about the people who designed and built the buildings, landscaped and maintained the grounds, the problems encountered during construction, and what went on during the actual Fair. Here is the title and author:

The Devil in the white city: murder, magic and madness at the fair that changed America by Erik Larson copywrite 2013

Roberta (Gary ’63) Houle Champlin, MN

Edward and Matilda Boucher family

Reply from Diane Larson Sjol (’70): Minot & Lake Metigoshe, ND

On the photo of the Edward and Matilda Boucher family it says Busher. The correct spelling is Boucher. I too would be very interested in hearing any information about our family. Carmen Richard may know).

Diane

Diane,

That was my spelling error. I know the correct spelling too. Not sure how that happened.

Gary

Cebu Expat dinner at the Marco Polo

Several pictures from our dinner last night

Art Hagen and Rose

Peggy Bender passed away

Message from LeaRae Parrill Espe (’67): Bottineau, ND

Gary, I wanted to let the readers know of the death of a former Dunseith teacher Peggy Bender. Peggy was a speech therapist from the mid 1980s until her retirement in 2009 at Dunseith Public.

Her husband, Clarence Bender, taught science at Dunseith Public for many years also. Clarence spent the last few years of his teaching career at Dakota College (The Forestry) in Bottineau. His career ended when he had a debilitating stroke in the classroom. Peggy was diagnosed with cancer shortly after that. They moved to Fargo to be closer to doctors and her family. Peggy spent several months in Rochester for her treatments.

Her funeral will be held in Fargo tomorrow (Tuesday, Feb 24) at 2PM at Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Arrangements are with Boulger Funeral Home of Fargo. Her full obituary is posted there. http://www.boulgerfuneralhome.com/obits/obit.php?id=3850 I don’t believe this has been in the Minot paper.

LeaRae

Peggy was born on July 20, 1948 to Howard and Annabelle (Nanson) Erickson in Fargo. She grew up in Fargo and graduated from Shanley High School. Following graduation she attended Moorhead State where she earned degrees in Speech Pathology and Special Education.

Peggy was united in marriage to Clarence Bender on June 6, 1971 at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Fargo. Peggy taught in New England and Shoshone, WY. The couple moved to Bottineau, ND where she taught for Peace Garden Special Services. In 2009, she retired from Dunseith Schools.

They moved to Fargo in 2011 when Peggy began her battle with cancer.

She is survived by her husband, Clarence; sons, Shawn (Chris) Bender, Bismarck, ND; Korey (Tracy) Bender, Hunter, ND; daughter, Sara Jo (Lewis) Hunt, Watkins, CO; sister, Rita Erickson, Fargo, ND; and grandchildren, Ring, Acadia.

There will be a funeral service at 2:00 P.M. on Tuesday, February 25, 2014 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Fargo with a visitation beginning at 12:00 P.M.

Memorials preferred to the American Cancer Society.

– See more at: http://www.boulgerfuneralhome.com/obits/obit.php?id=3850#sthash.WUgMPrOS.dpuf

Posting of the day

From Rosemary (Wayne ’61) Smith: Lake Metigoshe, ND

Gary: Very Interesting. Makes you smile. Rosemary

A Must Watch !!

What a great old man. These kids will never forget him. He has taught them there is more to life than sitting in front of a computer playing games.

We could use more of these kind of stories on the news!

HARMONICA Man

Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Bottineau & Minot, ND

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

Blog (36) posted on March 6, 2008

Glen Millang

Oct. 9, 1940-Feb. 29, 2008

DUNSEITH – Glen H. Millang, 67, Dunseith, died Friday, Feb. 29, 2008, in a Rugby hospital.

He was born Oct. 9, 1940, to Carl and Jessie Millang near Kelvin. He married Edna Knox Oct. 9, 1960, in Bottineau.

Survivors: wife; sons, Cam, Dunseith, Kip, Auburn, Wash.; seven grandchildren; sisters, Laurene Olson, Dunseith, Lola Knox, Dunseith, Linda Bostic, Buffalo, Minn.; brother, Dale, Dunseith.

Funeral: Tuesday, 2 p.m., Peace Lutheran Church, Dunseith.

Visitation: Monday, 5 to 9 p.m., in the church.

Burial: Little Prairie Cemetery near Dunseith. (Nero Funeral Home, Bottineau)

From Ron Longie (65):

Gary,

I talked to Raphael Poitra on Monday 3/3 and he said he was headed to South Dakota to work on a methenol plant, Lola may not catch him at home.

. Ron

Message and pictures from Dick Johnson (68):

Gary and Friends

While looking through some old pictures the other evening, I
found a very odd coincidence. There was one taken of my
grandmother, Cynthia Johnson and my dad, Don Johnson in 1932. I
then found the one of Grandma and me from about 1992. She had
ridden with me in one of my cars, a 1933 Ford coupe, during one
of the Dunseith Days Parades. This was taken near Dale’s on the
corner. Same gal 60 years later, still getting her picture
taken with us by an old car!! She lived to be 89 and passed
away in 1998. Just thought this was kind of interesting.

Dick

P.S. We went to Glen Millangs funeral today, it was
well attended. Actually we played “Mr. Bojangles” for them as
they were going out. Ron Hett from Roba’s Coffee House played
with Brenda and me. He did a great job on the mandolin. Glen’s
nickname was “Bojangie”. We didn’t sing as the song is not
really a church song but the instrumental is nice. It was by
Susie’s request. Thanks again Gary!!

Dick

From Susan Fassett Martin (65):

Ads from the Dunseith Journal dated may 21st, 1936

2/21/2014 (1971)

Posted on February 23, 2014 by Gary

Happy Birthday Lorraine Richard Nelson (DHS ’47): Mesa, AZ

Education/History

Reply from Aime Casavant (’66): Jamestown, ND

Gary,

Earlier we were having a discussion on education, particularly history and the education we received at DHS. There is an organization some may have heard of called the “Intercollegiate Studies Institute” whose work is to try and raise the educational levels and standards in the U.S – to stop this “dumbing down of America” problem as Dick Johnson stated.

There is an interesting 36 question quiz on this site and a high number of Americans are unable to get above 50% on it. What is more alarming is that our elected representatives do not score any higher. This is not a left, right political thing (wow, we get enough of that with the slanted news). If one looks at the questions or even take the quiz, they will see it is not that difficult. I mean multiple choice questions about the 3 branches of government, who the commander-in-chief is, what countries were friends or enemies in World War II. It is interesting.

http://www.isi.org/quiz.aspx?q=FE5C3B47-9675-41E0-9CF3-072BB31E2692

Aime=

Edward and Matilda (Ducheaneau) Boucher

Question/picture from Colette Hosmer (’64): Santa Fe, NM

In attempting to write the story of my mother, Leona Richard Hosmer’s life growing up on a farm near Thorne and Rolette in the 1920’s and 30’s, I’ve come to realize that I’m related to every French person in North Dakota and Canada! Do any of you have information regarding my maternal great grandparents, Edward and Matilda (Ducheaneau) Boucher. Edward followed a couple of his brothers to ND (from Quebec) to homestead, and sent for Matilda when he was settled. They had nine girls, and finally a boy, who died young. My Grandmother, Johanna Boucher Richard, is the first girl on the left. A couple of decades ago, I visited the farm that Edward built. It had been deserted for some time, and the barn had become a home to pigeons and owls – but I’ll never forget how impressed I was by the design and contruction. Thanks in advance for any information you might have …

Colette

Ed & Matilda Busher, Johanna, Diana, Mary, Sylvia, Donelda, Leah, Melda, Beatresse, Jean.

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

Blog (35) posted on March 5, 2008

Condolences to the Robillard family from Shirley LaRocque Wendt (59):

GARY, I TOO WOULD LIKE TO SEND MY CONDOLENSES TO THE ROBILLARD FAMILY, SO SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR MOTHER, I ALWAYS LIKED HER.

GOD BLESS SHIRLEY (LAROCQUE) WENDT

From Floyd (Ann) Pritchard (59):

Gary, Floyd did grow up on the Dave and Winifred Eurich farm. He was raised by Dave and Winifred from the age of 4 until just before he went into the Air Force in 59. We are also the next door neighbor of Bill and Pat Hosmer and Romona Johnson.

Fun with Bill Grimme (65) from Dick Johnson (68):

Gary and Friend

I was thinking about the Grimme clan and remembered this little
episode! Bill Grimme was over at Boguslawski’s one evening
visiting with Alan. I was there hanging out with John. We were
about 13 or so and were really interested in cars and engines,
etc. Bill was driving his dad’s 53 Plymouth car. It was a light
green two door with a small 6 cylinder engine and a straight
stick transmission. I made some comment about hearing my
Grandpa Hans Johnson say how those engines were really short on
power. To this comment, John agreed that he too had heard of
the lack of power . Being that this was the general belief
around the guys in the know, John and I just HAD to find out
how weak they were. Bill was in the house with Alan and the car
was outside with us so——lets see! We carried blocks of wood
from the woodpile by the alley and carefully placed them under
the tires in such a fashion that Bill should’t see them when he
got in the car. We blocked most of the tires on both sides so
either direction he tried to go, he couldn’t unless the car
could climb over the blocks. To us this was a genius plan for
testing the true power of this engine!! Can it climb the
blocks? Well with everything in place, we just sat back against
the wall of their garage and waited for Bill to come out. It
wasn’t to long before Bill came out and got into the car and
fired her up!! He put it in reverse and let out the clutch and
she let out a grunt and died. He fired up again and the same
thing. On his third try he really revved it up and when he
dumped the clutch wood blocks were flying everywhere and the
poor old Plymouth was bouncing over blocks and roaring and
throwing dirt all over!! By this time John and I were laughing
hysterically and didn’t notice that Bill was out of the car and
headed our direction with this look on his face similar to a
lion about to take it’s prey!! We both got a cuff “up side the
head” and I don’t really remember if we decided our experiment
was a success or a failure!!

Dick

From Ann Carbonneau O’Connell:

Thank you for all of the research you have done concerning the Dunseith community. I would like to be included in your mailing list. I have many relatives from Dunseith and enjoy sharing the information with my mother Carol Carbonneau. She was born and raised in Dunseith and is able to identify many of the folks on the pictures that you and others have sent out. I graduated from Bottineau [1968] with your sister-in-law Debby Lee Stokes, however know many Dunseith folks through my cousins the Hills, the Fassatts, Haagensons etc. My goodness, I am even on some of those old photos!! What a hoot!! Thanksyou—Ann O’Connell

Ann, It is my pleasure to add you to the Dunseith Alumni distribution list. Gary

Mr. Lykins (Teacher mid 60’s) Reply to Phyllis McKay (65):

Phyllis,

That’s great to learn that you have applied to DoDDS. Let me know who you
are communicating with. I know many of the people in personnel and, if I
can, I’d like to put in a good word for you. Be willing to go anywhere and
take any assignment even though it may not be the most desirable one. Get
your foot in the door and go from there. No matter where you go it will be
an adventure. Don’t be shy about “tooting your own horn” What ever you can
do or have done, let them know.

As you may know I have retired and I must confess that I am having a more
difficult time than I imagined making the adjustment to living back in the
United States. Even though one of my studies has been the effect on people
living overseas and I had anticipated the problems in making the adjustment,
still I find that I am often times confused by the myriad of options
available for TV, Internet, telephone, and just the plan hard core
commercialism that now exists in our society. I am beginning to resent the
hard sell for extra insurance on everything I buy.

My shipment from Germany arrived today and I am up to my eyeballs in boxes.

I’m doing substitute teaching and I have been hired by Peterson Educational
Inc. to do testing for 11 weeks. So, I am busy and I don’t have any time to
travel around as I had hoped to do. Guess I will have to say “no” to some
things.

I can now be reached at bbplykins@aol.com as I have everything up and
running.

Take care and good luck, Phyllis. Keep me posted.

Bob Lykins

From Gary Metcalfe (57):

In about 1978 I worked on a Black Angus Restraunt near Baseline and Rural Road. I met a man who was laying tile in the bathroom, he said he was from Dunseith, he was interesting man to talk too and we talked mostly about Joe Evans because he was his age. The man’s name was Rob Rohrer His dad was probably a railroad man. He probably still lives in that area.
From reading Vance’s letter, I wish I would have known him. He talked about the kinds of things I like to talk about the kind of things that were happening in those days. Will write more and try to give you a picture of the way Dunseith was in the forties, it was wild, more fun per square inch than any place around! Gary Metcalfe

From Dick Johnson (68):

Gary

Jeff Soland is married to Luann Knox, Guy’s daughter, and asked
how they could get on the list. His email address is:
jsoland@srt.com I said I would let you know. Lola Vanorny said
she would take copies to Raphael and Janice, about Elvena and
condolences,etc. Thanks.

Dick

Lola, Thank you so much for offering to print out the condolences and obit for Raphael Poitra’s mother and taking them to him. Please give my regards to Raphael. Gary

Jeff & Luann Knox Soland, I will gladly add you our list and to the Alumni class list of 1980, your graduating year Luann.

From Melvin Kuhn (70):

Gary,

Here’s an ad from The Dunseith Herald, Thursday,March 16th, 1893. I brightened it up some when I scanned it. I will look for more interesting ads in it but I don’t like to handle it too much as it is in kind of delicate condition. Hopefully everyone will be able to read what you could do for half of the price of a tank of gas now days.

Mel Kuhn

2/22/2014 (1970)

Posted on February 22, 2014 by Gary

Happy 98th birthday Lillian Thompson Bergstrom (DHS ’36): Superior, WI

Folks,

I believe Lillian is the oldest living graduate that has graduated from Dunseith High School.

Lillian’s sisters were Ella (Eldon) Pladson and Esther (Edmar) Tangen. Their mother was a Stokes, sister to my Grandfather Frank.

Lillian was born and raised in the Ackworth community. When I talked to Lillian a year or so ago she was pretty sharp. She remembers so much of the early history of the Ackworth and Dunseith communities. She left the area a few years before I was born, so I don’t remember her. My dad often spoke of her though, so I have always known who she is. I have pasted her contact info above. I am sure she would love a phone call. Tell her who you are and how you got her phone number so she will know your call is for real.

Gary

John Tangen shared Debi Cain-Rivord‘s photo.

Happy birthday to my Aunt Lillian Bergstrom (98, I think) – in Superior, Wisconsin

Happy Birthday Alan Poitra (DHS ’76): Bloomington, MN.

Bowling Pin setter

Reply from Glen Williams (’52): Missoula, MT

Gary and all…I was a pin setter at Stadium and Woodfords…before they had the racks to put the pins in….one had to be quick to avoid being hit by flying pins….and it was dusty back there….but it was a way to make some spending money……

The Garden Lanes pretty much put the Stadium and Woodford bowling alley out of business….

Glen Williams Class of ’52

History

Reply from Bob Lykins (HS Teacher): Hutto, TX.

Gary,

Sorry to hear about Bernadette. It sounds like you have plenty of very good and loving help that will make things much easier for you both. You are in my prayers. I was interested to read what Aime and Dick had to say about the teaching of history. Even though I taught commercial subjects in Dunseith, my first love has always been history and that is what I taught and worked on as an Education Specialist with DoDDS for the last 35 years of my career. My Master’s Degree is in Social Studies Curriculum. I was surprised to see where some states are cutting back on the teaching of history. History and the social studies have always been one of the foundation stones of all state curriculums. American History and European History along with American Government remain required courses in all states. In these courses the discussion becomes content and approach as there is so much to cover and problem solving is the most popular approach today. It is the 9th grade social studies courses that has caused, over the years, the most discussion. The question has been whether to offer a social studies course at this grade level (In many states it is World Regions) or offer other opportunities such as in math and the sciences. Maybe we should do like most of the other countries and that is have a 12 month school year along with a 13 year curriculum above kindergarten (oooh, that would go over big with the kids). -:) By the way, the quote, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” was attributed to one of my favorite philosophers, George Santayana of Spain. He is also supposed to have said, “Only the dead have seen the end of war.” Some say Plato first said that but I’ll stick with Santayana. Bob

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

Blog (34) posted on March 4, 2008

From Carol Watkins Carbonneau (46) Via her daughter-in-law Sharon Carbonneau:

Gary, I got this note from my cousin Charles Carbonneau’s wife. My Aunt Carol Watkins Carbonneau, is the one who knew all the names. She and her husband Emery still live in Bottineau and since Carol grew up in the Turtle Mts. And went to Rendahl church she knows everyone!! Crystal Fassett Andersen

Crystal (Fassett), I emailed the class picture to Ann and she had Carol come over

and they identified all the people on the photo. When I saw Carol in the

first row, I knew she could tell you who they were. I’m not sure who to

send this to so I’ll send it to you. I’ve been forwarding the messages

to Ann and then she shows them to Carol when they get together. They

love it. Thanks. Sharon

Mother[Carol Watkins Carbonneau (46)] has identified all of the people on the Vance Bailey Sunday school class picture.
1941 Sunday school class of Peace Lutheran Church of Dunseith, grades of 7 through High School.

From Kathy Salmonson Helgeland (64):

Hi Gary, Would like to keep in touch with classmates and friends from last years reunion and also receive updates on the Cruise 2009. I had to update my computer and I’m back on line. Kathy Salmonson Helgeland

From Floyd Pritchard:

Gary, please place to your mailing blog so Floyd can get the infor and perhaps send in infor. Thanks, His wife, Ann

Floyd, I remember you in my younger days living at Dave & Winnifred Eurich’s. Were you there only in the summer? Did you attend Dunseith for any of your schooling? Gary

From Linda Johnson Juntunen (72):

Don’t know if everybody saw this.

SALUTE NORTH DAKOTA

YOU TUBE ABC NEWS

Subject: YouTube – person of the week…an entire state

Shortcut to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhFcbdpdgUY

Lola Metcalfe Vanory’s (68) Condolences to the Glen Millang family & reply to Crystal Fassett Anderson (70):

lola vanorny, ew
Oh Crystal– it is soo wonderful to get these pictures!!- I can remember
them barely when they were so young–please keep them coming!!_- Lola

Yes our hearts were saddened by the passing of our next door neighbor–
Glen Millang– what a shock—- it was so sudden. Our thoughts and
prayers h ave been with Suzie and the boys.

I got to see Kip- (he lives in Seattle with his family ) when I stopped in
there Sunday– he looks really good — it’s been years since I saw him.
Too bad it is always these times we get to see neighbor kids and others
that live far away.

Thanks for these wonderful letters Gary. It has turned into a phenominal
thing– unique I’m sure– take care Lola V

Question from Diane Larson Sjol (70):

Bev,
Was not able to attend the benefit but would like to donate…is there
an account set up? Diane Larson Sjol

Bobby Slyter’s (70) reply to Dick Johnson (68):

To Dick Johnson

Thanks for the pic of the bowling team with my mom and yours in it, it was great as our parents spent a lot of time together whether it was coming to the farm on weekends or when they where bowling

Picture identification from Dick Johnson (68):

Gary and friends

Thanks to Myra Henning Halvorson for the pictures of the
choirs. The one from last summer was taken at the practice,
which I couldn’t make because of other commitments with the
reunion. It was great to sing with you folks on Sunday in the
service dedicated to my dad. Gary did a nice job! I can name
the singers for you as someone had asked.

Greg Hill,Don Berg,
Bob Hosmer, Curt Hagel, Linda Johnson Juntunen, Myra Henning
Halvorson, Cheryl Haagenson, Shelly Fulsebakke Albertson,
Loraine Neameyer Haas, Loretta Neameyer Wall, Ann Marie Boppre Perry,

Brenda Hill Mueller, Deb Morinville Marmon. There may
have been some others on Sunday but these are the ones in the
practice picture. Thank you each and everyone.

Dick

Thank you Neolo Kofoid Garbe for sending this to us:

2/21/2014 (1969)

Posted on February 21, 2014 by Gary

No blog yesterday

For the record I did not get a blog posted yesterday

Gary

Reply from Connie Zorn Landsverk: Bottineau, ND

Just reading the past daily Blogs!I feel bad about Beradette,s health issues!I can still remember when all had lunch together @ the Family Bakery in Bottineau!Bernadette looked so good last summer!keeping both of you in my thoughts & prayers!So good to know you have help for her as i know It,s important for you Gary to have outside activities as well too!!Take care sending Gods blessings to both of you and your caregivers as well!!Connie (Zorn) Landsverk!!

Cebu, Philippines: Stokes house this afternoon.

Lorelie, the gal sitting with Bernadette came to visit us today. She is in a relationship with our son Bernie. This was our first opportunity to really meet and visit with her. She is a very nice gal, well educated and very well spoken (English).

This was her Face Book posting.

Tito Gary Stokes, very much appreciate and thank you for giving me the chance to meet bernie’s beautiful cousins and aunts..and the chance to hug and know the real sweet and caring Tita Adet.. May God richly bless you and your family..

Note: With Bernadette’s excitement to meet Lorelie, she was really pumped up and doing quite well. Her visit was a real lift for Bernadette.

With Lorelie’s visit we had dinner at Orosia’s. Authentic Filipino food

Today’s posting – Common Sense Obituary printed in today’s London Times

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

February 1, 2014

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as:

– Knowing when to come in out of the rain;

– Why the early bird gets the worm;

– Life isn’t always fair;

– And maybe it was my fault.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don’t spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).

His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.

Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children.

It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an aspirin to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.

Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims.

Common Sense took a beating when you couldn’t defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.

Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, launched a lawsuit and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.

Common Sense was preceded in death,

-by his parents, Truth and Trust,

-by his wife, Discretion,

-by his daughter, Responsibility,

-and by his son, Reason.

He is survived by his 5 stepbrothers;

– I Know My Rights

– I Want It Now

– Someone Else Is To Blame

– I’m A Victim

– Pay me for Doing Nothing

Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone.

If you still remember him, forward this on. If not, join the majority and do nothing.

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

Blog (33) posted on March 3, 2008

Reply from Jim Robillard (58):

GARY,

THANKYOU FOR THE KIND WORDS. THEY ARE VERY MUCH APPRECIATED.

I READ THE E-MAILS YOU SEND EVERY DAY THAT I’M AT HOME. I HAVE HAVE THEM SAVED IN A FILE. THEY ARE INTERESTING AND THEY BRING BACK A LOT OF MEMORIES.

YOU ARE DOING A GREAT SERVICE FOR EVERYONE ENVOLVED.

GOD BLESS

JIM ROBILLARD

Condolences to the Elvina Robillard family from Mel Kuhn (70):

Gary,

Please forward my condolences to the Elvina Robillard family. Elvina lived at Park View Assisted Living in Rolla for the last couple years where I cook at. I got to know Elvina quite well while she was there. She was a wonderful lady who lived in a lot of pain and never complained. I missed our conversations when she had to leave us and go to Bottineau and was looking forward to seeing her when I would go to visit my mom who is at Good Samariton. Unfortunately her untimely passing prevented me from getting a chance to do this. We had many a spirited conversation about cooking and about the other “OLD” people, as she put it, at Park View. She was one of the very few who would give me compliments on my cooking when I would do good and give me pointers when I would do not so good. She loved fry bread and stew and when I made it just the other day her memory was formost in my mind. I will miss her dearly.

Mel Kuhn

Request for someone in the Dunseith Turtle Mountain area: I don’t have Raphael Poitra on our distribution list. If any of you plan on going past Kelvin and are able to print these condolences & obiturary out from yesterday & today, I’m sure he’d love to see them. His phone number is 701-263-3449. The number for Kelvin is 701-263-4150. Jim & Gloria, I don’t have Robert or Geraldine on our list either. Gary

Bill Grimme’s (65) rely to Dick Johnson (68):

Dick,

Thank you for the very beautiful things you said about my father, Carl Grimme. He could fix about anything. Wish I had been in the habit of taking more notes! But, some of that stuff you just can’t find in a DIY manual. I was particularly impressed with your memory. After you wrote about it, I remembered the ship in the bottle. YOU REMEMBERED IT WAS ON A SOUTH WALL! Amazing. After thinking long and hard, I realized you were absolutely correct!

I enjoy reading everyone’s contributions, and yours are particularly interesting and heartfelt. You reflect the beauty of your parents in your sincere interest in your fellow man and your ability to remember the best things about people.

Thanks, again.

Bill Grimme

Lynn Halvorson Otto’s (75) reply to Phyllis McKay (65):

Hi Gary, I don’t know Phyliss McKay but living in Seoul, Korea there are DOD schools here she may be interested in. Seoul is a nice city with lots to offer foreigners. Guam is also nice, very westernized so everyone speaks English and all the American restaurants. As you probably know, Guam is very small so one may feel very confined there but great climate. Seoul has the four seasons but winter is mild and dry with little snow.

This is just my thoughts. I forward all these responses to my parents, Lester and Dorothy Halvorson who really enjoy them. Thanks for all you are doing. If you ever get to Seoul please feel free to look me up, coffee is always on! Lynn Otto (Halvorson-75).

Message from Arlinda (Lindy) Fauske Vaneynde’s (69):

Thank you Gary so much for sending this information out, I went to school with Mike Evans, this just really touched me. Our family has a lot to face yet in life with the loss of Parents, God has been so gracious to us, to all of us, we have so much to be thankful for, our past, just growing up in a small community and enjoying the little things in life.

I hope all is going well for you and your family, my husband and I are going to go back to ND this summer sometime, we haven’t set a date yet but I can’t wait, I think Carrole and Lavern might also meet up with us, so will be a fun time.

Take care and thanks again for the emails.

Lindy

Message from Joan Wurgler Salmonson (61) – Little Prairie Cemetery:

Hi Gary,

In regards to the Little Prairie Cemetery north of Dunseith, we will be happy to accept any memorials and donations for upkeep to our cemetery. We are an active association with our annual meeting always held on the 1st Monday in April, which will be April 7th this year.Our President is Dick Johnson with Carmen Myer and Deane Striker as directors. A new frontage fence has been a project of the members and is now complete and adds a neat appearance along the Hwy. 43 ND Scenic Byway and is a tribute to those there that have gone before us.

Any amount will be greatly appreciated. Please send to: Joan Salmonson

RR 1, Box 130

Dunseith, ND 58329

PS: Thanks Crystal for the great suggestion.

Bobby Slyter’s (70) reply to Crystal Fassett Andersen (70):

to crystal fassett

thanks again for the pic of the lady bowlers, have not seen a pic of delores hiatt in years as she died so young, and god will probably smack me but was not my mother (Margo Hiatt) a real looker

Message & Pictures from Myra Henning Halvorson (72):

Request: Can anyone identify the folks in these pictures? Gary

Hello Gary,

We are really enjoying all the Dunseith memories that you are sending out.
Thanks so much!

I recently came across an old band boosters calendar with the 69-70
Governor’s Choir picture which I had to pass along. I am also sending one
that was taken this summer at the reunion church service where some
members of that choir joined together in song one more time. Gary
Fulsebakke was our director. The wonderful memories of band and choir
under the direction of Don Johnson will always be with me. He made a very
positive impact on my life. Does anyone else remember the time he and
Bernice invited his students to their home for a skating party and supper?
What a good time!!

Les and I just returned from Dunseith where we attended the benefit for
Bev Mornville. She was there and doing very well. She starts radiation
tomorrow.

Keep up the good work on this memory hotline!
Myra (Henning) Halvorson ’72

Dick Johnson’s (68) Condolences to the Glen Millang and Elvena Robillard Families, memories & pictures:

Dick, This picture of your dad is a mirror image of the way I remember you. Gary

Gary and friends

Our condolences to the families of Glen Millang and Elvena
Robillard. They were good people and will be missed by all.
Glen and his son Cam helped me work cattle for several years
after Dad was gone. We had some good times. Thank you to
Crystal for the bowling pictures. The old bowling alley was in
the back of the Woodford-Stadheim bar. It was much later
nicknamed the Snakepit. Can you folks remember the little
lunch counter on the north side of the bar? I remember sitting
on the stools and getting a glass of buttermilk from Bertha
Myer. Grandpa Henry Olson got me started drinking buttermilk
when I was two years old and I nearly crave the stuff to this
day!! My mother in law had some in her fridge for pancakes one
of the first times I was at their place. When I asked her if I
could have a glass she got this blank look on her face and when
I drank it she seemed concerned about Brenda’s wellbeing!! Back
to the bowling alley. As I recall there was a row of chairs in
the back for spectators and in the middle of the alleys by the
start line was a tooled wooden post with a large round chalk
ball that the guys rubbed on their hands before they threw a
ball. Is my memory right? I know Bill Fassett threw a hard fast
ball and can remember him yelling “Vince” when Vince Kalk would
jump back down behind the pins to straighten one about the time
Bill let fly with his ball. Vince would cover his head and duck
but I remember him getting pummeled with pins. For the younger
ones, pinsetting was done by hand in those days. They did have
a rack as I recall, but put the pins in by hand. When the
Garden Lanes opened, the pins were set automatically with auto
ball return too!! I believe the bowling alley opened in 1956 or
1957. I have some of Grandpa Henry’s papers on it but don’t
remember for sure. He and Glen Johnson were the first partners
as I recall. Dad [Don Johnson] bowled ALL the time and
eventually taught bowling at Garden Lanes. When I was young I
went with him to bowling tournaments all over the state. It did
get old after a while for a young kid though! Can anyone
remember when the Dunseith guys went to Minot to bowl on TV? I
got to stay home so I could watch it on our big 19 inch, fuzzy,
snowy, black and white TV!!!!The good old days!?!? I was
looking for some bowling pictures and found several but will
include these two for now. Dad is throwing a ball and just
behind him is Edgar Anderson. Sitting is Bill Fassett. If you
look to the left side of the photo,low and behold is the post
with the chalk thing I mentioned earlier! The four gals are
Margo Hiatt, Mom [Bernice Johnson], Joyce Evans, and Joy
Nordquist.The guys are at Woodford’s and the gals are at Garden
Lanes a few years later.

Dick

Picture:

2/19/2014 (1968)

Posted on February 19, 2014 by Gary

Bernadette Stokes Update

Folks,

Bernadette is not doing so well. She came out of the comma like state that she was in on Monday pretty good. Tuesday Morning she was very alert and her balance was OK. Since then she has been on a downward spiral. I tried to get her to eat dinner with me this evening, but I couldn’t convince her to join me. After I ate Novie and Mirasol were successful in getting her to the table. She needed guidance and help walking from the living room to the kitchen. She was unable to eat on her own, so Mirasol feed her. She cleaned her plate, so her appetite is OK. She is now back lying on the couch in the living room with her eyes closed. Her speech is affected and she has problems thinking of words she wants to say. It is very difficult for her to express herself.

Even though she has continuous help, She will very often call me for assistance. Today she didn’t realize it was Wednesday. While being pampered by Novie and Mirasol, I told her I was going bowling. She broke down and cried because I was leaving. When I told her I would stay home, she insisted that I go of which I did. I was only gone for about 4 hours. She is hitting the low points more frequently of which we knew was/is coming.

Yesterday in a state of depression, she said “I wish I had not promised Bernie (our son) that I would be here when he comes”. Bernie will be arriving March 24th and plans on being here for three plus months. She is very excited for his arrival.

She just now called me because she wants to go to bed. It is 6:30 PM. The normal pattern is for her to be back and forth from the bedroom to the living room numerous times until I go to bed at about 11:00 PM. Then she will settle down for the night.

We will see what tomorrow brings.

Gary

June 2013 – Bernie and Bernadette Stokes

History

Reply from Dick Johnson (’68): Dunseith, ND

Gary and Friends,

The blog number is 1968 and that has a special ring to it for
several of us. I would like to reply to Aime Casavant’s narrative on
the lack of teaching history to young people and the results of such a
mistake. Having had many older friends and relatives who lived through
tough times, I had a special interest in their insight of how things
are what they are and how they get that way. As we were growing up,
special respect was given to those who served our country to protect us
from losing our freedom to live in peace. It would appear that those
who now have lived in peace and freedom gained for us by these veterans
believe that it was always this way and will always be–so why talk
about it? Let’s just get on with living our lives and let the past go
to wherever pasts go. That will be the greatest mistake ever made and
responsible adults will become rare in our population. The less
informed the population is, the greater the chance of history having to
repeat itself for the new generations. I intentionally start a
conversation with young adults once in a while about World War Two (for
the ones who don’t know what WWII stands for) just to see the
expressions on their faces. If they can get their eyes off their phones
for a second, they usually stare at me like I am somehow talking in a
foreign language. One of my worst fears is that we, as a population in
general, will leave the lessons learned by our elders to sit on shelves
in old books while we go about life believing it was always like this.
Many hard lessons learned throughout time can be avoided by teaching
kids history, along with archival films and pictures, that will instill
in them the evils lurking in the world that are perfectly happy to hear
that we are dumbing down our schools about history. It’s happening and
it’s the new norm right here right now. Nearly every day there is
another lame brain change in education that leads away from the
necessary goals and toward disaster. My humble opinion. Thanks Gary!

Dick

Ginger LaRocque Poitra (’65)

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

Gary,

I just had a brief visit with your classmate and friend,

Ginger (LaRocque) Poitra at Bottineau General Store____ i.e. Walmart.

She expressed concern about your dear, Bernadette as she holds both of you in high regard.

She regrets that does not receive the daily blog.

She patiently awaits better internet service to her home.

I told her I I will try to be more cognizant and fwd the daily blogs to her son.

Until Later, Vickie

Vickie,

Next time you see Ginger please give her our regards.

Ginger is one of the most humble loving care giving folks on the face of this earth. This world needs more Ginger’s. She is from the class of ’65 too.

Gary

Bernadette

Reply from Margaret Metcalfe Leonard (’65): Rolette, ND

Hi Gary, Thankful thst Bernadette is having a better day….every good day is a gift!! I can only imagine how difficult it is for both you and Bernadette to deal with the tough days! So thankful ypu are able to get such good help and you are an amazing care giver, Gary.
I’m in Kingman, Arizona with my brother Jim and Yoli. We have been golfing in 75 degree weather…every day is paradise!! Im enjoying every moment especially when I hear the weather forecast for ND. You and Bernadette are in my prayers. Margaret.

Margaret,

It has been awhile since we have heard from you, so I am posting.

Thank you so much for your kind words and encouragement.

Enjoy your time with your brother Jim in AZ. I am hoping you are planning to spend the rest of the winter there as well too?

Gary

Bernadette

Reply from Shirley LaRocque Wendt (’59): Tukwila, WA

I am so sorry to hear of Bernadette illness, I am praying will be better real soon. Lots of rain here in Seattle. We did a bit of snow a few weeks ago but it was gone in a few days. Thanks for this blog I really enjoy it. All for now. Shirley(LaRocque)Wendt

Thank you Shirley.

Gary

Bernadette

Reply from Gwendolyn Struck Dumas (’68): Havre, MT.

Gary & Bernadette,

Just read the blog and find it to be wonderful news, even though it is a small step, it is indeed a good step.

Thoughts and prayers continue for you folks from the State of Montana.
Gwendolyn

Thank you Gwendolyn

Gary

Donations/shipping to the Philippines

Reply from Martha Lamb (’68): Newburg, ND

Gary,

We’re happy to hear that Bernadette is doing much better. We pray that each day is better.

Gary, thanks for making the offer to help us out with distribution. Our council was very happy to hear of you and that you are so helpful. We’ll check on going independent rather than through Lutheran World Relief, there may be a big difference in shipping. This may be a factor. I’ll let you know more about that. In the mean time our Council will pursue the collection each week of lent and one way or another this will go to the Philippines after Easter.

Take Care,

Martha

Martha,

I’d check the local available methods and costs, but I am thinking, with the volumes, that the Lutheran World Relief would be a lot less expensive. I am assuming they rent 40′ container boxes that they load on ships. That is what the companies managing the Balikbayan box shipments do.

If you send the boxes to us, we can distribute however you like. We have several good friends that are doing relief work for the Typhoon victims. For the Philippine’s in general, we know lots of areas that can dearly use the assistance, many of which are in our general neighborhood.

Please keep me posted.

Gary

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

Blog (32) posted on March 2, 2008

I just received this Obituary of Elvena Robillard’s from my cousin Neola Kofoid Garbe. Jim Robillard (58) and Gloria Robillard Patnaude (69) are on our distribution list. Raphael Poitra, owner of Kelvin, was in the class of 65 and Geraldine Robillard Volker was in the class of 60.

Elvena Robillard (Obituary)

June 30, 1923-Feb. 16, 2008

DUNSEITH – Elvena Robillard, 84, Bottineau, formerly of Belcourt, Rolla and Dunseith, died Saturday, Feb. 16, 2008, in a Bottineau nursing home.

She was born June 30, 1923, to Emery and Alice St. Claire in Dunseith. She married Joseph “Bill” Robillard Sept. 5, 1941, in Dunseith.

Survivors: sons, James Robillard, Williston, Robert Robillard, Bismarck, Raphael Poitra, Dunseith; daughters, Geraldine Volker, Everett, Wash., Gloria Patnaude, Belcourt; 24 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; stepsister, Cecelia Delorme; stepbrother, Charles Poitra.

Funeral: Friday, 10 a.m., St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, Dunseith.

Burial: St. Louis Catholic Cemetery, Dunseith, in the spring.

Rosary service: Thursday, 8 p.m., in the church.

Visitation: Thursday, 6 p.m., in the church. (Elick Funeral Home, Rolla)

To the Elvena Robillard Family. Our condolences are with you with the loss of your mother/grandmother. Of her siblings I personally know Raphael. He was in my class (65) and of coarse he attended our reunion this last summer. Raphael, you are such a wonderful kind hearted spirited guy and being siblings to you, I’m sure the rest of Elvena’s family are the same. Gary & Bernadette Stokes

Condolences to the Millang family from Dave Slyter (70):

Dear Susie, Cam, Sherri, Kip, Linda, and Dale:

It is a tough time for you, and we will all be praying for you. With Gods help and understanding he will get each and everyone of you through this tough time. He has done his hard work on earth and now he must rest at home with all the others.

God Bless to you all,

Dave Slyter

Phyllis McKay’s (65) letter to Gary Stokes (65):

Phyllis, I hope you don’t mind that I’ve taken the liberty to share your letter with the rest of the folks. I think folks will be interested in what you are doing. With your personality, charisma and dedication I know you must be a wonderful teacher. The DOD will be fortunate to have you. Good luck. Gary

Gary,
I tried to send this e-mail to Bob Lykins but it wouldn’t go through. Maybe I do not have his e-mail in my system. I am at home so sometimes my computer does not work the same as if I were at school. I am hoping you will be able to send the message on to Bob or send me his e-mail address.

As you can see, I am putting in my application for teaching overseas. I have completed most of the application. I am waiting on the recommendations from my principal and former principals and then I will need to send my teaching certificate to DoD. I will also need to be interviewed. I am excited about the possibility of teaching overseas.

Again I want to thank you for all the e-mails. I truly enjoy reading them. I haven’t had much to contribute this year, but feel as if I am getting to know many of the people from Dunseith that I only knew by name. Reading about how so many of us grew up in a relatively safe environment, makes me wish I would have brought up my own children there. But I was brought up thinking that Dunseith didn’t have anything to offer. (Of course I had the wanderlust in my soul even back then.) The childhood that so many of us have in common and the experiences of a small community are a rare commodity of the city life.

I think the idea of sending a donation to help with the up-keep of the cemeteries is a great idea, being we all have loved ones residing one or more of them.

I am amazed at the for sight of the Fassett’s vast collections of our Dunseith history. I am not one for keeping things for very long. They didn’t just keep memorabilia on their own families but also on the community. What a wonderful addition their articles and pictures have made to the e-mails.

Keep the e-mails coming, Gary, I love them. Say hello to Bernadette from me. She is a super person and I feel lucky to have met her. I also am enjoying your e-mails about life in the Philippines. One of the places that I could teach at is Guam. Because of your e-mails, I think Guam may be somewhat like the Philippines and would be a facinating place to go to.

Phyllis
.

Letter to Bob Lykins

Bob, I am in the process of completing my application for employment with Department of Defense schools. I am excited about going overseas to teach. If there is anything you can do to help me with my application or suggestions, I would appreciate the help. Phyllis McKay, your former student

Pictures from Crystal Fassett Anderson (70):

Here are the other pictures that go with the 1955 bowlers. My Dad Bill wrote on them “the support/fan crew”.The 1st pic is Margo Hiatt,Delores Hiatt,Helen Watkins Neslon(my aunt),& Marlys Evans 2nd pic is Marlys,Rita Anderson,my Mom Irene Fassett & Bernice Johnson. These were in the old Woodford bar/bowling alley that I remember being called the snakepit. Crystal Fassett Andersen

2/17/2014 (1967)

Posted on February 17, 2014 by Gary

Bernadette Stokes Update:

When I woke up this morning Bernadette was wide awake. Her eyes were open and she said “good morning”. She was very alert, coherent and mobile all of which she was not yesterday. What a pleasant surprise to wake up too. She does not remember anything from the beginning of yesterday morning until 4:00 PM in the afternoon. She vaguely remembers last night. She is not a 100% by any means, but she is many times better than yesterday.

Thanks to all of you for your continued support and the many Face book postings too.

The point has come where we needed to bring on more help. We hired Bernadette’s 2nd cousin who is badly in need of a job too. Her sole job is to be with Bernadette in the evenings from 6 to 10. Bernadette likes her and suggested we hire her. We provide her with room and board plus a salary.

This evening we were invited to a birthday party. Bernadette didn’t feel like going, so I went alone. When I got back home about 10 pm, her 2nd cousin and Novie with two of her boys were with Bernadette. The boys were sleeping on the floor. Bernadette said “I need lots of people around me so Novie is here too” As I am writing this Novie has joined her boys and is sleeping on the floor. Bernadette has gone to bed with the bedroom door open knowing Novie is in the living room. I will be there shortly.

Gary

Happy Birthday Cheri Metcalfe Evans (DHS ’74)

Reply from Marlene Lilleby Palmquist Larsen (’53): Ephrata, WA

My prayers are with you and your beloved Bernadette.

Your blog is a daily joy. Look forward to seeing it so much and still remember most of the Dunseith folks, even though my family moved out west to

Palouse Wa. when I was in the 7th grade.

Marlene Lilleby Palmquist Larsen Class of 1953

Thank you Marlene,

Gary

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

Gary,

So sorry to read of Bernadette’s turn today. These “spells” must be so difficult. I am hoping that

tomorrow will find her much improved.

Colette

Thank you Colette,

Yes these spells are difficult, but with good help we manage.

Gary

Reply from Rich Campbell (’68): Minot, ND

Gary–our prayers are with Bernadette. She has lots of support “stateside.”

Thanks Rich,

Gary

Reply from Jim and Connie (’64) Kester: Bottineau, ND

Just wanted to let you know that we are thinking about you and hope things improve for Bernadette once again. She always looks so nice and I am sure she is happy to have some of her family to help her.

We are in Bakersfield CA again this year. Jim starts working tomorrow. I miss being in ND but we are enjoying the break from the cold.

Thank you for all your work with the blog. Jim and Connie Kester

Thank you Connie,

Enjoy your time in Bakersfield.

Gary

Reply from Allen Richard (’65): Midland, MI.

About the WW eleven story — As a fan and teacher of history, I am not exactly stunned by the classroom event — but it should have been the teacher who left the room — under the escort of the administration.

Happy Birthday Vida Peterson Hiatt.

Message/Picture from Rod Hiatt (’69): Bottineau, ND

Gary

It is Moms 88th birthday today(Sunday)

Here is a picture of Mom, my sister Shelley, in the back is Chops Carlson, and Shelley’s husband Jeff taken a a couple years ago at Christmas. Mom is still volunteering a couple days a week at the Good Sam in Bottineau.

Rod,

Please give your mother birthday wishes from us. She always looks very nice too. I saw her several times this past July with our visit back to the area. She is looking great. We had several nice chats too. She for sure does not show here age, same for Shelley. I am so glad I was able to finely see and meet Shelley. It was very nice seeing you too Rod. I was so saddened with Laurel’s passing. I only wish I could have seen him before he left us. It has actually been a number of years since I last saw Laurel.

Gary

Care packages for the Philippines.

Message from Martha Lamb Schepp (’68): Newburg, ND

I opened up your blog today to read the latest on Bernadette. Is there medical help in the Philippines? We’ll keep you and Bernadette in our thoughts and prayers.

Just wanted to share our conversation from our church council meeting which happened after church this morning. A brochure was passed around that talked about “Baskets of Promise” supported by Lutheran World relief and will be sending personal care supplies to the Philippines . These collections would happen every Sunday until Easter. When I told the council we knew people personally in the Philippines, they wanted to know if we could call our collections “Basket of Hope” and send the care package to you and Bernadette for distribution. The things that are suggested are collecting a different item each week. Week 1 being Bars of Soap, week 2, Combs, Week 3, light weight bath towels 52″ x 27″ ,Week 4, nail clippers, week 5, toothbrushes, and Palm Sunday Bars of soap again. Maybe there would other items that are needed more. We are open to suggestions.

After reading your blog today about Bernadettes condition, maybe you would not want to deal with distributing these supplies. We are a small congregation and so I don’t expect the basket to be a large amount of things. Be honest and let us know your feelings on doing something like this at your difficult time.

Thank You!

Sincerely

Martha Lamb Schepp (’68)

Martha,

The answer to your first question, yes, we have “state of the art” medical coverage here in the Philippines.

About your “Basket of Hope” care packages. Are these intended for the Typhoon victims or in general the Filipino’s in need? We can support either cause. How are you shipping these items? You can ship them to our address if you like. Basic needs that you have listed would be greatly appreciated. Shipping costs can be costly. From Bremerton we ship all of our stuff via Balikbayan boxes. Not sure if there is a Balikbayan shipments available in Minot or not. Art or Rose Hagen can may know if Balikbayan box shipments are available in Minot.

Thank you Martha,

Gary

History

Reply form Aime Casavant (’66): Jamestown, ND

Gary,

I hope your doing able to hang in there with the difficulty of Bernadette’s health.

From Bill Hosmer’s posting, that some history is no longer required in high school classes and the corresponding presentation, is is very unfortunate. Churchill said “those who fail to understand history are condemned to repeat it.” We had a foreign exchange student with us for a year from the Netherlands and she also observed that some of the education standards in high school are much lower than those in her country. She was particularly amused by multiple choice tests/quizzes, she said its is so different to receive a quiz and the answers are given to the student! But she did think the pageantry that goes along with graduation form high school and extra curricular activities like music, drama, sports, et. al, a good thing – there are many things we do very well. They do not have those things in high school in the Netherlands. We had many good conversations about each of our cultures.

In high school, I cannot recall, but I wish that saying from Churchill with some discussion would be good at the start of a history class. When I did the student teaching part of the college curriculum, I usually included this in the first session, as I remember from high school, the question always came up “why history, why do I need to know about all these things from long ago that have nothing to do with me today?” I do recall that once, we were taught about the internment camps of the Japanese citizens in this country and that was very important. Being a nation of immigrants, its seems important we exercise caution when another country becomes a foe to the U.S.

There is a lot to know and understand, it seems to me. The historical understanding of the separation of church and state ( today we can look to some of the countries in world who mix the two and what happens besides religious persecution – example – September 11th), the recessions that follow the build-up to wars (economics), the sweat shops that occurred at the onset of the industrial revolution gave me an understanding of Worker’s Compensation Insurance ( an area I worked in for a part of my life). There is so much – history is so important. But it takes very good social science teachers to get these ideas through to teenagers (like I once was) and whose interest were cars and other popular things of the day. Just my thoughts today.

Aime

Obituaries

Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: neolag@min.midco.net Bottineau & Minot, ND

DORIS SMITH PRITCHARD (DHS ‘1946)

Doris Pritchard, age 84 of Bottineau, died Thursday at a Minot hospital. Funeral will be held on Tuesday at 10:00 am at the United Parish in Bottineau. Visitation will be on Monday from 1:00 pm. until 9:00 pm. with a prayer service at 7:00 pm at the Nero Funeral Home in Bottineau.

Doris May Pritchard, a daughter of Winthrop and Edna (Hintz) Smith was born on June 28, 1929 at Bottineau. She was reared on the family farm south of Currie Country School in Rolette County where she also attended school. She later moved with her family to farm near Lord’s Lake. She graduated from Dunseith High School in 1945. She attended teacher’s college in Minot and upon graduation she obtained a teaching position at a country school in Rolette County. On January 10, 1949, she married Corbin Pritchard at the First Lutheran Church Parsonage in Bottineau. She worked for a time as a clerk at the Red Owl and also Vinje’s Dept Store. In 1964, they opened Pritchard’s Shoe Store in Bottineau. Corbin passed away on October 19, 1981.

She was a member of the United Methodist Church and later the United Parish in Bottineau. Doris had many interests to occupy her spare time. She enjoyed spending time at Lake Metigoshe, visiting with her family and friends, gardening and canning and crocheting. She also loved watching her grandsons play hockey and loved to watch the UND Fighting Sioux hockey games. She will be greatly missed by her family and many good friends.

She is survived by her sons, William (Diane) Pritchard, Keith (Janet) Pritchard all of Bottineau; daughter, Cheryl (Douglas) Marsden of Bottineau; grandchildren, Dominic (Jessica) Marsden of Bottineau, Damien (Megan) Marsden of Thief River Falls, MN, Stefan (Jill) Pritchard of Savage, MN, Erica (Duane) Klabunde of Minot, Katelyn (Paul) Pertile of Green River, WY, Johna (Nathan) Miller of Crystal MN, and Reis Pritchard of Bismarck, ND; 8 great-grandchildren; sisters, Betty Burcham of Kennewick, WA, Lois Yates of McKinney, TX, Judy (Royce) Yates of Shreveport, LA and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Patsy Krummy and great-grandson Rylin Marsden.

Arrangements were with Nero Funeral Home in Bottineau. Friends may sign the online register at www.nerofuneralhome.net.

Ronnald Tennancour
(Died February 13, 2014)

Ronnald Tennancour, age 72 of Bottineau, died Thursday at a Bottineau hospital. Funeral will be held on Tuesday at 2:00 pm at the St. Mark’s Catholic Church in Bottineau. Visitation will be Monday from 10:00 am until 9:00 pm with a prayer service at 5:00 pm at the Nero Funeral Home in Bottineau. Burial will be at the Oak Creek Cemetery in Bottineau.

Ronnald Tennancour, a son of Roland and Yvette (Boucher) Tennancour, was born on September 14, 1941. Roland passed away in 1942. They moved to Bottineau in 1944 when Yvette married Oscar Brunsell. Ron played catcher on the Bottineau baseball team that won the State Championship in 1959 and he graduated from Bottineau High School that same year. He then attended college in Wahpeton. He returned to the Bottineau area and began working with R&O Construction out of Rolette. On November 11, 1963, he married Carolle McNea at the St. Mark’s Catholic Church in Bottineau. In 1970 they moved to Fargo when Ron began working with Laney’s Plumbing and Heating. They returned to Bottineau in 1975 and opened T&J Plumbing and Heating. Ron retired in 2010.

He was a member of the Moose Lodge in Fargo. He loved golfing, hunting, bowling, playing cards and shaking dice.

Ron passed away on Thursday, February 13, 2014 at a Bottineau hospital.

He is survived by his wife, Carolle of Bottineau; daughters, Penny (Steve) Bernstein and Barb (Steve) Waagen all of Bottineau; 6 grandchildren, Justin (Kaleena) Bernstein, Jacob Bernstein, Jackson Bernstein, Dustin Monson, Patrick Monson and Nancy (Cayce) Stute; 4 great-grandchildren, Ashtyn and Blayke Bernstein and Adam and Hannah Stute; sister, LuAnne (Arlan) Opstedal of Minneapolis; brother, Fred Brunsell of Lead, SD; many loved brothers and sisters-in-law; nieces and nephews and his dog, Toby.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one grandson, Wade Waagen.

Arrangements were with Nero Funeral Home in Bottineau. Friends may sign the online register book at www.nerofuneralhome.net.

2/16/2014 (1966)

Posted on February 16, 2014 by Gary

No Blog yesterday.

Folks,

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

Gary

Bernadette Stokes update:

Folks,

Bernadette has taken a turn for the worse. Last night she started to get progressively worse. This morning she is unable to talk and for the most part is unresponsive. We were able to get her to stand up, but she was very unsteady. She has very little control of her leg and arm movements. She is loosing control of her motor movements. When we ask her a question or talk to her she is non responsive, just laying with her eyes open. After numerous repeats of a question, she will eventually reply with a yes or no.

With past spells, she has never been quite this low. Hopefully she will recover from this one too.

We were able to feed her a bowl of rice Cereal. She also drank about 16oz of water. We now have her outside on a reclining patio chair. Her condition is not improving.

Happy Birthday David Schimetz DHS (’79): Mandan, ND

Happy birthday Evon Lagerquist (‘DhS ’77): Dunseith, ND

Happy Birthday Clayton Parrill (’72): Bottineau, ND

Reply from Marlys Hiatt (’71): Dunseith, ND

I loved the picture of Bernadette on Valentines Day. Way to go
Bernadette!!!!

Marlys Hiatt

Doris Smith Pritchard (DHS ’46)
(Died February 13, 2014)

Guest Book | Sign Guest Book

Our condolences are with Doris’ family with her passing.

From a message I got from Bill, I knew Doris was in a Minot hospital, not doing well, but I never expected her passing.

In my growing up days our family had close family ties with Corbin and Doris, especially my grandparents on my mother side. My mother’s sister, Luella Woodward Pritchard, after having been married to Corbin for about a year died of TB in San Haven in 1944.

Bill printed off each and everyone of these daily blogs for his mother too.

Bill, Keith and Cheryl, our prayers are with you with your mothers passing.

Gary

Reply from Glen Williams (’52): Missoula, MT

As I recall the Dunseith Independent Basketball team in that era was sponsored by the American Legion…and had a lot of WW II vets on the team including Grenier…but I think Bill Fassett, Paul McCloud and Hazel Olson were some of the name that I remember being on the team….I am sure there were a lot more …but can’t remember their names….Gary Morgan probably remembers…Come on Gary give us the list.

World War Eleven

Postng from Bill Hosmer (’48): Tucson, AZ

Gary and Friends. There have been many complimentary statements

made about the fine teachers we all had during our days in the old school

house in Dunseith. The attached post is an indication of how fortunate

we were to be taught history, and the other subjects as well as we were.

I am glad the man walked out, but it is very sad. Bill Hosmer

    I don’t know for sure that this happened but there are several references to the event on line.

Norm

YOUNG PEOPLE CANNOT LEARN FROM HISTORY ANY MORE BECAUSE HISTORY IS NO LONGER TAUGHT AS A REQUIRED SUBJECT IN PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS.

    Theodore ” Dutch ” J. Van Kirk was the navigator on the ” Enola Gay” when it dropped the bomb at Hiroshima , Japan, and is the last surviving member of the crew.

    This really happened.

    Dutch was asked to speak at a grammar school this past week.

    The young teacher introduced him by saying the speaker was a veteran of World War Eleven (as in WWII).

    Dutch stood up and walked out of the school without saying a word.

    End of story.

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

Blog posted on March 1, 2008

Glenn Millang Passed Away: Messge from Ele Dietrich Slyter (69):

Some of you may have already heard, but in case you haven’t, I thought I had best send a note….Glen Millang passed away today. He was being admitted to Rugby Hospital with pneaumonia when his heart stopped. They brought him back once, but not for long. Sounds like the funeral will be held Tuesday…will let you know more as things progress. Ele

Condolences to the Millang Family From Gary & Bernadette Stokes:

Linda, Dale and the Millang Family, You have our Sincere condolences with the death of Glenn. He was such a young guy to have to leave us so early. He will be missed. Gary & Bernadette Stokes

Margaret Metcalfe Leonard’s (65) comments – Alice Berube Funeral – and reply to Bowling picture:

Thanks to Crystal, for the bowling picture… I have very few pictures of
my uncle Bing Evans, so it’s wonderful to see this one.

(Crystal’s note: 1955 Dunseith Men’s bowling league 1st place team.
Freddie Hiatt, Bing Evans, my Dad Bill Fassett, Don Johnson & Edgar
Anderson with Galen Olson on next alley (he was on the 2nd place team.)

By the way, Galen Olson, better known in Rolette as “Chuck Olson” was the
O in R&0 Plumbing, but he loved his farm up in the Turtle Mountains and
told lots of stories about growning up in the Dunseith area.

I just returned from Alice Berube’s funeral. Tom Berube gave a wonderful
Eulogy last night at the Rosary. Alice was so special to so many
people…everyone remembers her as a super cook and as a warm, wonderful
woman with a deep faith. It is truly heart warming to see how the Evans
and Berube families all get along and really care about each other. What a
beautiful tribute to Fortune and Alice.

Margaret Leonard

Lola Metcalfe Vanory’s (68) reply to Crystal Fassett Andersen (70):

lola vanorny, ew
Wow– Crystal thanks for the picture– I had seen that picture when I was a
little girl–but I don’t know what ever happened to it — now I have
it-!!!!!- Bing Evans was my favorite uncle and died very young in a
fire– it must have been shortly after this picture was taken because I
remember sitting on his lap and thought he was the greatest guy– he was
engaged to Jay’s Mom’s good friend Marlys Fritzvold . a lab tech at San
Haven–

My folks wouldn’t let me go to the funeral — I was soo upset!!– and I
remember that as clear as day they took me to spend the day at Uncle
Cliff and Lottie Metcalfe’s. I was about 5 –Uncle Cliff told me many
times how I came in the house and sat on a chair and held my little purse
on my lap – until they came back for me. and I do remember doing that–
I couldn’t understand why I couldn’t go to the funeral – in those days kids
didn’t go to funerals very often.

It is so amazing how young all those guys were– handsome bunch huh?–
was that in the Garden tap? or wasn’t it built yet?

Lola

Dick Johnson (68) – Condolences to the Alice Evans/Berube Family – & Remembrance of Carl Grimme:

Gary and friends

We too would like to send our condolences to the families of
Alice Evans Berube. Nice lady. I remember her having extra kids
in for lunch when we were out playing ball in their barn. When
they would ask if that was ok, her answer was always “sure”.
She will be sadly missed by all.

I would like to tell a story about Carl Grimme. He was born in
Germany and came to the U.S. as a young man. He brought with
him the old world ways of doing things exact. We were at Greg
Grimmes often and I was amazed at the things Carl could do. On
the south wall of their livingroom was a handmade ship that he
had made. It was authentic in detail and very intricate. Now
for the amazing part; IT WAS INSIDE A BOTTLE!!! I also remember
his ability to fix about anything that could be broken! He just
looked at the problem and then made a plan and went to work. I
was always impressed. Would’nt it be great if there were more
people like Carl Grimme in todays world!!

Dick

Susan Fassett Martin’s (65) message to many folks:

To Vickie Hiatt: My mom was one of the bowlers on the team with your mom. They had so much fun together–Now they are having a great reunion and probably going bowling again.

To Jim, Frank, Mike, Tom, Pat and Greg– also, Tom, Jim, Cecile and Bill—-condolences on the loss of your mother and step mother. Its hard to lose a parent at any age as you all well know. I miss mine every day and think how proud they would be of the communication of the Dunseith Alumni. We come from great stock and a great community. God Bless you all.

To Dick: I plan to get to Dunseith this summer some time and will bring all the scrapbooks I have. I am working on archiving old newspapers at this point. I have a ways to go to be done. If anyone wants to meet with me, I will let you know when I get a date set. Probably will stay in Bottineau before going on to Walhalla.

To Beverly Azure: So glad you are doing well. If you are interested in anything holistic or in the way of prevention, let me know. My husband is in the holistic field and has many clients who have been battling cancer. Prayers are with you

To Bill Hosmer: thanks for the wonderful reply to the article I sent you.

And to everyone else—-Happy Spring(soon I hope) Hugs and Prayers—Susan

Bob Slyter’s (70) Repy to Crystal Fassett Andersen (70):

To Crystal Fassett-what a wonderful picture of dads bowling team, thanks, don’t ever remember him being that young ha

2/14/2014 (1965)

Posted on February 14, 2014 by Gary

Happy Birthday Patty Spaeth Espe (‘DHS ’61): Lake Havasu City, NV

Happy birthday Kathy Salmonson

From Dennis Dubois (’63): Minneapolis, MN

Kathy, Happy Birthday. I hope the Montana weather is a little better than North Dakota or for that matter, Minnesota too. I hope to see you this summer as I make my annual trek to North Dakota. Have a good day and stay warm.

Frozen Fingers Music Festival in Minot
Message from Dick Johnson (’68): Dunseith, ND

Gary and Friends,

This weekend is the annual Frozen Fingers Music Festival in Minot
at the Sleep Inn Convention Center. It always is a good warm place to
be on a cold North Dakota day although this weekend is predicted to be
warmer than it has been for some time. Lots of good music groups
performing throughout the two days. Saturday is the main day and Friday
we are having up and coming local groups and performers and also a group
of young cloggers performing throughout the afternoon. There is an
evening meal and a dance following that. I just thought some of the
readers might be interested. Thanks Gary!

Dick
.

Question from Glen Williams (’52): Missoula, MT

Was Meyer’s Department Store before it was a Gamble Store..

Qustion

From Rosemary (Wayne ’61) Smith: Lake Metigoshe, ND

I hope you had a chnce to see the skater (mens) from the Philippines. 17 years old & learned from tv and a once or twice a year pro. He had a wonderful skate. Rosemary.

Dave Sandness, who lives here in Cebu, posted this on his FB page. As he states, the Olympic games have not been Televised here here in Cebu.

We have more than 100 cable tv channels here and NONE carry the Sochi Olympic Games. Why? Many of our channels are devoted to sports including golf, boxing, basket ball, soccer, cricket, horse racing, cock fighting, etc. The only athlete in the current Olympics from the Philippines is a figure skater. Ice in the tropics?

(1955-1956) Dunseith Alumni

Posted by Larry Liere (1955) Devils Lake, ND & Mesa, AZ

The picture sent in by Bob Hosmer. I am standing (3rd. from the left) between Barry Shelver and Bob Hosmer

two guys that were friends when I lived in Dunseith. Barry and I were in the same grade and graduated

in 1955. If I remember correctly Bob Hosmer was a year younger and would have graduated in 1956.

The three of us played together a lot before I moved to Devils Lake in 3rd grade. (a sad day in my life

back then) Can any of you name the rest of the people and give their graduation date as 55 or 56??

Posted by Susan Fassett Martin (’65): Spearfish, SD

Susan Kay Martin In this article the Dunseith team is called the Independents. When did the Dragons come to be??
Dennis Dubois the independents were a basketball team made of men who had already graduated or were no longer in school. Many of these guys had played high school ball as the Dragons. We still had an independent basketball team when I was in High school.
Glen Williams they had great “Independent” teams in those days.. Les was a Customs agent and great BB player

Happy Valentines day Bernadette,

Novie and Mirasol took and posted this picture on Face Book this morning.

Bernadette is feeling much better today. Our friends have invited us along with other friends to the Casino Espanol, a private club, for Valentines dinner this evening. Bernadette, I think, is feeling well enough to go. That wasn’t the case yesterday, but she is doing much better today.

Gary

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

Blog posted on February 29, 2008

2/29/2008

Posted on February 29, 2008

Vickie Hiatt LaFontaine’s (73) Condolences to the Alice (Evans) Berube family:

To the children of Alice Berube, my thoughts and prayers are with you this
morning. In the fall of 1999 we buried both our parents 4 weeks apart and
I still ache for them some days more so then others. I just wanted to share
a story with you about your mom. I never knew your mom very well, but @ a
bowling tournament in Minot one year moms team was @ the state tournament
bowling for their sponsor Wayne’s Jack and Jill. They were to bowl early
shift and as always Irene and her daughters were late. Alice was so
concerned about mom because she was diabetic and they knew she needed to
eat. They made sure she had fruit or some thing. I was so pleased to see
the love these ladies had for her. I made comment about her babysitters and
mom just smiled and said “oh they are so good to me”. After that I had a
real soft spot for all the ladies on that team. Vickie Hiatt LaFontaine 73

Dave Slyter’s (70) Condolences to the Evans/Berube families, reply to Margaret Metcalfe’s (65) pictures & Message to Bev Morniville (72):

What great pictures this time around. Especially the albino moose. Jamestown may have the white buffalo but Dunseith has a great white moose. : ) Is that this years picture?�
�
Message to the Evans/Berube families. My condolences to all of you. It is never easy during a time like this but the message of going home to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is always a comforting thought. �
�
Message to Bev Mornville. Glad that the recovery is going great. Keep working hard and keeping the faith and everything will turn out o.k.�
�
The cemeteries idea is a great one. I will be in getting in touch with Rod very soon.�
�
Dave Slyter : )

Dick Johnson’s (68) reply to Susan Fassett (65) and Bill Hosmer (48):

Gary and friendsThanks to Susan Fassett Martin for the correct story on the
triple anniversary. You guys don’t know of the extent of
collecting of pictures and articles and memories the Fassett
girls and their parents and Grandma Kate have done! When Susan
came to the reunion this past summer, she had the back of her
suv full of scrapbooks, pictures, etc. We spent a couple hours
at the drivein looking at scrapbooks, when I was supposed to be
home working! It was well worth the time, as I can’t get enough
of the history of our area. Many years ago at Kate’s, I read
her scrapbook containing the stories on the blizzard of 1941.
Many people lost there lives. Some were local.She had the
articles from most of the papers and magazines that had printed
it. Amazing to me!
To Bill Hosmer; we would be glad to take a look at your song.
We do Ghost Riders in the Sky already so this should work out.
Our lead guitar player, Jade Mogard, has the instrumental solo
down great. There will be no cost, we usually do these things
for the fun WE have and if others enjoy it that is a bonus.
Send us what you have and we’ll give it a whirl!!
Thanks again to Gary Stokes, great thing!

Dick

From Alan Poitra (76):

Hi Gary, I wanted to add St. Mary’s Cemetery. I do not know who keeps that one up.

Questioin: Who is the point of contact for St. Mary’s Cemetery? Gary

From LeaRae Parrill Espe (67):

I just talked to Floyd Pladson and his wife is the treasurer.

If anyone wants to donate to the Rendahl Cemetery it could be sent to:

Pat Pladson

9540 Hwy 60

Bottineau, ND 58318

Bob Bott and his family have been in charge of the mowing and upkeep for a number of years. Volunteers meet in May to do a general cleanup before Memorial Day. Donations are appreciated.

My sister in law, Nora Parrill, is planning to get a sign made for out on the Willow Lake Road.

There is a small one, but she missed it the day we buried Clark.

Thanks, LeaRae Parrill Espe

From Rodney Medrud (71):

HI GARY
�
I AM SENDING YOU ARE MAILING ADDRESS TO POST ON THE WEB SITE FOR ANYONE WANTING
�
TO MAKE A DONATION TO RIVERSIDE CEMETERY. PLEASE MAKE DONATIONS OUT TO RIVERSIDE�
�
CEMETERY THANK YOU
�
�
�
�
RODNEY MEDRUD
�
RR1 BOX 194 A
�
DUNSEITH NORTH DAKOTA
�
58329

From Allen Richard (65):

On the Catholic cemetary–Check with Armand Mongeon.

From Crystal Fassett Anderson (70):

From Susan Fassett Martin (65):

These are a few ads from the “Dunseith Journal” dated Thursday, April
1st, 1937. Enjoy!! Susan

2/13/2014 (1964)

Posted on February 13, 2014 by Gary

Photo’s posted by Susan Fassett Martin (’64): Spearfish, SDGerald Anderson on the Vehicle

October 1954

Toni Morinville: Wow! This was my great uncle who never married. He always spent

holidays with us. He fought in France in WWI.

Stokes Family picture

Posted by Dale Pritchard (’63): pritchard@cebridge.net Leesville, LA

Gary,

I’m still working old pictures and getting them saved in the computer. I have over 1,600 so far and keep finding more. I have to go back sometime and rework some I put in before I was introduced to Snippy. I came across a picture of you and your family in one of the shoe boxes. I assume you have a copy of this but in case you don’t have one, you do now.

We got about four inches of snow last month then about three days later we got a good sheet of ice. Definitely not normal for lower Louisiana. When a little snow or ice is forecast they close the schools in advance. I guess that’s good from the school’s legal standpoint. No bus accidents, no lawsuits! If ND followed that theory, the schools would be closed for the Winter and resume in the Spring to make up the weather days lost.

Dale Pritchard

Thanks for posting Dale,

I actually have this picture too. It was taken when I was home on furlough from the Army following Basic and AIT. Steve Wondrasck took this one. That I remember very well. He was telling us about his military history and that he was a Major in one of the services. At the moment I have forgotten which service he was in. The Air Force rings a bell?

Gary

Joke of the day

Posted by Rosemary (Wayne ’61) Smith: Lake Metigoshe, ND

An old, blind cowboy wanders into an all-girl biker bar by mistake. He finds his way to a bar stool and orders a shot of Gentleman Jack Daniels. After sitting there for awhile, he yells to the bartender, ‘Hey, you wanna hear a blonde joke?’ The bar immediately falls absolutely silent. In a very deep, husky voice, the woman next to him says, ‘Before you tell that joke, Cowboy, I think it is only fair, Given that you are blind, that you should know five things: 1. The bartender is a blonde girl with a baseball bat. 2 The bouncer is a blonde girl. 3.. I’m a 6-foot tall, 175-pound blonde woman with a black belt in karate. 4. The woman sitting next to me is blonde and a professional weight lifter. 5. The lady to your right is blonde and a professional wrestler. Now, think about it seriously, Cowboy. Do you still wanna tell that blonde joke?’ The blind cowboy thinks for a second, shakes his head and mutters, ‘No…not if I’m gonna have to explain it five times.’

His funeral is this weekend………………………………….
Know anyone looking for a old seeing eye dog??…………………………..

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

Blog posted on February 27, 2008

2/28/2008-1

Posted on February 28, 2008

Diane Larson Sjol’s (70) reply to Susan Fassett (65):

I so enjoyed the article about the Hosmer triple wedding…thanks for�
sharing!

Bob Hosmer’s (56) reply to Crystal Fassett (70) – Cemeteries:

Thanks, Crystal, for that wonderful suggestion about setting up some sort of endowment to care for Riverside Cemetary. I’m ready to contribute. Let’s find out how checks should be made out and who would or does manage those funds. I know my brother Bill takes care of the Hosmer plot when he is at Metegoshi late spring to early fall. Thanks for getting this important ball rolling. Bob Hosmer

From Gary Stokes

The Cemeteries are

1. Riverside – Rod Medrud (701) 244-5829 – Work (701) 244-5438 rod.n.mary@hotmail.com

2. Little Prairie – Joan Salmonson (701) 263-4613 – Work (701) 244-5438 salmonso@srt.com

3. Rendahl – Bob Bott (701) 263-4841 brown_wcnd@msn.com

4. St. Louis Catholic – ?????? (Need some help with this one – Gary)

5. Ackworth – Nettie / Martin Peterson – (701) 263-4061 (Ackworth folks [Evon or Glenda] I’m not sure if Nettie is still the treasure – Gary)

Folks, please make corrections to what I’ve listed above so we can publish the correct info. Thanks, Gary

Doreen Bailey’s reply to Gary Metcalfe (57) with pictures:

Gary, The Bailey farm was first settled by Mahlon L. Bailey and Frances Cora Anderson Bailey. They were Vance’s grandparents (came from Missouri). Virgil Bailey (son of Mahlon) and Marie Hobbs Bailey were Vance’s parents. They lived on the farm with the grandparents until Vance and Wayne started school in Dunseith, then they moved to town. Mahlon built the house and barn on the farm.

Reading the Dunseith, memories is my attachment to Vance, he talked so much about everyone, I recognize many, many of the family names that come up in the memories. . I will be in Dunseith the last week in May. Thanks Gary Stokes- Doreen Bailey, Tempe, AZ

2/12/2014 (1963)

Posted on February 12, 2014 by Gary

Happy birthday Kathy Salmonson Helgeland (’63): Dunseith, ND

Toni Morinville (’68) & Randy Kelly (’69):

Posted by Susan Fassett Martin (’65): Spearfish, SD

Posted by Susan Fassett Martin (’65): Spearfish, SD

Susan Kay Martin my Dad, Bill Fassett, second from left

We made it Video

Posted by Bill Hosmer (’48): Tucson, AZ

This is a theme that the contributions to our blog bring to mind when I

read of those “olden” days of North Dakota. Bill Hosmer

http://vimeo.com/52231459

Reply from Diane Larson Sjol (’70): Minot & Lake Metigoshe, ND

Great picture of Aunt Inie and Uncle Jack (Hosmer)!

Diane

Picture provided by Dick Johnson (68):

GARY AND FRIENDS

I ran across this picture while looking for some others. This
is the 50th anniversary of the three couples, Jack and Inez
Hosmer, Ike and Agnes Berg, and Glen and Annabelle Shelver. I
believe they were all married at the same time in Boissevain in
1929. This was not dated but should be 1979 I think. Great
bunch of folks. Please correct me on the dates, if I don’t have
them right. Memories of them would be nice to hear! Thanks Gary!

Dick

2012 Dunseith Photo

Posted by Terry Marion (’75): Dunseith, ND

Gary, see if you can open this photo and zoom it in, this one matches closely the original in taken in 63, there are several others that I can send that were taken from different angles if you would like, I could send them daily until you get them all. Terry L. Marion

Folks,

The picture size of this photo is 50% of the original. The original PDF photo that Terry sent me is very clear with lots of detail when viewed at 200%. The file size is way to big to be sending with a group message. For those of you that would like a copy of the original PDF file please let me know so I can forward it to you.

Thank you Terry.

Gary

Joke of the day

Posted by Allen Richard (’65): Midland, MI

Adam ate the apple..

A woman ran a red traffic light and crashed into a man’s car.

Both of their cars are demolished but amazingly neither of them
was hurt.

After they crawled out of their cars, the woman said; “Wow,
just look at our cars! There’s nothing left, but fortunately we

are unhurt. This must be a sign from God that we should meet

and be friends and live together in peace for the rest of our days.”

The man replied, “I agree with you completely. This must be
a sign from God!” The woman continued, “And look at this,

here’s another miracle. My car is completely demolished, but

my bottle of wine didn’t break. Surely God wants us to drink

this wine and celebrate our good fortune.”

Then she hands the bottle to the man. The man nods his head in
agreement, opens it, drinks half the bottle and then hands it back
to the woman. The woman takes the bottle, immediately puts the

cap back on, and hands it back to the man.

The man asks, “Aren’t you having any?” She replies,

“Nah. I think I’ll just wait for the police.”

Adam ate the apple, too!

Men will never learn….

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

Blog posted on February 27, 2008

2-27-2008

Posted on February 27, 2008

Sharon Longie Dana’s (73) Condolences to the Evans/Berube family & question about Bev Azure:

Can someone tell me what’s going on with Clarence and
Bev Azure???/ the medical expenses part??? I have been
out of the loop.
I also send my condolences for the Berube/Evans
families, she was the nicest woman. I always remember
her when we sold Christmas wreaths, she bought one
every year and it was a special time to visit with
her.
Sharon Longie Dana(class of 73)

Sharon, For those of you in the classes of 72 & 73 and a few others that have been added to the Alumni list in the past month, I’ve pasted. at the bottome of this message, a few of the messages explaining Bev’s bout with Cancer. She is one lucky lady to have come out of this whole thing as well as she has. The messages at the bottom pretty much explaine her whole story.

Vickie Hiatt LaFontaine’s (73) reply to Gary Stokes’ phone call:

Next to visting with you last evening this news letter was great. I have
so many fond memories of Dunseith school days and the Turtle mountians. I
think of all the good times in 4-H and those hay rides. I would love to
hear from anyone and everyone. thanks for adding me to your e-mail
address. Vickie Hiatt LaFontaine class of 73.

Note: Jim, Marlys, Vickie & Lorie are all siblings of Norman & Irene Hiatt (Both deceased). They were our close neighbors to the east of us up in the hills in the Ackworth community. We did a lot of neighboring back and forth in our growing up days of which I have fond memories of. We now have all four of the Hiatt siblings are on our distribution list. Gary

Diane Larson Sjol”s (70) memory of Jack Hosmer:

I remember Uncle Jack (Hosmer) taking us kids out on the pontoon. We�
had so much fun…it was actually the first pontoon on the�
lake…complete with lawn chairs and a little cooler. He would take�
it out on the lake and let us jump off and swim. He never seemed to�
be in a hurry….When I walked in the store at about age 10, he would�
holler here comes Dinah Shore…don’t know why he called me that but I�
kind of liked the attention. Both Jack and Inie were wonderful�
people. We have lots of good memories of both of them….they are�
missed. Thanks for the picture Dick. Diane

Bill Hosmer’s (48) question for Dick Johnson (68) and others (68):

Gary, and my Dunseith Friends,Just a quick comment on Dick Johnson’s comments about the triple 50th
wedding anniversary. Dad (Jack) and Glen took their two women to
Crookston Minnesota and had a double wedding. They used Ike Berg’s
car for some reason, maybe because it had front and back seats. In
actuality, Ike and Agnes were married that same year, 1929, but were
already married but could not reveal that fact because Agnes was a
school teacher, and marriage was not allowed in those days unless you
were a male. Some swell rationale behind all that, I suppose.

On another matter for Dick and you other musicians in our readership
I have a favor to ask and pursue, and you may have some ideas how to
approach this task: I wrote some words for a song about a fighter
airplane I flew long ago, for a reunion of a bunch of the fighter
pilots who flew it. It premiered at the first F-100 Super Sabre
Society reunion in 2007. The next reunion will be in the spring of
2009, where I would like to play it on a CD with speakers for the 5
or 7 hundred people who will be there. The two F-100 pilots who sang
it the first time could not be heard, and I’ve been asked to get
different musicians, because the words were well liked.

The words are mine, but I stole the music from an old version of
“Ghost Riders In The Sky” made popular by a vocalist named Frankie
Laine. My version is called “Hun Drivers In The Sky” “Hun” is
the nickname of the F- one hundred.

I heard Dick’s Dad, Don Johnson sing many times while we were in
DHS, and maybe some of those musical genes are maintained in the
musical repertoise of Dick, and others of you who have excelled in
the musical world.

My strategy, if there is any interest in this project, is to email
the words to the piece to appropriate and kind interested musicians
from my home town territory. I would cover any expenses, and
provide an amount of cash to make the time and effort worth while.
Copies of the disc would be available for any performers at zero
cost , as well. With copyright laws in question, I would not
intend on selling any CDs, but just use the one I get to play at the
2009 reunion in Las Vegas, NV.

I will send the words if there is any interest in this matter. I
am looking around the field of guys I flew the Hun with, but one
thing about fighter pilot singing is that it usually done in large
numbers with alot of alcolhol having been consumed, thereby making
the tonal quality “irritating” at best. A North Dakota sound from
the hills and plains would be something special and one I’d be
proud to give full credit to when the event occurs.

Gary and all the rest, all my best. Bill Hosmer

From Susan Fassett Martin (65):

This is the article from the TMS in Oct of 1979. It goes with the
picture that Dick sent. The article is an interesting one, I hope it
comes throught good enough for all to read. Three nice couples, who
added a lot to the history of Dunseith. Hugs, Susan

Bev Morinville Azure’s Cancer diagnosis

Classes of 72 & 73 and a few others of you that have been added to the Alumni list in the past month:

These are a few of the messages in progression that explain Bev’s diagnosis with cancer and her present condition to date.

1/10/08: Message from Deb Morinville (70). Bev Morinville (72) has Cancer:

Hi Gary,

If it’s possible could you pass this along to the classes of 68 through 73? As you know Bev found out that she has cancer in her mouth, under the tongue to be precise. She has to have Cat scans, chest X-rays and bloodwork, but it looks like she will be having surgery on Tuesday. It’s going to be very rough for a few weeks. They told her she will lose about 75% of her tongue and will have to have speech therapy. She will also have a g-tube for feeding and drinking for a while. Also they will remove her bottom teeth because it makes it easier for radiation.

Those of you that have time I know that she would love to hear from you. Her snail mail is

Bev Azure

POB 447

Dunseith ND 58329

1/26/08: Deb Morinville’s (72) Surgery: Report from Deb Morinville (70):

Hi Gary,

Here is the first report after Bev’s surgery today. The dr. said that he didn’t have to take as much of her tongue. In fact he could leave the tip and so she will have way less difficulty talking. She should be able to very quickly. The CAT scan and other tests look like they got everything and the tumor hadn’t spread. We are all so relieved and are cautiously optimistic. When I hear more I’ll let you know. BTW thank you to all who have sent her cards and emails. She is overwhelmed (in a good way) and deeply moved. You have all helped her to face this with a lot of strength and grace. I am so grateful to you all. But what else could you expect from Dunseith’s best?

Deb

2/8/08: Bev Morinville’s (72) update from sister Deb (70):

Hi Gary,

I just finished a short but very happy phone call with Bev! She is doing so terrific that SHE answered the phone. Sent me immediately into a frenzy of crying and laughing! She will be finding out soon about radiation but she won’t have to have chemo and she is speaking so clearly. I was so amazed. She stills tires easily but will return to her computer soon. In the meantime I have forwarded to her all the private emails I have received asking about her. She wants me to tell all of you that she is so grateful for the outpouring of love, support and prayers that she has received. It really is a miracle and an amazing answer to all those prayers.

Deb Morinville Marmon 70

2/10/08: Message from Bev Morinville Azure (72):

GARY, PLEASE PASS THIS ON TO THE DUNSEITH GANG !!!!!!!!!!! HI EVERYONE FIRST OF ALL I WOULD LIKE TO THANK EACH OF U FOR ALL THE GET WELL WISHES AND CARDS , E MAILS AND VISITS I HAVE RECIEVED IN THE LAST FEW WEEKS WOW WHAT A BUNCH OF WONDERFUL PEOPLE U ARE. I HAVE BEEN SO BLESSED AND SO MANY PRAYERS HAVE BEEN ANSWERED.I HAVE THE GREATEST FAMILY AND FRIENDS IN THE WORLD NOT ONLY DID MY CLOSE FRIENDS RALLY AROUND ME AND MY FAMILY BUT FRIENDS OF MY SISTERS AND BROTHERS . AND ALSO THE FRIENDS FROM YEARS AGO I THANK U ALL SO MUCH. WE GREW UP IN A GREAT PLACE AND EVEN THOUGH WE DON’T SEE EACH OTHER OFTEN IT AMAZES ME HOW OLD FRIENDS COME THOUGH WHEN SOMEONE NEEDS A KIND WORD . I AM RECOVERING JUST FINE I WILL NEED RADATION 5 DAYS A WEEK FOR 7 WEEKS JUST TO MAKE SURE NONE OF THOSE NASTY CELLS RUN AWAY WHEN THEY SAW THAT KNIFE COMING LOL I HAD AN AMAZING DOC. I WAS VERY BLESSED IN MANY WAYS YES I LOST 50% OF MY TOUNGE BUT I CAN TALK AND I CAN LAUGH AND AND I THANK GOD FOR THAT. THE CANCER DID NOT MOVE FROM MY TOUNGE . I HAVE A FEELIN MY ANGELS JOE AND FRANCES WERE HOLDING THAT BACK . ANYWAYS I DO THANK EACH OF U FOR THE SPECIAL BLESSING OF FRIENDSHIP U HAVE GIVEN ME IN THIS TIME . U WILL ALL BE BLESSED SOMEDAY. GOD WATCH OVER U AND MAY HE BLESS YOU . CATHY IT WAS GREAT TO SEE U THE OTHER DAY WHAT A LIFT U GAVE ME. BEV

2/11/2014 (1962)

Posted on February 11, 2014 by Gary

Face book pictures

Folks,

Please tag me on any Face Book pictures you would posted.

Thanks,

Gary

Happy Birthday Laurel Wenstad: Calgary, Alberta

From Gary Metcalfe (57) – Memories:

Talking about plays there was a production at Peterson Hall south of Kelvin about 1947. My dad, Jim Metcalfe, was on stage with a bouquet of onions, a dress borrowed from Hazel Foss and a pillow under the dress, A BRIDE. The groom was either Ed Walters or Leslie Sime, what their props were I do not remember. They were all pretty good and I don’t think they rehearsed more than once. My dad probably sang, “Those Hillbilly’s Are City Williams Now”. Crazy, huh.??
Now your dad, Gary Stokes, was a one man show at 4H at Floyd Lambs, as I remember.
Peterson Hall was an old CCC barracks moved down from the Peace Gardens. Gary Metcalfe

Reply to Gary Metcalfe’s memories posted above

From Geri Metcalfe Munro (’59): Fargo, ND

Hi Gary,
We just returned from a month on the island of Kauai, Hawaii so I’m trying to catch up on email.

In reference to my brother, Gary Metcalfe’s memories of “the wedding” at Peterson’s Hall, my Dad, Jim Metcalfe was the bride, Ed Walters was the groom and your Dad, Bob Stokes was the minister, and my Dad did sing, “Those Hillbillies is Mountain (city?) Women Now”. I wasn’t very old but I sure remember that one. Your Dad had been round glasses and he did a great job! We had a picture for many years but I’m not sure my Mom thought it was appropriate. It was all in fun though! I don’t remember Bob Stokes doing a play at Floyd and Dorothy Lamb’s.

I look forward to catching up on the Stokes blog. THANKS GARY!

Geri Metcalfe Munro

Welcome home Geri and Chuck,

I am sure you didn’t miss the harsh ND winter that you missed.

In my very younger days, my folks were very active with the Little Prairie folks. When I was about 6 years old they joined Salem Church. With that they spent more and more time that direction, but still were active in many of the Little Prairie functions. I have heard talk of the little skit our folks did too. That was their entertainment back then. I loved the pie socials too.

Gary

Memories

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

Yes Vickie I remember those days well– !!

I remember Claudia Espe would let me sit with her and put my feet under her seat so they would stay warm- !!- what a precious lady!!— –we would freeze!!_ and then they put boards across the seats so more kids could get on the bus- !!– so we had about 50 kids on a 30 passenger bus!!- no heaters— we would have to bring blankets to try to stay warm!!– and then froze anyway cause there were holes in the floor!!!

When Dwayne Fugere and Johnny Hill took over it was different!!- we had heaters and seats to sit in- !!- and we would sing!!- the whole bus learned the songs !!

Dwayne drove for a few years and then Arnold Zeiler was our driver-!!- and we-‘especially my sister Helen–” had all these songs- that we loved to sing-!!! North to Alaska– ElPaso — and a whole bunch of other popular songs of the day — “from a Jack to a King” and “king of the Road”- Arnold expressed his appreciation years later of how much fun it was and kept the kids quiet on the bus– — we had so many fun times on their buses- !!! — at this time they came directly into the yard — and my Dad would holler up the stairs!!- the bus is in here and all 4 of us girls would scramble to get dressed etc- in about the maximum of 10 minutes !!!!– and then he would say — Well, i thought i heard the bus- !! and then about 30 minutes later after Mom would try to get us to eat and be outside — in time for the bus!!!_ funny we never caught on or didn’t know when he was serious or if it was really there!!-LOL!!!_ those were some fun years on the bus!!-

Then we got into school activities- like band and chorus after school and plays and sports – cheerleading which moved us to town to stay with GRamma “Evans” what a sweet lady- !! she loved having her granddaughters stay with her– we could do no wrong- and as long as we cooked she would wash dishes– so her diet consisted of tuna salad sandwiches and or — tv dinners supplied by my mom- or raisen bread and cheese and canned fruit!!- which was her favorite!!- no wonder she had perfect health until she died- at a ripe old age!!!- heck !!– we didn’t know how to cook then!!- and gramma didn’t care!- as long as she didn’t have to – she was a horse woman!!- she had her horses when my mom was young and loved them- !!- Mom had to do the cooking and my aunt hannah rocked the babies and Gramma worked the fields- she was beloved by many in Dunseith- Marie ALlard– hannah Bedard– and her buddies =- usually men she could talk horses with =- but usually her serene little house was just her humming or singing in norwegian and we would listen-and try to learn– – unless we had a “friend” over!!– and then she would tell all her horse stories to — she getting a little forgetful by that time and would repeat them– But Jay never tired of hearing them !!- and she liked him and she called him that “Hetle” boy!!- I would say “no Gramma that is Jay Vanorny “–but it didn’t seem to register–{ – He loved her and would bring her cut wood- cause she would split her own wood if he didn’t– !!–

And then there came the time she had to go stay with my Mom and Dad in the hills — so she took to Patti’s boy “Steven” a baby and held him continually – day and night- I don’t think it was alzheimers but just dementia- but Steve was truly loved all day every day !!-LOL!!!-

and eventually had to go to the Good Samaritan HOme in Bottineau where she would dance along the halls and sing norwegian songs- and live back in the day of her father and herself as a child!!_ and we just humored her – as if it were so !!– she thought i was my Dad’s mother “Rose” – and would tell me stories of what she did that day — and i would just go along with it– then she would say “How far do you have to go home”?? and i would say about 20 Miles- and she would say “It will be dark soon you better go ” — at 4pm!– and i would just agree!!-

She was the Very BEST GRamma in all the world- !!- — she thought her granddaughters were the best and thought we worked way !!- too hard at Dales after school and then our studies and all the cheerleading and extra circular activities- !!!i– she said you girls just work way too hard!!-

She was such a serene lady!!!_ that is the best word i can think of for her!!_ She had many hardships and hard times throughout her life and many heartaches for one life time of losing children before their time- !!! But she was always of great faith and peaceful!!- God bless her memory!!- LOla

Reply to Dick Johnson

From Larry Hackman (’66): Bismarck, ND

Dick

Posting of the day

From Leland Hagen (’50): Bryan, TX

ARAPROSDOKIANS (Winston Churchill loved them) are figures of speech in
which the latter part of a sentence or phrase is surprising or unexpected;
frequently humorous.

1. Where there’s a will, I want to be in it.

2. The last thing I want to do is hurt you, but it’s still on my list.

3. Since light travels faster than sound, some people appear brightuntil you hear them speak.

4. If I agreed with you, we’d both be wrong.

5. We never really grow up, we only learn how to act in public.

6. War does not determine who is right – only who is left.

7. Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it
in a fruit salad.

8. They begin the evening news with ‘Good Evening,’ then proceed to
tell you why it isn’t.

9. To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism. To steal from many
is research.

10. Buses stop in bus stations. Trains stop in train stations. On my
desk is a work station.

11. I thought I wanted a career. Turns out I just wanted paychecks.

12. In filling out an application, where it says, ‘In case of
emergency, notify:’ I put ‘DOCTOR.’

13. I didn’t say it was your fault, I said I was blaming you.

14. Women will never be equal to men until they can walk down the
street with a bald head and a beer gut, and still think they are sexy.

15. Behind every successful man is his woman. Behind the fall of a
successful man is usually another woman.

16. A clear conscience is the sign of a fuzzy memory.

17. You do not need a parachute to skydive. You only need a parachute
to skydive twice.

18. Money can’t buy happiness, but it sure makes misery easier to
live with.

19. There’s a fine line between cuddling and holding someone down so
they can’t get away.

20. I used to be indecisive. Now I’m not so sure.

21. You’re never too old to learn something stupid.

22. To be sure of hitting the target, shoot first and call whatever
you hit the target.

23. Nostalgia isn’t what it used to be.

24. Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine.

25. Going to church doesn’t make you a Christian any more than
standing in a garage makes you a car.

26. Where there’s a will, there are relatives.

Finally:

I’m supposed to respect my elders, but it’s getting harder and harder
for me to find one now.

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

Blog posted on February 26, 2008

2/26/2008

Posted on February 26, 2008

From Lee Struck (66) – Condolences to the Evans & Berube families:

Gary –

Please send along my condolences to the Evans and Berube families! Alice was a kind, loving and gentle woman. My memories of her and the men & women she raised and fostered are of sound, strong and good people.

The world will miss her.

Lee Struck

Gary Metcalfe’s (57) memories of Adrian Egbert:

Adrian Egbert, according to my dad, a very hard working man in his earlier years. As I knew about Adrian, he had an old Ford pickup, with no driver door for easy access. He told me one time just how handy he was with the women. Most of you have heard about how he took all bets. He once ate a deck of cards. One day the boys set Adrian up, can you imagine, bet him he could not eat a half a box of Forever Yours candy bars in twenty minutes. Of course they were laced with crotin oil. Adrian gets a call from the San Haven for his taxi service, six nurses wanted to go to Belcourt…..draw your own conclusions. Adrian was not shy, thank goodness. I wonder if Joe Evans had anything to do with that? Adrian really was quite a man, my dad said that Bill Peterson and Clifford Metcalfe had the ride of their life coming back from Seattle. That rope that the old cars had just behind the front seat, had some pure white knuckles wrapped around it. Adrian
was a taxi driver extraordinaire. A big old Buick past them on a curve in the mountain in Idaho, Adrian said, “what was that license number?” The guys said, “We don’t know.” He said, “You will.” He melted a tire about that time, we had butl tubes in those war years. Those mountain roads were narrow and steep then.
His baby sister, Sadie died with my Aunt Lilly in a lake one mile north of the Bailey place. Doreen, if you are reading this, I had a memory jolt, my dad always referred to Vance’s home place as the old Mahlon Bailey place. Was Mahlon a person or what. That picture you sent triggered that memory about a week later. Gary Metcalfe

Note to Stan & Joan Salmonson (61): Is Donald Egbert (65), Adrian’s son, still making his daily visits to your lumber yard store? Gary

Picture provided by Dick Johnson (68):

GARY AND FRIENDSI ran across this picture while looking for some others. This
is the 50th anniversary of the three couples, Jack and Inez
Hosmer, Ike and Agnes Berg, and Glen and Annabelle Shelver. I
believe they were all married at the same time in Boissevain in
1929. This was not dated but should be 1979 I think. Great
bunch of folks. Please correct me on the dates, if I don’t have
them right. Memories of them would be nice to hear! Thanks Gary!

Dick

Flyer for Bev Morinville Azure (72) provided by Verena Gillis (Mrs. Pete 65): �

From Rodney Medrud (71) – Please add Rodney to your email address book:

Hi Gary just wanted to thank you for the letter that I got from you. It was good to see all of the peoples names on the list. You sure are spending a lot of time on this and I thing it is great
�
We got email address now so you can add it on.�
�
RODNEY MEDRUD

Dunseith News Scanned & Provided by Neola Kofoid Garbe: