04/18/2010

Posted on by
Obituary
 

Bryan Schimetz


(Died April 14, 2010)

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Bryan John Schimetz, 51, Bottineau, passed away in aMandanHospitalon April 14th, after a courageous 35 year battle with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday at 10:30 am at the St. Mark’s Catholic Church in Bottineau. Visitation will be Sunday from 1:00 pm until 9:00 pm with a prayer service at 7:00 pm at the Nero Funeral Home in Bottineau. Burial will be at the St. Louis Cemetery Dunseith.

 

Bryan was born on February 4, 1959, in Bottineau, to Louis and Stella (Richard) Schimetz. He was raised in Dunseith and attendedDunseithHigh School where he graduated in 1977. While in high school, he participated in football and basketball. After high school,Bryan was employed at Dale’s Café in Dunseith for several years as a cook. He then attended the North Dakota State School of Science in Wahpeton. In 1985,Bryan graduated, with honors, earning an Associate of Applied Science in Electrical Technology. After college,Bryan made his home inMinot where he was employed at Main Electric and Holmes Electric as an Apprentice until he obtained his Journeyman License in 1990. He continued his employment atMain and Holmes Electric as a Journeyman until 2000, when he retired due to complications from MS. He then moved back to Dunseith. In 2007,Bryanmoved to the Good Samaritan Center in Bottineau, where he was residing during the time of his death.

 

Bryan enjoyed fishing, carpentry, woodworking, working with horses, reading western novels, and spending time with his family. He was a beloved uncle who always had a little extra time to play with his many nieces and nephews. He also enjoyed working on small home projects for his mother and helping anyone who needed a hand.Bryanloved getting company, especially visits from family, friends, and former classmates.

 

Bryan is survived by his mother, Stella Schimetz (Dunseith); siblings Mark Schimetz (Rolette); Kathy (Jim) Wood (Minot); David (Katie) Schimetz (Mandan); Kim (Bill) Zorn (Upton, WY); sister-in-law, Colette Schimetz (Bottineau); and several nieces and nephews (John Schimetz, Jennifer Zachmeier, Ryan Vandal, Matthew Schimetz, Rachel Vandal, Nicole Zorn, Jackie Zorn, William Schimetz, Daniel Schimetz, Jacob Schimetz, Kaitlyn Schimetz, and Tessa Schimetz).

 

Bryanwas preceded in death by his father, Louis Schimetz; brother, Reid Schimetz; three infant brothers; his grandparents, George and Anna (Boucher) Richard and John and Francis (Sasek) Schimetz.

 

 

 

Mass of the Christian Burial: Will be celebrated Monday, April 19, at 10:30 a.m., in St. Mark’s Catholic Church in Bottineau.

Visitation and prayer service: Visitation Sunday, April 18, from 1 to 9 p.m., prayer service at 7 p.m., both at the Nero Funeral Home in Bottineau.

Burial: St. Louis Cemetery, Dunseith.

Arrangements were made with Nero Funeral Home in Bottineau.

 

 

 

Message/picture from Sharron Shen (59): Everett, WA.

 

I think it was 2002 when Mom wanted to travel home by rail. We actually stopped in Havre, MT overnight and picked up her brother, Ernest Boucher who was headed to GF. Alma, my mother and I had a great visit with Stella and Bryan. Bryan and I sat on the back porch smoking and viewing Stella’s amazing garden. Between Stella and Dale’s, I left with a load of tomatoes and train traveled back to Everett with super BLT fixings. Bryan talked of his years at Dale’s, very self deprecating. He wanted a run down on the whole Gottbreht family. I talked Boucher family history and mailed him a hard copy of all I had soon after my return. Stella said all the begats and anecdotes were great fun for Bryan. I thought I attached the picture of Alma Boucher Gottbreht, Bryan Schimetz and Stella Richard Schimetz to the note yesterday? Place an underlay of emotion to my dummie computer skills and anything can happen. That Stella is all goodness and kindness.

Thanks for all you do Gary. Sharron

 

Alma Gottbreht, Bryan Schimetz & Stella Schimetz

 

 

 

 

Condolences to the Schimetz family

From Roger & Connie (Zorn) Landsverk: Bottineau, ND.

 

To Stella Schimetz & families, So sorry about the passing of Bryan! He was a swell guy & will be sadly missed. We are sharing our condolences with all of you!! Roger & Connie (Zorn) Landsverk

 

 

 

 

The Following Newspaper Articles are posted by

Neola Kofoid Garbe:Minot & Bottineau, ND.

 

Gary,
 
Evan and Andrew are members of the MDN All Area Boys Basketball Second Team; this is quite an honor. There is an entire page about the coach/first team/second team in the Minot Daily.
 
Neola
 
 

Is Evan related to Dennis Dobois (63)? Dennis was a well known

 

Basket ball player in the early 60’s.

 

 

 

Brian is the son of Rodney (61) and Evelyn Kalk

 

 

 

 

 

  

04/17/2010

Posted on by
AOL converted Message 771 into a ZIP message.

Reply from Duane Woodford (55): Rio Verde, AZ & Bloomington, MN
 
[The message and any attached files have been turned into a ZIP attachment. Once downloaded and unzipped, open it with a word processor or text editor for reading.]
Folks, For those of you using AOL, they are evidently converting messages exceeding a certain sizes into ZIP attachments. Message 773 was only 520KB which is actually pretty small, so their size limit is very low for doing this if they are using size as their criteria. I’m not really sure what is going on. This is just a guess on my part. Gary
PS – I have email accounts with most of the major providers of which I use them all on a regular bases. For me gmail has provided the best service and has given me the least amount of problems.
 
 

Condolences to the Schimetz Family:

From Gail Halvorson Schuler (72): Bismarck, ND
 
My deepest sympathy to the Schimetz family. I had not seen Bryan for many years but remember our fun days working at Dales together. May the Lord grant you peace and comfort at this time of loss.
Gail Halvorson Schuler(72)
 
 
 
Condolences to the Schimetz Family:
From Sharron Gottbreht Shen (59): Everett, WA.
 
When I visited with Bryan in August he was full of talk about friends, espceially former classmates – he spoke of many by name, all with affection. I know Gary’s blog meant a lot to him. This great guy was not around yet when I had the older boys seek shelter under a bed during one of those Dakota egg-beater storms! I sat on top holding the baby girl. Bryan is strong and whole now. Stella and Mark, family and cousins, be comforted.

Alma, my mother, and I visited Ryan and Stella about 2002 – good picture at the Schimetz home.

Sharron

Hope you will correct my spelling error of Bryan’s name. Thanks Gary, Sharron

 
 
 
Condolences to the Schimetz Family:
From Pete (65) & Verena Gillis: Dunseith, ND.
 
Our sincerest condolences to the Schimetz family. I worked with Stella
at the school for many years up to her retirement. There has not been
another cook to fill her shoes since she left!
Pete and Verena Gillis
 
 
 
Music Jamboree this Saturday for the Rolette County Museum:
Posted by Dick Johnson (68): Dunseith, ND.
 
Gary and Friends,

This Saturday evening at 7 PM we will again be having the Old Time
Music Jamboree fund raiser for the Rolette County Museum. It is being
held at the usual place, the St. John Senior Citizens hall on Main
street in St. John. This year we have several groups already committed
to play and more may show up by show time. We have a Canadian fiddle
player who is really outstanding. He hasn’t performed for us before but
will be included in the program. Some of the other groups tentatively
signed up are–Carl and Shirley Melgaard, Highway 43, the Lund Family,
Rita Langer, and Gary Lepine (sp), the fiddler. I heard tonight that we
may also be treated to a few songs by Mel Kuhn’s son, Toby and his
friends. It should be a fun night for fans of home grown style music.
The Senior Citizens will again have the lunch counter loaded with
goodies for sale. I hope many of the readers of this blog will attend.
The admission is $5. and is for the entire evening of music and all
proceeds go directly to the Rolette County Museum. Thanks!

Dick

 
 
Email exchanges between Larry Hackman (66) and Dick Johnson (68):
Posted by Larry Hackman: Bismarck, ND
 
Folks, Please read up starting with Dick’s message to Larry.
Larry, We are so glad that you are back on line. In this day and age computer problems can be hell. Gary
 
Larry’s reply to Dick
You know making ice cream and churning butter was a good job for them
damn kids, they didn’t have anything else to do no how. We got our
ice from the water tank. The lake was to far away. Anyway! We would
rather eat cow slobber then musk rat droppings. You know whar i mean.
We were kind of dairy people after all. Although, I suppose if you
wanted rocky road your way was better? I think ours kind of looked
like New York Vanilla?
Larry,
Dick’s reply to Larry
Larry’s back! If the mother board burned out, you could try the
father board. When my computer died it was from cranking it too fast so
we got one now that has no crank. I got carried away just like in the
old days, making ice cream. Did you get in on cranking the old ice
cream maker? We used ice from the lake and farm cream—-I’m getting
hungry just thinking about it! If us kids wanted ice cream, we had to
crank that old can for an hour. The older folks just sat in the house
and waited for the work to be done—something wrong with this picture!

It got a little bit green the last few days but tonight there are
thunderstorms to the west and the lightening is starting so that
usually brings the grass on. Glad to hear you didn’t fly the coop.

Dick

Larry’s rely to Dick
The mother board burned in my computor. I had to order and get
another one and am still working on having it brought up to speed.
So you can let everyone know I’m back after being gone for about
three weeeks. I’m still in the coop, just was unable to
communicate. Are things turning green up there yet?
Larry
Dick’s message to Larry
Larry,

What’s up in Bismarck? Mel says your mailbox is full. Yesterday I
talked to Larry Millang at WalMart and he asked if you were gone? Maybe
you flew the coop!

Dick
 
 

Friday, April 16, 2010 1:07 PM, CDT

 
 
Reply from Neola Kofoid Garbe: Minot & Bottineau, ND
 
Hi Gary,
 
As you know, I drive the road east and the road west of Bear/Bare Butte often. I’ll be driving the west side (by Harlan/Joyce’s farm) in the too far future. I decorate graves (As you know, there are many Kofoid/Petterson/Brudwick graves there–also friends’ graves) at Vinje Cemetery each year. The road just to the north of Harlan/Joyce’s farm is a “four corner”. Going north takes you to Vinje Church–it’s about a quarter of a mile to the east of the road; east goes to Lyle/Vivian Mattern Thompson’s farm; south goes to Harlan/Joyce’s; west takes you Bottineau. I think, nestled in the corner to the right when you are at the corner, is the old Brunsell place. There are three “wicked” hills between this corner/Vinje Church. We always called them the “Oelschlager Hills”, as Oelschalger’s lived farther north on the road. I don’t know if the hills are so wicked, but from the top of them, looking down, they seem wicked–especially in the “old days” after it had rained.
 
Added info about the Oelschlager farm: This farm originally belonged to Albert/Ida Gunderson Vikan, Ina Oelschalger’s parents. Albert/Ida moved to a place about a mile, or so, NW of Bottineau and Harold/Ina/family moved to Albert/Ida’s place in the hills.) Audrey Vikan Woods, daughter of Albert/Ida, was married to Pat Woods, Jack’s brother, Pat (I’m quite sure it was Pat.). When Audrey passed away a few years ago, she was buried at Vinje Church. She is buried in the NW corner of the cemetery. Going NW and over the hill from her grave, you would come to her “homeplace”. Audrey is buried under a tree–I think, an oak tree. A granite bench (in honor of Audrey) has been placed not far away.
 
Neola
 
P.S. I hope this makes sense, Gary.
Neola, I remember those three hills well. One didn’t have to be going terribly fast either to get butterflies in your stomach when cresting those hills either. I think they have been rounded some now though, but they are still there. There are some mighty long steep hills on that same road too. Dad’s sister Olga lived a short distance west and north of Harlan and Joyce Flaata’s.
 
Correction to yesterday’s message. I should have said we turned west at Oscar Wenstad’s, not Arnold Wenstad’s.
 
  

04/16/2010

Posted on by
Bryan Schimetz (77) death notice:
Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Minot & Bottineau, ND
 

Bryan Schimetz
(Died April 14, 2010)

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Bryan Schimetz, age 51 of Bottineau and Dunseith, died Wednesday at a Mandan hospital. Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday at 10:30 am at the St. Mark’s Catholic Church in Bottineau. Visitation will be Sunday from 1:00 pm until 9:00 pm with a prayer service at 7:00 pm at the Nero Funeral Home in Bottineau.
 
 
 

Condolence to the Schimetz family:

From Lynn Halvoraon Otto (75): Seoul, Korean
 
It’s with great sadness that I write this. My deepest sympathy to Bryan’s family. I cannot imagine losing one of my sons for any reason. Going through the school lunch line, I can still see Stella’s winning smile so lovingly dishing up her great meals for us all. Life there wouldn’t have been the same without that family. I know Bryan is in a better place and finally pain free and has peace.
Lynn Halvorson Otto, 75
 
 
Condolence to the Schimetz family:
From Dianne Rober’t Johnson (76): Rolla, ND

 

I am so sorry to hear about Bryan. I remember him from HS. He was always good for a laugh, never seem to be down about anything.

Bryan will be missed dearly, my condolences to the Schimetz families.

 

Dianne (Rober’t) Johnson (76)
 
 
 
 
Reply from Mare Iverson Staub (60): Seattle, WA
 

Gary,

 

Thanks so much for mentioning Marvin, he was a great guy. I was very lucky to have him for 43 years. You never appreciate what you have until it’s to late.

Next week when I talk to Barbara i will have to ask her were she went to school. I know when we were living there they would visit often and I know she graduated from Frankin High School here in Seattle. Her aunt Laverna Schick graduated

from Dunseith in 1947. We know they do not have E-Mail so Barb is sending her a letter as we don’t know if she is aware of the reunion or not. It would be fun to see her.

I have no clue about the hill by Joyce and Harlan’s . I do remember a hill, but that’s about it. Of course they say memory is the first thing to go.HA

I agree with Judy LaCroix it would be great to get the receipe of Bernadette’s for the rice cake’s. Sounds yummy.

 

Marie

Marie, Marvin was a good man and very friendly too. Bernadette remembers him and you too very well. She had a nice little chat with Marvin at the registration table.
 
About the hill that I remember as Bear or Bare Butte where Harlan and Joyce Flaata live. The road to their house is from the north. coming in from then north you are pretty much near the top of the hill with the terrain of the land. We used to approach the hill from the east where the road is much lower in elevation and then turn south with the curve in the road before getting to the hill. From our house we’d take the short cut to Dad’s brother Emil/Lillian Petterson who lived in the Foot hills NE of Bottineau. From our house we’d take the Willow Lake road to the corner of Arnold Wenstad’s. From there we’d turn right (West) and go past Thurman/Marie Parrill’s, Orvin Hagen’s and Ole Rispa’s. We’d turn left (south) at the corner near Almer Lindberg’s and long lake. We’d follow that road past Lloyd Larshus’, Bear Butte, etc until we got to Emil/Lillian’s. I have not been down that road for 40 or more years. Gary
  

04/15/2010

Posted on by
Bryan Schimetz (77) Passed away:
Message from Mark Schimetz (70): Rolette, ND.
 
Dear Gary and friends, with great sorrow of heart, I need to inform all that Bryan John Schimetz
my younger brother left us and made the great journey this morning at 12:40am at a health care facility in Mandan Nd.
Funeral Services are tentatively being discussed among family at this time. We are trying for Monday, the 19th of April to be held at St.Marks Catholic Church in Bottineau, ND. I will keep you posted as arrangements are finalized. I wish to thank all of you for your prayers and kindness expressed here and elsewhere with the phone calls and cards. I thank all of you on behalf of entire Schimetz Family, may God Bless you all
Mark Schimetz
 
 
Bryan Schimetz Passing:
Posted on our Website
 
From: David Schimetz (79): Bismarck, ND
Phone:
E-mail:
Message:
Bryan left us last night at 12:30 am. His funeral arrangements are pending but most likely the funeral will be on Monday.Thank you all for your prayers.He had alot of family around him since Friday and family members present when he passed. We were able to talked to him and he understood his condition and he was at peice with it.He fought a long and hard battle for about 35 years. He was a good brother,uncle,son and most of all Friend. He will always be in our hearts and truly missed. Thank-you for all your prayers
Mark, David and the entire Schimetz family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you with the loss of Bryan. Mark and I, in the past, have discussed this disease (MS) with how hard it has been for the entire family, especially their mother Stella, coping with her children having this disease. It’s been a long hard road for all of you. Your family has not and will not be forgotten with all that you have been thru. Our condolences are with you. Gary.
 
 
Schimetz Family: Note: Judy posted this before knowing of Bryan’s passing.

Reply from Judy LaCroix McGuire (59): LITCHFIELD, MN

 

Hi Gary, It would be fun to have a piece of Bernadette’s rice cake. Sounds good. Could you put a recipe in this blog. I like to try new recipes. I do enjoy reading the news each day and have good memories of growing up near Dunseith.
Also hello to the Schimetz family. You are all in my prayers at this time. I babysat for Reed and ? years ago and we were neighbors to their grandparents for years. Blessings. Judy LaCroix McGuire class of 59
Judy, I will ask Bernadette to write down her recipe for her Chocolate Rice cake for posting. A lot of her recipes are her own made up of which I’m very positive of this being one of those. With that there are no standard Measurements. It’s a little of this and a little of that until she gets the desired consistency of what she wants. Bernadette is well gifted in the cooking and baking department. She seldom has flops. For her the aesthetics of what she prepares is equally as important as the taste. She won’t eat anything that does not look good. For me that is the reason I don’t eat their dried fish. but for her and these folks, that dried fish looks so good, heads and all. Her rice cake was consumed in a heart beat yesterday at the bowling alley. Some of those women, when they didn’t think anyone was looking, were putting pieces in their purses to take home. Gary
 
 
Dunseith Alumni Reunion:
Marie Iverson Staub (60) will be attending: Seattle, WA.

Gary,

 

I am going to make the reunion if everything goes OK. A cousin and I are going to drive. I made out the check to send to Verena so will get that sent tomorrow. There will be 3 of us.

1. Marie Iverson (Staub)

2. Barbara Iverson (Lyonais)

3. Joyce Iverson (Flaata)

Looking forward to seeing everyone.

 

Marie Iverson 1960

Marie, this is wonderful news that you will be attending our reunion. As Keith Pladson Mentioned, it’s a long drive from the East Coast and we know it’s a long haul from the West Coast as well. It’s great that your cousin Barbara is able to accompany you. I’m assuming Barbara attended the Bottineau schools or did she attend Dunseith? I have known your cousin, Joyce Flaata, for as far back as I can remember. She and Harlan were very active members of the Metigoshe Lutheran churches and that is where I learned to know them. From what you mentioned they still live on the same place a few miles NE of Bottineau. Their home is a few miles south of Vinje Church up in the hills. I’m really racking my brain now, but the name of the hill or mountain they live on, as I remember, is Bare Butte. We passed it many times with our many visits, taking the back roads, to visit Dad’s brother Emil/Lillian who lived a few miles SW of Harlan & Joyce’s. We are looking forward to seeing you folks next month. Gary
 
PS – Folks; Marie lost Marvin a few months after our reunion last July. We so enjoyed seeing and visiting with him and Marie at the reunion. It was such a traumatic loss for Marie. She said reading our daily blogs really helped her coping with his loss.
 
2009 Seattle Dunseith Aumni Reunion:
Marvin (Deceased) & Marie (60) Iverson Staub

 
 
Earth Worms Question:
From Vickie Metcalfe (70): Bottineau, ND.
 
April greetings Gary,
April showers have arrived here in the foothills of the Turtle Mountains. Days have been quite windy followed by nights of thunder and lighting shows. At least an inch of steady rain washed Bottineau thoroughly clean last night. The warm earthy smells and sunny spring morning greeted me and Buie to our walk.
My question for blog readers. What is the earliest date in the spring… anyone has seen earth worms in the area?
They were every where this morning 4/14/10. I found myself hop scotching home as not to squish them! So many, they reminded me of the wet Junes of yesteryear. Thanks Vickie
 
 
 
 
Reply from Keith Pladson (66): Stafford, VA
 
Gary,
This is in response to Sybil Johnson’s visiting Washington DC. I’m sure you will enjoy your trip immensely and hope you are able to visit and enjoy many of the national treasures located in and around Washington. Some things worth seeing in addition to those you already stated could include the Washington National Cathedral, Mount Vernon, Arlington National Cemetery (to include Kennedy’s Grave and the changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier), the Korean War Memorial and any number of the many National Museums. Alas, there is one thing on your list you may not be able to enjoy. The much discussed and locally bragged about Cherry Blossom Festival has come and gone and so have most of the blossoms. Usually they start blooming the very end of March and through the next couple of weeks or so. But, unfortunately, this year we had some really warm weather in the middle of March so the blossoms came a little early. So, most (if not all) of the blossoms are now history until next years.

Still, you WILL enjoy your trip! And even if you can’t take photographs in the White House, you can take them at most other locations.
Keith Pladson (66)

 
 
Country School Reunion:
Question from Lynn Halvorson Otto (74): Seoul, Korea
 
Hi Gary, who is organizing the July country school reunion at Lake Metigoshe? If you know could you post this again for people. Thanks, Lynn Otto
Lynn, Linda Gardner is the one spearheading this reunion. I have pasted below and also attached a copy of the registration form. Gary
 
 

Turtle Mountain Country School Reunion

 

July 10, 2010

 

Plans are underway to hold a Turtle Mountain Country School Reunion on July 10, 2010, at the Twin Oaks Resort & Convention Center atLakeMetigoshe.Anyone who attended a country school in theTurtleMountains or is interested in celebrating an educational life style of the past is welcome to attend.The cost is $42.00 per person.Reservations and advance payment are required.Please fill out the form below and mail to:

 

Linda Gardner

 

 

3059 Sugar Lane

Vienna, VA22181

 

TurtleMountainCountrySchoolReunion Registration Form

 

Name

 

  

Address

 

  

Country School

  

Number of Participants

 

  

 

Checks should be made payable to Linda Gardner and mailed with the registration form to the address above by June 1, 2010.

 

Registration will begin at 3 PM; Social Hour 4-6:30 PM and dinner will be served from 6:30 – 8 PM.

 

If you are interested in helping organize this event, have memorabilia to share at this event, or have questions, please contact Linda at:

 

Telephone:703/636-6392

 

E-mail:lgardner9@cox.net.

 
  

04/14/2010

Posted on by
Dan Morgan (Former Teacher) remembrance:
Thank you from Judy Morgan (Former Teacher): Edgeley, ND
 

Thanks to all friends, former students, and colleagues who sent e-mail or cards or called when news of Dan’s illness was posted by Ardys Horner. Although Dan always kept up with the blog, he didn’t post. His excuse was always that he didn’t have anything new to add, that no one would remember him after all these years, or that his “secretary” wasn’t too efficient. He was so surprised and pleased to hear from so many. It meant a lot to him.

Finally Scott and I deeply appreciate all who took the time to e-mail us at home, on the blog, or on the Guest Book at www.dahlstromfuneralservice.com. Unfortunately we did lose some in the process of being read or copied. Thank you all so much for your kind expressions of sympathy.

According to Dan’s wishes, we will have a simple graveside memorial service on Saturday May 29,2010 at Milnor Lutheran Cemetery at 3:00 PM followed by a gathering of family and friends at the Gwinner Golf Club.

Again thanks Gary for all that you do in keeping everyone who is or was part of the Dunseith community connected. This is long overdue and I can’t begin to tell you how many times I have started this and lost it or made mistakes like this bold print that I’m unable to get out of at the moment. I’m now as addicted to this site as Dan was, so I hope you continue with your wonderful work. If this goes through it will probably be in two or more parts. I trust your skills to make sense of it. It’s warm and unbelievably windy here today and all I can think of is Virgil Vanorny coaching our women’s softball team! Judy Morgan

Judy, Yes, without a doubt, Dan and you too are well remembered in the Dunseith community and the Alumni. You guys were in Dunseith after my time there so I didn’t learn to know either of you during your Dunseith days. We can make up for that now though. I agree, it’s not always easy to post for fear folks will not be interested in what one has to say or that what we say may not be quite right. Then there’s the fear factor of being judged with how we say it. I have come to realize that folks love hearing from all of you that post. Folks are not judgmental of what is posted. They just love seeing the postings and the names they come from. They bring back so many memories. Rereading some of the postings, I see so many of my own errors, kicking myself in the butt for not catching them before hitting the send button. Thank you Judy. We love hearing from you. Please keep the postings coming. Gary
 
 
 
Follow up message with remeberences:
From Judy Morgan (Former Teacher): Edgeley, ND
 

Dear Gary,

First of all I want to thank you for including us on the Dunseith blog. Dan and I both enjoyed reading news of the area and remembering so many friends and events from our happy years in Dunseith (1963-1970).

I am just getting back to using the computer so my limited skills are pretty rusty. To Stella and the Schimetz family, my thoughts and prayers are with Bryan and all of you during this very difficult time. My sincere condolences to the families of Bill Berube and Greg Grimme. Many prayers continue on their way to the families of DeAnn Gottbreht and Mike and Sandra Vandal for continuing positive results

 

 

 

To the Schimetz family:
From Mark Gunville(75): Rolette, ND

I also graduated with Kim and Know the Schimetz family well. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers in your trying times.

 

Mark Gunville 1975

 

 

Update for Matthew – Mike & Sandra Zeiler Vandal’s Grandson:

Posted by Mike & Sandra (62) Zeiler: Elk River, MN

 

Hi Gary, this was our daughters last update to all friends and family. Kelly does a good job of explaining, and understands all this stuff much better then I do.She has a great husband, good children, all 11 of them, and a strong faith that will get them through, and come out on top of this. thank you for your concern and the prayers from all. Sandy and Mike

 

Sent: Tuesday, April 13, 2010 2:09 PM
Subject: Tues. oncologist appt
 
The pathology report came back positive for clear cell sarcoma. This cancer is agressive
in that it has a propensity to come back….even after 9-10 years. It hasn’t been a fast growing
cancer for Matthew and that seems to be the norm. The dr. wants to get Matthew to where
there is “no evidence of disease.” This is what was accomplished 3 yrs. ago and what they are trying
to accomplish now with the thoracotomy w/ wedge resections on each lung. The current plan is to
remove and watch. Matthew will be getting CT scans every 3 months for at least 3 yrs, then maybe go
to every 4 mos for 2 years, biannually for 5 yrs. (The dr said every 3 mos. for as long as he could).
He also wants to do a bone scan before the next thoracotomy. (am I saying that right?) He knows the
last surgery sight is going to “light up” on the bone scan, and so wants to get it accomplished before
the next surgery so there will be better results. Clear cell going to the bone is possible, but not as likely.
 
Alternative treatments: If it reappears after this, especially in the near future, there is achemotherapy
(adrimicin (sp)?) that is possible. Radiation is possible, but is limited by dose, and the lungs are
particularly sensitive. (Matthew is not a candidate for a lung transplant, due to having cancer). As
mentioned before, these “treatments” have not been shown to be effective; surgery is the best
option….Matthew can do the “remove and watch” for as long as he can have lung tissue removed if
he wants. We had 3 yrs since the last time and can go many years w/o it returning.
(or MIRACLES STILL HAPPEN)
As the U of M is the only phase 1 investigational institute in MN (meaning there is the latest/newest
treatments available here…but not necessarily covered by ins because it is investigational), he
does have more options here. Dr. Mulrooney said he’d check into other phase 1 institues in the US
and see if any of them have a particular interest in clear cell sarcoma. He recommended the following 2
websites;
curesearch.org (children’s oncology group) and cancer.gov which would have info
on trials and is sponsored by the Nat’l Cancer Inst.
 
If the bone scan comes back with unfavorable results, he may recommend a different route. Of course, our hope
and prayer is that this will be it, or barring that, before needing chemo, there is one out there that has
been proven effective.
 
Matthew’s first comment was in reference to Mother Theresa’s saying….the “God won’t allow more than I can
handle, wish he didn’t trust me so much” one. we picked up lunch at Chipotle and ate in the car on the
way home. (something I do not recommend) As we approached the Albertville exit, he said,
“Oh yeah, I have cancer.” He forgot for a bit ( can’t figure that myself)…when asked how he is doing he responds
“Better than I thought I would be.”
I, for one, am thankful he has been of an age since the beginning where he can understand the necessity
of the surgery/suffering he endures. One sees many little ones in the oncolology depts. and, as a mother,
I would find that harder to endure that suffering than the trial we are currently experiencing.
As another cancer patient (whom I admire) has said many times: “GOD IS GOOD, ALL THE TIME.”
 
GOD BLESS YOU ALL AND PLEASE KEEP PRAYING! :)
 
Thank you,
 
Perraults
 
 
Reunion Attendance:
From Diane Larson Sjol (70): Minot, ND.
 
I admit it…I am way behind in reading the blog…Nancy (Hosmer) and
I were visiting and she asked if I signed up for the Dunseith
reunion…I have not…so, ok, how do I go about it? I have been
traveling 90 miles down the highway to nowhere lately…work, work,
work…time for some fun.
Diane
Diane, you have a long commute from Minot to Bottineau. I’ll bet you know the road by heart now.
It’s so nice that you will be attending our reunion. We are looking forward to seeing you. Verena and I have added you to our lists for attending. Verena needs payment in advance for those that would like the Roast Beef catered dinner. The dinner is $10.00 per person. We are charging a registration fee of $5.00 per person to cover expenses. You can mail your payment to Verena if you want the meal. I have pasted her address below. For those that have not prepaid, we will be collecting the registration fee at the registration table.
 
Folks, You can mail your payment to Verena or stop by the High School where she works. I will be sending out an updated list of those attending within the next few days. The reunion will be at the Dunseith Bingo Barn on May 22nd.
 
Verena Gillis

PO Box, 785
Dunseith, ND 58329
 
Folks, Today is our bowling day. This is a picture of some of the gals that stopped their game to pose for this picture. Having fun is the name of the game. Bernadette is standing second from the right. Bernadette made several cookie sheets of chocolate rice cake that she will be taking along for treats today. They love her rice cake and requested more. Gary

  

04/13/2010

Posted on by
To the Schimetz Family
From Lynn Halvorson Otto (75): Seoul, Korea
 

To the entire Schimetz Family: I also worked with Bryan at Dales and he was always a joy and full of fun. I also graduated with Kim who I know is suffering with MS as well. You are all in our prayers daily. Lynn Halvorson Otto, 75
 
 
 
 
Reply to Pete & Ruth Larshus picture posted yesterday:
From Tom Hagen (51): Mesa, AZ & Williston, ND.
 
Yes, Gary , and Pete was a cousin of the Hagen family and Ruth was a good friend and fellow teacher with us. Tom Hagen (51)
 
 
 
 
New email address for Fritz & Marlene Henderson: Rolla, ND
 

Our new email address is

 

Fritz & Marlene
 
 
 
Excerpt from a personal message.
From Lois Tweten: Helena, MT
 
I’m headed to Overy ND on the 22nd. My cousin (Carol Sletto Johnson) came up to Bozeman to help out her daughter that had some surgery (she doesn’t dare drive so far – uffda). Anyway her husband drove her up here and I’ll drive her back! I like an excuse to go home to ND and see the cousins etc. It was while I was staying with
Carol that I met Bev Azure at her shop while Carol saw the PA there at the clinic!
 
Lois
 
Lois Tweten
907 Washington ST #3
Helena, MT 59601
Lois, We dearly miss Bev. She added a lot of life and zest to our daily messages. She was such a passionate, kind loving person too. Bev was Bev and pretended to be no one other than Bev. She certainly had a huge following with a long list of friends. She will be remembered for years to come. Gary
 
 
Reply from Sybil Johnson: Cheyenne, WY.
 
Since is talking about upcoming trips, I thought I would put my 2 cents in. For the first time in my life, I will be flying out of DIA, to Washington, DC. I have never been there and I’m looking for ward to it. There are so many things to see, but will only have 5 days. I will be visiting the White House and the Capitol, but sadly without my camera. I guess, since 9/11, this is no longer possible. I will be also going to the Viet Nam Memorial Wall. There is a Native American National Museum that I will also be visiting.
I am looking forward to see those famous Cherry Blossoms, that I have heard about all of my life.
Sybil Johnson
  

04/12/2010

Posted on by
Dunseith Alumni Caribbean Cruise in February 2012
 
Folks, Following our reunion in May we’ll be shifting focus to our Caribbean Cruise. We are making plans for Presidents day week in February 2012. As soon as the Cruise schedules come out, probably later this year, we will be selecting a cruise line and a cruise. We have not yet decided if we’ll be going East or West in the Caribbean. Please reply with any preferences and ideas that you may have. Bill Grimme, Phyllis McKay, Bernadette and I will be the group leaders for this cruise. This will for sure be another great event. For those of you living a bit north, this will be a good winter break. In mentioning this cruise to a few of our friends here in the PI, several of them want to join us as well. They’ve got their calendars marked. Gary

 
 
 
Bryan Schimetz (77) contact number.
Brian is suffering with MS. He is in Triumph Mandan Hospital.
Message from Mark Schimetz (70): Rolette, ND.
 
Gary the Triumph Care Center’s phone number for Bryan Schimetz’s room is 1-701-667-4087. I know that Bryan would like to hear from his friends that are unable to come to see him at this time, especially Donna Striker. They have been good friends all his life. Bryan is being kept as comfortable as is possible.
 
 

Reply to Bryan Schimetz (77):

From Rhonda Hiatt (75): Battle Ground, WA.
Hi Gary,
 
It’s been awhile since I have replied on here. I try to keep up with the latest everyday, though I do get behind.
Bryan along with his family are definitely in my prayers as he and they go through this very difficult time. I graduated with Kim in 75 and worked with Bryan at Dales and he was just the best cook and the best to work with. I really just loved working with him. No matter how crazy busy we were he never got all worked up or lost his cool. Awhile back you had posted his e-mail address so we could send Birthday wishes. I sent one but if I remember right, his mailbox was full. I knew that everyone else had done the same thing. I tried a few times after that, so don’t know if he got it or not. To Bryan, Kim, and the rest of the Schimetz family, My thoughts and Prayers are with you.

Rhonda Hiatt
 
 
 
Keith & Alice Pladson will be attending the reunion:
Message from Keith Pladson (66): Stafford, VA
 
Gary,
Just thought I would let you know that Alice and I will be attending the reunion get together/meal in May. I’ve already sent Verena a notice of our planned attendance and a check for our meals. We also intend to include a stop in Superior, WI on the way up to visit with my Aunt Lillian. I spoke with my cousin Ron (one of Lillian’s sons) a few days ago, and he said his Mom is doing pretty well (I think she is 94 years young now), so I’m really looking forward to our trip. It’s a long drive from here to ND (about 1,800 miles each way) but with our stop in Superior on the way up and a stop in Louisville, KY (to visit with Alice’s Mom) on the way back at least we will break up the long drive. We could fly, but with the way the airlines are going, flying is not much fun anymore and by driving we have a lot more freedom to come and go as we please while in ND. Over the years we’ve driven this route many times so we are very used to it. We look forward to seeing you and Bernadette again.
Keith
Keith, This is wonderful news that you and Alice will be attending the reunion. You are right, it’s a long trip from VA to Dunseith. We are looking forward to seeing you guys at the reunion and around the area too. Gary
 
 
Dunseith Alumni Alaska Cruise – July 2009
Note: Florence and Keith are siblings. Becky is Florence’s daughter
Minnie Flynn is in the background.
 
Florence Pladson Sime (62), Keith Pladson (66) &
Becky Sime Coles (83)
 
 
 

Sunday, April 11, 2010 10:56 AM, CDT

Patrick and I left the NICU with Connor at about 3:30 pm on Thursday April 8th. What and exciting day it was! Connor has come such a long way since he was born. He is such a miracle. He is almost 7 lbs now and is growing fast. His reflux is still a problem but the doctors sent us home with his medicine and so far he is doing great. Unfortunately he doesn’t let his parents sleep for very long at a stretch but hopefully that will improve! It is just so nice to finally be at home together as a family.

Chemo is still going pretty well. I had Chemo this last week on Thursday so it was nice to get it out of the way before we picked up Connor. Only 5 more treatments to go of this stuff and after that I’ll have a chemo once every 3 weeks for a year. I’m just hoping the chemo won’t ware me out to much since Connor is a lot of work right now. It’s a good thing Patrick and I can always get a little help from Grandparents when we need it! We are really looking forward to putting these treatments behind us so we can finally spend time at home as a family and not have all this traveling every week.

Thanks again everyone for all of your support. It was a long journey for us with Connor in the NICU for 41 days but that phase of our lives is behind us and things are only going to get better

  

04/11/2010

Posted on by
Bryan Schimetz (77) suffering with MS:
Posted on our Website:
 
From: David Schimetz
Phone:
E-mail:

Message:
I would like to start a prayer chain for Bryan Schimetz. He is in Triumph Mandan Hospital. Bryan has suffered with MS for over 30 years and is now in the last stages of the disease and he will leave us soon. He is surrounded by family members and he is in no pain. Please keep him in you prayers. Thank-you all from the Louis Schimetz Family

David, Since putting these class lists together, I have known that Bryan is suffering with MS. I talked to him, by phone, several years ago when he was in the Good Samaritan center in Bottineau. From the sound of his voice with that conversation, I could tell he was suffering. I am so sad to hear of his continued deteriorating condition. He’s coped well with all his suffering with this disease for so many years. Our thoughts and prayers are with Bryan. We know it’s hard on the entire family as well. Our prayers are with you guys as well. Gary
 
 
Question from Bonnie Awalt Houle (56): Becker, MN
 
Dear Gary,
I heard there were some early additions to this blog that were sent around before the reunion that ballooned this blog. They said those early additions had individual pictures of students. Do you still have those blogs? Could you possibly send those around again?
Thank you for all you do, and God Bless.
 
Bonnie Awalt Houle
Bonnie, I assume you are talking about those messages posted prior to the 2007 reunion? We, the class of 65, generated a whole lot of email traffic for about 6 months leading into that reunion. For quite sometime we were almost live, at a given time, each day. As messages came into me I’d immediately forward them to the class and they’d reply instantaneously. The cycle continued, often times for several hours, each day. I saved each and everyone of those 2,000 plus messages only to loose them when my hard drive got reformatted a few months back. I didn’t realize I didn’t have them backed up. What a loss. Do any of you from the class of 65 or auxiliary folks that were included with those message, by chance, have copies of any of those messages?
 
Needless to say, the ice had been well broken long before our reunion in 2007. This was our first ever class reunion too. Most of us agreed that we were not that close of a class in our HS days and that comradery becomes increasingly more important as we get older. As we get older, relationships tend take precedence above all else. It’s too bad we wait until our more senior years to realize all this. Gary
 
 
 
From: Gary Houle (63) and Roberta: Champlin, MN
 
Hi Gary-You have done a fabulous job with the Richard Family genealogy graph which you posted in blog #761. It really helps to see how everyone is related. One small correction. Under Gary’s grandma Bernadette Dostaler, there is a Leo listed under Ted Dostaler. Leo was Bernadette’s husband, not a son of Ted. Ted was never married. Keep up the good work. We enjoy your daily blog.
 
Roberta Houle
Roberta, Thank you so much for this correction. I have updated my master copy of that graph with this correction. I have also attached a copy of this PowerPoint graph of the Richard Family. Gary
 
Pete & Ruth Larshus Peterson:
 
Folks, I just ran across this photo that I did not realize I had with the recent passing and many good memories of Ruth. I believe Neola sent this picture to me quite sometime ago. Ruth was a well remembered teacher throughout the hills, Dunseith and Bottineau. She was also a first cousin to Art Rude.
 
  

04/10/2010

Posted on by
Ed Milligan:
From Neola Kofoid Garbe: Minot & Bottineau, ND
 
Hi Gary,
 
I don’t know if this is of interest, but one of my classmates said Ed Milligan is mentioned in the last North Dakota Horizons magazine. I think Dad subscribed to this magazine when he was alive, but I haven’t seen a copy since then.
 
Thanks.
 
Neola
Have any of you seen this article? Gary
 
 
 
Football:
Reply from Lyle Olson (75): West Fargo, ND
 
Reading the football edition of your archives brought back some good memories regarding my time playing football at Dunseith. We played Rolette in 1973 and beat them 73 – 0!!! Curt Berg was the star of that team and I remember he was in on the tackle on the opening kick-off that broke the leg of Brian Berube, one of Rolette’s star players. Everyone on the field heard the leg break and everyone in Rolette heard the howl that followed! Rolette folded like a cheap suit after that play. I don’t know how many points David Hagel scored on running touchdowns that game, or how many touchdown passes Terry Counts caught, but both players sure were tired come the 4th quarter.

That same year we played against Walhalla, ND. They had a football player named Daniel St.Vincent and he was the biggest high school running back I ever saw. We beat them 8 – 6, but the most impressive part of the game was that we did it with 13 players. Actually, we started the game with 13 players, but Curt Berg hurt his knee early in the game so I guess you can say we beat them with only 12 players (Dunseith was still in 11 man football at that time).

We had a pretty good football team in 1974 as well. Jesse Marion was the quarterback and David Hagel was the main running back, with Mark Fugere and Gary Poitra running the ball too. Sam Tooke was on that team and he was a mean noseguard. He once had the great idea to rattle the center for Cando that sort of backfired. His plan was to pounce on this rather small center well before the ball was to be hiked. He thought that if he did this enough, it would lead to a fumble or two. Well, Sam threw all his considerable weight on that poor kid for about 8 plays in a row, being penalized 5 yeards each time. However, that kid just pulled himself out of about 6 inches of dirt each time and went back to the huddle without saying a word to anyone. Jim Berube and Red Johnson were referees at that game and I remember Jim asking Sam what the heck he was doing. Sam just grinned and lined up to crush the kid again. By the time this played out, Sam had amassed about 40 yards in penalties and Cando was at the 5 yard line. The next play they scored and they didn’t look back. I later met that center and he laughed and laughed when I mentioned the game. He told me his big brothers had been doing that to him for years whenever they played football at home!

Football season was always a fun time in Dunseith. The warm nights were not as frequent as the cool, crisp nights, but it did not seem to matter then. I remember running all over town in “snake” lines lead by the older football players at homecoming time, and the homecoming parades and bonfires. I wonder if they do that anymore???

Thanks for all you do, Gary!

Lyle Olson – 1975

 
Folks, I just ran across these pictures. I have some extra room today, so thought I share. Gary
 
Stokes farmstead in the 70’s

 

 

 

Stokes Farmstead – Easter Sunday, 1979

 

 

Stokes Farmstead the way it looks today, now owned by Larry & Mona Marchus

 

 

 

 

Folks, I thought I’d throw this one in too. This is My brother Darrel (Bud) and our cousin, Alice Petterson Hahn(deceased). Alice’s parents were Hans and Gerda Petterson. Dad and Hans were brothers. Alice was the oldest of the 26 Petterson cousins and Bud the youngest.

 

 
  

04/09/2010

Posted on by
Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Bottineau & Minot, ND.
 
 
 
 
 
Folks, I didn’t have much today, so I went into the Achieves.
Note: It may be easier to read the following from the bottom up.
Gary

 

Posted with message 183 on 8/5/08

Message/News paper Article from Gary Morgan (54):

 

Gary & All,
Attached is Garry Woodford’s writeup on the game Darrell referred to. Also his wrapup of the season.
Any success I enjoyed on the football field has to be attributed to Virgel Vanorney. We had two weeks of football practice in the spring of 1950 and another two weeks before school started that fall. Since we didn’t have a football coach yet, Virgel drilled, and I mean DRILLED, us in the fundamentals. He instilled in all of us two basic principles: “Stay low” and “If you hit them harder than they hit you, you’re not going to get hurt”. I’m convinced that had Vidge stayed our coach, we would have had a more successful season that first year. This is evidenced by the fact that we thoroughly dominated Towner in a preseason scrimmage but they beat us during the season.
I had another advantage. Being a freshman the first season Dunseith fielded a team in several years, I had just as much experience as the upperclassmen. This enabled me to start all four years.
Dick should hang on to that helmet. It’s a relic of possibly the only undefeated seasons Dunseith ever had in football.

Gary Morgan

 

 

Posted with message 182 on 8/4/08

Reply 1950 football picture From Darrel Fassett (47):

What Gary Morgan didn’t tell you about that football team was that they turned into a very good team. I followed the progress of the team(via Turtle Mountain Star) and they and Rolla were both pretty good. Gary was the Dunseith running back and Rolla also had a very good back. Of course, the Rolla player got all the ink. Since I had worked with both Gary and Dick at the lumber yard I had to come watch the game when the two teams met. Early in the game the two met whie Gary was carrying the ball and Gary ran right over him. After that it was a rout. I don’t remember the score but it was large in favor of Dunseith. I bet Gary remembers the score. At that time there was an intense Rolla-Dunseith rivalry( maybe still is) so that made it even better. Gary was too modest to tell you that they became a very good football team.

 

 

Posted with message 182 on 8/4/08

From Gary Morgan (54):

 

Gary & All,
Thinking back to my freshman and sophomore years in high school….we never had cars to cruise like you younger people. Mostly, we would hang out in the bowling alley or wander down to the Crystal Cafe. Some of the older guys might go to the pool hall.
Once in a great while, Donnie Hiatt would get his dad’s pickup. He would pick up Jerry Williams and myself and sometimes Jimmie Footit and with the three or four of us jammed in the pickup, it would be off to Bottineau to pick up girls. Those Bottineau girls were really a bunch of snobs. There might be three or four of them walking down the sidewalk and we would pull over to the curb and throw them the only pick up line we knew..”Do ya want a ride?”. They never did and only once did one actually flee, but that was probably because she was alone. It could be thirty below and they still wouldn’t get in.
Looking back now, I can’t help but wonder if the stock rack with the cow crap up and down the sides might not have been a disadvantage. I think it may have somehow intimidated them.

Gary Morgan

 
 
Posted with message 180 on 8/3/08
Message/Picture from Gary Morgan (54):
 
Gary & All,
Attached is a snapshot of the entire 1950 football team that my mother took after we had beaten Belcourt in our first game of the season. We had previously thumped Towner in a practice scrimmage so we were on a roll. Back row: Billy Leonard, Marshall Awalt, Clayton McKay, Bob Leonard, Jerry Blake, Don Hiatt & Stephen Renault. Front row: Gary Morgan, Eddie Leonard, Dick Morgan, Jerry Williams, Glen Williams & Don Hosmer. White jersey: Barry Shelver. We only had 12 game uniforms so Barry, being only a lowly 8th grader didn’t get one. However, in the next game, against Leeds, Stephen got his nose broken, a not uncommon occurrence in those days, and was out for the season. This was a good thing for Barry cuz now he got a game uniform. I don’t know why Bill missed the team picture. This was the first football team Dunseith fielded since before the war and we took our lumps. We played Belcourt twice so got two wins but were humiliated by Leeds 60-13 and also beaten by Rolla, Towner and Bisbee twice for a record of 2-5. We were competitive in all but the Leeds game.
The next year, we won our first two games but in the second one, against Rolette, Don Hosmer’s head met Eddie Leonard’s knee and they were both knocked out of action. Since we only had three subs to start with, including 90 lb. Barry Shelver and 75 lb. Gary Woodford, we had to cancel the rest of the season.
Janice is right. Old school friends are special.

Gary Morgan

 
Back row L to R: Billy Leonard, Marshall Awalt, Clayton McKay, Bob Leonard, Jerry Blake, Don Hiatt & Stephen Renault.
White jersey: Barry Shelver
Front row L to R: Gary Morgan, Eddie Leonard, Dick Morgan, Jerry Williams, Glen Williams & Don Hosmer
 
 
 
 
Letter from Patrick Godfrey from the the class of 1950 – Phone (712) 322-8770
Note: Patrick does not have email.
 
 
  

04/08/2010

Posted on by
Reply to Yesterday’s posting:
From Ron (71) & Janet Houle: Kensington, MN
 

Hi Gary – Ron was in the US Army stationed in Kaiserslautern, Germany from 1972 – 1976. Larry Barbot, his wife Hilde and daughter Ilene also lived in KTown. Patty Barbot Froseth and her husband Gary were also stationed nearby. It was nice to have friends from ND over there. Scott was born at Landstuhl Hospital. He now lives in the Brooklyn Center, MN and works in Ramsey MN.

 

Janet Houle
 
 
 
Photo Identification:
Reply from Phyllis McKay (65): Auburn, WA
 
Hi Gary,

The very handsome man on the right of Dick Morgan (in the picture ) is my wonderful brother Clayton (Kick) McKay. He and Dick have been friends since high school. Dick was a frequent guest at our home. We always looked forward to his visits and still do. A few years ago the two of them hosted a Dick and Kick flick for their classmates at the Mckay place just south of Dunseith.

Phyllis McKay

 

 

 

Photo Identification:

Reply from Janice Leonard Workman (56): Auburn, WA

Hi, Gary, The “other” guy in the picture with Dick Morgan is Kick McKay. You will probably get lots of replies. Also, Barry Shelver, if you are reading this, please reply to Larry Liere!!!!

Janice Workman 1956

Janice & Phyllis, I see both of you live in Auburn, WA. How far apart do you live from one another? Phyllis, you have a beautiful home. You are such a great host too. Bernadette & I truly enjoyed your invite to have dinner with you following our cruise last August.

 
 

Photo Identification:

Reply from Susan Fassett Martin (65): Spearfish SD

 
The bearded ones are Dick Morgan and Kick McKay.
 
 

Photo Identification:
Reply from Dick Johnson (68): Dunseith, ND.
 
Gary and Friends,

The two fellows in the picture are Dick Morgan and Clayton ‘Kick’
McKay. Two of Dunseith’s more colorful characters! I have a cute short
story about Kick. He went to Minot with Lowell Leonard a couple years
ago and they stopped at the truck stop for breakfast. The menu was on
the wall and had– One egg, two eggs, three eggs–etc. with prices
accordingly. Same with bacon–one strip, two strips, three strips—etc.
Lowell said he asked for two scrambled eggs and toast. Kick hadn’t seen
the wall menu and just asked for a couple eggs and bacon. The waitress
asked how much bacon? Kick looked at her a while and said, “Oh, whatever
you can spare.” Lowell said he about fell off his chair laughing at
Kick’s answer! Thanks Gary!

Dick

 
 
 
Photo Identification:
Reply from Mark Schimetz (70): Rolette, ND.
 
That’s Kick McKay next to Dick Morgan.

 
 
 
Photo Identification:
Reply from Glen Williams (52): Missoula, MT
 

You are correct it is Dick Morgan and the other guy still lives in Dunseith area…Kick McKay….They are old buddies of mine….

 

Glen Williams
 
Dick Morgan (52)and Kick McKay (52)
 
All rights reserved

04/07/2010

Posted on by
Football Team:
Question/Reply from Larry Liere (55): Devils Lake, ND & Mesa, AZ.
 

Hi Gary

 

Did anyone ever send in a picture of the 1955 team? If they have I sure would like to get a copy of that with names! The Cheerleaders picture from those years would also be fun to see. I do not have Barry Shelver’s address and would like to try to E-mail him. Janice I think you sent him my address but he never replied. Hope he isn’t mad at me for leaving Dunseith. In the picture below I think Barry is starting to look like his dad. Another small world story I have is Barry’s brother’s son and my son went into active duty together with the North Dakota Army National Guard. The bad news is my son Patrick got cancer and passed away when he was 23 and a senior in college at UND Grand Forks,ND.

 

I have asked for a read receipt because I lost my address book when I started sending from Mesa,AZ and my back-up address book is not working correctly.

 

Hope to hear from you,

 

LARRY
 
 
 
 
Reply from Allen Richard (65):

I’m in a similar boat with Ron Longie. Alaina is in school until the second week in June, is taking a college class during the summer and has a week of band camp before the MI cherry Festival. This is the 43rd year the school band has marched in that parade. Nathan, Kristina and new Grandson Landon plan to be in ND in August. They live in Delta Junction, Alaska. Nathan is in Homeland Security. (something about shooting down whatever N. Korea shoots up—-) We are trying to see if they can come to MI- Nathan has not been to the home we built in 2005– SOOO, If I get to ND at all, it will be in August—and I’ll miss the Richard reunion as well. I’m sad about that. Many of the cousins from those branches of the tree I’ve not seen in well over 20-30 years.

 

To everyone that can make it—Have one to toast/curse me!

 

Allen

 
 
Photo from Glen Williams (53): Missoula, MT
 

These two guys were outstanding members of the 1950 and 1951 DHS football team….They are having a couple of soda pops to help remember old time..

 

Can anyone identify them..

 

Glen Williams

Glen, My guess is that Dick Morgan is on the left. I have no idea who the other guy may be? Gary
 
 
Kenny Nerpel receives Viet Nam Medal:
 
Folks, Yesterday Bernadette found this clipping, in an envelope with other clippings, when she was digging thru some old papers.
 
Kenny, I believe you were in Viet Nam from Late 1968 thru most of 1969. We completed basic together in August 1968. From there I believe you went to Fort Polk, LA for AIT, then to Viet Nam??
 
 
Scott Houle’s first birthday:
Hans Petterson’s (Brother to Bob Stokes) Obituary:
 
Folks, this is another clipping that I found. Hans died in December 1974, so that has to be when Scott had his first birthday. Scott is the son of Ron Houle (71).
Ron, where is Scott living now? Being in Germany at the time, I’m assuming you must have been stationed in the army over there?
 
 
  

04/06/2010

Posted on by
Mike & Sandra Zeiler (62) Vandal’s grandson is having lung Surgery:
From Mike & Sandra: Elk River, MN
 
Hi Gary, Grandson Matthew is having surgery tomarrow morning at the U of M. We have prayed for an Easter mircle and am confident everything will go well. Surgery will remove two spots from L. lung and in a week they will remove one spot from the R lung. He will be in the hospital approx. three days for each surgery, couldn’t do both as it would be to hard on Matthew. Of course the lab results can come back clean for cancer, but with type of cancer he had, the
dr. isn’t taking any chances. So, yes, prayers are more then welcome and very much needed. God is listening, and all will be answered. Thank you. Mike and Sandy
Mike and Sandra, We know this has been an up hill battle for Matthew. Our prayers are with him. Gary
 
 
Reunion:
Reply from Ron Longie (65): Yakima WA

Gary,

I hope this note finds you and Bernadette well, I am writing to inform you that I will not be making the reunion in May, my sister Patty is a school teacher, and wants very much to go back with me when I go so I opted to go when she gets out of school in June. I will miss seeing all of you as a group but will see some as individuals when I get there.

Ron

Ron, We understand, but we will for sure miss you. Gary

 
 
The following is from the Achieves of July 2008
 
From Bev Morinville Azure (72):
 
Vickie, I am so thankful you told us the story about how the church got its name WOW it is good to know the history…You made a tear come to my eye as I read this and caught not only my feeling as a teenagers back them but I am sure many others. As we watched about the war back then i remember thinking how can they turn there back on out boys. I remember when they said the war was over and the church Bells rand around town. Debbie and I were so excited to know it was over. once again thank each and every soldier that has served . COME ON PEOPLE lets hear it for our men and woman out there defending our freedom !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sharon i know the feeling when you live on forgein soil isn’t the feeling amazing when your feet hit the ground of the GOOD OLD USA
 
 

Picture/Message from Sandra Zeiler Vandal (62):
 
The picture of Arnold and Lorna was taken while we were up in Rugby for Arnold’s b-day. At the same day, we went to see Connie Peterson and Blair Tandeski at the folks’ old farm. They really appreciated Connie and Blair’s hospitality. Take care, Sandra and Mike
 
 
Arnold and Lorna Zeiler at the Lodge in the Peace Garden.
 
 
 
Folks, The messages from here to the bottom of this email all relate to the 1950 Dunseith squad football picture that was provide by Glen Williams.
 
 
From Florence Hiatt Dahl (50):

Mercy……….58 years ago a picture of the Dunseth squad…Picture 52. The faces all look familar, but the only one I can put a name to is my brother Don, number 2. A bunch of good looking fellows…..

 

From

Janice Leonard Workman (56): Janice_Workman@earthlink.net

 

 

Hi Gary, in the football picture Glen Williams sent #1 is Bob Leonard, # 10 is Clark Crum, #9 Barry Shelver, # 4 Gary Morgan, #5 Dick Morgan, #12 is Marshall Awalt. I think that #8 is Don Hosmer, #11 is Jerry Williams and #2 could be Don Hiatt, I also think that Glen Williams knows all in this picture because he is either # 6 or 7. Oh, yes Kick McKay could be #6 or 7 also. My 3 older brothers, Bill, Bob, and Ed were on one of the 1st football teams Dunseith had in the early 50’s. On the same team were the Morgan boys, Dick and Gary and the Williams boys, Jerry and Glenn. There was an article in one of the papers about all those brothers, probably the Turtle Mountain Star or the Dunseith Journal. I don’t see Bill at all on the picture, and #3 could be Ed, but he isn’t smiling and not wearing glasses, so I can’t be sure. It also looks like someone, maybe a coach is smudged out of the picture on the left. The team played 6- or 9-man. These days, when you see a football team picture, even in high school, there are many more players than in this picture. I think Auburn High School has about 50 or 60 on their team. Of course it’s a much bigger school also. Anyway, when Dunseith started it’s football program, I was not in high school yet. In the picture, Barry Shelver was probably a freshman. When I got into high school, Mr Jerstad was the coach and the cheerleaders always got to go to the away games, but we didn’t have buses, so we rode with whoever. What fun those days were!!!

 

Janice Leonard Workman

 

From Bonnie Awalt Houle (56):

Good Morning Gary,
The football picture sure brings back lots of memories. This picture was taken only shortly before Eddie Leonard went into the San Haven with TB.
#12 Marshall Awalt, #10 Clark Crum, #8 Don Hosmer, #11 Unknown, #9 Barry Shelver, #1 Bob Leonard, #2 Unknown, #4 Gary Morgan, #5 Dick Morgan, #6, #7, both unknown, #3 Eddie Leonard. Was the coach a fellow named Mr. Blake?
The stories of the Military Men from our community are wonderful, we have no idea what they have been through. Marshall was in Korea, and also in Vietnam twice, he never talks about his experiences. From the medals he has earned we know he did what was expected of him to the best of his ability and then some. Thank God for small town boy across the country who have given their all so we can life in peace.
Bonnie Awalt Houle (56)
 
 
 
From Dick Johnson (68):
 
Gary and Friends,

I sure you will get several IDs on the football picture. I will throw in
my guess.
No. 1–Bob Leonard
4–Gary Morgan
5–Dick Morgan
7–Kick McKay
10-Clark Crum
8–Don Hosmer
9–Barry Shelver?
6–Bill McKay?
2–?
11-?
12-?
3–?

Jerry Williams is probably one of the players, if he has the
picture. Gary Morgan will know these guys are!

Dick

 
 
 
From Ellen (Graff-58) Myrick:
 
Some names/gueses od 50 football team: 12 ?, 10 Clark Crum, 8 Bob Hosmer, 11 ?, 9 Barry Shelver, 1 Bob Leonard, 2 Don Conroy, 4 Gary Morgan, 5 Dick Morgan, 6 & 7 Glen and/or Jerry Williams, 3?
 
Ellen (Graff-58) Myrick

 
 
 
Photos/message from Glen Williams (52):
 
Gary this is a “cleaned up photo”that I eamiled you before….someone said they could not recognize anyone….maybe this will help….It was the 1950 squad…and Bob Leonard was number 1…now who else do you recognize?
 
Glen Williams

 

(1) Bob Leonard, (2) Don Hiatt, (4) Gary Morgan, (5) Dick Morgan, (6) Glen Williams, (7) Kick McKay, (3) Ed Leonard

(12 Marshall Awalt, (10) Clark Crum, (8) Don Hosmer, (11) Jerry Williams, (9) Barry Shelver

 

Gary.. The attached 2007 reunion photo pictures four guys who were members of the 1950 football team…can you you match the 1950 football individual team members with the individuals in the 2007 photo…????

 
No looking back now…!!!!
 
Glen Williams
 

Picture L to R:

 

 

 

 

  

04/05/2010

Posted on by
Reply to Dick Johnson (68):
From Colette Hosmer (64): Santa Fe, NM
 
Hi Dick,

 

Thanks again for the response. I would truly love to see the stone arch cave near Bottineau. I plan to be home in July and would be grateful for any additional information that comes your way.

 

Thanks,

Colette
 
 
 
Reply from Diane Larson Sjol (70): Minot, ND.
 
Hi Everyone,
It has been ages since I have posted anything. I admit that it has
been very hectic so haven’t been keeping up with the daily blog. I
was prompted by the photo of Gene Bender receiving a gift from our
nursing department and had to comment. The Healthy Heart event was
born out of an idea our nursing students had to “give back”. Our SNO
(STudent Nurse Organization) at Dakota College at Bottineau did a
great job educating the public about the importance of being “heart
healthy”. Funds they raised at earlier events allowed them to present
Gene with a monetary gift to offset his medical bills. It was great
to see him…he is highly thought of on campus and missed very much.

Just a note: We will be having a Richard family reunion this summer
with a few events during the week, culminating in Nancy (Hosmer)
Baldwin and Keith Kontzie’s wedding on July 17. There will be a dance
at the Birchwood that evening open for all to help celebrate their
event….more details will be coming later I am sure. For those of
you relatives interested in attending our little reunion, please email
me for details.

 
Diane, With the Richard Family reunion coming, I am reposting the Richard family Matrix.
I have only taken this graph to the 4th generation. Gary
 
 
 
From the Achieves:
 

Picture L to R:

 

Back row L to R
Clarence Bye, Clarence Christianson , Coonie McKay, Erling Berg, Stan Salmonson, Cliff
Salmonson, Art Henning, Ingolf Medlang

3rd row
Joan Salmonson, Alvina Christianson, Helen Bye, Agnes Salmonson, Ella Metcalfe, Dorothy
Halvorson

2nd row
Gladys Henning, Hannah Rude, Delores Berg , Bernice Johnson, Caroleen Williams,
Alma Halvorson, Alice McKay

Front row
Don Johnson, Art Rude, Cliff Halvorson, Lawrence Struck, Lester Halvorson,
Jim Metcalfe, Don Williams

 
 
Dennis Dubois and Lee (Leland) Stickland – July 2007
Note: Dennis will be attending the Reunion. Lee, we’d love to see you too????
  

04/04/2010

Posted on by
Bill McDonald picture:
Reply from Tina Pladson Bullinger (78): Bottineau, ND
 
Gary,
I remember Bill Mcdonald from workin g and living in Bottineau all these yeasrs, and I believe Karen is right. In fact, my mother-in-law used to play Bingo with Bill, if memopry serves!

Tina

 
 
 
Bill McDonald picture:
Reply from Neola Kofoid Garbe: Minot & Bottineau, ND.
 

Hi Gary,

 

Karen is right; the fellow in the picture has been identified as Bill McDonald. Thanks Karen/Dale.

 

Neola
 
 
 
Bill McDonald picture:
 
Folks,
 
I believe Bill McDonald has now passed on. I believe this is his death record that I found pasted below. In doing a search for Bill, I could not find any relatives other than for a John McDonald that was born in 1912 that lived at the same residence as Bill in Bottineau.
 
In doing my search for Bill I made a few phone calls with some leads I found. Those phone calls led me to a lady by the name of Carole McDonald who lives in Bottineau. I was so surprised when she told me she knew who I was and that she is a sister-in-law to Margaret Metcalfe Leonard (65) and of sister to Carmen (Floyd) Leonard Richard. She told me she knows LeaRae Parrill Espe (67) and that she is a next door neighbor to Helen (65) (Duane) Rivard Christenson. Talk about a small world.
 
Gary
 
 

William MCDONALD       Birth Date: 13 Mar 1910     Death Date: 3 Jun 2004     Social Security Number:       State or Territory Where Number Was Issued: North Dakota     Death Residence Localities     ZIP Code: 58318     Localities: Bottineau, Bottineau, North Dakota   Lake Metigoshe, Bottineau, North Dakota    
 
 
Pictures from the House warming last week-end at Kawit, Cebu, Philippines
 
Folks, I’ve got some extra room today, so I thought I’d throw in some pictures from our week-end excursion this past week-end. We attended a house warming for some friends of ours that have a beech resort located about 75 miles north of us near the north end of this island of Cebu. This couple purchased this beach property 29 years ago for a small fraction of what it is worth today. They recently sold a much smaller lot a short distance up the shore that they also purchased 29 years ago. The proceeds from that sale were more than enough to cover the expenses for their new house and miscellaneous buildings on this lot. They cut no corners. I’m guessing they spent close to several hundred thousand or more dollars to build what they have.
 
Note: I have posted a lot more of these pictures of our week-end up in Kawit on Facebook.
 
 
L to R: Barbara Kenny from the UK; Imelda ILanan who was a famous Filipina movie star a
few years back with many reruns today; Bernadette & Dinah Craven the lady of the house.

 

 

House warming dinner on the beach. This was our table. Bernadette is on the very end on the right side. I was sitting next to the guy with the red shirt. He is from Australia. The couple next to him are from the UK. The rest of us are from the USA. We have become very close friends with all of these folks, all of whom are retired here. The natives have difficulties understanding the English of the folks from the UK, Ireland, Netherlands, New Zeeland & Australia. One of their favorite expressions is “Bloody this and Bloody that”.

 

 

 

This is the beach front of the property of our Friends with the house warming. They have about 400′ of beach front. The cement bulkhead, that runs the entire length, was dug down into the sand 10′. It was dug that deep to prevent erosion from the sea. They said they had 65 folks working on this bulkhead last week to get it completed for the house warming. Thank god Filipino labor is cheap.

 

 

This is their house pictured with two one bedroom Bungalows for guests. The guy in the picture is Ian. He and his Wife Dinah are the owners. Ian is from the UK and Dinah is originally from Cebu, PI. Ian is still working part time. He works 2 weeks a month for an off shore oil drilling company in Singapore. He does a lot of his work on line, but his office is in Singapore. Singapore is about 800 or so miles NW of us across the waters.

 

 
  

04/03/2010

Posted on by
Erling Berg’s Birthday:
Posted by Diane Berg Rheault (79): Fargo, ND.
 
Gary, Erling Berg is 88 yrs. old today (Apr.2nd), We had a birthday party for him today up at the hospital in Rugby (3rd floor-long term care). Present were Delores Berg, Keith Berg, Diane (Berg) Rheault with husband Jim and daughter Jacqueline, friend Howard, and Art Rude Jr. stopped in to say hello and wish Dad a Happy Birthday. Erling got his favorite cake (spice with brown sugar frosting). He said he will not forget this day!!
Diane, We all wish your dad a very happy birthday. He was and is a very well known guy in the Dunseith community. My dad and others worked for or with your dad at San Haven for a number of years. Often times supervisors don’t always have good approval ratings from their employees. Dad always had so much good to say for Erling. He is a great man.
 
I don’t remember your dad that well, but I sure remember his brothers Clarence and Hilmar. Hilmar celebrated his 90th birthday a year or two ago and is living in Bottineau. Clarence, deceased, was married to Mabel Berg also deceased. She was a Berg married to a Berg. Mabel’s sister, Helga, was married to my dad’s brother, Nels Petterson. Nels & Helga, now deceased, lived in Everett, WA. I saw Clarence & Mabel, many times, with their numerous visits to see Nels and Helga when we lived in Bremerton, WA. Hilmar spent several winters working in Everett in the late 60’s too. He stayed with Nels and Helga. Gary
 
 
Condolences to the Berube family with memories of Billy:
From Aime Casavant (66): Jamestown, ND
 
Condolences to Jim, Tom and all the Berube Family. Although Bill was
several years younger than me, he had one of those personalities that
is always remembered. Memories of Bill. The evening of November 22,
1965. Bill (Billy to us back then) had come over to August Dionne’s
place in Dunseith, where I was living. I don’t recall the exact
reason but August was not there. I invited Billy in and we had one of
those rare conversations one would not otherwise have, except on a
spontaneous ocassion.
Some time passed and Billy said, “Oh, Cassius Clay is going to fight
Floyd Patterson tonight!” He asked for the radio, we found it. Billy
started telling me about Cassius Clay and I recall he was very excited
about it. I said to Billy, your really a fan of his, arn’t you?”

Billy explained he did not know if he would consider himself a fan,
but said his personality just makes me feel happy and its exciting –
the way he acts. I did not know that much about professional boxing,
but Billy, being the sports type of person ( like the Berube’s) told
me all about it. He told me about Cassius Clay’s personality, how he
shouted “I’am the greatest, I’am the king’ and how Cassius Clay would
say a rhyme on the round he would win the fight. We listened to the
fight and sure enough, Cassius Clay then started his antics and Billy
said excitedly to me “Aime, listen! listen!, he is saying he is the
greatest ! Floyd Patterson lost by a TKO and I asked Billy what that
was and he explained it to me.

Of course Cassius Clay went on to become Muhammed Ali and I watched
his many fights and antics. In life, some things we remember, some
things we forget, but whenever I watched Ali fight throughout life – I
was reminded of that evening that Bill Berube introduced him to me.

About 8 years later I seen Bill for a short time at the University of
ND. There was no doubt to me, Bill would go on to a successful
teaching and intellectual life. Bill Berube was always to me, one of
those persons that was one of the “greatest.”

Several years ago I seen Jim at a Bottineneau/Vally City football
game. I asked Jim about Bill. Jim explained he was a professor,
teaching at (U of Wyoming?) at Laramie. I was not surprised Bill would
end up becoming a professor. He had that keen, intellectual insight
into things.

 
 
 
Viking Stone caves in the Turtle Mountains:
Reply from Dick Johnson (68): Dunseith, ND
 
Gary and Friends,

In answer to Colette’s question, I think the stone arch cave
northwest of Bottineau is still there, although I’ve heard some more
deterioration has taken place. Nature continues to try to reclaim
anything men change. There is a sign along the highway north of Carbury
that points out an historic site to the northeast. I can only assume it
is directing attention to the cave, although I haven’t checked it out to
see. One more thing for my ‘bucket list’. Late last night I received an
email telling me another mooring stone had been found much further east
along the foothills. This one is in Rolette County and east yet of Butte
St. Paul. This one was also checked out and documented by Ed Milligan
and crew. I think Colette’s depiction of the Vikings being a hardy bunch
of explorers really sums it up. It would appear that they had little
fear of what they might encounter–that would certainly be an advantage
in traveling into unchartered areas. The Spaniards thought they would
sail off the end of the Earth because it was flat. I guess the Vikings
hadn’t heard the news from Spain! Thanks Gary!

Dick

 
 
 
Spring time with snow in the Turtle Mountains:
Picture posted by Dick Johnson (68): Dunseith, ND
 
Gary and Friends,

The wind started to blow in the night and this is what we have this
morning. It’s spring in the Turtle Mountains! Thanks Gary!

Dick


 
 
Picture possibly identified:
Reply from Dale and Karen Hagen (70) Simon: dsimon@utma.com Bottineau, ND
 
Gary, Dale Simon here, My Wife Karen Said that picture of the Missing identy of that man could be Bill McDonald. Karen said that she took care of Bill at the hospital and that it sure looks like him but the only thing is that he is from Souris,ND
Folks, Do any of you know Bill McDonald? The folks at Long Term in Saint Andrews get these messages too. Maybe they can be of some assistance for a positive ID. I trust Karen’s instincts though, that this may be Bill. Gary

  

04/02/2010

Posted on by
Condolences to the Berube Family:
From Jean Nicholas Miller (66): Glendale, AZ
 
Gary,
I too would like to send my condolences to the Berube family. I don’t remember Bill real well but do remember the rest of the family. It sounds like he was a good and dedicated man. I’m sorry.
Jean
 
 
 
 
Reply from Rita Anderson (Former Gamble store owner): Fargo, ND.
 

Hi I too want to wish Armond a Very Happy Birthday. I remember him in the hardware store, when (Edgar and I) had the Gamble store.

 

 

 

Obituary

 

HELEN A. BYE

 

Funeral services for Helen A. Bye, age 96 of Bottineau, were held on Monday at 2:00 P.M. in the Peace Lutheran Church in Dunseith. Burial was in Rendahl Cemetery of rural Dunseith. Officiating at the service was the Reverend John Hesford. The congregation sang selected hymns and Dick and Brenda Johnson provided special music. Casket bearers were Curt Halvorson, Terry Halvorson, Jim Kester, Lyle Lagerquist, Dick Roland and Russell Kihne.

Helen Alvide Bye, a daughter of Casper and Ella (Berg) Christianson, was born on February 3, 1914 in Cordelia Township, Bottineau Co. She was the second child of five sisters and three brothers that attended school at Loon Lake in Bottineau Co. Helen graduated from Bottineau High School and attended Minot Teachers College and received her teaching certificate. She then taught country school in Rolette and Bottineau Counties. On December 21, 1939 she was married to Clarence A. Bye at Dunseith. Clarence passed away in June 1976. Helen continued to live on the family farm in Willow Lake Township, Rolette Co. until she entered the assisted living apartments in September 2000. In July of 2009 she entered the long term center at the St. Andrew’s Hospital where she has resided since.

She was a member of the Rendahl Lutheran Church until it merged with Peace Lutheran Church in Dunseith. Helen was active in the ladies aide, Bottineau Sons of Norway and the Lois Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star.

Helen passed away on Thursday March 25, 2010 in a Bottineau hospital.

She is survived by sisters, Bernice (Harold) Carlson of Grand Forks and Florence Struck of Bottineau; sister-in-law, Alvina Christianson of Bottineau; and many nieces and nephews.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents; husband; brothers, Harland, Henry and Clarence; sisters Ella Mae Christianson, Emma Halvorson and Alma Halvorson; brothers-in-law, Sigurd Ronning, Oscar Bye, Carl Bye, Lawrence Bye, Albert Halvorson, Clifford Halvorson and Laurence Struck; sisters-in-law, Bella Ronning and Eva Bye.

 
 
 
 

I had my 6th chemo treatment today and it went fine. I’m pretty tired out tonight but otherwise ok. Only 6 more to go! My blood work has been fine each week as well so that is one less worry. It is just a matter of getting through it. I don’t see my Oncologist until next week so I’ll know more about of future plans for my treatments then.

Connor is really doing great. Yesterday his Doctor switched him to eating every time he wakes up and is ready instead of the every 3 hours schedule he was on. He has just been excelling since the switch. It’s like he is so happy to eat when he decides that it’s all he wants to do. A couple of days ago he would only eat maybe an ounce or so eat feeding. Now he eats at least 2 ounces each time and still wakes himself up every 3 hours raring to go. He is also such a good baby. He just fusses a little until he gets his bottle. I hardly ever hear him cry so that is sure nice. Hopefully he will stay that way! If he stays on this track and doesn’t have any major problems with his reflux his Doctor said he could go home Monday!! Patrick and I are so excited. It will be wonderful to finally have him home and be a family again.

I hope you all enjoy your Easter with someone you love. I know Patrick and I will be enjoying it with Connor and couting down the hours until we can go home.

 
 
 
The follow pictures and newspaper articles have been posted by
Neola Kofoid Garbe: Minot & Bottineau, ND.
 

Hi Everyone,

 

I thought you should see how the “real” Easter chickie looks!! LOL! This was taken in 1999, the last year I taught school.

 

Former students: Does the handwriting/room/etc. look familiar? :) Too bad you can’t hear my voice!! LOL!!!

 

Neola

 
 
Folks, Since many of you know Jean and knew Duane, I thought I’d share this picture that Neola sent. With Jean’s dad, Bert Hanson, being a brother to Frances Morinville and her mother, Olga, being a sister to my Dad, the Morinville Siblings and the Stokes Siblings share Jean and her sister, Audrey Aitchinson, as first cousins. Jean has continued to live on the same place since she and Duane were married. Her farm is located a half mile south of the Peace Garden Road (#43) on the county line. Duane passed away in September 1988. Audrey lives in Bottineau. Gary
Jean & Duane (Deceased) Pladson
 
Folks, This picture is so familiar. I’m thinking we posted this once before and
he was identified. For some reason we have lost his identity. Do any of you
recognize this gentleman. Thanks, Gary
 
 
 

 

 

 

  

05/01/2010

Posted on by
Folks, My internet modem malfunctioned, so I have been most of the day without service. My internet provider was just here and replaced the modem, so I am back up and running again. I’m about 6 hours later than normal with my posting. Gary
 
 
Thomas Belgrade’s funeral notice:
 
THOMAS BELGARDE, 51, Belcourt, died Thursday in a Minot hospital. Funeral Wednesday, 10 a.m., St. Ann’s Catholic Church, Belcourt. Visitation Tuesday, 6 p.m., rosary service Tuesday, 8 p.m., both in the church. (Elick Funeral Home, Rolla)
 
 
Reply to Tommy Belgarde (Deceased)
From Denise Lajimodiere: Moorhead, MN
 
Tommy Belgarde the musician?

Denise

 
 
Condolences to the Tommy Belgarde Family:
From Dianne Rober’t Johnson (76): Rolla, ND
 
Morning Gary,
 
I seen the posting regarding Tommy.
I remember Tommy (& Clifford) from when I lived on the farm out by St. Anthony’s. We use to ride the horses to Pigeons alot and would pass by their house. Also, remember going to dances where Tommy’s band was playing. Those were the good old days!
My condolences go out to Tommy’s families, he will be surely missed.
 
Dianne (Rober’t) Johnson
 
 
Memories of Tommy Belgarde:
From Vickie Metcalfe (70): Bottineau, ND
 

Gary,

MUSIC.

Through the passing of each season, I revert to music. Yesterday, I when visiting with a class of students,who did not know about an old tradition of knocking at doors and giving flowers on May first. …… Myself? I ‘d first heard about May Day from Mrs.Florence Conroy.

While discussing May 1st. I began singing…… “Awake Awake Oh Pretty Maids Awake Out of your Drowsy Dream..and Step into your dairy house to fetch a bowl of cream………..” . My thoughts were of our gifted music teacher who introduced the Dunseith High School choir that song. I continue to always be amazed when melodies and the words are remembered just as our gifted teacher…….Mr. Don Johnson.

Saddened, I am to hear of the passing of Tommy Belgarde. Tommy also a truly gifted musician. (Tommy’s dad grew up in the hills north of Dunseith, neighbors to the Metcalfe’s at Rabbit City Lake…………and he in the foothills)

Many, many times, my cousin, Janice and Raphael hired Tommy’s band to play at Kelvin Klinic. My parents, along with Kelvin filled with many neighbors and folks enjoyed listening to Tommy appreciating his sense of timing and danced to his band. Ah……. those two-steps, fox trots and waltzes. (Do you remember the dancing at Kelvin Dorothy Pritchard? As I recall, She, and her husband could and would dance most of the evening.)

It was Turtle Mountain Metis’ Music at it’s best! Many weekends, I’d venture to the home farm from teaching in Montana just in time to take mom and dad dancing. Usually, upon seeing my dad,walk through the door with his white cane, Jimmie LaRocque would say to Tommy,” Let’s play one for Cliff. Tommy and the band accompanied Jimmie while he’d double string fiddled , I’d stand to be dad’s touch point while he’d clogged and jigged.

God Bless those dear hearts and gentle souls who made the music which carries on. Many Thanks. Vickie
 
 
 
Bryan Schimetz’s (77) Funeral cast:
From Mark Schimetz (70): Rolette, ND.

 

Gary This is a copy of Bryan Schimetz’s Funeral cast . Gary Fulsebakke sang several songs and very heartfelt and powerfully moving, This young man can really sing spiritual songs. I first heard Gary sing at his mothers 90th birthday party at Good Sam’s in Bottineau. I remember Gary saying that his mother, Midge, loved to sing gospel songs around the house and Gary loved to sing along with her. Judy Allard also sang very well. I will try to get a copy of the Obituary, which I left behind in Dunseith. I know some of his friends could not make it. So I will also try to get some miscellaneous photos of Bryans life to you at that time.

Thanks Gary for all that you do for us Fans of this blog.

 

 

 

Reunion – May 22nd

 

Folks, Verena’s list, below, is her master list and the official master list for those that have paid. Please reply with any discrepancy’s or omissions that you see so they can be corrected.

 

She will only be ordering T-shirts, Next week, for those that attended Dunseith schools that have paid when she sends the order in. She is unsure of those attending the reunion that have not paid, so will not be ordering T-shirts for those folks.

 

For the catrered dinner, Verena needs your payment no later than May 14th.

 

For those of you desiring the catered meal, please send your payment of $10.00 Plus $5.00 ($15.00 total) per person payable to
 
Verena Gillis
PO Box, 785
Dunseith, ND 58329
 
(701) 263-3302 C(701) 378-5167

 

We are collecting a $5.00 registration fee per person. For those that have not prepaid their registration fee, they can pay at the time of registration when they arrive at the reunion. Gary

 

We currently have 273 folks signed up to attend the reunion. Verena has received payment from 184 folks listed below.
 

04/01/2010

Posted on by
Holy Week:
Folks, In observation of “Holy Week” and with this being prominently a catholic country, most businesses closed their doors yesterday (Wednesday) noon and will remain closed until Monday morning in observation of the holidays. Another point of interest here too is that most larger department stores and groceries have a prayer that is played over their PA system everyday at noon, 3:00 PM and 6:00 PM. The prayers, spoken in English, last several minutes or so. During this time all employees and most customers stop what they are doing and everything pretty much comes to a complete stop. Gary
 
 
 
Condolences to the Berube Family:
From Dick & Brenda Johnson: Dunseith, ND.
 
Gary and Friends,

Our sincerest condolences to the family of Bill Berube. He too, left
us with many good memories of times shared together while growing up in
Dunseith.

Dick and Brenda Johnson

 
 
 

Condolences to the Berube Family:

From Bob Lykins (Former teacher): Hutto, TX
Gary,
 
Glad to learn that you and Bernadette had such a great time. Speaking of famous folks from the PI. Lea Solanga’s (sp) aunt worked for us in Germany when I headed up the ESL program for DoDDS Schools in that part of the world. She was one of our ESL people in Nurenburg-Furth. As a result I got to speak with Ms. Solanga and with her mother on several occasions. My wife and I even saw her on stage in Miss Saigon in New York compliments of Lea and her mother.
 
The reason I asked about the cost of rice was because, with your permission, I would like to prepare something to present to the Hutto High Student Council soliciting their support to help out the people in your community. They are always looking for projects and this might just be a worthy one.
 
I am so sorry to learn about the passing of Billy Berube. I remember Billy as a young boy tagging along in the footsteps of his older brothers and being bossed around by his sister. The Berube Family have always been wonderful people and I remember them as a close family. My heart goes out to the survivors and I wish them God’s peace as they go through the trial of this loss.
 
Bob Lykins
 
 
 
Happy Birthday Armand:
Armand Mongeon (40): – Dunseith, ND
From Bernard Morin (76): Dunseith, ND
 
Hi Gary,
 
I would like to send a ‘Happy Birthday’ to Armand Mongeon. His birthday is tomorrow April 1st. As a interesting side note Armand has been involved with the Dunseith hardware for the past 63 years and still going strong.

Thanks. Bernard
Happy birthday Armand. I remember you well in the hardware store in my growing up days. I remember you telling me several years ago, when I talked to you, that you and Art Rude were in the same class until he was advanced a grade. That put him a year ahead of you, even though you are the same age. I will for sure visit you at the Dunseith Hardware store, in May, when we are there. If my figures are right, you started in the Dunseith Hardware store in 1947? That’s the year I was born. Hearing your name brings back so many great memories of our childhood days for so many of us. Take care and enjoy your birthday. Gary
 
 
 
Reply from Colette Hosmer (64): Santa Fe, NM
 
Dick,

 

I, too, have the defective history gene. I found your posted “theory” most interesting and am not one to rule anything out until I have had an opportunity to study the available information. I have many Icelandic friends and they tell stories of their Viking ancestors who didn’t recognize obstacles unless the barriers were totally insurmountable. If there was a passable waterway from the Atlantic to the Turtle Mountains in or about 1400, I’m sure the Norsemen would have found a way to get there. Do you have any more information about these stone caves? I am wondering why they were still visible and basically intact less than a century ago but have disappeared since after supposedly holding up for centuries (?)


Thanks,

Colette
 
 
 
Dunseith News posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Minot & Bottineau, ND
 
 
  

03/31/2010

Posted on by
Bill Berube’s (69): Obituary
Posted by Eileen Brudwick: Arizona

http://www.montgomerystryker.com/

William G. ‘Bill’ Berube

 
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
 
William G. “Bill” Berube, 58, Laramie, died Friday, March 26, 2010, at his home. He was born July 12, 1951, in Santa Paula, Calif., the son of Fortune and Katherine (Keefe) Berube. He began school at St. Sebastian’s Elementary School until the fourth grade, when the family moved to Dunseith, N.D., in 1960. He graduated from high school in 1969. He earned a B.S. degree in elementary education at Mayville State University in 1973 and was the recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award. He earned his master’s degree from North Dakota State University in 1980. He attended the University of Wyoming, where he earned his doctorate degree in 1985, and then he moved to Gillette, returning to Laramie in 1994. At that time, he took a professorship at the University of Wyoming and was able to receive the Distinguished Alumni Award on April 23.

He married Sherilyn Karlstad on Aug. 19, 1977, in Mayville, N.D. He had a love of his family, education, sports and his profound love for the development of the human spirit within all people, especially young children.

He was a member of St. Paul’s Newman Center and a recipient of the Ellbogen Award.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his stepmother, Alice Evans Berube; a brother-in-law, Ronald Reynolds; a step-sister-in-law, Linda Evans Carlson; and a step-nephew, Luke Evans.

He is survived by loving family, including his wife of 32 years, Sherilyn Berube of Laramie; his children, Brooke Y. Berube, Katherine A. Berube and Kelsey A. Berube, all of Laramie and Teri L. Simpson and her husband, Chris, of Chehalis, Wash.; his siblings, Tom Berube, Jim Berube and Cecile Reynolds; step-brothers, Jim Evans and his wife, Cheri, Tom Evans and his wife, Jan, Frank Evans and his wife, LaRae, Mike Evans and his wife, Patty, and Pat Evans; and his three grandchildren, Kennedy, Tanner and Grace Simpson. Also surviving are numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Funeral liturgy will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Paul’s Newman Center with the Reverend Fr. Carl Gallinger, celebrant. Interment will follow in Green Hill Cemetery.

A celebration of his life will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Hilton Garden Inn.

Visitation will be from 2-7 p.m. today at Montgomery-Stryker Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to the William Berube Memorial Scholarship Fund in care of the UW College of Education, 1000 University, Dept. 3374, Laramie, WY, 82071.

Services are under the direction Montgomery-Stryker Funeral Home.

 
 
Condolences to the Berube Family from the Rober’t’s:
Posted by Dianne Rober’t Johnson (76): Rolla, ND
 
Our condolences go out to the Berube families.
 
Dianne (Rober’t) Johnson
 
 
 
 
Vikings:
Posted by Dick Johnson (68): Dunseith, ND
 
Gary and Friends,

I will post this last section of the story and study of the Vikings
possible travel to the area. For those who would like to read the entire
book, I think it can be bought through the Spectrum office supply store
on Main in Bottineau or probably from the bookstore on the Dakota
College-Bottineau (School of Forestry) campus. There are many more
technical articles and descriptions that may not be of interest to the
entire readership here on the blog. It is interesting to those of us
with the defective history gene that makes us ponder these ancient
things. Thanks Gary!

Dick

 

 

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

Hi Everyone,

 

I happened to find this picture of Ed Milligan, which I took in app. 1959. As you can see, I missed the front of the truck. Uff da!! This is the way I remember Mr. Milligan. I attended the Forestry 1957 Winter Quarter-Spring Quarter 1959.

 

Neola

 

 

  

03/30/2010

Posted on by
Folks,
 
Bernadette and I got back from our week-end excursion to the northern end of this Island (Cebu) last night. We had a fabulist week-end. There were about 25 of us from here that went up for the house warming of our friends who recently built a 2nd home up there right on the beach. They have 2 1/2 acres with about 400 feet of ocean front property up there. They built a beautiful home on this site. They wined and dined us all week-end of which we did not expect them to do. On Monday they had about 100 folks in attendance for their house blessing followed with a meal, under tent covers, on the beach. They are originally from England. Unlike the beaches down here, they are pure sand up there. From here it takes about 3 hours to get up there. We were a caravan of 6 cars coming back last night.
 
When we arrived, the lady of the house along with her friend went with us to show us our hotel. On the way over the lady of the house, our friend, says to Bernadette, “Do you know who my friend is?” who was sitting with her in the back seat of our car. Of course Bernadette had to ask because she did not know. Our friend says this is Imelda ILanan. Bernadette took a double take when she heard that. Imelda was a famous actress here in the PI for many years in Bernadette’s growing up days. He daughter, Maricel Laxa Pangilinan, is a current well known actress here in the PI as well. We didn’t say anything to the rest of our friends who Imelda was until Monday. We were hoping something would be said who she was, but there wasn’t. Imelda and her husband Ben are such friendly folks too. On the 3rd day, Monday, we got the conversation going with Imelda along with our friends with who she is. Needless to say, they were quite surprised. I know everyone like me, went home and googled both Imelda and her daughter. It’s a small world.
 
Gary
 
 
Bill Berube (69) Passed away:
From Crystal Fassett Andersen (70): Walhalla, ND.
 

It is with great sadness and many tears that I regret to inform everyone,that Bill Berube passed on to a better place today. He will be remember many times over and greatly missed by many friends and family. Keep the Berube family in you prayers. God Bless Crystal Fassett Andersen
 
 

Posted from Bill Berube’s Carringbridgde site:

Saturday, March 27, 2010 12:27 AM, CDT

 

 
 
Haagenson family info request posted on our Website:
 
From: Elaine Cuyler
Phone:
E-mail:
Message:
Hi,

Nice web site – seems like a close community!

I’m looking for descendents of Hans Haagenson, who lived in Dunseith (died 1941). His sister was my great-grandmother, Minnie. We don’t know too much about Minnie’s family since she moved with her husband, Martin Donaldson, to St. Paul, then to Portland, Oregon. Would appreciate if you could put me in touch with any Haagensons from Dunseith, perhaps we are related. Would help me fill out family tree.

Thank you,

Elaine Cuyler (formerly Donaldson)
Portland Oregon

Reply from Elaine to Gary
 
I’m hoping that someone remembers Elvin’s mother and other family members corresponding with my great-grandmother, and perhaps has old letters or photos. I do know that they exchanged letters – that’s how I found that Minnie’s name was Haagenson, was on an old envelope from Dunseith. Minnie’s family photo album was destroyed in a flood, according to a cousin. So we’re hoping that we can find maybe even one photo of Minnie and her husband.

My sister named her daughter Maren – picked the name off family tree that I put together after researching census records, etc. I believe Maren Haagenson’s grave in Dunseith simply says, “Mother” on it.

Thanks again,

Elaine
 
 
AOL Converting messages to Zip files:
Message from Duane Woodford (57): Winston Salem, NC
 

Gary, this is the last message that I received.

 

Duane

In a message dated 3/26/2010 2:59:32 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, writes:
[The message and any attached files have been turned into a ZIP attachment. Once downloaded and unzipped, open it with a word processor or text editor for reading.]
Duane,
It appears that AOL is converting email to ZIP files if they are over a certain size. I try to keep the files sizes down with these daily sendings too. The message that got coverted was pretty small being only 388KB. I post all these daily messages on our website as well. http://garystokes.net/default.aspx
Gary
 
 
 
 

Last week was a stressful week but it ended with some great news. The results of my PET Scan were negative! Finally a light at the end of the tunnel. It looks like my cancer is pretty much gone and that there isn’t anymore anywhere else in my body. I spent most of the week expecting the worst so when I got my results on Friday I was on top of the world. I also had my latest chemo treatment on Friday and it went well. Only 7 more to go!

Connor is doing well. Up to 6lbs already! He is changing so fast. His face has really filled out and his body is starting to fill out as well. To be released from the NICU he needs to be able to eat all of his feedings from the bottle. He has improved at this but still needs more time. Some days he eats almost every bottle and others he eats about half. It sounds like he will be in the hospital for a couple more weeks. He also has a problem with reflux that the doctors are trying different things to get under control. I don’t want him rushed at all. He wasn’t due until April 23 so if he needs 2 or 3 more weeks in there that is fine with me. I looked forward to when we can finally take him home though!

I hope you all have a Happy Easter!

 
 
Art Rude Productions:
Message from Art Rude (71): Bismarck, ND.
 
Hi,

I just thought I would try let everyone know on my email list, that I am closing down the current artrude.com website. This is the third time, as after a while it gets very cumbersome, and as I am not a professional webpage person, I make mistakes. After a while there are enough things to be redone, it makes more sense to just start over.

Plus, I was paying to much for the previous host. I paid for a commercial package I never used, which was really stupid on my part. I tried it, it didn’t work for me, but then I neglected to drop it or change carriers.

Anyway, I made the switch to Mac, and so now is the time to change everything. Starting to really enjoy the Mac, and many functions are just so much easier, but there is a lot of work to be done, converting files and what not.

At any rate, I hope you enjoy my website, www.artrude.com but it will be gone shortly. A new website will arise out of the ashes in the not too distant future, at the same address.

With the Mac, I wanted to get into better video productions, and so I have started that process. If you go to utube, and type artrudetv, or Art Rude TV, that’s what you will get. And if you check out some of the videos there, you can see the difference in production and quality on the earlier video compared to the new. There is a lot to learn, but I’m having fun with it, and hopefully you will enjoy the videos. I hope to add another every week, and two when I am able.

Enjoy.



 


Peace and Power,

Art

 

Thanks for checking out Art Rude Productions,

webpage address: www.artrude.com

and Art Rude TV at: artrudetv on Utube!
 
 
 
 
Arla Hall (Former Dunseith teacher) & Neola Kofoid Garbe:
Picture from Neola Kofoid Garbe: Minot & Bottineau, ND.
 

Hi,

 

This picture was taken at Mrs. Hall’s 90th birthday open house last summer. The open house was held at United Parish Church in Bottineau. Mrs. Fay Benson took this picture. I’ll be sending a picture of Mrs. Hall and several of her former students who were at her open house at the time the picture was taken. I’ve asked a few people for help in identifying two ladies in the picture. When they are identified, I’ll send the picture.

 

Many of you who receive this picture are also former students of Mrs. Hall. She is doing very well. She’s a little hard of hearing, but otherwise does very well. She still drives. She attended our class of ’57’s 50th reunion in 2007 at the Norway House. She lives in one of the apartments on the east end of Bottineau. Go east from the First National Bank to the last apartment on the street; this is Mrs. Hall’s apartment. Her address is:

829 5th St. E

Bottineau, ND 58318-1463

 

Mrs. Fay Benson took this picture/the one I’m going to send later. Many thanks to her!

 

Neola
 
Dunseith Alumni Reunion Catered Dinner:

 
Roast Beef, Mashed Potatoes and Gravy, Corn, Bacon/Lettuce Cauliflower Salad, Dinner Roll and Dessert for $10.00 per plate.
 
Verena has calculated $5.00 per head to cover all miscellaneous expenses. This includes the Facility, Security, decorations, table covers, several cakes, the hiring of a clean up crew the following day, etc
 
Note: Verena would like the Dinner Payments early to help with her planning.
 
For those of you desiring the catered meal, please send your payment of $10.00 Plus $5.00 ($15.00 total) per person payable to
 
Verena Gillis
PO Box, 785
Dunseith, ND 58329
 
(701) 263-3302 C(701) 378-5167
 
 
 
 
  

03/26/2010

Posted on by
No Blogs for the next three days:
 
Folks,
 
This is Friday in the PI. Bernadette and I will be attending a house warming for friends of ours on Monday, on the North end the Island. It’s about 75 miles up there. We will be leaving tomorrow morning, Saturday, with friends of our and returning later Monday evening. I will be sending out the next Blog either Monday evening or Tuesday morning. Please continue to send your email messages. I will catch up when I get home. Gary
 

 
 

 

Obituary

 

Helen Bye
(February 3, 1914 – March 25, 2010)

Sign Guest Book
Send Flowers

 

 
 
 

 

  
 
 

 

  
 
 

 
 
 

 

  

 

HELEN BYE

 

 

Helen Bye, age 96 of Bottineau, died Thursday in a Bottineau hospital. Funeral services will be held on Monday at 2:00 P.M. in the Peace Lutheran Church in Dunseith. Burial will be in Rendahl Cemetery of rural Dunseith. Visitation will be held on Monday beginning at 10:00 A.M. until noon in the Nero Funeral Home in Bottineau.

 

Helen Christianson Bye was married to Clarence. They lived on the west side of Willow lake a short distance south of Freddie Hiatt’s. Clarence and Helen were wonderful folks. Clarence was our county commissioner for all the years I lived there. I am so sorry to hear of Helens passing. Clarence and Helen had no children. Helen came from a very large family and has many relatives. Gary
   
Everette Enno’s (76) birthday Today the 26th: Williston, ND.
 
Happy Birthday Everette. We are wishing you the happiest birthday ever. Enjoy. Gary
 
 
 
To Vickie Hiatt LaFontaine (73)
Reply from Marlys Hiatt (71): Dunseith, ND

You have many good stories regarding you and Wanda but that one will
always be one of my favorites. I can just picture it.

Marlys Hiatt

Vickie, I remember you well as a little girl when you first started to talk and walk. You were so cute and always had to lots to talk about. Gary
 
 
  

03/25/2010

Posted on by
Reply from Vickie Hiatt LaFontaine (73): Grafton, ND
 
Seeing Larry Nagels name made me smile. I remember him fondly especially when it came to Wanda Medrud and myself, I believe we drove him nuts. He was always seperating us because Wanda talked to much and of course she always said it was me. I remember one time that my mouth got me in trouble. We were all wanting to leave bookkeeping and he kept saying now quiet down its not time to go yet look at the clock. Well me and my big mouth pointed to the clock and announced; sure its time to go your cock must be off. Well color me beet red. He just lowered his head and shook it and thank god the bell rang. we were dismissed and he was left mumbling Vickie Vickie Vickie. Hard to believe it will be 38 years in april since her death wow and I still miss her.
 
 
 
 
Pictures from Marge Longie Langan-Wilcox (59): Vancouver, WA

 

 

Effie House Espe

 

 

 

 

 

Susan Brew Roussin (59)

 

 

 

 

 

Billie (Willie) Longie (60),

 

Margie Spaeth Farquharson (59),

 

Connie Bedard Sullivan (59)

 

 

 

 

 

LorraineVandal with two of her children

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5/23/1956 – 9th grade Picnic:

 

Shirley LaRocque Wendt (59), Wilbert Longie

 

& Susan Brew Roussin (59)

 

 

 

 

 

5/23/1956 – 9th grade Picnic:

 

Wallace Longie (59), Margie Spaeth Farquharson (59)

 

& Eileen Eurich Nelson (59)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shirley LaRocque Wendt (59),

 

Susan Brew Roussin (59)

 

& Marge Longie Langan-Wilcox (59)

 
 
Vikings cave in the Turtle Mountains:
Posted by Dick Johnson (68): Dunseith, ND.
 
Gary and Friends,

Here is an article from John Molberg’s book about the cave in the
foothills northwest of Bottineau. This is the one Ed Milligan said is
definitely European in design and why, with all the other evidence, he
believed that the Vikings made it all the way to the Turtle Mountains.
Thanks Gary!

Dick

 

 

  

03/24/2010

Posted on by
Reply from Don Boardman (60): Bottineau, ND.
 
You can add my name to the list of coming to the Dunseith reunion.
 
The picture that you got from Neola of “Just Us” playing at Brentmoor in Minot was taken three days after we had been to the Valley City Winter Show and did a concert there. When Jerry Olson is playing with us we are Hills and Plains Country Gospel. When he is gone in the winter the three of us – Dave Mettler, Tina Bullinger, and myself perform as “Just Us”. We did an hour at the Frozen Fingers festival in Minot in February and we also go to nursing homes, hospital, assisted living facilities, churches and other festivals. We sponsor the International Country Gospel Music Fest at the Peace Gardens the 3rd weekend in August with performers from both Canada and the US. We have a good time performing for people.
 
Don Boardman (60)
 
 
Reply from Aimee Lagerquist (97): Boulder, MT
 
Hi Gary,
Just a quick clarification…my grandma’s full name is Florence Christianson Williams Struck…and yep, she is a sister to Alma and Emma…and numberous others! =)

Aimee Lagerquist
Aimee, I really screwed that one up yesterday. I just didn’t bring all my thoughts together when I put that message out. I talked to your Grandmother, Florence Christianson Williams Struck, several times when I was putting class lists together. She is such a nice lady. She is the one that told me she and Orvin Hagen were in the same class in their country school. She requested that I add Orvin to their Class list of 1938 of which I have. Thank you so much for this correction. Gary
 
 
 
Reply from Kim Fassett: Coos Bay, OR.
 

Wow! That is so cool! To see Grandma, Mom & Dad Fassett ‘out of the blue’ in these old photos – is phenomenal! I just watched one episode of “Who do you think you are” (think that’s what it’s called?) and it’s really inspired me to know more about family history. In fact (Dick J.), watched something on The History Channel (about Jesse James and his stashed treasures) … so that inspired me even more, considering we’re related :) Who knows what the past will reveal … hopefully all good.

Like (sister) Pam said “THANKS for all you do”.

Kim Fassett – Coos Bay

Kim, It’s great hearing from you. I understand that you were about 5 years old when your family left Dunseith. I know you have stayed well connected with your many relatives and others from Dunseith over the years. You come from great stock. Gary
 
 
 
Mr. Myron Haugse, previous Superintendent, Passed away:
From Gaillord Peltier (80): Turtle Lake, ND
 
Good Morning Gary;

I writing to inform everyone that one our previous superintendent’s Mr.
Myron Haugse passed away Sunday evening at about 6:30pm. Mr. Haugse worked
for the Dunseith School District from 1987 to June 1995. I was a classroom
teacher all the years that he was in Dunseith. Mr. Haugse’s wife Marlene
is originally from Rugby and have been living in Rugby in the summers. Mr.
& Mrs. Haugse have been snowbirds for the last several years and been
spending their winter’s in Arizona. Mrs. Haugse is making plans to have a
memorial sometime in mid April. I will give updates as Mrs. Haugse informs
me with more information.

Thank you Gary;

Gaillord Peltier
DHS
“Class of 1980“

Gaillord, We are so sorry to hear of Mr. Haugse’s death. I see he was a 1954 High School graduate from Dickinson. He was a young man. Our Condolences are extended to his family with his passing. Gary
 
 
’64 1/2 Mustang:
Reply from Dick Johnson (68): Dunseith, ND.
 
Gary and Friends,

I would just like to say thanks to Don Lamoureux for providing the
interesting history of my ’64 1/2 Mustang. Someday I would really like
to see it again just for the memories. Don, I know how hard it is to
find original 4 barrel intake manifolds for the 289 cubic inch engines.
Few cars were equipped that way and very few intakes exist today. I do
happen to have two of them, but that’s after looking constantly for many
years. The story of the theft of the old car is something I had never
heard about. You are lucky to ever see it again, let alone getting it
back mostly complete. That doesn’t happen very often. Thanks Don and Gary!

Dick

 
 
 
 

Viking Exploration of the Turtle Mountains:

Reply Sharon Zorn Gerdes (62): Windsor, CO
 

Gary, regarding the Viking history in the Turtle mts. Several years ago John Molberg ( he taught at the Bottineau Forestry) put considerable time and effort into that very subject. He published a booklet with very interesting Viking information. I bought one at the Spectrum in Bottineau. I think their children still have the family cabin up at Metigoshe. They were an awesome family. Thanks, Sharon Zorn Gerdes.
 
 
Viking Exploration of the Turtle Mountains:
Reply from Dick Johnson (68): Dunseith, ND.
 
Gary and Friends,

Thanks to Glenda Fauske and my wife Brenda for locating this
information. This is from a small book written by John Molberg, a long
time professor at the School of Forestry, about the possibility of the
Viking exploration of the Turtle Mountains. I will have to send the
articles over several days as there are many pages and all are of
interest to this subject. Thanks Gary!

Dick

 

 

 
 

Fauske – Lutheran Confirmation Picture:

Reply from Bonnie Awalt Houle (56): Becker, MN
 

Hello Gary,

In looking over the Lutheran Confirmation Picture, I believe the Lady on the far right in the first row, is Betty Lou Poepple. In the second row numbers 5, 6, 7, on your right are Bertha Kraft (Marlene Armentrout’s Sister), Doris Peterson and Mary (Tootsie) Peterson. What a great picture.

 

Bonnie Awalt Houle (56)

 

Fauske – Lutheran Confirmation Picture:
Reply from David Slyter (70): Fargo, ND.

Gary:

That is Bernard Hiatt next to Freddie.

Dave Slyter (70)

 

 

 

Fauske – Lutheran Confirmation Picture:

Reply from Murl Watkins Hill (50): Dunseith, ND.

 

Gary, I think I can get all the names of the Dunseith Lutheran Church Confirmation or probably a new membership group that Rev. C.T. Hanson had.

Back row: Rev. C.T. Hanson, Cliff Halvorson, Albet Halvorson, Darrel Fassett and Lloyd Hills,

3rd row: Bernard Hiatt, Freddie Hiatt, Alma Christianson Halvorson, Emma Christianson Halvorson, Raymond Nerple, Bob Stickland.

2nd row: Jackie Larson, Joy Stickland Peterson, Dorothy Strietzel Fassett, Florence Hiatt Dahl, Dorothy Kraft Schneider, Doris Peterson Williams, Mary Peterson.

1st row: Betty Eurich Nerple, Kate Kraft Fassett, Annie Kraft Hills, Charlotte Hiatt Lang, Dolly Hagen,Betty Lou Poeppel Olson, ?Really enjoy off my screen.

Rev Hanson’s daughter, Clarice graduated with Marlene Molgard, Florence Hiatt, and I in 1950, They left and that is when Rev. O.O. Lovaas came.

Folks,
 
We nailed this one. Thanks again for all your input and thank you Fauske’s for sharing. This is fun. We now have another picture, with the correct identities, to add to our archives.
 
Note to Carrole Fauske Rude (66), When I saw the gal, 4th from the left in the 2nd row, I could see your look in her eyes. I didn’t think it was your mother, but I was pretty sure it was one of her sisters. Florence, you look great in this picture! Gary

 

4th Row: Rev C.T. Hanson, Cliff Halvorson, Albert Halvorson, Darrel Fassett and Lloyd Hill.

 

3rd row: Bernard Hiatt, Freddie Hiatt, Alma Christianson Halvorson, Emma Christianson Halvorson, Raymond Nerpel, Bob Stickland.

 

2nd row: Jackie Larson, Joy Stickland Peterson, Dorothy Strietzel Fassett, Forence Hiatt Dahl, Dorothy Kraft Schnieder, Doris Peterson Williams, Mary Peterson

 

1st row: Betty Eurich Nerpel, Kate Kraft Fassett, Annie Kraft Hill, Charlotte Hiatt Lang, Dolly Hagen Marten, and Betty Lou Poepple Olson
 

  

03/23/2010

Posted on by
Mustangs:
Reply from Don Lamoureux (75): Bethel, MN

I’m a little behind on the mail. I doubt my mom replyed about your 64 1/2 mustang. It ended up for sale at the Lamoreux Bros. garage. I beleive the story was mom wanted it bad, but dad (Jay) wasn’t about to hand it over, it was for sale. So mom went to the bank, got approved for the loan, and bought it. So it really was hers, not “theirs”. WhenI was a senior, Dad overhauled I “got it”. Great car . It sat at Hank Thorstenson’s (the druggist after Shelvers) for the 4 (5) years I was at school. After graduation, went back to Hanks to get the car. It smelled funny, pulled the back seat out, a mouse nest with mice in it. While I was trying to figure out what to do with them, his black lab took care of the problem with one gulp. Thanks. We put a new battery in it, changed oil, and drove it from there to Wickenburg AZ. Got married down there, and Liz and I drove it back towing a Uhaul to Mpls. Drove it there. Went out to drive it after Memorial weekend, stolen out of the parking lot. We were distraught. Cops found it in Isanti county north of the cities miunus the 4 barrel carb and header. Had to scrounge like hell to find one.

After that mom came up and got it with a friend of hers, and it is restored. Beautiful, and living a rust free life in AZ.

Don Lamoureux (75)

 

 

 

Raymond Burr & Fess Parker:

Reply from Lloyd Awalt (44): Bottineau, ND.

 

Gary, in reply to Raymond Burr & Fess Parker, they were in Dunseith hunting. I’m not sure where all they hunted. I think it was about late 40s or early 50s. I didn’t meet or see them. Lloyd

 

 

 

Ed Milliagan – Fess Parker:

Reply from Gary Metcalfe (57): Forsyth, MO

 

More about Ed Milligan….I guess he had an interest in Native American history all right, as he kept the road hot between Bottineau and Belcourt the years I worked at Dale’s. He had a couple of good teachers that I knew of. Old Pat Gourneau at Belcourt forgot more than most people new about Native Americans. Another source that Ed used was an old Dutchman by the of Henry Klebe. More people may have known his son, Egon Klebe. At least I think he was Dutch and he did have a great sense of humor.
Doug Striker and I spent some time locating rocks in the Turtle Mountains to be used at the Peace Garden. We ran into ole Henry one day and he told us he has just buried a couple of wheel barrows of war clubs under an old oak tree. He was tickled to death to think that some young adventurers would find them and say, “there sure must have been a lot of Native Americans around here.” He lived in the Metigoshe area and I think he donated his life’s collection to a museum in Bismarck.
By the way Fess Parker just died last week.
Gary Metcalfe

 

 

Reply from Dale Pritchard (63): Leesville, LA

 

Gary,

Is there Global Warming? You couldn’t prove it by me! I think it’s
more like Global Cooling. We got our 4th snowfall of the season
yesterday and it didn’t get much above 35 degrees all day. Normal
snowfall here is about once every two or three years. I haven’t
forgotten what it’s like to be on the receiving end of an abnormal
Winter like many of you in the North have experienced this year. The
forecast for today is 67 degrees.

Dale Pritchard

 

Fauske – Lutheran Confirmation Picture:

Reply from Aimee Lagerquist (97): Boulder, MT
 
I typically don’t write…but the second tall slim guy in the back is Clifford Halvorson…next to him is Albert (his brother). Directly in front of each of them (the ladies) is Alma Christianson Halvorson and Emma Christianson Halvorson their wives.

Aimee Lagerquist

Aimee,
Alma & Emma Christianson Halvorson would be your Grandmother’s (Florence Christianson Williams) sisters.
Florence Christianson Struck is also a sister to your Grandmother. She is currently living in the Oak Manor Apartments in Bottineau.
Your parents are Lori Williams Lagerquist (75) and Ray Lagerquist (70):
 
Aimee, We love hearing from you and everyone else. You mentioned one time that you share these daily messages with your folks. We welcome their comments and contributions too. Thank you so much for sharing. Gary
 
 

Fauske – Lutheran Confirmation Picture:

Reply from Bobbie Slyter (70): Wichita, Kansas
 
Gary
In the photo from Russell Fauske, I believe that is Clifford Halvorson isn’t it. and in the third row second from the left is my dad Freddie Hiatt, I am not positive but the guy in the third row second from the right isn’t that a Nerpel
 
 

Fauske – Lutheran Confirmation Picture:
Reply from Susan Fassett Martin (65): Spearfish SD
 
RE: picture–It looks like a church gathering. Front row L to R=Betty Nerpel, Kate Fassett, Dorothy(?) Kraft, Charlotte Lang , ?, Poepple
2nd row–Larson, Cynthia Johnson, Dorothy Fassett, ?,?,?,?
Back row–?, Rev Lovaas, Freddie Hiatt, Clifford Halvorson, Alma Halvorson, Halvorson, Halvorson, Darrel Fassett, Raymond Nerpel, ?. Pastor
 
 
 
Fauske – Lutheran Confirmation Picture:
Reply from Pam Fassett Faust (65): Lilburn, GA
 
Gary – I’m sure you will get lots of replies to this photo. In the 1st row, second woman from the left is my Grandma Kate Fassett; second row, 3rd from the left is my Mom, Dorothy Fassett; in the back row, 2nd from the right is my Dad, Darrel Fassett. I’m sure Mom or Dad could tell you on what occasion this photo was taken. I haven’t a clue. Thanks again for all you do!
 
 
 
Fauske – Lutheran Confirmation Picture:
Reply from Darrel Fassett (47): Boynton Beach, FL
 

The group picture in this message is a Lutheran Confirmation group from the mid 50’s. The ones I know are: 1st row-Betty Nerpel, Kate Fassett, Annie Hill, Charlotte Lang, Dolly Hagen ?, and unk. 2nd row-unk, Joy Peterson, Dorothy Fassett, unk., unk., unk., unk.,. 3rd row-unk., Freddie Hiatt, Alma Halvorson, ? Halvorson, Raymond Nerpel, Bob Stickland. 4th Row-unk. Minister, Cliff Halvorson, ? Halvorson, Darrel Fassett and Lloyd Hill. Joy Peterson or Murl Hill could probably name them all. Darrel

Folks, I have labeled this photo with the replies we have gotten so far. We still have a few in question and unknowns. Please reply with any corrections you think should be made. The two gals on the right in the 2nd row have not been identified. Hopefully some of you may have an idea who these gals are. Also please comment on those in question. Is that Bernard or Eldon Hiatt in the 3rd row? We’d like to have the correct identifications of those in this photo for our Achieves. My guess is that this picture was taken in about 1946, give or take a year or two. Gary
4th Row: Rev Lovaas, Cliff Halvorson, Albert Halvorson, Darrel Fassett and Lloyd Hill.
3rd row: Eldon or Bernard Hiatt, Freddie Hiatt, Alma Christianson Halvorson, Emma Christianson Halvorson, Raymond Nerpel, Bob Stickland.
2nd row: Jackie Larson, Joy Stickland Peterson, Dorothy Strietzel Fassett, Dorothy Hiatt Swanson?, Irene Stickland?, ????, ????
1st row: Betty Eurich Nerpel, Kate Fassett, Annie Hill, Charlotte Lang, Dolly Hagen?, and Ella May Poepple Vogsland?
 
  

03/22/2010

Posted on by
Raymond Burr and Fess Parker’s hunting trip in the Turtle Mountains:

Reply from Gloria Robillard Patnaude (69): Belcourt, ND.
 
In reply to Raymond Burr and Fess Parker hunting in the Turtle Mountains, it seems to be true. I know the last family that owned the Hotel in Rolla (I can’t remember the name of the hotel) I went there to go and see for myself and he showed me the rooms that they stayed in, their names were on the door . They came up here to go goose hunting. They have torn the hotel down and turned into a small park and skating rink.
 
 
 
Raymond Burr and Fess Parker’s hunting trip in the Turtle Mountains:
Reply from Allen Richard (60): Midland, MI
 
I think they Parker and Burr were in our area at least once for a short period. As I recall some friends of mine form the Rock Lake area said they used to hunt geese. It stands to reason they could have been to the Lord’s lake area too. Those two fly ways were the hot spots years ago.
 
Allen
 
 
Viking’s in the Turtle Mountains:
Reply from Dick Johnson (68): Dunseith, ND.
 
Gary and friends,

Thanks to Colette for the link to the history of Viking travel to the
Turtle Mountains. It tells the same story as was told to us by Ed
Milligan some 40 years ago. I mistakenly said that I saw a picture of Ed
holding a Viking sword when it would appear it was actually a Viking ax.
The holes in the stones would be a bit hard to ‘debunk’ as the Vikings
and maybe some other Europeans would have been the only ones with steel
tools that could have done it. To the best of my knowledge, no people
native to North America had yet discovered / invented steel. The studies
of the rocks state that the tops of the rocks had flaked off around the
holes. Rain entering these holes and then freezing could easily break
rock. It is one of the worst problems at Mt. Rushmore in South Dakota. I
watched a documentary on the constant care of the monument and the
danger of ice freezing in cracks in the granite. Interesting stuff!
Thanks to Colette and Gary!

Dick

 
 
Locating Judy Johnson originally from Wolford:
Reply from Lee Halvorson: Williston, ND
 
Gary,
I don’t recall Judy’s married name. Her mother, Dora, passed away several
years ago. She did remarry after moving to Kalispell back in the 60’s if
memory serves correctly.
Lee
Lee, With the info you provide yesterday, hopefully someone can fill in a few more of the pieces enabling us to locate Judy. Collectively we have located lots of folks. Thank you so much. Gary
 
 
 
Picture from Russell (64) & Glenda Fauske: Dunseith, ND.
 
Hi Gary,

The Fauske family was looking through photos the other night and we came across this “group photo” from the old days. We are wondering if anyone knows what the occassion was? We know a lot of the folks, but are curious as to what organization or group they were all getting together for. Help?

Thanks!

Russell and Glenda Fauske

Russell & Glenda, This is an interesting photo. Some of these folks look so familiar. The slender guy, 2nd in from the left in the back, sure looks like a Halvorson to me? Folks, please reply if you know any of these folks. I will repost with names. Gary
 

03/21/2010

Posted on by
Judy Johnson from Wolford:
Reply from Lee Halvorson (Les Halvorson’s sister): Williston, ND.
 
Hi,
I am Lee Halvorson, a 1965 Wolford High School graduate, and Les
Halvorson, now living in Bottineau, is my brother. Les mentiioned to me
that you requested information about Judy Johnson in the emails that you
send out.
I graduated one year after Judy Johnson; her and my mother, Eleanor
“Eddie” Halvorson were best friends and I believe classmates during their
school days in Wolford.
Dora Connover Johnson, Judy’s mother, moved to Kalispell, MT., sometime
during the 60’s. The last I heard of Judy, sometime during the late 80’s
or early 90’s, I believe that she was living in either Prescott or
Flagstaff, AZ. By the way, I would enjoy receiving your blog emails…as
it seems you have developed something really interesting for those of us
from the Wolford, Rolette, Dunseith, Nanson, Omeemee areas.
Thanks.

Lee

Lee Halvorson
Auctioneer Broker
High Plains Auction & Appraisal
Basin Brokers

Lee,
 
What a wonderful surprise hearing from you. With today’s message I have added you to our daily distribution.
 
I too am a 1965 graduate, but from Dunseith. You probably know a lot of my class mates. Evie Gottbreht, also from our DHS class of 65, is the one asking about Judy Johnson. Do you by chance know Judy’s current last name? Do you know if her mother is still living? It would be nice if we could locate her. Evie has previously asked about Judy, so I know she’d love getting in contact with her.
 
You too, Like your brother Les, are and auctioneer. Les and Myra live directly across the street from my brother Bud and his wife Debby in Bottineau. We’ll be staying with them with our trip back to the area in May.
 
 
Ed Milligan:
Reply from Neola Kofoid Garbe: Minot & Bottineau, ND
 
Hi Gary,
 
I agree with everyone who says Ed Milligan looks so young–he looked much older when I took class from him at the School of Forestry, 1958-1960. The date was my error. Sept. 3, 1975 was stamped on the back of the picture. I usually check to see if it is an actual date, or if it is a “copied by” date. This date is a “copied by” day. I guess the old brain was taking a break when I added the date!! LOL!!
 
In one of the classes I took from Mr. Milligan, I was the only girl in a class of Korean Vets. That should have been a girl’s idea of heaven. :) However, I was a very naive girl, and when Mr. Milligan would say anything that might cause me to blush, the vets turned to look at me, and then I really blushed. My mistake was sitting in the front row the first day of class, and I had blushed several times at comments that were made. After the first day, I did NOT sit in the front row; that’s why the vets turned around to see if I was blushing. They were great fellows. It was a fun year. If my memory is correct, except for the nursing students, this particular year, there were 3 girls enrolled–at least for one of the quarters, maybe more. I’m sorry to say I still blush very easily. :(
 
Neola
 
 
 

Ed Milligan:

Reply Dick Johnson (68): Dunseith, ND.
 
Gary and Friends,

It appears Ed Milligan made quite an impression on lots of people.
Dale is correct about Ed’s car too—it was a baby blue ’65 T Bird with
a black vinyl top. I think he lived in the Woods Hotel on the west side
of Main Street. One winter quarter I stayed in Bottineau and went to
college. I used to walk from Brander Street uptown to Saunders Cafe once
in a while for a supper meal. Ed walked over from the hotel and ate
there often. His T Bird was nearly always parked in front of the cafe,
across form the hotel. I remember how he nearly always wore his maroon
and black vets club jacket, the same as the student vets. He was proud
of his association with the club. After reading about his unit, the
104th Infantry ‘Timberwolves’, I am starting to understand the name he
called his place at Lake Metigoshe. It was called ‘Timberwolf Up
Milligan Manor’ and Ed had a ‘stuffed’ wolf in a glass enclosure above
his entrance gate. Now it makes sense.

I remember a story Ed told us in history class that really had
everyone listening closely. He said there was a blizzard in the early
1900s and Bottineau came to a complete stop. A guy rented a room on the
third floor of the Stone Hotel and stayed there for three days as the
storm raged on. The heat finally gave up and the hotel froze up on the
second day. On the third day the guy got out of bed and went over to the
window overlooking Main Street. Ed said the guy took a coin and scraped
the frost off the inside of the window and looked down on the street
below. The only life on the entire street were two jack rabbits and one
had the other one by the ears trying to ‘jump start’ him! I remember the
whole class was on the edge of our chairs until the punch line and we
all went, “AH, ED—–What the hell!” Ed just stood there,
expressionless. He got us!

Somewhere we have an article about Ed Milligan and some of his
interesting historical findings (opinions) about this area. I will
locate it and post it—it’s interesting! The picture of Ed with the
head dress is most surely not from 1975. My guess is 1940 or before. The
date is probably from a reprint of the picture. Thanks Gary!

Dick

 
 
 
Message from Donna Wenstad (75): Amado, AZ
 
Gary,
Greetings from Arizona! Just to clear things up your listing for the reunion shows Melvin (Pete) Wenstad and Arliss Wenstad Spline as Pam’s brother and sister, they were actually our family’s cousins. Their parents were Lawerence and Lela Wenstad, our (Pam’s & mine & 6 others) were Oscar and Elberta Wenstad. I remember fondly their family (there were 13 children if memory serves me) coming to our farm-we always had more then enough players to play softball.
Thanks for all the memories shared thru this site!
Donna Wenstad
Donna, That is my mistake. I know that Pam (78) is your Sister. Melvin and Arliss are Diane’s brother and sister. I’m not sure how I made that mistake, especially when Diane is the one that requested for them to be added to the reunion list. I have made the correction. Thank you so much, Gary.
 
 
ND People:
Message from Erling Landsverk (44): Portage, WI
 
Hi Gary and All You Great North Dakota Folks!
 
I simply had to tell you how proud I am of those folks in North Dakota, especially the people in and around Fargo and up and down the Red River. It makes me smile kinda knowingly to myself when I hear some news reporter talking to someone working at the area where the flood is expected. Instead of a lot of crying and wringing of hands and calling for help, the folks out in the Fargo area just say “yah, we are filling sand bags, and there is lots of high school students, and college students volunteering along with people from our on the prarie and all over North dakota. and we really appreciate it” When questioned if they are going to be able to avoid a serious flood? They simply say that they are pretty sure things will be okay It was the same last year. People from other states can look to the . Fargo folks for an image of real independence with a calm humility so very apparent to anyone who visits the great state. Perhaps the high plains, with its hard winters, and unpredictable summer weather along with the tradition of the early settlers has created a breed of people that are far above average and an independent spirit without equal.
Think I’m bragging about North Dakota? You bet I am.
 
Erling Landsverk
 
 
 
Did the Vikings make their way to the Turtle Mountains a thousand years ago?
Reply/Discoveries from Colette Hosmer (64): Santa Fe, NM
 
Hi Dick,

I also found your information about ancient Lake Agassiz and the Vikings fascinating. I “googled” the information and found some interesting accounts — one example:

 
The theory was also “debunked” in another posting. In any case, I had never heard of Lake Agassiz and found lots of very interesting stuff on the web about this particular era in our geological history.

Thanks,
Colette
 
 
 
Question about Raymond Burr and Fess Parker’s hunting trip in Turtle Mountains:
Reply from Ardys Bakken Horner (Former Teacher): Detroit Lakes, MN
 
I heard about these men hunting in the Hurdsfield, ND area for bird hunting…
there were quite a few Hollywood types who came to the Dakotas to hunt while we lived there, raymond burr did it regularly so maybe he brought friends with him. Ardys Horner
  

03/20/2010

Posted on by

Correction from yesterday:

Question from one of our alumna:

 

Have you ever heard about the Raymond Burr and Fess Parker hunting trip in Turtle Mountains – both movie stars who may have been on a hunting trip in the Turtle Mountains at some point? I never have. Wonder if it’s true?

Larry Nagel (Former Teacher): Shields, ND
Message from Floyd Dion: Dunseith, ND.
 
Hi Gary
What a nice surprise, Larry Nagel visited us today, we had a nice talk about his stay here in Dunseith and telling us about his life at home. He lives on a farm and he still teaches school three days a week Hs is supposed to be retired but he keeps getting deeper and deeper into different jobs, like school bus driver , on the board of cenex, on the board of student drivers,etc
He comes to Bottineau every year to have his income tax done.
Larry was my teacher in typing class, as I did not take it in high school, I worked in the office at Pride Dairies and had to do typing, He was a very good teacher and still is good.
I hope Larry will be here for the reunion.
We sure enjoyed seeing Larry after all these years
 
Floyd
 
 
 
Ed Milligan:
Memories from Ardys Bakken Horner (former teacher): Detroit Lakes
 
Hi everyone, we are home after 4 weeks in Arizona, came back to cool weather but much less snow.
My first husband, Arv Bakken, used to hunt and walk our German Shorthair up in the hills, looking for agates, arrows etc while the dog ran….one day he found a large spear point which he took to Ed Milligan for identification…he declared it quite old and is still in our collection….Ed was always a good source of information and stories. Ardys Horner
 
 
Ed Milligan:
Memories from Keith Pladson (66): Stafford, VA
 
Gary,
This in in response to Dick Johnson’s input on Ed Milligan. I too remember him. Before I entered the US Army (April 3, 1969), I was managing what was then the HiWay Mobile Gas Station in Bottineau. I had worked there for a couple of years and Mr. Milligan became a frequent customer of mine. As I recall he had an early model T-Bird (that’s when the T-Bird was considered a 2 door sports car – maybe a 64 or 65 model or such). Anyway, what I mostly remember about him was his absolute conviction that there had been early European visitors to the Turtle Mountain area. Though I do not now remember him mentioning the mooring stones, I do very well recall him telling me on more than one occasion about the cave in the foothills and the Gothic stonework. It’s interesting that I had pretty much forgotten all about Mr. Milligan and the cave and such until Dick mentioned it. I too, remember Mr. Milligan as being a bit older than the picture you posted in an earlier edition of your blog.
Thanks Gary,
Keith Pladson (66)
 
 
Ed Milligan:
Memories from Cheryl Larson Dakin (71): Bedford, TX
 
HI Gary
Boy, the list for the reunion has sure grown. I wish we could be there, but won’t be able to come up until July this year.
Ed Milligan was also a renowned sociologist and taught that subject at the Forestry. I took his class in 1971. As Dick has said, he lived so much history and his place at the lake was filled with found artifacts and ceremonial headdresses and things presented to him from different tribes in the area. He was so interesting to talk to and knew so much about so many different subjects.
Cheryl Dakin
 
 

Ed Milligan:

Memories from Allen Richard (65): Midland, MI
 
Ed Milligan was one of my all time favorite teachers — rivaling Lincoln Jerstad, ob Likings and Ben Grossman.
 
Allen
 
 

 

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

Edward Archibald Milligan was born on June 14, 1903, at Michigan, North Dakota, the son of Robert and Emma (von Evers Gennamt Behme) Milligan. He attended Mayville Teachers College in 1927, and then became a teacher of history and anthropology at the North Dakota School of Forestry in Bottineau, North Dakota from 1927-1934. Milligan conducted archaeological and ethnological research among American Indians in North Dakota from 1934- 1940.

He served in the U.S. Army from November 14, 1942, to September 2, 1945. Milligan served in the European theater, received the Bronze Star, and separated at the rank of Sergeant. After his separation, he attended the University of North Dakota, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Education in 1947. He also obtained a Master of Science degree in Education in 1948. From 1948-1972, he was head of social sciences and instructor at North Dakota State University in Bottineau. From 1972-1977, Milligan was curriculum coordinator of the Turtle Mountain School of Paramedical Technology in Bottineau.

Milligan’s teaching, writing, and research centered around the history of American Indians in general, and the tribes of North Dakota in particular. In pursuit of this interest he was also associated with several anthropological digs in the Upper Midwest. He also served in an official capacity on several boards and commissions, including the North Dakota Indian Affairs Commission.

Other interests of Milligan included the American Legion (North Dakota Department Commander); the Timberwolves (104th Infantry) Association (Past President); the Sondre Northern Fund, Inc. (Executive Director); and the North Dakota State Historical Board (Board member and President).

Edward Milligan died in 1977.

 

 

Allen Richard’s (65) Work email address

 

Folks, Allen is one of the folks that is having problems with AOL converting some of these daily messages into Zip files. He as asked that I also include him with his work email address. He also asked me to post his work email address as well.

 

Gary

 

 

 

 

Friday, March 19, 2010 12:15 PM, CDT

 

I would first of all like to say Thank You! Thank you to everyone for all of your support. Thank you to all of you who worked at my two benefits and all who donated food and supplies. Thank you to all of you for your gifts and cards. Thank you for all of your prayers. I am sorry that I will not be sending out Thank You cards to each of you personally. It really means a lot to my family and I to to have all of your support!

Connor is really doing great! He is our little miracle! He is weighing in at 5lbs 1.9 oz today. He is also eating most of his feedings out of a bottle now. I can’t explain how amazing it was to hold him and feed him from a bottle for the first time! He got out of the incubator he was in and into a crib earlier this week as well. Now his proud parents can finally hold him as much as we want! He really seems to be improving every day. I hope to be able to take him home in 2 weeks at the most as long as he keeps improving. We are so thankful he is doing so well. He is not on any oxygen or IV’s but does still have a nasal feeding tube so he can get his full feeding if he decides he doesn’t want to eat his whole bottle. He eats about an ounce and a half for each feeding. He hardly fusses at all except when mom changes his diaper and when he is wide awake and ready for his bottle! It is hard to believe he is already 3 weeks old!

On Tuesday I had a port put in. It was a quick out-patient surgery. What it is is a device just under the skin near my collarbone that the nurses can use to give me my chemo drugs through and also draw blood from. The port is hooked directly into a vein in my neck so I just have to be poked with a needle once to access the port each time. They used it on Wednesday for my latest blood draw and chemo treatment and it was almost painless. Much easier than having my arm poked and poked for IV’s. My veins were starting to get pretty scard from being used so much. The chemo went pretty well. I get pretty exhausted by the time I am done with it but I go home and rest after and am usually feeling better by the next day. Should be only 8 more of this type of chemo treatments to go! Staying in Fargo this whole time Connor has been in the hospital sure has made getting to all of my doctor’s appointments much easier. The nice weather we have been having lately sure helps too. Hopefully winter is over!

Take care everyone and stay in touch. I love hearing from all of you!

 
 
 
  

03/19/2010

Posted on by
Folks, I have gotten several replies, from folks using AOL, telling me that yesterday’s message was delivered in what appeared to be a ZIP file format. I am doing nothing different on my end, so the system must have taken it upon it self to do reformat yesterday’s message for some of you folks. Please let me know if this problem continues. Thanks, Gary
 
 
 
Reply To Les Halvorson:
From Paulette LaCoix Chisholm (68): Newark, Delaware

Les,

Thanks for the kudos on our nephew. Jerry’s son, Marc LaCroix enjoys playing sports. Ken and I were out to dinner when my sister called from Rugby where Marc scored the winning points with a layup in the last 4 seconds in the first round of the tournament. It was hard to contain our excitement in the quiet candlelit atmosphere.

In the story, I enjoyed the remarks made by Petric that the huge Minot gymnasium, being the biggest thing they’d ever seen at that point, could hold a lot of hay. It was amusing too that their monastic focus on winning would make them abandon beer and the thought of girl friends. Who knew tractor ruts and cow pies which inhibited a dribble would aid Bowersox in honing his long shots.

Wolford was home to my widowed grandfather on my mother’s side, John Click. We often visited him there where he lived with his brother. Wolford’s youth challenged themselves and came out winners that gave us all a boost. You guys from Wolford make us all proud.

Thanks Gary and Les,

Paulette LaCroix Chisholm

 

 

Les Halvorson and the Wolford Wolves:

Reply/Picture from Dick Johnson (68): Dunseith, ND.

Gary and Friends,

Les Halvorson’s memory certainly hasn’t begun to fail! Thanks Les
for the great story of the Wolford Wolves basketball team. I remember
losing a heartbreaker to you guys in a tournament in Rolla in overtime.
We lost by one point at the buzzer. I would like to mention a little
about Les’ own personal ball playing. Dunseith was a fast team and we
often worked a full court press to our advantage. Les was one of the
best ball handlers in the area. When we threw the press on Wolford, they
always switched around so that the ball was passed in directly to Les,
who then brought the ball up the floor by himself. He could dribble
right through the press and behind his back if needed. I learned early
on that when guarding Les, if he started to grin, you better be backing
up! He would be past you before you knew what happened, if you were too
close. Wolford coach Ross Julson had a good way of switching players in
and out. If someone made a small mistake or looked tired, he would run
in a new player off the bench. This made for a complete team of quality
players who could come into a game without seeming like a second string
man. If one fouled out, the next one in already had the game in hand.
Other coaches usually played only the five best players and the rest of
the bench were only used in an emergency. Maybe it was only my
observation but I thought that Ross Julson always had such a cool head.
He never seemed nervous or upset even if the game was tight. I wasn’t in
the locker room with them so this is just my perception of him from the
court. Les is a modest guy and certainly wouldn’t mention his
exceptional abilities at handling the ball, but he needs to be given
credit for this. I guess I can verify this as I was often on the
receiving end and was a quick learner when Les taught me the lessons!
Thanks Les and Gary!

Wolford Wolves 1967

 

 

 

Question from one on our alumna:
 
Have you ever heard about the Fess/Raymond hunting trip in Turtle Mountains? I never have. Wonder if it’s true?
 
 
 
Ed Milligan:
Reply from Dick Johnson (68): Dunseith, ND.
 
Gary and Friends,

The picture of Ed Milligan sure brings back a lot of memories. He
taught history and social studies at the Forestry when I attended
from’68-’70. History was one of my favorite classes and Ed really added
to it with his personal observations. He was a WW II vet and saw a real
side of war that he related to us in his daily lectures. I bet there are
very few history instructors who actually lived through the battles they
were teaching about. Ed was one. He also was a hands on kind of guy who
really dug in and studied what he was teaching. It was from Ed that I
first heard of the local history about the mooring stones that are along
the foothills north of Bottineau. These stones are believed to be where
the Vikings tied their ships to explore the Turtle Mountains. The large
stones have holes bored through them in the same way the Vikings did it
in other areas the explored. The entire prairie was covered by Lake
Agassiz until about a thousand years ago, allowing ships to travel all
the way inland from the Atlantic. Many years ago I saw a picture of Ed
Milligan holding a Viking sword that had been found in the Turtle
Mountains. He also told us about the ‘cave’ along the foothills that
appeared to have been built using Gothic techniques of stone work with a
keystone wedge at the top. He said this was definitely European and not
native to this area. This is a very significant part of local history
that not too many people put much significance in. If the Vikings were
in fact the first people in the last several thousand years to walk in
the Turtle Mountains, it could alter much of the history as we know it.
I find it fascinating! Thanks Gary!

Dick

 
 

 

Gary Morgan (54):

Message/Picture from Glen Williams (52): Missoula, MT

 

This Dude is a 1954 Graduate of DHS and played running back for the football team….look at him now..

 

He will be at the Alumni gathering in May…be sure to say hello to him…

 

Thanks for all your work for the Alumni..

 

Let me know if you have problems opening the attachment..

 

Glen Williams

Gary Morgan (54)

  

03/18/2010

Posted on by
Wolford Basket Ball team:
Reply from Les Halvorson (Former DHS teacher): Bottineau, ND.
Note: Les is formerly from Wolford.
 
Gary,
This is in response to Paulette LaCroix Chisholm’s story on the ’68
Wolford BB team.

Paulette,
it has been fun watching your nephew Mark play for the Botno Braves
the past couple of years. He is already a good one and has two more
years to go.
Thanks for the nice words regarding the ’68 Wolford BB team and for
bringing back the story that John Ydstie had done on that team. John
still works for national public radio and has been all over the world
covering news stories for them.
Gary was correct in that I had graduated a year prior to that
team…we thought we had a pretty good team in ’67 but halfway through
the season Bowersox suffered a knee injury and after that could play
only a quarter or so a game. We lost that year to Belcourt in the
dist. title game in two overtimes…from our region Crary went to
state (we had beaten them during the season) and Ellendale won the
state title. Who knows how far we could have gone had Vance Bowersox
been healthy. He had surgery during the off season and came back
strong his senior year.

Wolford was the second or third school in the state to have a video
tape machine and during my freshman year in college (Forestry in
Botno) I attended all of the games of the ’68 team and would do the
play by play on the video for them. Guess that was the beginning of
my sports broadcasting career.

Wolford was back in the state tourney the following year..losing in
the semi’s to Fargo Oak Groove and taking 3rd place that year.

This week-end the state class B tournament will be held at the Dome in
Minot. Many folks may remember that fifty years ago Rolla won the
state B and that team will be honored and recognized between semi-
final games on Friday evening. It will be fun to see how many members
of that team will be in attendance. That Rolla team lost twice to
Botno during the regular season, lost to them in the dist. title game
(back then both went on to region) they met in the region title
game..Botno won (both went on to state) and they met in the state
championship game and Rolla turned the tide and won 69-50. Rolla had
four losses that year .all to Botno. In the state title game soph.
guard Rick Neameyer got hot from the top of the key and hit around
nine in row to lead the Bulldogs to the win. I think he ended up with
26 points. Other Rolla starters included Doug Foley, Barry Dunn,
Dwayne Ostenson and Leo Dionne. The first guy off the bench was Jim
Howson..he had a long and very successful coaching career at Hatton,
N.D.

I remember watching that game on our snowy black and white TV as if it
were a month ago. Where did those fifty years go?? For the past 35
years I have done the play by play for thousands of games…many
forgotton about a week or two later and some I remember as if they
took place yesterday.

One other thing I remember about that ’60 Rolla team..on their
traveling uniforms they had Bulldog printed on the waistbands.

Thanks Paulette and thank you Gary.

Les Halvorson

 
 
 
Reply from Evie Gottbreht Pilkington (65): Irvine, CA

Hi Gary,

I am seeing Wolford on the blog today…..I am still wondering if anyone knows anything of Judy Jo Johnson…probably class of 64, she was one of my good friends in my young days….I haven’t heard anything of her in 45 or 50 years. Her dad was at the elevator I believe, but became sick with MS …at that time they moved to her grandparents in Wolford, I went to Wolford on the train to visit….I am thinking 7th grade….I have no memories of that family after that but have often thought of them over the years. I think they were friends of the Sunderland’s….they moved into the home of Judy’s mother’s family so the name in Wolford of the family would not have been Johnson. I was hoping Myra Henning might have some info?

Very busy for the Pilkington’s this month. Our youngest daughter married on March 6th, it was a blessing to have all eight of the Gottbreht siblings gathered together to celebrate this day with us. I put the last visitor on the plane Wednesday morning and drove my daughter to the hospital to deliver our 6th grandchild around noon on that day – March 10, she was scheduled for a C section for the next day but when I checked on her, she said Mom I am feeling a lot of pressure….I said let’s go and when we got there she was at 9 centimeter…..HELLO!

Happy Spring to everyone. I am still working on several units I have committed to getting completed. Just finished Micro Economic and Entrepreneurial Finance, doing Real Estate Law presently and next week I have to start Algebra.

I leave for 2 weeks in NZ and Australia on April 7th…..can’t wait!!!!!

Blessing wishes for all,

Evie Gottbreht Pilkington

Congratulation Evie with the arrival of your 6th grandchild and with your youngest daughters marriage. I’ll bet it was nice having all your Gottbreht brothers and sisters together too. It’s so nice they were all able to be at the wedding. Enjoy your trip to NZ and Australia. You are getting close to our world with those travels. Gary

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

Lynn (Henriksen) described in a recent e-mail how her brother Rick
“allowed” us to check his trap lines with him. I also remember it
being a privilege and also a trial!
It was up to us to keep up with him (not easy) — the trap line
seemed to go on for hundreds of miles. However, it was all worth it
when we reached the house and
thawed out our stinging, frozen feet — having earned the treat of
dipping buttered toast in to what must have been a gallon of hot
chocolate. No wonder I was chubby.

Colette

 
 
 
Reply from Sybil Johnson: Cheyenne, WY.
 
Gary,

Not to brag, but when I quit bowling 25 yrs.ago; after Kelly died, I had a bowling average of 169. Keep up the good work, Bernadette. I bowled on 3 leagues, 3 times a week. It all started after my youngest son, DJ was born in 1974. I ended up throwing away all my trophies, except my crystal bowl. They all tarnished so bad, that they could not not be cleaned. I still have my 35 lapel bowling pins. Now, Beckie bowls on a couple leagues up in Wisconsin.
Take care and IN THE SPIRIT OF CRAZY HORSE!
Sybil (great_grandma2007@live.com)

 
 
 
“Just US” Band picture provided by Dave Mettler (Bottineau)
Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Minot & Bottineau, ND
Don Boardman (60) and Tina Pladson Bullinger (78), both from Bottineau,
are Dunseith Alumni folks. Dave Mettler is a farmer west of Bottineau.
He and my brother Bud (Darrel) are farming neighbors. The often times help each other.

 

 

 

Ed Milligan:

Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Minot & Bottineau, ND

 

Folks, Those of us that attended the Forestry remember Ed Milligan Well. He is now deceased.

This sure does not look like the Ed Milligan I remember. The outfit really changed his looks.

He looks so much younger than I remember him looking. Gary