10/16/2009

Reply from Keith Pladson (66): Stafford, VA
 
Gary,
just a brief follow up to my niece’s (Becky’s) notice on her mother Florence Sime. I’ll let Becky keep you all updated on her status.

However, Becky didn’t mention much about the accident — probably because, like me, she hasn’t heard that much except to say it was a horrific accident. What we do know in that others were also badly injured and I would like to ask for your prayers and best wishes not only for Florence’s recovery, but for the recovery of all those injured in the accident. Thank you in advance for your prayers. Keith Pladson Class of 66

 
 
 
From Verena & Pete (65) Gillis: Dunseith, ND.
 
> Re: Florence Sime

We are so terribly sorry to hear about her accident. I hard about the
accident after work yesterday. The roads were so terrible throughout
Rolette County and Bottineau County. As I understand she was hit by
another car who was trying to pass her, as she was out doing her rounds.
You would think people that have lived around here all their lives would
know enough to slow down and not try to pass in these conditions. We will
be praying for her recovery. She is a wonderful lady!

Pete and Verena Gillis

 
 
 
Reply From Neola Kofoid Garbe: Minot & Bottineau, ND.
 
Gary,
 
I was shocked/stunned/etc. to read of Florence Sime’s accident. I’m including a site where emails may be sent to her. I think the emails are read once per day (probably morning)/the messages are printed on card, along with who sent them/delivered to the patient later in the day. Wally received several of them when he was hospitalized. I’m sure Florence would enjoy hearing from friends/family/etc.
 
Neola
 
 
 
 
From Bobby Slyter (70): Wichita, Kansas
 
I just wanted to add to Ele’s message about my great nephew Devin Millang, I am so very very proud of this young man that the buttons on my shirt popes off when I see him in uniform,he is not only a brave young man but a very respectful, passionate and courteous person, we all wish him well in his next adventure in the marines, it is a great pleasure to be his great uncle
 
 
Reply from Allen Rickard (65): Midland, MI

Just two things: First the date you picked would have been Dad’s 90th birthday. Second, seeing those pictures of the San makes me both angry and near nauseous when I think of what became of it and how all that history and beauty turned into a pile of rubble.

 

Allen Richard

 

 

 

From Vickie Metcalfe (70): Bottineau, ND.

 

Do you recall having any “wayward” horses back on the farm? I figured you might feel the need to lighten up and grin at this piece of info out of WY.from the Billings Gazette. That bit of cowboy humor got me thinking about those who get together and jam. My sister in-law Sally’s aunt Shirley and uncle Carl are a couple of folks with music in their bones and Carl’s compositions….make one think he’s got the soul of a cowboy poet. Vickie

Cowboy cited after horse wanders away from bar

Click on the link or Copy and Paste the address into your internet browser window.
http://www.billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/wyoming/article_340be8ba-b807-11de-a489-001cc4c03286.html

 
 
 
Reply from Cheryl Larson Dakin (71): BEDFORD, TX
 
HI All
In reply to Bonnie Awalt Houle, I do remember those overshoes…..mostly when the buckles would become packed with snow and it was hard to unhook them with frozen fingers. And they would melt all over the floor when we did get them off. Mom was constantly having to mop up after us. I don’t remember wearing them in the rain as much as I do in the snow. The good old days when we could be out in it for what seemed like hours and not be as miserable as we would be now.
Cheryl Larson Dakin
 
 
Reply from Sybil Johnson: Cheyenne, WY.
 
Good morning Dunseith and Neola,
It was my cousin’s husband from Virginia, who sent the update of Reachelle Smith. I had forwarded the Amber Alert to them and Chuck did
some checking on the story. Maybe and this may sound like a fluke idea, but some of the law enforcement shows on TV have run past cases like hers’. Maybe, this is a way to go. This is just an idea. Thank you Neola. Sybil Johnson
 
 
Folks, After sending yesterday’s message, I realized I had forgotten to answer Dick’s question that I have highlited in blue below. Gary
 
Bonnie Awalt Houle–I sure do remember the 4 and 5 buckle overshoes. I
always new when the kids from the hills got to school in the
morning—-ka ching ka ching down the hall. The amazing thing to me was
that shoes and overshoes were all we wore in the winter. My feet got
numb after a half hour and stayed that way all day! If we would have had
pack boots and Thinsulate liners then, most of us wouldn’t have
arthritis now. Let me try a guess—
I seem to remember Gary Stokes
always wore zipper overshoes to school. Am I right Gary?
Thanks!

Dick

Dick, You are so right about those zipper overshoes. I had totally forgotten about those too. When I started high school I graduated from the buckle overshoes to the zipper type. Those were my Sunday overshoes too. I had earned enough money working the summer months for Norris/Bud Knutson and Carl Melgaard to be able to buy those too.
 
The last winter I was back in ND was in January 1971. The Army granted me 2 weeks convalescent leave at that time following corrective surgery that I had on my Jaw. I was very fortunate to have been in a dental unit with one of the best Oral surgeons that recognized I had a petruding jaw that could be surgically corrected. He cut my jaw bone on both sides, in the back, completely off with an angle cut and slid my whole jaw back nearly a half inch. I was wired shut for the next 6 weeks for the healing. I ate thin strained foods through a straw. At the time I was working for a Periodontist (Gum Dentist) who was very good friends with the Oral surgeon. Being a periodontist, he was very concerned with the alignment of my teeth, so he assisted with the surgery to make sure things got aligned correctly. He also took pictures (slides) of the whole operation of which I have. To this day I have had zero problems. I was so fortunate to have had such wonderful caring profession folks in my life at that time. Needless to say, my facial features were considerably altered/corrected with this operation. It was fun going back into the civilian world following this surgery with folks wondering if that was really me. I was stationed at Fort Riley Kansas, following my year in Viet Nam, at the time.
Gary
 
Reply/Pictures from Dick Johnson (68): Dunseith, ND.
 
Gary,

The picture posted by Gary Morgan of Billy Wright’s grocery store had
to have been taken the same day as the Post Office picture with similar
hail storm damage. The history book says the storm was in 1943. My
grandparents bought this store in 1947, according to the Dunseith
Journal. I remember the building when Joe Morinville had his store there
in the mid 50s and before he moved to the building north of Said (Sy)
Kadry’s pool hall. For those who don’t remember this building, it stood
across from Woodford’s Bar in what is now the parking lot for Wayne’s
grocery store. Attached are two items–first the Journal article and a
pencil I have from when my grandparents had the store in the late 40s.
Thanks Gary!

Dick

Dick, Speaking of the Morgan’s, When I picked up my mail from the FPO office yesterday, I had a letter from Dick Morgan (52). Dick does not have email that I know of. I will utilize the valuable typing skills I received from Mr. Lykins class and type his letter into tomorrow’s message. Speaking of Mr. Lykins, we have not heard from him in a while. Gary
 

10/15/2009

In reply to Aggie’s message posted below:
 
Folks, I know that this reunion Aggie Casavant (69) and Verena (Pete 65) Gilles are planning will be a smashing success. I know that whenever you have Verena involved with an activity it will be a success and I know Aggie is right in there with her. The only thing they are asking from you folks is a reply letting them know you plan on attending so they can make their plans accordingly. I’d suggest letting them know even if you are not quite sure. An occasion of this nature does not come along often. For all of you both far and near, please make your plans accordingly and plan to attend this reunion if at all possible. Think of the fun you will have seeing so many folks from the past. To top things off, your entertainment for this event will be Highway 43 with Dick & Brenda Johnson and Ron Hett. I’ve got their CD playing as I speak. It’s great!!
 
It’s not often an event of this nature is held, so take advantage of this great opportunity and attend. Please pass the word to those that do not have email.
 
I told Aggie they will have to get some stick on name tags too for this event so folks know who you are and you know who they are. We do change over the years.
 
Please let Aggie know your plans.
 
Gary
 
 
Dunseith Alumni Reunion plans posted by Aggie Casavant (69): Fort Mill, SC
 

 
To: The Dunseith Bloggers:
 
Just got off the phone with Vereena Gillis,(and yes Gary she is as nice a person as you said she was…sweet as can be) this is what we have so far with plans for the Mini-Dunseith Reunion:
 
Date: May 22,2010
Time: Social Hour 4:00pm to 6:00pm
Cook Out: 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Music & Hanging Out : 8:00pm to Midnight
Band: Hwy 43…AKA Dick & Brenda Johnson & Ron Hett
 
I’m sure by now your wondering about the location…So are we…. LOL. What we need from all who are interested in attending, is an e-mail or phone call to me by
December 1,2009 so Vereena has an idea of what size of facility to get,so we have more of an idea how much to charge.
 
As for the food,all we know so far is that it’s going to be a cookout…Dick has a grill that he built,that can cook up to I think he said 35 to 40 steaks and/or hamburgers at a time.(Thank you Dick!) Some have suggested pot luck, some have suggested catering, Please put your preference down when e-mailing me,that again would give us more of an idea also, what the cover charge would be. The whole concept is to keep it, Fun,& Simple and to keep the cost down,so as not to pose a hardship on anyone who would maybe like to attend,but short on funds… I would rather give up the frills,and be able to sit and chat with an old classmate.
 
We will update you with info as we get it….Right now we just need a head count. Again Please let me know by Dec.1,2009 if you plan to attend.
 
If you have any questions, comments or concerns, please give me a holla at…
 
 
 
Florence Pladson Sime (62) was in a bad car accident
Posted by her daughter Becky Sime Coles (83): Spokane, WA.
 
Florence (62, Keith (66) & Bechy (83)
 
All,
Mom (Florence Sime) was in a car wreck today. I just got off the phone with the hospital. She has a compound fractured wrist, broken shoulder, broken ribs, punctured lung, broken hip, tear in her spleen and many scratches on her face. All this was on the left side. The doctor is putting a tube in her lung to keep it from collapsing and when she is stable from that they will be taking her into surgery to repair her wrist. She will be in ICU from there. When she is able they will be performing additional surgeries. No contact number for her yet. She is in the Minot Hospital. Drop me a note or call if you have any questions. I’ll keep you posted on her status. My phone number is

Becky

 

 

 

Reply from Vickie Metcalfe (70): Bottineau, ND

 

Hey Gary, Dick, and my dear KITH and KIN,

 

Another response from Ardis Metcalfe Steggall, to my earlier questions about the Cota’s.

 

Hi Vickie,

George’s brother, Alfred, was a good friend of my parents. He lived in the Tri Cities in eastern Washington and would go to Seattle every year for a check up on his throat. He had throat cancer and the voice box removed but communicated very effectively with burps of air. He and his wife would always get together with my parents when they came to Seattle. My parents also visited them a few times in eastern Washington. Very nice people.

Have a good life,

Ardis

My pondering reply.
I remember Alfred Cota coming to Uncle Emil’s when they lived in the big green two story house surrounded by fields of strawberries at MARYSVILLE, WASHINGTON in the fall of 1963. This was whom the Cliff Metcalfe family lived with in Marysville, until our mom found the Hanson rental house on Schultes Road.

Later, when my folks were back living at the farm north of Dunseith , Alfred Cota stopped by and visited there too. He and dad would talk about times past and about his travels visiting people. Mom would brew coffee and put together a lunch.
 
The feeling of “true fondness and warmth”, come back to me as I recall the strong emotions evoked when George and Lela Cota were around Jim and Ella Metcalfe. That feeling was also there when Dad , Uncle Emil and the uncles and aunts were visiting Alfred Cota, as the record player was playing Uncle Emil’s Johnny Horton LP at the big green house.

I don’t recall meeting Alfred’s wife. I just knew he was a special adult friend the “Metcalfe’s ” held in high regard (He was up there with a few others. I think the our folks expected us to call him Mr.

I recall warm cozy feelings of true affection and happiness of old friends who were fondly together again.. The clinkings of moms making a lunch, jolly laughter and voices some like a smooth creamed coffee, another gruff, another quite different but ok because he was an old friend. I know what I experienced was true AGED friendship, comparing that to an AGED fine cognac (smooth and easy.) Special kind of friends, that knew each others weaknesses but focused on strengths and loved each other as friends.
Later, Vickie

 

Reply from Gary Metcalfe (57): Forsyth, MO

 

Hello, Dick I think that little girl that Mae is holding is Joy, her granddaughter and Alfred Cota’s only child. Alfred Cota was full of vim and vigor, we were neighbors in Spokane, Wa. He had to have a voice box due to cancer, but that did not slow him down a bit. I would guess Vance Bailey would have been able to identify with this Cota family as they were near to the old Bailey farm.

Another guy I should mention is Art Seim’s brother, Morris. My dad’s age. He and his wife Victoria, and daughter Dorothy, used to visit us back and forth in Seattle. Morris sold insurance and he always carried milk with him for his ulcers.

 

Bonnie I was trying to forget them!!

 

Aggie some people can live a full life in a short time, you are one of them, don’t settle down….keep on making memories. They are so useful when you get older, and unlike most everything else, no one can take them away from you. We went over that Estes Colorado Mountain in 1978 in an old camper on our way to Phoenix.

Gary Metcalfe

 

 

 

Reply from Dick Johnson68): Dunseith, ND.

 

Gary and Friends,

And so the plot thickens! I contacted my aunt, Shirley Olson Warcup,
and she looked up the year George and Lela were married—1936 for sure.
This means that 1961 was their 25th and 1976 was their 40th
anniversaries. The picture must have been in the camera for a couple
months because it was developed in 1977. I’m sure this is of no interest
to most of you, but Geri and Vickie had some question about it. It
seemed to me the anniversary at Rendahl was in ’61 so I asked my aunt
for the right information. Now everything lines up.

Bonnie Awalt Houle–I sure do remember the 4 and 5 buckle overshoes. I
always new when the kids from the hills got to school in the
morning—-ka ching ka ching down the hall. The amazing thing to me was
that shoes and overshoes were all we wore in the winter. My feet got
numb after a half hour and stayed that way all day! If we would have had
pack boots and Thinsulate liners then, most of us wouldn’t have
arthritis now. Let me try a guess—I seem to remember Gary Stokes
always wore zipper overshoes to school. Am I right Gary? Thanks!

Dick

 

 

 

From Ken Striker: Dayton OH

 

Gary-

 

I have noticed recent issues of Dunseith Alumni that the pictures do not come up.

Ken, If some of the pictures come up, my guess is that it could possibly be a server problem. Sometimes if you do a reply or forward to the message, the pictures will appear. I have not had a problem with the copies of these messages that I send to myself. If all else fails and you are still having problems, I post all these messages and pictures on the Dunseith Alumni WEB site http://garystokes.net/default.aspx
Folks, please let me know if any of the rest of you are having these same problems. Gary

 

 

‘Amber Alert’ reply from Neola Kofoid Garbe: Minot & Bottineau, ND.

 

Hi Gary/Sheryl/Sybil,

 

I see Sybil sent info about the missing Minot girl, Reachelle Smith. What Sybil wrote is right; the “person of interest” killed himself. Since then, as far as the public knows, there have been no “breaks”/leads in the case. I have not seen updated pictures of Reachelle; I don’t know where one could be located. It’s as if Reachelle/the case are off the radar, so to speak. Except for receiving the amber alert email occasionally, I have heard nothing about Reachelle.

 

Sad/bewildering case. She’s a cutie. :)

 

Neola

 

 

 

Devin Millang the New Marrine

From Ele Dietrich Slyter (69): Dunseith, ND.

 

Here is a couple pics of our grandson Devin Millang…we are so proud of him and yes tears were flowing at the graduation ceremony. The second pic is Cam, Sherri, Tanner, Alyssa and Devin. The third pic is two generations of Marines, grandpa Richard Slyter and Devin.

Thank you Vickie for your comments about Devin going to school for lunch with Alyssa.

 

Ele’s reply to Gary’s question:

Yes, you have the relationships correct.
Graduation was held at Marine Corp Receiving Depot at San Diego, CA. We flew out of Fargo on the 7th of Oct, had family day with Devin on the 8th and he graduated on the 9th. We had an awesome time in CA. and were able to bring Devin home with us for a 10 day leave. He returns to Camp Pendleton on the 20th for his infantry training for about 3 weeks, then off to MOS training. We are not positive just where yet.
I have included his graduation photo with this email in case you want to add it to the others I sent this morning.
Thank you for sharing our pride in this wonderful, brave young man.
ele

Devin Millang

 

 

Devin Millang

 

 

L to R: Sherri Slyter Millang, Cam Millang,

 

Alyssa Millang, Tanner Millang & Devin Milliang

 

 

 

Richard Slyter with his Grandson Devin Millang

 

 

 

Folk, This is the way I remember Richard Slyter in the picture below. I knew Richard and his brothers well in my childhood days. I have not seen any of them in nearly 45 years. We all change, but one always has a mental picture of folks from the way you saw them last. Richard, I must say that the ladies would probably say you are still the handsome looking guy your were back in the days. Gary

 

 

 

 

Richard Slyter

 

 

Request from Marshall Awalt (51): Newport, NC

 

 

Gary, Please add Harlyn Oppeboen to the daily blog as he went to Dunseith school through the sixth grade before moving he now lives in Colorado.His e-mail
is hco@aol.com. He sent these pictures of the hail damage in Dunseith and pictures of the San Haven.
 
Thanks Marshall 51
Harlyn, I am assuming your were in the same class as Marshall, class of 51. For now I will include you with his class. Please let me know if this is incorrect. Gary
 

Bill Wrights – Hail damage

 

 

Oppeboen Home – Hail damage

 

 

 

 

 

 

10/14/2009

Folks, Today is our bowling day, so I am kind of cramped for time trying to get this out before leaving here at noon. I slept in a bit this morning too. If there are any mistakes, I’ll correct them tomorrow. Gary
 
 
I am reposting this to correctly identify Evelyn. I errored big time yesterday.

Reply From Florence Hiatt Dahl (50) sister to Evelyn Hiatt Schneider Deceased.

Anchorage, AK

 

Did you know Wesley Schneider does not ride bicycles normaly? He rides them backwards. I wish I had taken pictures of him doing this. He was a wonderful friend to Don and I. We were so much younger then our other brothers and sisters and Wes was so kind to us….He would even take us fishing………………….

Florence, I have heard talk of Wesley Schneider and his backward bicycle riding skills too. It was some of the talk of my childhood days. Gary

 

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

 

Hi Gary,

 

I forwarded the two newsletters pertaining to Wes/Ovidia Schneider, to Ruth Sletten Gust. She is also Ovidia’s daughter. She is married to Ronald Gust, Wally’s godson. Ronald/Ruth live on Wally’s parents’ “homeplace”, a mile north of Kramer (Wally’s grandfather, Herman Garbe, originally owned the farm.). Ruth and her daughter, Renee, have an antique business on the farm. Renee/husband/daughter live in Bottineau.

 

Ruth enjoyed the newsletters/found them very interesting.

 

Neola

 

 

 

From Vickie Metcalfe (70): Bottineau, ND.

 

Gary,
Alysa a sixth grade student, was accompanied to lunch today by a tall, straight standing, handsome, clean cut MARINE. He came the elementary school to eat lunch with his little sister smartly dressed in his uniform. This young man, graduated from here in May of 2009 and is currently visiting his Family Roots in the hills north of Dunseith and also Bottineau School Roots.
 
He took time to visit with some of his former teachers, one former homeroom teacher became tearful when she saw him.

Hopefully, his proud grandma Ele will send you his photo. God Bless this MARINE, Devin Millang on his journeys. Thanks. V.

 

 

 

 

From Bonnie Awalt Houle (56): Becker, MN

 
Dear Gary,
I am certain there must be other people out there that remember having to wear 4 buckle overshoes. (Hateful darn things) When your fingers were cold it was harder then heck to unbuckle them, if you didn’t buckle them they made an awful racket when you walked. The racket from all those boots irritated the teachers to no end. When you came down the stairs at the end of the day with lots of us not buckling the boots we would catch it from the 1st, 2nd and 3rd, 4th, grade teachers that stood at the bottom of the steps to stop kids from jumping the last few stairs or from running down the steps. After wearing the boots without buckling them the buckles would break off, now you were in more trouble. Who else remembers these overshoes?
Bonnie Awalt Houle (56)

 

 

 

Reply from Sybil Johnson: Cheyenne

 

Gary, My cousin sent this to me, in answer to this AMBER ALERT. Evidently,
this little girl has been missing for sometime. I wish the Wingates would
have sent an updated picture and story. It doesnt take away anything, but
an updated picture and story would have helped much more.
Thought you would like to know. Sybil Johnson
(great_grandma2007@live.com)
From: usofrnr@cox.net
To: great_grandma2007@live.com
Subject: Re: (591) Dunseith Alumni……AMBERT ALERT
Date: Tue, 13 Oct 2009 09:05:03 -0400

She has been missing for three years and is now six if she is still alive.
The man who police thought might have abducted her committed suicide and
no sign of her was found. I fear if she is alive she won’t look at all
like her photo

 

 

 

From Geri Metcalfe Munro (59): Fargo, ND

 

Hi Gary–In response to my cousin, Vickie Metcalfe in #591:

Yes, George and Lela were with my folks at Jim and Ella’s 25th anniversary
; the picture upper right is George and Lela in 1933; I believe they were
married that year and my folks were attendants, Lower left is on Jim and
Ella’s wedding day with George and Lela as attendants on July 9, 1934, and
lower right is Jim and Ella on their wedding day. They were lifelong
friends. Lela’s maiden name was Johnson, sister of Dick’s grandma, Myrtle
Olson

Geri

 

L to R: Ella Metcalfe, Lela Cota, Jim Metcafle & George Cota

 

 

George and Lela Cota in 1933

 

 

 

Jim and Ella’s wedding day with George

 

and Lela as attendants

 

 

 

Jim and Ella Metcalfe on their wedding day

 

 

 

 

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

 

Gary and Friends,

I have several more pictures of George and Lela Cota and will post
another one. This picture is of their family at their 40th anniversary
in 1977. George and Lela are seated with their grandson Dean. Gary and
his wife Darla and son Maynard are standing behind them. They had their
25th anniversary at Rendahl church in 1962 and my dad had just gotten
his new 8 MM movie camera, so he filmed the entire event and I still
have the film. Dad filmed many events over several years and we have a
large basket full of his reel to reel films. There is no sound, just
color movies, but they are sure fun to watch. I would like to have them
all put on DVD someday so I could make copies for others too.

Vickie–you are right, George Cota’s mother, Mae, was a Keeler and
they lived where Emil Morin later lived. I will attach a picture of Mae
Cota (holding a small girl I don’t recognize) and Gary. This would have
been in the early 40s. I do remember Mae, but never saw her husband that
I can remember. I think he may have died before I was born or shortly
after. Thanks for the info and thanks Gary!

George and Lela Cota are seated with their grandson Dean. Gary and
his wife Darla and son Maynard are standing behind them.

 

 

 

Mae Cota (holding a small girl I don’t recognize) and Gary

 

 

10/13/2009

Reply From Florence Hiatt Dahl (50) sister to Florence Hiatt Schneider Deceased.
Anchorage, AK
 
Did you know Wesley Schneider does not ride bicycles normaly? He rides them backwards. I wish I had taken pictures of him doing this. He was a wonderful friend to Don and I. We were so much younger then our other brothers and sisters and Wes was so kind to us….He would even take us fishing………………….
 
 
 
From LeaRae Parrill Espe (68): Bottineau, ND.
 
There was a very nice service for Joey Millang. So many of us old hillbillies came out to support Lorraine and her family. The Handlelands and the Millangs were big families and Joey had many cousins. Pastor Glenn Berge had comforting words for all of us. I am so thankful that our churches can keep going so they are there when we need them. Joey worked for a farmer by Starkweather and that family attended the funeral and praised his work ethic and said he will be so hard the replace.
 
Terry went to Lockhart country school with the Handlelands so he has always know them. Of course, Monte Espe & his siblings are first cousins to the Millangs on his mother’s side ( Effie House Espe and Jessie House Millang were sisters) and a cousin to Terry on the Espe side so the Art Espe family are mutual cousins.
 
 
 
From Vickie Metcalfe (70): Bottineau, ND.
 

Hey Gary ,

I just came back to school, from Joe Millang’s funeral. Lots of family & friends were there. Dick, Ron and Brenda musical gift sounded excellent.


I sat next to friends of Joe’s from Devils Lake. They told me they were very fortunate to arrive in Bottineau safely. They encountered very narrow escape with a semi coming up on the icey roads from Devils Lake area this morning.

 

From Vickie Metcalfe:

Gary,

Karen Larson is one of Ovidia’s daughters. Karen owns the Spectrum. Karen’s husband, Dr. Larson just retired from practicing medicine in Washington state and arrived back in Bottineau this weekend. Ovidia’s daughters are quite active in helping out the Ovidia and Wes. Last month, Wes and Ovidia celebrated their 30+ ..something ……. wedding anniversary! Also in September, Ovidia celebrated her 91st birthday with her family. I believe Wes’ daughter from Minnesota was here too. Wes likes to pick his apples with this daughter when she comes in the fall and shares. However in September, the apples weren’t quite ready, kind of sourly green…Oh but ah.. the last few sunny weeks (prior to the windy and cold snow) they became quite rosy red and with the last frosty freeze… quite sweet.

Vickie

 

From Vickie Metcalfe:
Gary,
Regarding Lela and George Cota, who were very good friends of Uncle Jim and Aunt Ella Metcalfe. Somewhere in the depth of my memories I seem to recall their presence at anniversary parties for Uncle Jim and Aunt Ella. Hey cousins Geri & Gary, were the Cota’s (witnesses) present the day your parents were married in 1934?
 
I also know George Cota grew up on the farm stead, later occupied by Emil and Genevieve Morin. George Cota’s maternal uncle was married to the paternal (Metcalfe) cousin of Uncle Jim and my Dad. The Keeler’s, lived somewhere north of the William and Rose Metcalfe farm….. east of the Cota farm.
 
Neighbors; George’s adopted sister, Carroll Carlson’s sister, and our Aunt Leona were noted horsewomen as teens.
 
George and Lela were solid, generous and true steadfast friends of many hill folk and active in church activities.
 
The Medlang twins were also from the hills,north of Rendahl or south of Little Prairie. They were cousins to Odin Medlang and Mrs.Kavali.

Ingolf was the long time caretaker at the Peace Garden for many years after Kenneth and Kathleen Sebilius. He’d also go over and help out the cooks in the kitchen at music camp.
 
Ingolf, a quiet,shy, unassuming bachelor was very active at Peace Lutheran Church. He’d be the guy cleaning,shoveling, vacuuming and putting things in proper places after church or funerals or weddings. He wasn’t afraid to pick up a dishtowel if needed. I think he might have served as treasurer. He was one of those folks who was sometimes overlooked but a sincere, true blue, solid citizen.
Thanks. I’ll hush up now. Vickie
 
 

Folks, I know many of you knew Banks Sieber. He was the Bottineau County Agent for many years. I remember when I was a kid, Banks and his wife stopped at our place for a visit when they were out for a Sunday drive. It wasn’t just one of those quick visits either. Banks was an Icon, so that was a special treat. He made good on our dad’s offer to stop in for a visit if he was ever in the area. Gary

Banks Harold Sieber 1920- 2009

Banks Harold Sieber (88) passed away on October 9, 2009 at Trinity Nursing Home in Minot, ND.

He was born on November 17, 1920 on the family farm SW of Wolford, ND to Banks J. Sieber and Helen (McNitt) Sieber. He attended Wolford Public School and graduated from NDSU with a BS in Agriculture in 1942.

Following college he entered the US Army and served in the European theater for nearly two years receiving an Honorary Discharge on November 11, 1945. On May 22, 1945 he married Evelyn L. Sanderson of Willow City in the Presbyterian Church in Texas where he was stationed. Banks and Evelyn returned to North Dakota after his discharge from the service, to live in Center, ND where he began his career as a County Extension Agent. His career continued in Sheridan County and eventually Bottineau County, where they spent the majority of their life raising four children. He retired August 30th, 1980 after thirty-five years of service.

Banks was active in many community activities and service groups throughout his entire lifetime. He was most proud of the 4-H, Tractor Safety School and Homemakers programs where he was able to shape many young peoples’ lives. He continued to work after retirement with the Bottineau County Weed Board, ND-Manitoba Zero Till Association, the Bottineau Chamber of Commerce and as an independent farm management consultant. In 2007 he was inducted into the ND Agriculture Hall of Fame where he was recognized for his dedicated career with such outstanding accomplishments as organizing the rural water and telephone services. Banks and Evelyn moved to Minot in 1997 where Banks stayed active with the County Weed Board and Golden Kiwanis.

Banks will be remembered not only for his contributions to agriculture but for his friendship and humor which resulted in many lifelong friendships. He and Evelyn enjoyed traveling throughout the United States and were fortunate enough to have visited a number of foreign countries. One of his favorite quotes that depicts his character came from Theodore Roosevelt, “What a man does for himself dies with him. What a man does for his community lives forever”. He enjoyed traveling, reading, watching sports, visiting and keeping up with friends and family from across the country.

Survivors include his wife Evelyn of 65 years, sons Dennis (Jan) Sieber of Bismarck, Byron Sieber of Fargo/Grand Forks, and daughter Elaine (Bob) Anderson of Cedar Hills, Texas, grandchildren Tracy (Jack) Garza, Scott Sieber, Elizabeth Anderson, Erika Anderson, Matthew Anderson, and Benjamin Sieber, Great grandson Ryland Garza, Sister Maxine Strand of Rugby, and sister-in-law Helen Sieber of Pennsylvania and many nieces and nephews.

Banks was preceded in death by his parents, daughter Loretta Sieber, daughter-in-law Karen Sieber, brother Robert Sieber and sister Margret Braaten.

Funeral Service: Tuesday, October 13, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. at Vincent United Methodist Church, 1024 2nd St. SE, Minot, ND .

Visitation: Monday, October 12, 2009, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot.

Internment: Wednesday, October 14, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. at the North Dakota Veteran’s Cemetery in Mandan, ND.

Those wishing to sign the online guest register or share memories of Banks, may access the online obituaries at www.thompsonlarson.com

In lieu of flowers memorials are requested by family to go to the North Dakota 4-H Foundations, NDSU Dept. 7280, P.O. Box 6050 Fargo, ND 58108-6050.

 
 
 
Amber Alert From Sheryl Stokes Wingate: Port Orchard, WA.
 
Hi Dad and Neola,

I received this today, and thought that we have a pretty good network out in North Dakota. Can you forward this to everyone you have in your email.

Thanks!

Sheryl Wingate

AMBER ALERT

Missing Girl from North Dakota ! You never know where this email could end up and I’m not going to
stop passing this one around if it means a little girl can be found!!!

Please spread this picture far and wide…. You just never know.


Reachelle Marie Smith, Birthdate: 9/10/02. Answers to Peanut.
BEFORE YOU SKIP THIS, LOOK AT THE CHILD. DO IT AGAIN.. NOW SEND IT TO ALL IN YOUR ADDRESS BOOK.

IT TAKES 10 SECONDS. PEOPLE ARE MISSING HER AND SHE WANTS TO BE HOME. DO SOMETHING GOOD.

Sue & Barry Wilcox

(406) 961-4064
 

10/12/2009

Joseph Millang’s Obituary

 
POSTED: October 11, 2009
 

BOTTINEAU Joseph Kevin Millang, 43, Starkweather, formerly of Bottineau, was dead Thursday, Oct. 8, 2009, on arrival at a Devils Lake hospital.

He was born Sept. 29, 1966, to Curtis and Lorraine Millang in Bottineau.

Survivors: mother, Bottineau; brother, Jamie, Lincoln; sister, Pennie Graham, Cadillac, Mich.

Funeral: Monday, 10 a.m., First Lutheran Church, Bottineau.

Burial: Little Prairie Cemetery, near Dunseith.

Visitation: Today, 1 to 9 p.m., Nero Funeral Home, Bottineau.

 
 
 
Reply from Gary Morgan (54): GARRISON, ND
 
Gary & All,
In answer to Larry Liere, Mr. Haines was an Immigration Inspector. Actually, Kim was his son. His daughter’s name was Nan. He transferred out of Dunseith in either 1946 or 47 and was replaced by Les Greener. Thus began a string of great independent basketball teams that Dunseith enjoyed in the late 40s.
Greener later transferred to Seattle, WA and was replaced by Findel Helgeson. In the middle 50s Helgeson transferred to Baudette, MN and was replaced by Kenny Shirk.

Gary Morgan

 
 
 
Question from Ivy Eller Robert (74): Everett, WA.
 
Gary,
 
I’ve been reading these blogs asking if anyone remembers “so & so”! Well I have one, Does anyone in the class of 74 or any other classes remember a guy named Hal Dupet (I’m not sure of the last name spelling). If I remember correctly, I think his folks or at lease his Mom owned or ran Kalven Klinic Store many years ago! I remember him being in the first grade with us, but not sure any other years. Does anyone know what became of him and his Mother?
Also, there was another guy that was in our class for a few years in grade school. His name was Wendell, but I don’t remember his last name. I remember he had moved to Dunseith from Fairbanks, Alaska. For me, it was fascinating to listen to him talk about living up there! How ironic that I lived in Alaska for almost a year, but I was in Anchorage. That was August of 85 to June of 86. While I was there in Anchorage, I ran into Sam Tooke. Well, he came into the store I was working at and I waited on him. Sam graduated the same year as I did. Sometimes it seems like we live in a very small world.
I’ve wondered for years, what happened to Hal & Wendall? Does anyone know?
 
Ivy Eller Robert (74)
 
 
From Vickie Metcalfe (70): Bottineau, ND.
 
Gary and folks,
After a little deep cleaning, and crawling down under the house to winterize the vent, a pleasant October Sunday afternoon came to Bottineau. All is calm.
The best part of my afternoon was walking the “furbabies”. Lochbuie and Molly love the Schneiders, “dear hearts” who live across the street. Wes was spied by the two stubborn Westies and they determinedly pulled me up driveway.
Wes and Ovidia keep treats on hand and my dogs know it. They also love getting gentle strokes from Wes. After treating the dogs, Wes and Ovidia treated me to garden delights. Actually, Wes carried over and set two boxes in front of my door. Yum. Red potatoes and red onions straight from fall harvesting of the Schneider garden. I thought I was pretty lucky. Whoa! I hit another Jack pot! I was invited over to pick some apples from Wes’ prize “Sweet Sixteen Tree”. What an afternoon.
I’d purchased an apple peeler/ corer at a rummage sale this summer and was “fixin” to try it out. Isn’t fall the best time for apple crisp? But then, since the juneberry pies turned out in August maybe I’ll try Apple Pie!…………..
Folks,Wes is an original from Dunseith. He often regales me with tales of his youth in Dunseith. He told me once, he graduated from 8th grade but was unable to attend high school as he was needed on the farm. He retired from Bottineau Pride Dairy when he was well into his 80’s. He enjoyed making ice cream there. He and Ovidia are wonderful kind, steady neighbors! And two dogs best neighborhood friends!
Later, Vickie
Vickie, How well I remember Wesley Schneider working at the Creamery from the days that dad hauled cream from the hills. Wesley was married to Evelyn Hiatt (43) until her death in 1963. Evelyn was a sister to Charlotte Lang, Eleanor Fauske, Florence Dahl and Howard Hiatt. Wesley’s step daughter, Ovidaia’s daughter, is the owner of the Spectrum store on Main street there in Bottineau. At the moment I have forgotten her name. Several years after dad’s death when I was in the Spectrum store she said to me “You must be Bob Stokes’ son”. I’m not sure how she figured that out, but she did. I was alone. She then introduced herself as Wesley’s step daughter. She was so friendly and nice. I utilized her professional services having her scan several documents for me and sending them to me via an email attachment. Gary
 
 
Message/Picture from Dick Johnson (68): Dunseith, ND.
 
Gary and Friends,

I found a picture of some of our well known folks (at least to many),
from days gone by. It looks to me that the writing on the back says
1937. Those in the picture appear to be dressed up for a wedding or
something. They are George and Lela Johnson Cota and, I think, Inga and
Ingolf Medlang, who are twins. It is definitely Ingolf but I’m not sure
about the other gal. Inga was always Lela’s best friend even into the
later years. I was wondering if it could have been Lela and George’s
wedding? I don’t know if I ever heard the year but it should be about
right. They are the parents of Gary Cota who graduated from DHS in
1956. Gary is a first cousin to my mom, as their mothers are sisters.
They all grew up in the Willow Lake area. Thanks Gary!

Dick

L to R:– Inga & Ingolf Medlang–Lela & George Cota.
Don’t know the guy in the car.
 
 
Folks,
 
I thought I’d throw in several pictures today to show you our latest project here in the Philippines. These pictures were taken from our upstairs bedroom window. As of yesterday they finished installing the Baluster Railing in the foreground. What I thought to be a 3 day project turned out to be a 2 week project. Thank god for inexpensive labor. These guys did a nice job though. The total labor cost for 3 guys working 11 days was $190. I paid them premium wages too. With Marble Balusters and ceramic tile, this railing is pretty much maintenance fee. That is my work shop in the foreground and our office partially seen on the right. These two buildings are both the same size, 16′ X 24′. For those of you that are Catholic, the monument on the end of the work shop is of Bernadette’s saints, Bernadette and Lourdes. Gary
 

 

This picture, taken in 2005, is of the same area as the picture above before developing. We purchased this lot adjacent to our house after our house was built. We had not planned to live in this area when we initially started building our house. It was to be a temporary house. Our plans were to live in a development. In the process of building our house, Bernadette expressed a desire to make this our permanent home next door to her sister and I agreed. This lot adjacent to our house is 70′ X 210′. We have the entire lot enclosed with a combination of buildings and an 8′ high cement fence. This is a very secure area. We have never had any theft problems at all. Our front gate remains unlocked at all times. There were seven homes/houses including the two in this picture that we had to ask to relocate. That was a painful process, but we got them out of here. There’s no doubt that we are different and a contrast to the neighborhood, but they love having us here as much as we like being here. The Filipino’s are super friendly folks.

 

 

 

This picture is looking the other direction from those above. The building in the back is a three unit apartment. Our helpers live in the first unit. Bernadette’s niece lives in the unit partially hidden to the left. Directly under her unit, we have a gust Apartment. The building to the left is our outside Kitchen and Laundry room. Those are only screen windows in this building, no glass. To the left down the hill on the bottom the lot we have a 4 unit apartment that several of Bernadette’s nieces and nephews live in. Our place is located about 300 feet from the road. We have a garage up on the main road where we park our car.

 

10/11/2009

From Erling Landsverk (44): Portage, WI
 
Hi Gary and Everyone:
 
I will try to do a quick resume of how things are progressing.Mrs Janice Myhre, (Harry Larsons daughter) called me this week and we had a very informative chat, and it only made me more certain about the great character of this man; She told me that he loved teaching and taught after they left the Dunseith area, but in the late forties or the early fifties, he gave up teaching in order to earn an income that would not only support his growing family but also to pay for his daughter and sons education. You see he wanted them to have the opportunity he had and they both,(Janice and George) became teachers . Both are retired now. Harry Larson never gave up his love for teaching and helping others. he loved his grandchildren and helped them along the way. In his new job after they moved to Montana, he went to work for the Farmers Union and became a liason between the customers and the executive offices in st. Paul. It also gave him an opportunity to hold seminars to teach farmers about new products and how to use them. This of course fit in with his background. He continued in his job with the Farmers Union untill his retirement, then he retired in Washington state out near the Yakima Valley. He passed away in 1986 at the age of 75. He is sorely missed by his family and friends as well as myself. I did promise Mrs. Myhre a copy about my experience with him when I complete it. I will be talking to her soon again. Thank you all again for all the help
 
Erling Landsverk
Erling, Next time you talk with Janice can you ask her if she is related to the Myhre’s in Rolette? In my childhood days I knew Carl Myhre pretty well. He along with his uncles, Alex & Stanley Gilje purchased Harry Hiatt’s farm in the mid 50’s after Harry died. Harry’s place was about 2 miles north of us. They used to park their jeep in our yard and would leave their car in our yard taking the jeep with their trips to Harry’s place. I know many of you out there remember the big hunting parties every year up at Harry’s after the Gilje’s/Myhre’s purchased his place. When we were kids Carl/Alex/Stanley used to give us kids candy bars and treats with each of their visits. That was so very special to us. Things were tight in those days and treats of this nature were seldom had. They were such caring loving folks. Stanley always recognized dad’s pickup and when meeting him he would always pull over to the side of the road flagging him down just to shoot the breeze. In 1991, the year my folks celebrated their golden Anniversary, Dad and I were headed to our farm up in the hills from Bottineau in his pickup. About 3 miles north of the golf coarse we met Stanley with a relative of his that was a retired minister. Stanley pulled over to the side of the road and flagged us down. He just wanted to visit. Dad said I’ll turn around and you follow us back to town to our place for a cup of coffee and that is exactly what we did. That was the last time I saw Stanley. He was killed in an Auto accident in November of 1991. Carl Myhre is still living in Rolette. When I talked to him a year or so ago he said he is pretty much retired but still has an office in the bank and comes and goes at his choosing. Gary
 
 
Question from Larry Liere (55): Dunseith, ND.

 

Gary

 

Would the Helgeson’s or anyone remember the Haynes (sp?) family? They lived in Dunseith during the 40’s. The dad was a Border Patrol/Customs Agent and they lived by us across the street from the Catholic Church. The only first name I can remember in the family is Kim Haynes and she would be about my age 72 maybe a little older. I think they also had two boys. One older and one younger then me.

 

LARRY J. LIERE (55)
 
 
 
From Vickie Metcalfe (70): Bottineau, ND.
 

Hi Gary,

Bottineau weather was quite windy, cold,& snowy I was hoping for an Indian Summer as I acclimated myself to prepare for winter. Where are my boots and mittens?

Yesterday afternoon, I stopped by Lorraine (H) Millang’s , and found her surrounded by her loving family. Her daughter, Penny, son, Jaime, grandchildren, sisters, brother, sister- in -laws, and daughter-in -law and niece gathered around the kitchen, the visiting grand dogs were snug in the garage, and more grandchildren in the yard playfully welcoming the wind and snow. Later I phoning my cousin’s Larry and Lise’, Larry reaffirmed, “That’s what our folks do back home”.

Actually, Gary if this was March we’d all be saying, “Wow its’s a warm +31!” As ever Vickie……Where is that windshield scraper? And what ever happened to my longjohns? ……………….
 
From Vickie
 
Gary and friends,
Some area people go to the area casino to socialize.
………….I go to WalMart.
Some people avoid Wal-Mart, particularly during the first of the month.
………… My favorite time to go to Wal-Mart is the first of the month. I enjoy running into former students and area folks. It’s gotten to be a like going on a mystery trip. And, I glow when it’s serendipitous trip! If so, I smile for days.

Today was not the first of the month, but as I was exiting, Carole (the plant lady) called me back in and told me wonderful news.
In Utah, a little baby, only one week old was fortunate to be adopted just this week by Darlene and Smiley!

The Wal-Mart plant lady is Smiley’s sister. Smiley aka Corbin Bergstrom married Darlene Thiefault in March 1972. Darlene, my classmate from Dunseith is the daughter of Raymond and Frances (Delorme) Thiefault.

Smiley (Corbin) and Darlene met while we were all students at NDSU-Bottineau. A group of friends watched the budding, blossoming romance as Smiley, from western ND, and proud Vietnam vet wooed our Darlene. What a match it was and is.

Last year, it was exciting news when a seven year old little girl was very blessed. Darlene and Corbin Bergstrom became 1st time parents. Now Shya’s little brother has become part of the Bergstrom family!

Blessings upon Darlene, Corbin, Shya, and Baby Bergstrom!

Thanks Gary. (Yes, Now I’m Smilin) Vickie

 

 

 

From Sybil Johnson: Cheyenne, WY.

 

Early winter has hit Wyoming. It is now 14 above at 9:50 pm. We havent had much of a summer, so I’m not surprised. There is already about 3 inches on the ground and its suppose to last thru tomorrow nite. Keep up with the blogs; for I surely enjoy them. I cant give first hand information about Dunseith and everyone there, for it has been many years since I have been up there. But, I sure enjoy what the rest of you put forth in these daily blogs. Sybil Johnson
 

10/10/2009

Folks, Several of you have notified me in the last couple of days about not getting some of these messages. Please don’t hesitate to let me know when one doesn’t go through so I can resend it. I also post all these messages on our WEB site http://garystokes.net/default.aspx I strip all the email addresses and folks personal contact info when posting these messages and there are some things that I don’t post too, so getting these messages via email is the most complete way of getting them. Gary

 
 
Joe Millang passed away:
Posted on the Dunseith Alumni WEB site by Julie Knox Seier (82)
 
From: Julie Seier
Phone: 701-839-XXX
E-mail:
Message:

Curt(deceased) and Lorraine (Handeland) Millang’s son Joseph died unexpectedly yesterday, October 8th at the age of 43. He was not married and did not have children. Never the less he will be missed by all of his family and friends. Please keep Lorraine and her family in your prayers in the difficult days ahead. His obituary should be posted in the Minot Daily News on Saturday or Sunday.(minotdailynews.com) The funeral is going to be at 10:00 am in Bottineau on Monday at First Lutheran Church.

Thanks Gary.
Julie Seier

 
From Vickie Metcalfe (70): Bottineau, ND.
 
Gary ,
With lots of assistance, I got a home computer hooked up earlier this week. I note with dismay this a.m. reading the Minot Daily Obit section of the passing of someone with lots of Dunseith connections.

JOSEPH MILLANG, 43, Dunseith, died Thursday in a Devils Lake hospital. (Nero Funeral Home, Bottineau)

My heart reaches out to Lorraine (H) Millang and the family in their sorrow.
 
I’m up early this a.m. It’s anti-bullying week across the nation and our school,along with the local Wal-Mart’s assistance ran a poster contest among students in grades 2-6. I got excited when so many children participated. Ah, to see the creativity burst forth! I just couldn’t judge as the posters came in, and was quite happy to turn that over to a panel of five. I want each kid to continue educational pursuits with enthusiasm! AND be cognizant of bullying.This little project kept me on my toes, as the kids kept me hopping. This a.m. I needed to get up early and continue my focus on winding down the activity. Until later. As ever, Vickie
 
Folks, A little history about how I got this photo of Lorraine & Linda. A friend of ours from Bremerton, WA. was visiting the Peace Garden and struck up a conversation with Lorraine & Linda. They said they knew me so she took a picture of them and sent it to me. It had been 45 years since I had seen either Lorraine or Linda. I did not recognize them in the picture. Folks do change some over the years. When I posted this picture I had lots of replies from you folks letting me know who they were. Isn’t this a beautiful picture. Gary
 
Peace Garden – July 2008
Lorraine Handeland Millang (61) and Linda Millang (63)
 
 
 
Reply from Lyle Olson (75): West Fargo, ND
 
Good morning Gary and all:

I enjoyed reading Trish Larson’s news of moving to Estes Park, CO. The gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park is truly a beautiful place to live. I worked there for the National Park Service for 3 summers back in 1984 – 1987. We worked 4 ten-hour shifts and had a 3-day weekend every week of the summer. Needless to say, I explored every inch of the high mountain trails and fished for trout almost daily. Trish’s notation of sizeable elk herds is right on the mark. Elk would often invade Estes Park and destroy gardens and vegetation. The native residents understood this problem but the summer visitors were often quite annoyed. A few years back my older brother, Don, and I went through Estes Park and golfed there. The golf course is often filled with Elk and you just learn to play around them, but most importantly you must learn to play around their droppings!

The National Park Service provides cabins for its summer employees. One summer, I had the privilege to live in an apartment at the Information site high atop Trail Ridge Road, about 11,500 feet in elevation. It was hard to get a charcoal grill going at the elevation but I really enjoyed the nights as you could see the stars just as clear as clear can be at that height.

I hoping Trish enjoys her new home as much as I enjoyed living there!

L. Olson (1975)

 
 
July 15, 2004 the day of Elaine Stokes’ Funeral at Ackworth Cemetery.
Gary Stokes, Leola Hiatt Lagerquist & Allen Stokes
 

10/09/2009

Folks I made a huge error with my reply yesterday to Diana Honsey Fiebiger Reply. Diana’s parents are Glen and Clarice Honsey, not Leonard and June Salmonson (49) Honsey. Diana, I am so sorry for the mix up. I had you mixed up with your cousin Sharon who is Leonard and June’s Daughter.
 
Thank you so much Dick Johnson & Evon Lagerquist for pointing out this error and bringing it to my attention.
Folks if you see errors, please let me know so they can be corrected.
 
Thanks, Gary

Corrected

Reply from Diana Honsey Fiebiger (71): Cooperstown SD.

Doris & Faye are my aunts. I so well know the picture on the map Gary is talking about. I have a flower bed with wagon wheel running gear and a rose bush growing around it. Whenever working around the spot I think of Doris. Of course I am just a little prejudice-yes they are beautiful woman. Doris lives in Hastings Mn. Faye lives in Palm Desert, CA. Harvey & Leonard are still living in Seattle , WA.
Diana

 

Reply from Dianne Robert Johnson (76): Rolla, ND.

This message is for Trish Larson,

 

Hi Trish, I was just in Co in July, my husband & I met his family in Granby. Fished for Trout, in the Frasier, Shadow Mt. & Blue rivers. Had a great time, I love Co. !! We try go every other year.

have a good day,

Dianne (Rober’t) Johnson (76)

 

Reply From Aggie Casavant (69): Fort Mill, SC

To Trish Larson:

Reading your message,brought home a flood of memories of when I lived in Denver for 4 yrs. right out of high school. WoW what beautiful country…it’s endless. It seems like no matter where I’ve lived, I’ve left a peice of my heart. It’s a great expierence, but has left me torn alot longing to be in so many places at once. As i get older I get more settled,but that picture of you on your horse with the Rockie Mountains in the background almost choked me up. Colorado was definately a great period in my life. We have a radio talk show host out here in Charlotte,by the name of John Hancock from Estes Park. He talks about Estes Park all the time. I call into his show from time to time…there seems to be the instant bond,knowing were the same age,and remember the same events in Denver during that period,cuz he was still living there when I was there. Well gotta go Trish….Thanks for sharing….Thanks for the memories…. Ms. Aggie

 

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

Gary and Friends,

I think the Jack Hosmer interview was actually in 1982. The first
line says Dunseith will be celebrating it’s 100th in a week–so it would
be ’82. When Jack spoke of hauling mail for 42 years, it brought to mind
that we have the buffalo coat and the horsehide mitts that Jack wore,
now on display at the Rolette County museum. There is a placard
explaining the coat and mitts and their use. The old vehicles weren’t
made for operator comfort so the mail carriers had to dress accordingly.
I’ll send along a picture of my grandfather, Henry Olson, and Carl
Watschke when they were rural mail carriers in the late 40s and early
50s. This gives an idea of some of the vehicles they used just after the
horses were replaced by motor vehicles.

 

Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Bottineau & Minot, ND.

 
Dean Helgeson’s (65) reply when asked if Carlan is his Brother:
Gary, In one word -yes He was a good student and is currently a minister with the UCC denomination in Spring Hill , Florida.
 
 
Dean and Carlan’s dad, Findell Helgeson, was a Border Patrol/Customs agent when they attended Dunseith back in the 50’s. I believe Dean was in the 7th or 8th grade when they moved out of the area. That would have been in about 1959 or 60. Carlan would have been in the first or second grade. Gary
 
 
Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: neolag@min.midco.net Bottineau & Minot, ND.
Submitted Photo —
Claudette McLeod, left, and Sandra Poitra, members of the Dunseith Horizons Steering Committee, are shown Aug. 8 during the Horizons community meal at the Dunseith powwow. The Dunseith Horizons served 500 meals to powwow participants and attendees, with the meals funded by the Northwest Area Foundation.
 

DUNSEITH: A Dunseith group is working to reduce poverty in its community.

Dunseith is one of 15 current Horizons communities in the state of North Dakota. The program is funded by the Northwest Area Foundation, and facilitated by North Dakota State University Extension Service.

Horizons is a community leadership program aimed at reducing poverty in small, rural (less than 5,000 poplation, at least 10 percent poverty) communities faced with economic decline and demographic change.

The Dunseith community had more people living in poverty than the Turtle Mountain Reservation itself, according to the 2000 U.S. Census, said Delvin Cree who is contact/steering committee member with Dunseith Horizons.

“We live in the fourth district off the reservation but we are still part of the reservation proper because of the McCumber Agreement signed in 1904,” said Cree. “We are in a unique situation because we can use tax credits and/or tax exemption as part of our development projects because of Indian trust land located in the Dunseith area. We also have the option to work with state government off Indian trust land to make projects happen. Both would be beneficial.”

Dunseith is part of the third phase of the Horizons program which is called Horizons III, Cree said.

Other communities who are part of the Horizons III are Rolla, Leeds, Fordville, Lakota, Minnewaukan, Fessenden, Underwood, Fort Yates, McClusky, Tolna, Hannaford, Marion, Napoleon and Sheldon.

The Dunseith community got involved in Horizons when Gail Gette, Towner County extension agent in Cando who is regional Horizons coach, approached the community in September 2008 to discuss the project, Cree said. “Nineteen community members attended the informational meeting and left learning more about building leadership and reducing poverty issues in the Dunseith area.”

An application process with required poverty statistics and other pertinent information was needed to be accepted as an eligible Horizons community, Cree said. “I submitted the application and the Dunseith community was accepted.”

Since October 2008, the group has organized, conducted study circles to help people understand poverty and develop ideas to reduce it, built leadership and taken part in events in the community, among its efforts completed or to be completed.

Currently, the Dunseith group has six “core” steering committee members and overall, there are 10 people who have been part of the steering committee meetings, Cree said.

The group co-sponsored an “open house” for the Turtle Mountain Suicide Prevention Program.

During the Dunseith powwow in August, they served meals to more than 500 Dunseith powwow participants and attendees, with the meals funded by the Northwest Area Foundtion.

They developed and circulated a community-wide survey to at least 15 percent of total population. The community survey taken for the Dunseith area and U.S. Census information will be used for future funding and grant purposes, Cree said.

The group is compiling the results from the community surveys to develop a community vision statement that results in solid action on leadership and poverty according to information from compiled surveys.

Other plans include getting more Dunseith community people involved.

On Sept. 23, steering committee members Jeff Baker, Sandra Poitra and Cree took part in the Horizons Partnership Luncheon and workshop in Bismarck. The event was held to facilitate all N.D. Horizons communities’ connections with partners, services, resources and programs across the state.

Dunseith Horizons’ plans for March 2010 are to celebrate Dunseith’s completion of Horizons with other North Dakota Horizons’ communities in Bismarck, Cree said.

The Dunseith group hopes to receive the $10,000 grant from Northwest Area Foundation, St. Paul, Minnesota, to sustain community strategies for poverty reduction and leadership, Cree said.

“I was approached last week by a Dunseith school official to see if the Horizons group would be part of a planned Thanksgiving meal put on by the high school students. A proposal was sent to our tribal officials for their sponsorship and participation also,” Cree said.

“We trained some of our high school students in leadership development last year when we did the Leadership Plenty Training. It’s nice knowing they working in collaboration to make something so caring and positive for the community. What’s more important, they are taking a leadership role to do it,” he added.

For more about Dunseith Horizons visit (Dunseith.communityblogs.us/). A link to the community survey will be posted on the blog shortly.

 

 

Pasted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Bottineau & Minot, ND.
 
Kulas, Juneau to receive Indian education awards

By ELOISE OGDEN Regional Editor eogden@minotdailynews.com

POSTED: October 7, 2009

Cheryl Kulas, retired executive director of the North Dakota Indian Affairs Commission, and Denise Juneau, a former New Town teacher and now Montana state superintendent of Public Instruction, will be honored with prestigious awards by the National Indian Education Association at its convention Oct. 22-25 in Milwaukee, Wis.

Kulas will receive the NIEA Lifetime Achievement Award and Juneau will receive the NIEA Educator of the Year Award. Six other individuals also will be honored.

The NIEA award winners have demonstrated exceptional achievement or performance in providing quality instruction to American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian students.

Kulas was executive director of the N.D. Indian Affairs Commission for eight years until retiring this year. Her past experiences include serving as director of Indian education in N.D.; and consultant to the U.S. Office of Indian Education, Improving American Schools Act. She has served with a number of North Dakota organizations and boards. She is a member an enrolled member of the Oglala Lakota Tribe, Pine Ridge, S.D., and a descendant/member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa in N.D. Gov. John Hoeven, in announcing the new commission executive director, Scott Davis, in April, said of Kulas, “Her work in education and state-tribal relations has made a real difference in the lives of countless Native peoples, and especially young tribal members.”

Juneau, an enrolled member of the Three Affiliated Tribes on the Fort Berthold Reservation, grew up in Browning, Mont., on the Blackfeet Reservation. She was elected Montana’s state school superintendent in 2008 and is the first American Indian woman to win a statewide executive office in Montana. She began her teaching career in New Town where she taught eighth- and ninth-grade English and coached speech and debate. Before being elected to her present post, she was director of Indian education for the Montana Department of Public Instruction. She has a bachelor’s degree in English from Montana State University in Bozeman, a master’s degree in education from Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass., and a law degree from the University of Montana Law School in Missoula.

NIEA is the largest and oldest Indian education organization in the United States

 

From Marge Landsverk Fish (57): mgoldfish@att.net Horicon, WI

HI Gary and all.
I thought this e-mail was so good I had to pass it on.
It fits the whole Dunseith past.
I hope you print it.
Marge Fish
 

I wish the old paths were before us instead of behind us.

 

 


THE OLD PATHS

I liked the old paths, when
Moms were at home.
Dads were at work.
Brothers went into the army.
And sisters got married BEFORE having children!

Crime did not pay;
Hard work did;
And people knew the difference.

Moms could cook;
Dads would work;
Children would behave.

Husbands were loving;
Wives were supportive;
And children were polite.

Women wore the jewelry;
And Men wore the pants.

Women looked like ladies;
Men looked like gentlemen;
And children looked decent.

People loved the truth,
And hated a lie.

They came to church to get IN,
Not to get OUT!

Hymns sounded Godly;
Sermons sounded helpful;
Rejoicing sounded normal;
And crying sounded sincere.

Cursing was wicked;
Drugs were for illness;
And divorce was unthinkable.

The flag was honored;
America was beautiful;
And God was welcome!

We read the Bible in public;
Prayed in school;
And preached from house to house.

To be called an American was worth dying for;
To be called an American was worth living for;
To be called a traitor was a shame!

I still like the old paths the best!



‘The Old Paths’ was written by a retired minister who lives In Tennessee

 

10/08/2009

Reply from Aggie Casavant (69): Fort Mill, SC
 
Hey Dick,
 
I really like that idea even better…just keeping it small and simple,and fun! If we already have that “Hwy 43 Bunch” locked down for entertainment,were half way there already in completing the plans…In all fairness to you,and Brenda,and Ron,with you offering to do the entertainment,it would be with the understanding that you play as much,or as little as you guys want to…Wow that would be Great! I know it’s a ways off, but anyone who thinks you might be interested in doing this please contact me,by e-mail or phone. Does anyone out there have any idea about a location we could do this? I already got one e-mail with someone expressing interest in doing this,so as we get closer to May,I’ll maybe hear from more people. So far there’s 4 of us…Good Start! If anyones wondering about why May? I guess for me that’s the only time I’ll be home,cuz I’ll be coming home for like 10 days for my nephews graduation in Rolette. So anyway were all opened to suggestions.Thanks for the input Dick!… Ms. Aggie
 
 
Reply from Paula Fassett (71): North Branch, MN

Hi.

I’d like to enter my ‘yea’ vote to Aggie’s suggestion of another, more low-key, reunion in Dunseith. I would gladly drive up for it and I’m sure there are others who don’t live in the immediate area who would attend, also. Dunseith Days is a scheduled yearly event – maybe it could be arranged to have the reunion at the same time as Dunseith Days?

Paula Fassett-Pfuhl

 

Reply from Verena (Pete 65) Gillis: Dunseith, ND.

> For the mini event-we have the commons area and the library at the
Dunseith High School or the gym itself. Tables and chairs can be set up
along with a PA system in the gym (which we have). We also still have
the old stage in the gym.
Let me know. Our graduation date is May 23rd, 2010.

Verena :)

Aggie, It sounds as though Verena has a good offer. Having Verena on board with you too, planning this event, is a good thing. Verena is the greatest. She will leave no stone unturned right down to the last detail. We, the class of 65 can vouch for Verena’s talents with the excellent job she did facilitating our reunion. Select a date and time and go for it. I like the keeping it simple part too. Gary

 

Reply from Diana Honsey Fiebiger: Seattle, WA.

Doris & Faye are my aunts. I so well know the picture on the map Gary is talking about. I have a flower bed with wagon wheel running gear and a rose bush growing around it. Whenever working around the spot I think of Doris. Of course I am just a little prejudice-yes they are beautiful woman. Doris lives in Hastings Mn. Faye lives in Palm Desert, CA. Harvey & Leonard are still living in Seattle , WA.
Diana

Folks, Diana’s parents are Leonard and June Salmonson (49) Honsey. Gary

 

Reply from Trish Larson (73): Estes Park, CO

Hi Gary,
 
I just moved to Estes Park, CO to live high on a mountain top with a view every morning from my bed of the the snow covered mountains of Rocky Mountain National Park. I was on a ride today and saw 4 or 5 huge herds of Elk grazing and bugling. It’s like a dream – certainly paradise to me. I was chastised by the park ranger for riding “off trail” though – something I just can’t get used to. I love bushwacking the best – just taking off the trail through the woods and never knowing what lies beyond the next ridge. That’s allowed in the National Forest where I usually ride – but not in the National Park apparently. Ooops. Or Uff dah as we like to say.
 
This Friday I head to the mountains near Salida, CO for a 6 day trip on horses hunting Elk with a good friend and excellent hunter/horse packer. We’re planning to ride through snowstorms to get to high hunting grounds, and he was all worried about me. They do have some pretty good snows here, but I’m sorry, they just don’t compare to North Dakota blizzards. I told him I was definitely not going to cancel. He’s been waiting 6 years to get a permit for that area where the “big bulls are”. I’m not going to miss the fun because of a little snowstorm – are you kidding? We’re taking 2 saddle horses and our gear on two pack horses. We hope to be hauling out a nice big bull – I’ll send photos if we have success!
 
Love the stories and photos everyone sends. By the way – my mom used to teach with Mildred Parrill. Does anyone remember her as their teacher? She loved her kids in 2nd grade at Dunseith 1970-73…..
 
Take care Gary. I’ll be back in touch in about 10 days….
 
And I’m really glad to hear you’ve been spared the fury of those storms.
 
Trish Larson 73
 
 
 
Reply from Neola Kofoid Garbe: Bottineau & Minot, ND.
 
Hi Gary,
 
When I read the Dunseith news, it read like there should be more to the last sentence. I checked the Courant top and bottom pieces (above/below the Dunseith news), but I can’t locate anything that seems to continue the sentence. It’s probably there, and I don’t see it.
 
Neola
 
Aggie,
 
I’m so glad you enjoyed Highway 43’s picture. I took three pictures, rather hurriedly, so I didn’t get any really good pictures. I sat in the aisle chair in the back for their performance, so I could slide my chair into the aisle and have a wonderful view of the stage. I didn’t want to “parade” to the front to take pictures during the performance, so I took the pictures when they were setting up. I wanted the picture to show the background, as I think it’s different from many backgrounds. Next year, I’ll take my time and will, hopefully, get a better picture.
 
Neola
 
Dick,
 
It’s thanks to my mom and dad’s saving almost everything, that I find these neat clippings. Dad subscribed to the Dunseith “paper” (Pioneer) when he was in Dunseith (I can’t remember if it closed while he was in Dunseith.) and also the Turtle Mt. Star. When my brother, Jim, bought a house in Bottineau, Mom’s belongings, including newspapers, were moved to Jim’s house and later to my basement. I’m guilty of being a “pack rat”, too–much to my husband’s chagrin, so I still have the newspapers. I was so surprised/happy/excited when I saw your/Brenda’s wedding clipping–a handsome young groom and a beautiful young bride.

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

I received a package today from Margaret Seim Lawston. It contained
more interesting history from our area. In it were pictures from their
old family album, the scorebook from the Kelvin baseball team from the
’20s, many obituaries of the pioneers from this area, and Eva’s school
pictures from kids she taught through the years. I would like to post
some of this material when I have time to go through it. I did find a
newspaper clipping of an interview with Jack Hosmer which I think will
be of interest to most of our readers, as everyone knew Jack. I would
like to thank Margaret for sending me these items. I will see that they
are preserved in a way that will be best for all those in the area.
After I go through and post some of them on the blog, I will put several
at the Rolette County museum for all to see in the future. Thanks
Margaret and Gary!

Dick

 
Dick, I think this news paper clipping was in 1969. Gary
 
 

 
 
 
 
Reply/Picture from Sharron Gottbreht Shen (59): Everett, WA.
 
No doubt EJ is right, it was she holding Lori and not myself. I remember Lori as a toddler that day, propted on my shoulder so Charleton Heston could appreciate his youngest local fan! Indeed he chucked her chin and said hello sweetie. EJ swooned so who was holding Lori? Mr. Heston was one fine fellow and I think he felt right at home in the Garden State. He may have wanted fall on his knees after bouncing around on that doubtful airfield west of Hwy 3 and more than thankful for a ride with Sunderlund to Minot the next day. Does anyone remember the one engine plane canopy that would not slide? Mr. Heston finally leaned into the task opening the back seam of his jacket and got out of that there plane quick. I may be telling on Edgar, but I am certain that Heston spent the rest of the afternoon at Dale’s Motel. Dad hustled between Rm 9 and his office with some VO and ice and all present had refreshments; young George too met Heston at that time. Someone must have done some emergency repair work on the jacket Rita Anderson mentioned and the store would have been just the place to don it before his run to the hills.

The dedication of the Ten Commandment Monolith was the first major event I attended at the gardens. A photo appeared in TIME or LOOK or some such magazine the next week and Ray Lake was certain that he saw Jean Lake and myself in the crowd??? According to the history timeline, the monument was a gift of the Fraternal Order of Eagles of SD, ND and MB in 1956. Lori was born in Nov of that year so the dedication was probably July 1957. I remember the fine band performance mentioned by Larry and am glad to hear Devils Lake had the honor; Rolla’s band represented ND at the International Peace Garden dedication 14 July 1932. Since the International Music Camp was established in 1956, a selection by both Canadians and Americans might also have performed.

Vivian Bakken Osen formerly of Emerado, was a good friend and frequent visitor to our home; this great picture of young Evie, Mom and Divvy was taken by her sister Alpha Bakken in June 1960. Sharron

 
 
News paper clippings provided by Neola Kofoid Garbe: neolag@min.midco.net Bottineau & Minot, ND.
 
Henry Hagen (77) Son of Clarence & Mary Ann Hagen
 
 
Norman Larson is Diane (70) and Cheryl’s (71) father. His wife and the girls mother, deceased, was Verdellis Richard, sister to Leona (Bob) Richard Hosmer.
 
 
 
 

10/07/2009

Folks, at the moment there is another storm passing through the PI. They are predicting Typhoon level. So far the only affects that we have had of this storm here in Cebu are dark cloudy sky’s with a few light sprinkles of rain with about 20 MPH winds. The brunt of most of these storms pass to the north of us and hammer Manila. Gary
 
 
Reply from Margaret Seim Lawston (54) Citrus Heights, CA
 
Hi Gary. I’m reading the blogs every day. About Doris Honsey, She
and I were in the first grade together at Hilltop school.My folks
lived on the Micklemyer place for one year . My Grandfather John
died and my Dad went back to the farm to farm for Grandma Ingrid. So
only one year at Hilltop. I recall Doris was burned very badly and
her Mom was gone with the car and her brothers got her to my Dad’s
and he drove her to Bottineau to the hospital. Dad said the trip was
terrible because she was in great pain. Yes she was beautiful and had
no scares on her face. We were the only first graders and Mrs Perry
was our teacher. The communication with all of you N.D. people is
truly a treasure. Thanks all. Margaret Seim Lawstoon {maybe it
wasn’t the MIcklemyer place . It s the place where Carmen Myer lives
now. I’ve been gone 49 years so I may have things mixed up!!!!!
 
 
 
Reply from Dick Johnson (68): Dunseith, ND
 
Gary and Friends,

Mel– On Thursday, Ron was having trouble with hearing in his right
ear so asked us to switch sides so he could hear me better to sing
harmony. It was a bit odd but it went fine. We played eight times during
the four days and I saw quite a few ‘repeat offenders’ from the earlier
shows so it must have been OK for some folks anyway. Maybe they just
came back to hear our Norwegian jokes! I really felt like I had gone
back to my roots, with the thousands of blond haired and blue eyed
Scandinavians who were there. I saw a cute bumper sticker— ‘ Just Give
Me The Lutefisk and Nobody Gets Hurt!’ I understand!!!!!

Aggie and Gary–I would think it would be fun to have a ‘low key’
gathering for DHS folks. Just getting together for visiting without the
rigors of the reunion routine would interest me more than a full blown
deal. I think that ‘Highway 43’ bunch could probably come up with a few
beer drinking songs for us. At one time I thought our class should just
meet and have a steak fry and hash over the last 40 years or so—not
much planning or expense with that. Plan on!

Neola–Where in the world did you find that clipping? Gary said you
save a lot of stuff—-holy smokes those people look young! I remember
the Sherwood guys were planning to really mess up my car while the
wedding was going on. I knew they would probably get carried away and I
had just bought the car and was worried they might do something that
couldn’t be fixed. That morning I hid my car out at Brenda’s
grandparent’s farm, in a locked garage. We had a guy pull up in front of
the church and we jumped in and got a ride out to my car. I KNEW those
guys would be bad—couldn’t take the chance! That week it had rained
for several days– and inches– and the streets were being rebuilt. The
street in front of the church was–MUD–MUD–MUD. We went down to the
elevator and borrowed a bunch of grain doors for the boxcars and made
sidewalks so people could at least get into the church. I guess I could
say things went without a hitch—but then that wouldn’t be right!
Thanks Guys!

Dick

 
 
 
Reply from Rita Anderson (Former Gamble store owner): Fargo, ND
 
Henry Sunderland was responsible for getting Heston to the Peace Garden. Heston flew from Minot to Dunseith, and Edger Anderson picked him up. Heston changed clothes at the Gamble store then he and Sunderland drove him to the Peace Garden. Upon their return, they had coffee at the cafe next door, then Edger drove him back to his plane to return to Minot. I don’t remember of any band being there. This was in 1957.

Rita Anderson

 
 
Reply from Don Lamoureux (75): Bethel, MN
 
Regarding Charleton Heston’s visit, I always remember being told the Crystal Cafe’s claim to fame was “Heston ate here”.

Don Lamoureux (75)

 
 
 
Reply From Evon Lagerquist (77): Dunseith, ND
 
Hi Gary,
Besides Faye and Doris, Arla had 3 sons: Glen, Harvey, and Leonard. Glen passed away a few years ago, Leonard lives in Seattle, WA., and I’m not sure if Harvey is still living or not. The last I heard(at Glen’s funeral), he was not very well. He also lived in Seattle, I think.. Hope this is helpful.
Evon
 
 
 
Message from Gary Metcalfe (57): Forsyth, MO
 
I hate to lose the old stories I heard from my dad every time one of his brothers came to the house. Art Sime was a good one, he went back a couple years further and all the defectors that came back from Seattle and talked old times.
Stories like the Swede Boys. They were guys that could grab a 180 lbs. hog by one ear and swing him up into a triple wagon box. They had the corner on putting one foot on the ceiling, at their house parties. Granted, some of those houses had low ceilings in those days. Old George Gottbrecht pulling a chamber pot across the stage with the help of a long piece of piano wire in one of his plays at City Hall. Emil Morin was another one, close that one eye and laugh until the tears came. Maybe we had a weird sense of humor, but I don’t see too many people these days reminiscing like that and I miss it.
 
One thing future generations might be interested in is how we took for granted six full meals a day during haying time, which was from 4th of July to freeze up. Thrashing required eight to ten men. Meal schedule was before daylight breakfast; mid morning lunch in the field; noon back at the house for dinner (as we called it); afternoon lunch in the field; dark was suppertime and I don’t know about others, but we had a quart of peaches or pears plus more before “hitting the hay” as my dad called it.
 
Those old team of horses would stick their noses in the water tank half way to their eyes and drink in the evening before going to the barn for oats.
 
We all drank from the same long handled metal dipper. Water never tasted that good since. No refrigerator or electric lights either. Remember when we had to go pick juneberries for tomorrow’s meal, Olinda Eurich?
 
With the blog, some little piece of information that I did not know keeps coming up and I will take a new look at why they did what they did. Yes, the blog should be enjoyable for future generations. I think everyone has at least one hero that we may not be hearing about…..but you are not done yet Stokes!!! You ROCK.
Gary Metcalfe
Gary M, you are absolutely correct, We are not done yet. Gary S.
 
 
July 12, 2007 – Garden Gate Golf coarse, Dunseith, ND.
Esther Murray Fleming (65) – Flint, MI

 

 

 

Karen (68), Gary (66), Arnold & Arlene Wenstad

 

 

 

 

Trish Larson Clayburgh (73) in the Colorado Rocky Mountains

 

 

 

This is a beautiful picture taken in the Turtle Mountains that I believe Kenny Nerpel provided.

 

 

10/06/2009

Reply from Larry Liere (55):Devils Lake, ND.

 

Hi Gary

 

A little more history about the 10 commandments monument. I was at the event and I think the dedication of the monument was about 1956 because the Devils Lake Band which was the Governor’s Band for North Dakota was invited to play for the dedication. Bob Leonard is correct Charleton Heston was asked to come because he was the star of the Ten Commandments movie. It was a very big event with people coming from all over to see Mr Heston. Dignitaries from the state were there and Mr Heston gave a very nice talk. It may have been one of the bigger events ever held at the Peace Gardens.

 

LARRY

 

 

 

Reunion suggestion from Aggie Casavant (69): Fort Mill, SC

 

Hi Gary,

 

Everyone must be getting the fall blues,with no news…or I missed my morning Dunseith “Whats Happening News” on the blog. I can’t thank Neola enough for the picture of the Hwy 43 Band,AKA, Dick Brenda&Ron…. Can never get enough pictures!

 

I was just thinking, It would be fun to plan a mini-“BLOG REUNION” for the people who live in the general area of Dunseith ,Rolette, Bottineau, area around the time of the High School Graduations, when people from far away,just might be in the area. Nothing fancy…just a gathering at an agreed location to hang out for the evening and visit. Like a steak house, or pot luck at someones cabin at the lake, or farm yard, or town yard…just anywhere(except “Beer Can Alley…LOL) just to hang out and visit.

 

If anyone would be interested in doing this give me a “holla” at 803-389-1315 or by e-mail…Maybe we could get those “Highway 43 People” play us a couple songs…

 

Thanks Gary….Ms.Aggie

Man Aggie, this sounds like a great idea. If I was in the area I’d love to attend something like this. Is there a City Hall or Senior Center in Dunseith that would work for something like this? This would be an Alumni event, so I’m sure you could arrange to meet at one of the schools too. I know you could easily find venders that would set in the area to sell snacks, hot dogs etc. All you need is a place for people to be able to sit down and shoot the breeze and of coarse a place for Highway 43 to be able to set up too. Now is the time to start planning this, so folks can make plans. I agree with you, keep it simple. Gary

 

 

 

Reply from Mel Kuhn (70): Saint John, ND.

 
Howdy Gary,
 
I have a question for Dick Johnson. Did the picture of you guys at the Hotfest get put in backwards or when you got down there amongst all the rest of dem Norveegins did you forget where you usually stand?
 
Mel Kuhn
 
 
 
From Gary Metcalfe (57): Forsyth, MO
 
There has been some mention about the pretty girls in Dunseith, and I agree. I just wanted to see how many remember or knew a gal by the name of Doris Honsey. Minnie Flynn remembered the ND state map with Doris on the front cover, standing by a wild rose bush, possibily at the Peace Garden, maybe 12 or 14 years old. Blonde and beautiful. I know Willard Lamb knew Doris and her sister Faye very well.
 
Talk about talent, they put on a performance, musical and dance at that boring old Hilltop School during recesses until they backed into the poison ivy. Faye and Doris rode Dusty and Bernice Jasper’s horse was Fanny. Bernice had two miles home, Faye and Doris had three miles. My brother and I rode old Dewey double and kept up pretty well that first mile north. We had three and half miles and old Dewey was not a fast horse. Anyway, Doris, Faye and Bernice had fast horses and rode like the wind. bareback as we did.
 
She lost her dad, Sam Honsey, at maybe two years old in the thirties out on his trap line. Her mom and older brothers did a great job on those two girls and Dunseith lost them to Rolla partly because of the roads at that time. Gary Metcalfe
Gary M, Sam Honsey’s family history is listed in the Dunseith book on page 213, however the Honsey name is one of many that got omitted in the index. Sam’s wife was Arla Lagerquist, a sister to Johnnie Lagerquist and Edna Woodford. Arla remarried Alfred Abrahamson. Doris is listed as living in Hastings NB and Faye in St. Paul, MN.
 
Evon Lagerquist, Karen Woodford, Gary Woodford or anyone else; do any of you know anything at all about Doris, Faye or any of the rest of the Sam Honsey siblings? Gary S.

HEY AGGIE, you did it again splendid real life experience. You could have used big john wayne along to crack a couple skulls. WE LIVE IN AN AREA in missouri when they use the n word i just say id rather be black on the outside than on the inside. Then its time to move along. Gary Metcalfe

 

June 5, 1971 – Dick and Brenda exchange Vows:

Posted by Neol Kofoid Garbe: Minot & Bottineau, ND.

 

 

 

 

Cropped picture:

 

Twins, Greg & Gwen Grimme

 

 

Cropped picture:

 

Greg, Gwen & Conley Grimme

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10/05/2009

Reply from Bob Leonard (51): Dunseith, ND.

 
A little history about the 10 commandment monument. I am not sure who decided to place this monument where it is, must have been the Peace Garden Board of Directors.
The impressive thing about this was the fact they had Charleton Heston dedicate the monument when it was completed. Am sure he was invited because of his actor role in the movie, The Ten Commandements. He flew into Minot, was picked up by Henry Sunderland, my father in law, was driven to the Peace Garden for the event.
It was a big day for everyone involved. Henry was a director and promotor of the Peace Garden for many years, starting with the dedication in 1932.
 
Bob
 
 
 
Picture provided by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Minot & Bottineau, ND.
 
Saturday October 3, 2009 – Highway 43 at the Hostfest in Minot
L to R: Ron Hett, Dick Johnson and Brenda Johnson.
 
 
 
 
Request from Neola Kofoid Garbe: Minot & Bottineau, ND.
 
Hi Gary,
 
Wally/I visited with Myron/Rhonda Eman Langehaug at the Hostfest last night; their seats were next to ours for the Ray Steven’s show. I had also visited with them at Highway 43’s performance. I was telling them about your newsletter (I knew Myron would be familiar with many of the names.) and asked if he would like to receive your newsletter–he would. Here is his email address:
 
Myron delivers mail in the Turtle Mts. From our visit, it appears he probably has Ole Dyrstad’s (married to Clara Kofoid) old route. I do mean OLD! I remember staying at Gramp’s in the forties and going to the mailbox to go the mail. Ole was the mail carrier at that time. He didn’t like all the curves in the road and would honk his horn so other vehicles would hear him coming. More good memories. :)
 
Neola
 
P.S. Myron’s wife, Rhonda, was my student when she was in the third and fourth grade in Kramer (combination room). More good memories. :)
Myron, It is my pleasure to add you to our distribution. You have many Dunseith ties with Eve (Rodney) Kalk being your sister and your mother being a daughter of Frank Atherton who used to live on the Willow Lake road south of the Willow Lake school as I recall. Gary
 
 
Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Minot & Bottineau, ND.
Folks, I believe Carmelita Lamb is Dean Lamb’s (70 deceased) wife. She would also be a sister-in-law to Martha Lamb Schepp (68). Gary
 
Martin Rude Family:
 
Folks, this is a picture that Wally Garbe, Neola’s husband sent to me. Martin Rude is the guy that was the collector of all the old machinery that we mentioned with yesterdays message. Leroy is married to Roberta Lemike (69) lrrude@srt.com . Martin Rude was also an uncle to Virgil Rude who lives in Minot. He is also an uncle to LaVerne Rude who is married to Carrole Fuaske (66). As I mentioned in yesterday’s message, all 40 of Martin’s old Threshing Machines are lined up and displayed, with some other old machinery, along the road near Kenny’s place east of Long Lake up in the hills. I listed the general directions in yesterday’s message.
 
Speaking of collecting old machinery, Virgil Rude has a collection of old tractors too. Virgil and I could never get coordinated for him to show me his collection when we were back there in 2007. Gary
 
 
 

10/04/2009

Folks, I got mixed up with my numbering of these daily messages yesterday. Yesterday’s should have been 574, not 581. I am just continuing from 581 now though. Gary
 
 
Reply from Florence Hiatt Dahl (50): Anchorage, AK
 
Reading Erling Landsverk’s memory of working with black people brought back the memory of beling sent to Cook County Hospital in Chicago as student nurses from Trinity Hospital back in the early fifty.s. A black nurses aide took us North Dakotans as her personal friends. She was wonderful—we absolutely loved her. She took us to zoo.s, parks, museums and old churches and down ”town”. Places we would never have found on our own. Just a couple weeks before we finished the Psych,Neuro and Contage part of our training, we were called in for a lecture………………and informed that ”this” relationship had to stop or she would be fired. Erling you are right.
 
 
Reply from Cheryl Larson Dakin (71): BEDFORD, TX
 
HI Gary and all
Erling Landsverk is so right about meeting people blindfolded and getting to know them before we form opinions. Because we grew up in the service and moved so often, we met people from so many cultures and so many walks of life. We didn’t have time to consider color when choosing our friends. We just wanted to be able to play and get together because before long we would be moving again. We were all in the same boat. If there was any prejudice, we weren’t influenced by it. When Dad retired and we moved to Bottineau my senior year, I had a teacher who taught a family and living class. She pointed out that as I was new to the class and had lived such a diverse life, and had gone to school with black kids, maybe I could tell the class what they were like. I understand now what may have prompted the question but could no more answer to it today than I could then.
Cheryl Dakin
 
 
News paper clippings posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Minot & Bottineau, ND
 
 
Folks, Martin is now deceased, but his threshing machines are still on display. His son Kenny has them display across the road from his house. Kenny lives a short distance east of where his folks lived. I don’t remember the exact directions how to get to Kenny’s place, but I know how to get to Martin’s former place. Using Salem church on Highway 43 as a starting point. Go west on 43 about a half mile to the first intersection. Take a left and go south about a mile or so until the road comes to an end. Take another left and go east about a mile or maybe less. Take the first road to the right going south. Martin Rude’s home place is down that road less than a mile on the right. Kenny lives to the east of there a short distance the way the crow flies. I’m not that familiar with the side roads in that area. Dad took me there several times to see these threshing machines, but I have forgotten the exact layout of the roads. It’s a very impressive sight seeing all these machines lined up along the road. Gary
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10/03/2009

Reply from Erling Landsverk (44): Portage, WI
 
Hi Gary and Everyone:
 
After reading your last message today, I couldn’t get Aggie Cassavants letter out of my mind, where she described the reception she and her colleagues received in Dunlap, Tennessee. I grew up in the turtle Mountains, and of course we were not exposed to other races very much, but I know both Mother and Dad were color blind when it came to race or religion. I am very grateful to them for their tolerance for everyone, and I am sure it made an impression on me that has made it much easier for me to make friends, and communicate with people of every race or creed. A case in point; the V A sent me to Hines, Ill. to the V A Hospital for the blind to receive training to help me deal with the disability. I met many African American veterans, and during my stay i got to know them well and became friends, and some of them still had the old slave dialect that we come to recognize them. . Some were very articulate, but I wouldn’t be able to tell whether they were black or caucasion. My wife and oldest son came to visit me one day and I had extolled to them about how much i enjoyed working with a particular instructor, who also happened to be my coordinator. He knew they were coming and I asked him to stop by my room so I could introduce him to them. Sure enough, he came to my room and i introduced him and we enjoyed a short but informative conversation. After he left, my wife turned to me and said, you never told me he was black. I told her truthfully that i didn;t know, but that the thought had not entered my mind. I think if more people who have racist notions would simply put on a blindfold before they meet someone of a different race, that they may put aside foolish notions about superiority and other foolish thoughts. His name was Emery, and He was an outstanding instructor. I went back for some additional training 2 years later. When he met me in the hall he called me by name , came over, shook my hand and renewed our relationship with some cheery remarks. I feel truly sorry that Aggie had to witness the type of ignorant racism that must have terrified the little girls with her. It is my hope that people like that will eventually discover the error of their way, but unfortunately this type of mentality will more than likely crop up again. There is good and bad in every race or religion, and it is our duty to separate the good from the bad, and teach our children the right way. Sorry for the long sermon, It is one of my pet peeves.
 
Erling Landsverk
 
 
 
Message that Neola Kofoid Garbe sent out to her folks
neola@min.midco.net Minot & Bottineau, ND.
 
Hi Bottineau Bunch/Brudwick’s,
 
Many of you know Virgil Rude, son of Alfred/Viola Bjornseth Rude. Virgil suffered a stroke on September 18. The enclosed email came from his wife, Gerry.
 
Neola
Neola,
Sorry I haven’t got back to you sooner. Virgil has no problem with you
sharing information about him. His right side is weaker than the left,
and his speech
was affected some. He can walk, but we stay close by so he doesn’t
fall. He can also talk and we have no problem understanding him, but
certain sounds have to be worked on. His stroke was on the 18th. He
noticed he couldn’t make certain sounds and asked me to take him to the
emergency room. He has therapy 2-3 hours every other day and is
already making progress.
 
Gerry
Neola, Many of our folks know Virgil Rude, so I am posting this. His parents were Alfred and Viola (Bjornseth) Rude. I talked to Virgil recently too. Virgil was in the National Guard with Larry Liere (55) and C Emerson Murry (42). I called Virgil when Larry posted the picture of him and Emerson. That had to have been just a few days prior to when Virgil had his stroke.
Virgil, I have am including you with this message today. I am so sorry to hear of all this that has happened to you. On the bright side, you are getting better.
 
Folks, Virgil lives in Minot and is a retired school teacher/administrator from the Minot schools. When I talked to Virgil he told me he worked directly for C Emerson Murry for a number of years. C Emerson Murry was a Two Star General in the guard. Virgil was a bird Colonel. Gary
Virgil’s email
 
 
 
Reply from Louise Pigeon Horsman (43): Bothell, WA
 
I was reading the message from Bill Hosmer about the Tennancour girls. I will be seeing Eileen within the next month. Harold passed away and she is living in a retirement home in Bothell. Louise Pigeon Horsman
Louise, I believe Eileen Tennacour was married to Harold Korbel. Harold’s brother, Albert, was married to Mildred Bjornseth. They lived in Edmonds and I think Harold & Eileen may have lived there too. Dad knew Mildred well and also the Kobel’s. With his visits to see us he’d always call Mildred and we’d stop by their house in Edmonds on our way up to Everett from Bremerton. We’d take the Kingston / Edmonds ferry. Dad’s brothers, Nels and Pete Petterson lived in Everett. Gary
 
 
Lorette Berube Leonard & Bernadette Stokes

 

 

Leo (Phyllis McKay’s special friend) with Marvin & Marie Iverson Staub (60)

 

 

This is a birthday party that we celebrated at Shakey’s in the mall for Bernadette’s Great Niece in yellow on the right. With exception of our two helpers and the little boy in front on the end, these are a few of Bernadette’s relatives. Bernadette’s sister, Berlinda, is on the right in blue. As you can tell, I’m the minority in this group. I don’t speak their language, but they can speak mine, so that’s OK.

 

 

 

 

The lady of the house, Benadette, with her helpers below.

 

 

 

Sisters – Our helpers Gaga and Tata. Tata’s husband, Aldren, works for us too.

He takes care of the outside.

 

10/02/2009

Reply from Gary Fulsebakke (71): Devils Lake, ND
 
To Sharon Zorn Gerdes
The 10 Commandment monument that Arnold and Lorna are standing next to
is in front of the Lodge on the American side of the Peace Garden.
One of the most impressive displays of the Commandments that I have
seen is on a large billboard as you enter the town of Alexander in
western ND. Gary Fulsebakke

 
 
Reply from Bill Hosmer (48): Tucson, AZ & Lake Metigoshe, ND
 
Gary and Friends, Erling, in his interesting “Thank You” mailing mentioned the Tennancour girls on the west side of Dunseith School. They are on page 125 of the Dunseith Centennial Book. I remember Lila and Eileen, and had the typical school boy crush on them as well as several other beauties our town was famous for. Eileen married a guy named Harold Korbel. When Harold was in the Air Corps during WW ll he came to our house to visit with my parents, Jack and Inez. Eileen and he were, I believe just married or about to be. She was there with him. Harold used to work for Steve and Jennie Cook at Kelvin, and was a very handsome man. Later while I was in the Air Force in the fifties, he came to the same base I was stationed and we had a cup of coffee before he had to take off again. Lila used to pal with another young woman, whose family was mentioned in Erling’s mail. John Myhre’s daughter, Muggs (a nick name). Another beauty from the old
days, class of ’42 was Beaulah (Polly) Peloquin, daughter of Joe and Ada and sister of Doreen. Then, of course as time marched on, other women closer to my age started to get my attention. The Sunderland girls, Patty McCatee, Bernice Olson, and almost everyone you could see at the drug store and at the dances in the old city hall. Sometimes there is an explosive reaction to a contribution like Erlling’s resulting in a shower of memories coming out of the shadows. Thanks to you, Gary and you other historical characters of value. Bill Hosmer
 
 

 

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

 

Gary, Erling Landsverk and friends, (Family Stories from our Dad)

When our father, Clifford Metcalfe reminisced about school days, he’d speak highly of the two teachers who were positive influences in his life. He referred to them as; Miss Olson (Potratz) and Mr. Larson. Even as an adult he held utmost respect and fondness for Miss Laura Olson (Mrs. Potratz) and Mr. Harry Larson.

“There was a school function to be held. Our dad, was asked if his mom, was coming?(Rose Metcalfe, at that time, was a HUGE robust woman later was diagnosed with diabetes) He said, “Yes.” His class mate Agnes said, “Can she get through the door?” Our father said, “I grabbed her by the hair and the next thing I knew Harry Larson had me by the hair pulling me off….. His mother, asked dad why he was in a fight & he wouldn’t tell her.”

--

Vickie L. Metcalfe

 

 

 

Reply/Story from Aggie Cassavant (69): Fort Mill, SC

 

To Dick&Brenda, Oh Wow, what I wouldn’t have given to go see you guys play at Hostfest. I still have your C.D. in my player in my van.Listen to it still to and from work.Gotta love the Pauncho & Lefty song,and Rebel Soldier,my two favorite. I love the history of the South,and beleive me when I say South Carolina is full of history…there are some pockets here and there,that I swear don’t realize the Civil War is over…that can really get crazy sometimes.

 

In 1990 I was traveling by mule and covered wagon,with a wilderness program for troubled teens by the name of “Vision Quest, based out of Franklin Pennsylvania.The kids on the wagon train were inner city kids from New York, Philadelphia’and Pittsburg.We had 13 wagons pulled by mules. We started out in Franklin PA,and our destination was Kissimee Florida. We would go 20 miles a day,set up camp.(Which was real tepees that held 16 kids each) We had like 92 kids on our train both boys and girls,with 98% of the kids being African American. Everything went smooth til we got to Dunlap Tennessee. We had a point scout who would ride way ahead of the wagon train,and ask farmers if we could set up camp overnite on their property,and be gone by sun up. It was so funny,cuz I have no idea what the point scout was telling the farmers,but I think they thought it was a bunch of boy scouts,with pup tents. When we would come rolling through there yard with 13 covered wagons pulled by mules,with the point scout,and rear scout,and a Wagon Master looking like “Bat Masterson” and started setting up our 7 life sized teepees,with ninety-something wilding out inner-city kids…you should of seen the look on some of these farmers faces…sheer terror you could tell,cuz they were chasing there kids into the house,just scootin them along.

 

Well everyone along the way welcomed us for the most part,the news media would chase us down in some parts…But…….Now we get to Dunlap Tennessee……Oh Wow. Well to set the stage of what I’m fixin to tell you…I was told that Dunlap,Tennessee is where the KKK was founded….So needless to say it explains,all the ignorance showed to us,that eventually got down right dangerous. The point scout went a couple hours ahead of us,and asked the sherriff in town if we could set up camp on the fair grounds for the weekend…The sherriff agreed. By the time we pulled into town,the towns people were waiting on the side of the road to greet us til they saw that most of the kids were African American. We proceeded thru town got down to the fair grounds and started setting up camp. I was down where we were feeding the horses,and mules,I had 5 kids with me closest to the road. Pretty soon I saw these 4 guys coming down the hill,hollering and waving. Well we were told,that when the public comes down to see us when we go thru these towns,that no matter how tired we are that we were suppose to take the time,be friendly,and show them around. So I started walking towards the road with 3 of the kids(girls) waved and hollered hi. When they got closer I could see one of the 4 guys had something in his hand. As they got closer I could hear them yelling,get out of their town with these “n—er kids”blah blah blah. When they got right up to me I saw what the guy had in his hand was a 5th of Whiskey…finally I told them flat out the Civil War is over,and i didn’t have time to listen to their ignorance and asked them to leave. As i turned to walk away with my kids,the guy with the whiskey bottle, spit at me and called me a ni–er lover,and yelled,”If your not out of here by dark were gonna come back and grind all those little ni–ers up and feed them to our cattle. Well by then I had 3 girls hanging onto me digging their nails into my arms.I went and told the Wagon Master,so he went into town to talk to the sherriff. The sherriff said’,You should of known better than to bring all them n—ers into our town. Later that night,which was a Friday night at about 11pm. all the town outlaws came out in force driving up and dowm the road,honking horns ,yelling hate talk,and shooting in the air above our teepee’s. Some of the male staff said they could hear the bullets whizzing thru the air.It was my night to sleep in the tac trailer that night,but Heather,came and got me.She said the girls were scared,and they said,”Go get Miss Aggie to come and sleep in our teepee,she isn’t scared of those guys,she told them they were stupid today”. Well I went and slept in the teepee but it had nothing to do with not being scared earlier that evening,it was a case of my mouth getting ahead of my brain.The next day,about 8 of us had the day off,so we walked into town to have something to do. When we went into this little cafe to get something to eat,we all had our red Rough Rider tee shirts on. Everyone was staring at us,and whispering…no one would wait on us… The sherriff was sitting up at the counter,just like in the movies,with that brim hat on,big cigar in his mouth,round dark sunglasses,and kept turning around and looking at us.Finally he said”You can sit there til hell freezes over,but we don’t serve ni–er lovers here”and started chuckling.As we got up to leave,he yelled after us”There’s only one way out of this town and it’s thru our main street,and you better have a shovel with you to pick up your mule s–t,or will pick it up for you,and chase down your wagon train and throw it in your covered wagons on your “little n—–s.As everyone from my group kept moving,towards the door I just stood there staring at this sherriff dumbfounded,pretty soon,Brian grabbed my arm,and said,”Don’t say nothing,lets go…He kinda jerked me back to reality…As we walked back to camp,no one said a word…I think we were all lost in our own thoughts…Who would of ever thought this kind of craziness still existed…So anyway Dick and Brenda, Like the song goes…”Then the rebel soldier dies”… Those of you who have the opportunity to go listen to Dick, Brenda,& Ron perform…I know you won’t be disappointed….thank you all for everything!

 

Ms.Aggie

 

Reply to picture posted yesterday

From Glen Williams (52): Missoula, MT

 

Good grief…Those guys have really aged…..

Barry Shelver, Gary Morgan, Clark Crum, Jerry Williams; What do you guys have to say. I think we need to see a picture of Glen. What do you think about that? I’ll bet he hasn’t changed one bit since high school? Gary

 

 

Previously 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

 
1950 DHS football team:
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
 

10/01/2009

Reply from Sharon Zorn Gerdes (62): Windsor, CO
 

I just want to note that I am so impressed with the Zeilers and their ten commandments. It was nice to see a photo of them anyhow, but I wondered where that marker stands. I would love to put something like that in my front yard, can you imagine what a commotion it would cause in this mixed up world we live in. It just made me proud for whoever put that up. Thanks, Sharon Zorn Gerdes, 62

Sharon, that Picture of Arnold and Lorna is a picture that Sandra took of her parents at the Peace Garden last year. I agree hole heartedly with what you have said. Gary
 
 
Reply from Erling Landsverk (44): Portage, WI
 
Hi Gary and all My North Dakota Friends!
 
I want to SHOUT A BIG THANK YOU! TO ALL OF YOU THAT LEAPED INTO MY REQUEST FOR HELP IN MY SEARCH OF INFORMATION ABOUT HARRY LARSON. Your help has made it possible to contact members of his extended family and by this week end perhaps his daughter Janice. Talk about results
I called the number out in spokane washing for Janice Myhre and got their voice mail. Found out later that they are on a short vacation to the coast. I called Jeanie Schneibel at Dick Johnson’s suggestion, she pointed me to Mary Ann Larson, in Hamilton, Montana, and Mary Ann filled me in on a lot of questions that I had. She apparently never married, but sounds very happy where she lives, and is in contact with her niece Janice quite often. Thank you Gary Metcalfe for getting the ball rolling, Thank you Lloyd Awalt for your report on where the family moved to etc, Thank you to Jan Evans for your accurate information and a special Thank you to you Gary Stokes for your diligent pursuit of finding the family. If i have missed someone who helped Iam sincerely sorry and again I can only repeat what I said previously, “the folks from the turtle mountains,Dunseith and Bottineau and the surrounding area are the greatest. I will follow up with a report after I contact Janice. Incidentally, you younger folks may not know that John Myhre owned and operated Myhre’s Dept store, right next to the Red Owl Store. My Uncle Thobve Landsverk built and operated that store untill he died suddenly during surgery at a Bottineau hospital. I am sure Lloyd Awalt remembers Myhre’s Dept Store. Gary Metcalfe mentioned my uncle Halvor a few days earlier, about his poetry and journalistic skills, all i can say is that uncle Halvor had an aversion to heavy physical work and only did so when there were no other options. Yes he did write poetry, and a kind of column in the Dunseith Journal, but he did have a lot of talent for music, and he was keenly interested in politics, which he expounded whenebver the opportunity presented itself. Yes, I did forget to thank you Dick Johnson, your information was most helpful, sorry I missed you the first time.
 
I do remember a couple of attractive girls whose name wasTennanccour and they lived just across the street from the old school, on the west side that is
 
Erling Landsverk
Erling, We are excited to hear your report after you talk to Janice. Isn’t it wonderful having so many of our folks with the memory resources they have, when combined, enables us to find all this stuff. I remember a Myhre’s department store in Bottineau in later years too. It replaced the former Vinjie department store. I have not picked up on the link to this Larson family yet. I’m sure I know some of the family members. I knew who Clara Hagen Larson was who was married Clarence Larson, Harry’s brother. Gary
 
 
Reply from Sybil Johnson: Cheyenne
 
Dick,

If I could, I would most definitely join you and Brenda at the Hostfest in Minot. But, you and Brenda have a wonderful time there and please, dont eat
to much. I enjoyed the Hostfest when I lived in Minot. It was a real culture eye opener. Sybil Johnson

 
 
(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

 

 

 

 

Note: These 4 guys are in the football picture above.

 

Picture L to R:

 

Barry Shelver, Gary Morgan, Clark Crum, Jerry Williams

 

 

09/30/2009

Highway 43 with Dick & Brenda Johnson will be performing at the Hostfest daily:
Dick Johnson (68): Dunseith, ND.
 
Gary and Friends,

Gary Metcalfe–Sorry I misunderstood the Harry-Harold Larson
relationship. Brothers they are.

We have gotten many requests for the CD of our live performance,
thanks for the support and encouragement. We had an interesting call
last night. We had been scheduled to play on a side stage at the
Hostfest in Minot this week starting Wednesday. One of the entertainers
had to cancel with illness and the honchos asked us to move to one of
the main stages and fill the slot. We now are on at noon and 4PM, two
performances each day for all four days. We have four different song
sets so no two shows each day will be the same. I hope we get to see
some of our classmates and friends during the week. Please stop by for a
visit if you folks are in Minot. Again, thanks to everyone for your
support and encouragement. We really appreciate it! Thanks Gary!

Dick

 
 
 
Reply from Jan Bergan Evans (66): MONTICELLO, MN
 
Hi Gary The Harry Larson that you are referring to is the Larson that was married to Alice Evans Berube’s sister Esther Tennancour. They had 2 children George and Jani Larson Myhre Janie is in Spokane and George is in Pittsburgh, He died 1986 and Esther died 1-15-1991,
Jan, I have located a phone number for Janice Myhre in Spokane, WA. I left a message with her voice mail. With the info you have provided I believe the death records that I posted several days ago for Harry and Esther Larson are correct. My question now to everyone, is Janice Myhre related to the Myhre’s in Rolette? Thanks, Gary

 

 

Arnold & Lorna Zeiler – July 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

09/29/2009

Reply from Llyod Awalt (44): Bottineau, ND
 
Erling, Harry Larson was my teacher when I was in the 7 & 8 grade in 1938 & 39 . he was there from 1937 to 40 or 41 then went to Montana. I’m not sure how many were in that family. Swead lived north of overly. Charles lived north east of overly. I’m not sure if he was the father of the Larson or just a brother . That’s the only ones that lived around here that I know of. I was in the same grade as you was in high school with urban &yedola I quit school when I was a sophomore then went in the navy. Lloyd Awalt
 
 
 
Request from Verena (Pete) Gillis (65): Dunseith, ND.
 
Gary,
I received a call requesting a picture of Wilbur “Billy” McKay-born
October 1907 and died Sept. 16, 1924. Could you post this and if anyone
has any pictures of Wilbur to please send a copy to: Arla Linford- Street-Renton, Washington 98059. Her telephone number is (XXX)
XXX-XXXX.

Thank you.
Verena

Verena, I believe Wilbur “Billy” McKay would be Arla Linford’s uncle, brother to her mother Alice. I believe Arla’s mother was Alice McKay Klang, Daughter of George and Minnie McKay. That is how I interpret what is written about their family in the Dunseith book.
 
 
Reply from Dick Johnson (68): Dunseith, ND.
 
Gary and Friends,

Thanks Lloyd for the information on Clint Anderson’s cream station. It
was just a wild guess on my part that the bigger building beside it
might have been the dance hall that burned on New Years Eve. I thought
Glen Shelver told me it was in the early 30s and you have it as ’31 so
it fits together well. More correct history from those who remember!
Glen said they were warming up the hall for the New Years Eve dance and
the stove must have started the fire. I can only assume the cream
station burned along with the hall, as they appear nearly connected. Is
this correct or was it torn down later? Thanks Lloyd!

To Erling Landsverk– Yesterday Gary Metcalfe mentioned that Harold
Larson is Harry’s son. Gary said Harold has two daughters in the Twin
Cities. I think he had three daughters. Harold Larson also has a
daughter named Jeannie who is married to Dave Schneibel and lives at
Rugby. We were friends with Dan Schneibel who taught in Bottineau. He is
Dave’s brother and this is how I know about the connection. Jeannie’s
phone number is 701-776-5066.

Gary Morgan’s story about his dad and Rene Bedard and hunting ducks
sure brings back the memories. I used to use my grandpa’s old 1887
Winchester lever action 12 gauge shotgun when I was 11 or 12 and had
some real lessons to learn. That big old shotgun was ‘shot out’ and had
a pattern that could cover the barn door at 10 paces! The only prayer I
had was to sneak up close and then blast a few on the water. One day in
the fall it was real cold and I walked out to the point by Axel’s old
house to see if I could get a couple ducks. I crawled up to the edge of
the rise above the lake and peeked over the grass to see the lake shore.
There were a bunch of ducks sitting on the rocks and a few just barely
into the water. I jumped up and ‘ground balled’ a couple with the first
shot and then set the shotgun stock on my belt buckle so I could run the
lever and get another shell in the barrel of the old beast. It was cold
and I had grabbed a pair of Grandpa’s old ragged work gloves before I
left the house. Well, when I closed the lever the big ragged glove
caught the trigger, giving me the entire recoil right in the belly! When
I woke up—– there were two dead ducks floating in the water and the
rest were probably half way to town! I still have the old shotgun and
later found out that it was designed for black powder and should never
be loaded with modern ammo. I shot any and every kind of ammo I could
find in that old gun and never had a problem of any kind.A few years
later and with newer guns, John Bogus and I decided that we should both
learn how to shoot ducks on the fly. One evening we shot almost two
boxes (50 shells) at bluebills flying overhead—and never touched a
duck! I remember John saying, with a big grin, “We better not tell
anyone about this.” I never shot trap or skeet in my life until just a
couple years ago. My son is one of the best in the Fargo area where his
team won a big trap shoot at Horace (Fargo Gun Club). He came up to St.
John a couple years ago and shot trap for a fund raiser for the FFA.
When it was over, some of the bystanders, me included, took a crack at
it. With his coaching, I got 16 out of 25 on my first go around. He
asked, “Why are you waiting so long before you shoot? The clays are only
3 feet off the ground when you fire!” I told him, ” They are going
slower when they get way out there and I have a bigger pattern.” He
about died laughing! My old hunting habits must have worked in reverse
when I had a good shotgun. He nailed the targets within a few yards of
the launch so my technique was hilarious to him! Oh well, I did get 16!
Thanks Gary!

Dick

 
 
 
From Gary Metcalfe (57): Forsyth, MO
 
Hello everyone, There seems to be some confusion on Harold and Harry Larson. Harold was Harry’s baby brother.

To Larry Hackman: Within the next few weeks we intend to go up to New Haven, Gerald and Hermann, Missouri. I thought some of your relatives were from Hermann, but I am not sure. With the Dietrick’s and Hackman’s and the church location, we should be able to find some relatives, after all your grandfather Hackman had lots of brothers and sisters that may have stayed in that area. We love Missouri with it’s 6,000 caves and clear water rivers and streams, so we camp often and look for out of the way adventures. Looking up some of your family will give us a reason to go that way. If you have any information about any of them, please let us know.

Gary Metcalfe

 
 
 
Previously post with message 171 on 7/25/08

Irene Pigion’s Obituary provided by Vickie Metcalfe (70):

 

Gary, I copied the following for your information;
Irene Pigeon is dear Lise’ ( Rousseau) (DHS Class of 64) Metcalfe’s mom. Vickie
 
Lise/Larry Rousseau-Metcalfe
Fargo, ND 58104
No email address
 
 


Irene Pigeon, 88, of Fargo, died July 22, 2008, at Elim Care Center in Fargo, ND.

The daughter of Jeffrey and Marie Pronovost, Irene was born December 19, 1919, at Lac a la Tortue, Quebec, Canada where she grew up and attended school.

On July 8, 1944, she married Roland Coutou at Grandmere, Quebec, Canada. He died June 8, 1946, of a work-related accident.

She remained in Canada until 1950 at which time she married Joe Rousseau on November 25, and they moved to North Dakota where Joe farmed. In 1956 they moved to Dunseith where she worked at San Haven Sanitarum for fifteen years. Joe died November 12, 1969.

Irene then married Romulus Pigeon on June 15, 1972. They lived in Dunseith until his death in 1979. She then moved to Carrinton, ND.

In 2003 she entered Elim Care Center where she remained until her death.

She is survived by: her daughter, Lise Metcalfe (Larry) Fargo, ND; grandsons, Brian (Kiki) Columbia, CA, and Christopher (Kristina) Fargo, ND; brother, Clement Pronovost, and sister, Liette Boulet (Aime) both of Montreal, Canada.

Memorial service: Saturday, July 26, 2008, at 2 p.m. at Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home, Fargo, ND

 

With all the questions about the latest storm that hit the PI, I thought I’d include this map that Bill Grimme provided several years ago. We are located in Cebu, where the red star is on this map. We are 380 miles south, southeast of Manila. We are located about 500 miles north of the equator. The latest storm that came though causing all the flooding was in the Manila area.Gary

 

 

09/28/2009

Five Samski family members will be visiting the Dunseith area. It’s been decades since they were in the area.
 
Rod Samski’s (65) Reply to a Personal message from Gary.
STOCKTON, CA
 
A special Hello to you Gary, it’s always good to hear from you. I have been following the daily Dunseith news. Some of the news is good and some not so good. The last time I talked to you I had decided not to attend the reunion because I really did want to remember all the wonderful memory’s the way I remembered them.

When my dad Gene said he wanted to go back there and see the land and the people, he’s 90 and still drives and lives independent, gets around like a 60 year old. I thought lets make some new memories. Now there will be 3 sisters Carol and Marlys who were born there and Karen who was born in Lodi Calif. We will be having a reunion with the Eurich’s, Jean,Sharon,Dorthy,Eileen and Floyd Pritchard who was a great childhood friend. There are so many wonderful people we hope to see. One of our disappointments we will not be seeing Dwight Lang who no longer stays in Lake Metigoshe it has been good talking by phone with Dwight. We also will be looking at the old Stokes farm, Boguslawski, Hill’s, Houles, Johnson,the list goes on.

 

Rod…

 

If you think our trip is worth putting in the blog it is fine with me, who knows we might here from others while back there.

Rod, your trip is most certainly worth putting on the blog. If you have a cell phone, I can post that number too so folks can get in touch with you guys while you are in the area. I’m sure LeaRae Espe Parrill will know how to get in touch with you guys too when you are in ND. Gary

 

 

 

Condolences to the Clara Larson Family
From Lynn Halvorson Otto (75): Seoul, Korea
 
My sincere condolences to Clara Larson’s family on her passing. I worked for Clara for 2-3 summers during my high school years at the International Music Camp kitchen, washing dishes, etc. It was hard work but she treated us well. You are in my prayers. Lynn Halvorson Otto

 

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

 

The picture of the Anderson’s cream station ( he was my uncle ) was located north of the Dakota hotel where Flynn’s gas station was the big building attached is the city hall which burned down on new years eve 1931. Just south of the cream station later years the cabins of the hotel were built . The cabin facing the street was the border station there was no station at the peace garden at this time. The cream that was bought was put in 10 gal cream cans and shipped to larger creameries by rail. charley Wright had a cream station where Maries beauty shop is . These creameries bought cream for other big creameries. Lloyd Awalt.
 
 
 
From Gary Morgan (54): GARRISON, ND

Gary & All,
The waterfowl season opened in North Dakota this weekend which reminds me of one of my dad’s favorite stories: It seems Rene Bedard asked my dad if he wanted to go duck hunting with him. My dad declined, saying that he didn’t particularly like the taste of duck, he hated cleaning them and most of all he never had any luck shooting ducks. He had never gained the knack for leading them. Either he led them too far or not enough. To which Rene responded, “Hmph, it just depends on how fast they’re swimming!

Thank you, Gary. You give a lot of people something to look forward to every day.

Gary Morgan

 
 
 
From Blanche Wicks Schley (42): Grand Forks, ND
 

I was watching CNN tonight and they mentioned about flooding conditions in the Philippines. I don’t know just what area of the country you are in (have not taken out the atlas to check) But I was thinking about you and your wife.
 
Eileen sent the information on the Wicks “boys” who are buried at Little Prairie cemetery and also information on my father’s family. I have her e-mail from the information she sent, but I would like her address. I would like to talk to her and thank her.
 
Again, thank you for your daily informative e-mails…I, like some who have already said this, read your items first when checking e-mails. It is so interesting to learn how the products of small towns have gone all over the world and yet they have that tie to their home town area. My husband was like that. He lived in Aneta, ND. He was drafted in WWII and did not return to Aneta, but when he was asked where he was from the answer was “Aneta” and not the town where he was residing. He lived in Grand Forks from 1956 until his death in 2002. I guess with all of us the ties to home areas are so strong..
 
Have a great day, Gary, and again thanks for the work that you have untaken to keep everyone informed on activities, past and present. It makes for an interesting morning ritual.
 
 
 
Blanche Wicks Schley
 
Blanche, the storm that caused some flooding you are referring to was up in the Manila area. They get hammered frequently with heavy rains and storms that pass through the Philippines. Cebu, where we live, is kind of in the Banana belt of the PI as far as weather conditions are concerned. The brunt of most storms pass to the north of us. We seldom get the high winds with the storms, but on occasion we’ll get some of the rain. Manila’s average monthly rain fall in the rainy months is nearly 16″ compared to ours at 6″. Our lean months are 3″ compared to Manila’s with almost 0″. Most all rains in the PI are hard and fast lasting less than an hour.
 
 
Question from Allen Richard (65): Midland, MI

Is Harry Larson the Harold Larson that taught for a number of years at Russell School?

 

Allen Richard
 
 
 
Reposted from yesterday’s message:

From Gary Metcalfe (57): Forsyth, MO

 

Reply to Erling Landsverk

 

I think there were 11 kids in that Larson family. The only ones I knew were Swede, who was married to Clara Hagen and Harold. Everyone knew Harold from Dunseith Baseball Days. Harold was a good baseball player and vocal as well. He and his wife taught at Russell School for many years. My grandmother, Randina Evans, babysat for their three children.

 

My mother knew Harry Larson. Harry married Ernest Tennancour’s daughter, Esther. They had two children George and Janice. They moved to Montana where Harry taught, then he went to work for an oil company until he retired. Then moved to Yakima, Wa. His son George is a teacher in Pa., Janice a teacher in Spokane.

 

I might add, Harold Larson gave up teaching to sell insurance. Harold has two daughters living in the Twin Cities, Minnesota. We knew Harold from Metigoshe Ministries Church.

 

I have been meaning to ask why we have not heard about a famous Landsverk…..Halvor, a poet and reporter.

for Willow Lake Community

Gary Metcalfe

Gary Metcalfe, I am amazed at how well you remember people. You are right on with what I found out about Harry & Esther Larson pasted below. I think the death records I found for them are correct, but I’m not sure. I’m pretty positive that the other info I found for them is correct. Harry and Esther would be 100 & 93 years old if they were still living today. There are a thousand George Larson’s out there and I don’t have a married name for Jancie, so I didn’t not try and locate either one of them. I’ll leave that up to Sharron Gottbreht Shen and some of the others that are able to trace families to narrow the selections down for us to start making phone calls. Gary
 
Harry H Larson

View Details

100 Spokane, WA
Yakima, WA
Esther Larson
Esther Larson

View Details

93 Spokane, WA
Yakima, WA
Harry H Larson
Esther LARSON       Birth Date: 29 Oct 1915     Death Date: 15 Jan 1991     Social Security Number: 516-40-4813     State or Territory Where Number Was Issued: Montana     Death Residence Localities     ZIP Code: 99208     Localities: Spokane, Spokane, Washington  
 
Name: Harry Larson
Birth Date: 27 March 1909
Death Date: June 1986
Residence at Death: Yakima,Yakima,Washington 98902
SSN: 720-18-0516

 

09/27/2009

From Gary Metcalfe (57): Forsyth, MO
 
Reply to Erling Landsverk
 
I think there were 11 kids in that Larson family. The only ones I knew were Swede, who was married to Clara Hagen and Harold. Everyone knew Harold from Dunseith Baseball Days. Harold was a good baseball player and vocal as well. He and his wife taught at Russell School for many years. My grandmother, Randina Evans, babysat for their three children.
 
My mother knew Harry Larson. Harry married Ernest Tennancour’s daughter, Esther. They had two children George and Janice. They moved to Montana where Harry taught, then he went to work for an oil company until he retired. Then moved to Yakima, Wa. His son George is a teacher in Pa., Janice a teacher in Spokane.
 
I might add, Harold Larson gave up teaching to sell insurance. Harold has two daughters living in the Twin Cities, Minnesota. We knew Harold from Metigoshe Ministries Church.
 
I have been meaning to ask why we have not heard about a famous Landsverk…..Halvor, a poet and reporter.
for Willow Lake Community
Gary Metcalfe
Gary, You have sure been a great help with all this added info for Sharron Gottbreht and maybe others that have been trying to locate Harry Larson or his family members.
Clara Hagen Larson (38) recently passed away. I have posted her Obituary below. She is from the Ackworth community. This one slipped through the cracks and I missed publishing it. Gary
 
 
Clara Hagen Larson’s (38) Obituary:

OVERLY Clara Larson, 89, Bottineau, died Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2009, in a Bottineau nursing home.

She was born Jan. 4, 1920, to John and Agnes Hagen north of Bottineau. She married Clarence Larson in 1938 at Rolla.

Survivors: daughters, Peggy Culhane, Columbia, Mo., Barbara Evanger, Mandan; son, Ronald, Overly; seven grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; sisters, Ina Anderson, Mondovi, Wis., Florence Marten, Modena, Wis.; brothers, Raymond, Kennewick, Wash., Oscar, LaCrosse, Wis.

Funeral: Tuesday, 10 a.m., Willow Creek Church, Overly.

Burial: Willow Creek Cemetery, rural Overly.

Prayer service: Monday, 7 p.m., Nero Funeral Home, Bottineau.

Visitation: Monday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., in the funeral home.

 
 
Message/Pictures from Sharron Gottbreht Shen (59): Everett, WA.
 
Hi Gary,

There should be plenty of time to pack suitcases later today so I give you my first minutes. Many of your readers will find the 1938 list of teachers for Rolette County of interest. My cousin Mildred Gottbreht Solomon taught summers in the rural schools near St John at this time – she married in ’39.

The picture of Ernest Boucher, Ronnald Tennancour, George Gottbreht and Sharron Shen was taken at Bob’s Cafe near the Missouri River front Sept 23. We then adjourned to Uncle’s apartment to enjoy a very delicious birthday cake. George was on the road to pick up Ronnie in Bottineau when he remembered CAKE! He called Wayne Barbot who arranged a beautiful cake with a baker he knew in Williston. It was all ready when Geo and Ron arrived – George keeps the controls at 2mph over speed limit, always!

Uncle regaled us with several stories that evening. This is one I should tell before I loose it. North Dakota voted Dry when she entered the Union. Back in the early 30’s when Ernie delivered beer in East Grand Forks, it was always draft beer sold in kegs. The only bottled beer sold was to the bootleggers. Special boxes were built to fit under the car seats which held one layer of large bottles side by side. No one local in the industry thought bottled beer and cash and carry sales would be a success. But when prohibition and state law changed a Jewish gentleman opened a market in GF selling bottled beer take away. His huge success made the local retailers take notice and the rest is history.

Uncle certainly enjoyed the visit. He teased Ronnie about the “strong” language he probably had learnt in the plumbing business and poked a bit of fun at the Mayor of Dunseith. Every niece and nephew was recalled and inquired about. Amazing man. Must run but wish to bring this visit to everyone at least one more time.

Sharron

Ernest Boucher’s 99th Birthday With George Gottbreht

 

 

 

Note: Ernest Boucher was a brother to Yvette Boucher Brunsell and Alma Boucher Gottbreht.

 

Yvette was Ronald Tennacour’s mother and Alma was Sharron and George’s mother. Gary

 

 

Ernest Boucher, Sharron Gottbreht Shen, George Gottbreht & Ronnald Tennancour

 

 

 

1938 list of Rolette county teachers. Harry Larson, the teacher that

 

Erling Landsverk is asking about, is listed in this list.

 

 
 

09/26/2009

From LeaRae Parrill Espe (67): Bottineau, ND.

 

SAMSKI VISIT

 

My mother received a letter from Carol Samski, daughter of Gene and Marion Samski. Carol and Gene will be in the Dunseith area for a nine day visit ending October 9th. They lived on the farm next to us in the foothills where Bonner & Carol Law, Jim & Marty Wheeler, Garret and Debbie Myer, & Charlene Woods later lived. They had five children when they moved to Lodi, California in Jan or Feb 1957-Douglas, Rodney, Diane, Carol and Maryls. Diane was in my grade and one of the 37 first graders mom had her first year of teaching in town 1955-56. Diane and I were best of friends. Mom and dad became good friends with the Samski’s even though we only lived neighbors for two years before they moved. Diane and I were pen pals for years. Our parents exchanged Christmas letters most every year since. Marion ended up with some type of dementia and passed away December 2007. The Samski’s had two or three more daughters after they moved.

 

I am thinking Rod or Douglas contributed to this blog quite awhile back.

 

Anyway, I just wanted to let people know that Gene is planning this visit. I called Carol last night to get more details, but could only leave a message. She lives in Hawaii and I believe it is five hours behind Central. I called at 10:30 PM our time.

 

 

 








Samski Rod 1013 GOLDENOAK WAY STOCKTON, CA 95209 (209) 478-8085 Rod8085@yahoo.com 65
Samski Ho Diane 1147 Ala Napunani Honolulu Hawaii 96818 (808) 839-4076 hod021@hawaii.rr.com 67

Rod Samski (65)

 

From LeaRae

PARRILL BARN- More questions than answers

 

The picture Dick Johnson posted of the Parrill barn is a mystery to me. Dad told me that our Grandfather owned land in the Turtle Mt. that was sold to put a down payment on the land that his step father , Joe Cox, bought in the Red River Valley near Mountain (Cavalier), ND. This land was sold some time in the 1930s. Our grandfather, Cecil Day Parrill, came from Illinois and taught school (in Russell township ?) and then was Supt of Dunseith Public School at the time of his death in December 1918. He was a victim of the Flu Epidemic of 1918. My uncle Thurman was one year old and my dad (Dean Parrill) was born four months after his death. Cecil married Laura Melhus at John’s(?) Lutheran. This church later merged with Little Prairie.

 

I am wondering if this barn was North of Dunseith or North of Bottineau. I was always under the impression the land was North of Bottineau but it would actually make more sense that it was N of Dunseith, except I thought dad said it was over by Bottineau.

 

We have family history stating that the Parrills came to America from Scotland between 1660-1690. Hugh Parrill (9 generations back from me) settled in Virginia and was a neighbor of George Washington. (Some legal papers of Washington mention dealings with the Parrills).

Parrills fought on both sides in the Revolutionary and Civil Wars. During the Civil War, some moved to West Virginia as they were against slavery and some stayed on the Virginia side as they were in favor of slavery. Three or four Parrills married Calverts, relations of Lord Baltimore (so it is written). Anne Calvert married Hugh Parrill. Later, some Parrills moved to Ohio and Illinois. Our grandfather came alone to ND to teach school after graduating (?)from Valparaiso University in Illinois. Dad attended a Parrill reunion in Illinois when he was about 20. We had Christmas cards from his uncle and cousins in Farina, ill, but otherwise we kids have never met any of our Parrill relatives. My brother Clark had a letter and emails from Michael Parrill of West Virginia. If anyone on the blog knows any Parrills, they are probably related. Some spellings are slightly different, but could still be related. (Actually, I think my cousin Myron met a Parrill in Grand Forks-think he worked at Menards. This was probably 20 years ago.)

Dick Johnson’s reply:
LeaRae,

I may have misread the writing on the old picture of the barn. It’s
very poorly written and may not be ‘Parels’ at all. We think it could be
‘Pauls’, which could then be my great grandfather Paul Strietzel’s barn
and would make more sense. I don’t remember this barn but it could have
been long gone before I was around. I’m old, but not that old! Sorry if
this caused any confusion, it looks like my mistake. If you write the
name ‘Paul’ and stretch out the U, it looks like an R and an E. Of
course it doesn’t with a typewriter. They obviously didn’t have Anna
Foss for English!!

Dick

 

 

Reply to Erling Lansverks question about finding an old teacher

From Sharron Gottbreht Shen (59): Everett, WA.

 

Good morning Gary,

There must be over 250 listings on Footnote for the family name Larson in the Turtle Mt Star. I have read about 40 items so far and found Harry Larson listed as school staff for the year 1938 at Dunseith No I. A Mrs. Harry Larson was hostess to the teachers’ sewing club mid April 1939. Victor and I leave for a week with Ivan and Nora in New Jersey this Sunday. I may have several idle hours to explore Larson entries then.

George mentioned the passing of Greg Grimme to me at our visit in Fort Benton, MT. This birthday event quite by chance coincided with the funeral services of Greg. Marc Gottbreht and George were shocked and saddened by the loss of Greg and offer their condolences.

Sharron

 

 

 

 

Reply to Dick Johnson (68) form Sybil Johnson: Cheyenne, WY.

 

 

Thanks Dick! I never heard the description of the house. Beckie will appreciate the article, for she also gets these blogs everyday. I don’t ever remember Uncle Raymond (Red) being called “Hobo” Red; even though it truly describes him very well. The stories that old man use tell were very entertaining. Like the one, about him and others being chased out of Mexico; or the one about him and others being called “soldiers of misfortune” instead of the usual “soldiers of fortune”. Thanks again, Dick. Sybil Johnson

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

Gary and Friends,

Someone sent in a picture of Clint Anderson’s Cream Station quite a
while back. I have looked at that picture several times and can’t place
the building or the large building beside it. I was wondering if Lloyd
Awalt or one of our other contributors could tell me where it was
located? I remember hearing that a big hall burned down on the north end
of Main street on New Year’s Eve—OK Lloyd,(or whomever) what year?
Someone stated that Minnie and George Alvin took over the cream
business, but this isn’t the building they were in. At least not the one
I remember, across from Lamoureux Bros. Garage. There were many fires in
the old days and several businesses were lost so I wondered if this
could have been the fate of Clint Anderson’s cream station. Does anyone
know? I suppose many of the younger readers don’t know the difference
between a cream station and a creamery. A cream station bought cream
from the farmers and then sent it to a creamery for processing into all
the dairy products. They had to ‘test’ the cream for butter fat content
and the producer was paid accordingly. The picture below is the one of
Clint Anderson’s Cream Station sent in earlier. Thanks Gary!

 

 

 

Lutheran Picture L to R:
 
Back row
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

 

09/25/2009

Thank you from Bill Grimme (65):
 
First of all, I thank you all for the condolences you sent by email and in the blog. I hope I responded to everyone. If not, know that I appreciate all the kind words, thoughts, and prayers.
 
I feel it is necessary to file a small report on Greg’s funeral to this audience, because it feels to me that all were there in spirit.
 
The funeral was very well attended, I thought. It was wonderful to see friends of the Grimme family there. Pastor John Hesford delivered a fitting memorial – it almost seemed that he had known Greg all his life. Pastor Hesford has a true talent and he is a comforting presence.
 
And then there was the music. Joan Richards was great as the piano accompanist. She opened and closed the service with “Amazing Grace” and “Morning Has Broken”. Well done and thank you, Joan. Dick Johnson, Brenda Johnson, and Ron Hett did two pieces “Wayfaring Stranger” and “Just a Closer Walk with Thee”. I know I have never before experienced such fine talent a funeral service. And, I was not alone in my evaluation. EVERYONE I talked to after the service volunteered that it was the finest music selection and presentation that they had ever heard. Thank you, Joan, Dick, Brenda, and Ron.
 
We can be proud of our family in Dunseith and the area. They don’t forget their own and they welcome them home with conviction.
 
Thank you, everyone.
 
Bill Grimme
 
 
 
Reply from Mel Kuhn (70: St. John, ND.
 
Howdy Gary,
 
In response to your query in #564 of Jerome Allard. His mother was one of the 5 Cote sisters and he is double cousins with Carol, Mary and Larry.
 
Mel Kuhn [70]
 
 
 
Reply / Pictures from Dick Johnson (68): Dunseith, ND.
 
Gary and Friends,

Sybil Johnson’s request about pictures of Axel and Bernice’s homes is
a tough one. The lived on a peninsula on Horseshoe Lake, out past our
barn. I have a picture of part of the house. The main part of the house
was actually a tar paper shack and to the east was a log addition that
was probably bedrooms. This place was abandoned in 1933 when Hans and
Cynthia Johnson moved to Towner, ND. Axel and his family moved into
their house and stayed there for several years. When Hans and Cynthia
moved back to the farm in 1942, I think Axel moved his family to
Dunseith to the house you remember. The house they first lived in on the
peninsula was falling down by the 1950s and in the 70s I pushed the
remnants into a pile and burned it and cleaned up the spot. I have never
seen a picture of the tar paper shack part. I do remember it well though
and can still remember going inside many times and looking at the stuff
that was still there. There was flowered wallpaper in the kitchen part
and the log walls were whitewashed. The roof was shot and the inside was
damp and moldy from rain running in. It’s rather interesting that we
have no pictures of the main part of the house. They took pictures of
everything else. To the east of the log addition was a small log cabin
that Red ‘Hobo’ Kelly stayed in. I played in that one too until the roof
collapsed in the early 60s. This cabin survived longer than the house
probably because it wasn’t quite as old. Anyway, I will attach a picture
of the cabin and part of the house and then a picture of Hans’s house
where Axel lived for 9 years or so. Thanks Gary!

Dick

 

 

 

News paper articles posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: neolag@min.midco.net Minot & Bottineau, ND.

 

 

Tim Greb is married to Trish Pladson, Daughter of Floyd & Patricia Pladson. Floyd’s parents were Eldon & Ella Pladson. The Pladson family lived right below the Ackworth Cemetery. Floyd’s brother Dan now owns the land and has a house directly behind the Cemetery. Gary

 

 

 

 

Reply from Ron Longie (65) when I asked him if he was ralated to Cote and his dad Dan. Gary

 

Gary,

Dan is my Uncle Verlin and Aunt Stella’s son I believe he lives in Bottineau.

Ron

 

09/23/2009

Folks, I sent the last group message about 12 hours ago. With the daily limits set by the email providers I may not be able get this sent to everybody now, but I’ll give it try. Gary
 
 
Request from Erling Landsverk (44): Portage, WI
 
Hi Gary and All;
 
I am writing a story about my first grade teacher, Harry Larson. I remember him very well but I did lose touch after Iwas about 10 yrs. My sister Borg Filas saw him at an all school reunion at Dunseith in the seventies. He taught at the following school
Loon Lake School #2 District 15
Bottineau county schools
Inga B. Olson, County School Superintendent
He taught there in 1933. He was an unusual and gifted teacher, and I had hoped that perhaps someone on your mailing list might have some knowledge of him and his family. And if he has decendants I wanted to let them know how greatly he was admired by everyone at our little school. I will list most of the families that attended at the time he taught if that would help. He also taught in Dunseith Elementary in 37-38 school
Here is a list of the Families
Hagen Family
Torgeson family
Amsbough Family
Helgeson Family
Fulsebakke Family
Lund Family
My sister tells me he had moved west, and I really don’t know if he has family or not, but i presume he does. So all you good people from the turtle Mountains, Please! give me a hand getting in touch with his decendants.
 
Erling Landsverk
 
 
 
Reply from Trish Larson Clayburgh (73): FORT COLLINS
 
Wow Gary, that looks like a wonderful vacation spot. Congratulations to Cheryl on winning the prize for the singing contest, and doesn’t she look great! No surprise there! I used to stand in front of her in choir, so I know all about how wonderful her voice is….
 
Trish Larson
 
 
 
From Sybil Johnson: Cheyenne, WY.
 
Dick, is it possible with in all those pictures, that you may have pictures of Pa and Ma Johnson’s old places? In the 30 years that I was married to
Augie, I heard so many stories, but never saw the pictures. Many years ago, with Ma and Augie, we went to Aunt Cynthia’s place, before it was fenced in (if I remember rite). But that was all. Augie use to talk about (dont know if this is true or not) how Pa would swim Lake Shootie(?) and how he nailed
with a spike, the strap that Ma use to use on the kids and dared her to dislodge it? Maybe, this isnt the place to ask, but anyone who knew Pa, knew he
wouldnt allow such abuse. There is bad with the good, but mostly the good out weighs the bad.
What I remember of Pa Johnson, is anytime you couldnt find him, all you had to do is look in one or the other vegetable garden. He was a dear man!
Sybil Johnson
 
 
 
From Vickie Metcalfe (70): Bottineau, ND
 
Cousin Geri Metcalfe Munro sent me some photos and my response.

Hi Vickie–The pictures of the cousins was taken at the Seattle Dunseith reunion before the cruise–the one of Jeff, David and wife Juli was taken last evening at Monte’s downtown. We could mention LeRae’s maiden name (Parrill) and that Mildred and Jennie were sisters.

Geri

Hi Kith and Kin, attached are 3 photos sent to me to be fwd to you by Geri (Metcalfe) Munro who has labeled each. I believe each of you on this Kith and Kin address are somehow related to a couple of people in at least 2 pictures. Millie Parrill ( Lea Rae’s mom) and Jennie Metcalfe (Ardis’ mom) were Nelsons….and….Terry Espe is related to those of you with the Seim connection. Jeff and David are Geri’s son’s.

………My dad was well taken care of that icy cold month of January 1980 by the Munro boys and their parents while mom had the brain surgery. As was, Uncle Emil’s family a couple years previously when he was hospitalized. In the ’70’s and 80’s St. Luke’s in Fargo was one of the premier places in ND for those suffering the most critical of illnesses.

Geri and Chuck and their two sons welcomed bewildered immediate families into their own home and wrapped around with the warmth of loving care. When mom was out of critical care danger, I went back home to the farm to be with my brothers, and back to teaching school, it was Jeff and Dave who took over and helped dad with his primary eating needs.

Geri, Dad loved you and your hospitality preparing meals he could eat, driving him to the hospital and at the end of each long day,giving him a little glass of sipping Sherry to unwind before bed each night. I think that was the only time he had Sherry, but I believe he liked it best when you were there to sip with him and talk. When I think of the Munro family I know God blessed each of them (the Munro’s) with the special gift… character trait of caring. Love Vickie

Cousins Ardis (Metcalfe) and Harley Steggall and LeRae (Parrill)

and Terry Espe

 

 

 

 

Note: Jeff & David are sons of Geri (Metcalfe 59) & Chuck Munro

Jeff, Juli and David Munro at Juli’s bday party

 

 

 

 

Cousins: Ardis, daughter of Lucky and Jennie (Nelson) Metcalfe;

Dianne, daughter of Jean (Metcalfe) Maki; Geri; Ken, son of Leona (Metcalfe) Oswell;

and brother, Gary Metcalfe.

 
 
Note: Arlene Allard is a sister to Jerome whose picture was posted yesterday. Arlene and Neola were Bottineau HS class (1957) mates.
Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Minot & Bottineau, ND.
 
This is Arlene’s name tags I made for one of our reunions. Arlene didn’t attend the reunion, but I wanted to scan/save one of the name tags. Arlene’s happened to be the one I saved.
 
Neola
Provided byNeola Kofoid Garbe: Minot & Bottineau, ND.
 
Thank you Neola for scanning this for us. I’m assuming the Turtle Mountain Star, The Turtle Mountain Times and the Metigoshe Mirror have or will publish this as well? Gary

 

 

09/22/2009

Folks, Bernadette and I got back today, Wednesday, from our trip to Boracay, Philippines. We had a wonderful trip. Boracay is for sure a paradise vacation resort island. The Boracay Regency Beach resort where we stayed is a fabulous place spread out over about 7 Acres with over 500′ of ocean front beach. They do not have a parking lot, because POV’s are not allowed on the island. The Boracay beaches have some of the finest sands with the clearest, warmest and shallowest waters anywhere in the world. After swimming in the ocean, it was refreshing to take a dip in one of the Regency’s pools. I have attached several pictures at the bottom of this message.
 
Since I have this ready, I will send it out tonight rather than in the morning Filipino time. Gary

 

 

Email address change for Marvel Hill Thompson (69): Bottineau, ND.

Gary,

It is great all you do, but for some odd reason I quit getting your emails. Could you please put my address back on. I did change emails August 1 but have been getting them until last week.

Thanks.

Marvel (Hill) Thompson

Class of 1969

My new address is:

 

 

Request from Randy Hiatt: North Bend, WA.

Gary, when you get back from your very interesting sounding trip please add Delmar Fugere (my first cousin, Lois (Hiatt) and Orelle Fugere’s son to the blog. Lois was my mothers (Delores Hiatt) sister.

Thanks,

Randy Hiatt

Delmar, with all the wonderful things folks have had to say about your mother with previous postings, it is my pleasure to add you to our distribution list. You certainly have a whole lot of relatives included with the distribution of these daily messages too. I found a listing for you living at Bonney Lake, WA. Would that be correct? I believe your dad is living up in Mason county west of Bremerton, WA. I lived in Bremerton for over 35 years. Gary

 

 
 

Jerome Allard’s picture

Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Minot & Bottineau, ND.

 

Hi,

 

Gary, I think Jerome Allard was mentioned in one of your emails awhile ago. I think Jerome is Arlene Allard’s brother. She is my classmate. The dad passed away within the last year, I think. Jerome’s mother was, I think, one of the four/five sisters who lived at Good Sam within the last year, or so.

 

Neola

Neola, Jerome Allard graduated with the DHS class of 1958. Arlene is his sister. Without doing some research, I don’t remember if their mother was one of the 5 cote sisters. If she was that would, I think, make her a double cousin to Carol, Mary & Larry Allard. I may be all hosed up with what I remember. Mel Kuhn and some of you others, please verify all this. I do know for a fact though that Jerome is married to Donna LaCroix (64). I remember his sister Corliss Allard (66) very well too. Gary
 
Cruise pictures from Geri Metcalfe Munro (59): Fargo, ND.
Nancy Hosmer Baldwin (62) with her fiancé Keith Kontzie

 

 

 

Cousins: Ardis, daughter of Lucky and Jennie (Nelson) Metcalfe;

Dianne, daughter of Jean (Metcalfe) Maki; Geri; Ken, son of Leona (Metcalfe) Oswell;

and brother, Gary Metcalfe.

 
 
 

Phyllis McKay (65), Bill (Willie 60) & Al-lyn Longie

 

 

 

 

Cheryl Haagenson (71) with the judges after winning the singing contest on the cruise

 

Gary’s note/question

 

This sure looks like Mike and Sandra Zeiler (62) Vandal?

 

 

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

 

Gary and Friends,

I ran across a picture that is obviously very old. It was actually a
postcard, which was common in the early to mid ’20s. People could have
their pictures printed in postcard form and then mail them to friends
easily. This was in with my grandparent’s pictures and several others
are postcards and are dated in this same time period. With the recent
loss of our friend Thurman Parrill, and LeaRae Parrill Espe’s many
contributions to this blog, this old picture might be of special
interest to her family. The hand written inscription on the back
says–‘Parrill’s barn in the Turtle Mountains’. Actually it
says–‘Parels barn in the Turtal Mountains’, but then some of my
ancestors weren’t the best at grammar and phonics! I can only assume it
is LeaRae’s grandparent’s barn, and before the death of her grandfather
when the family moved to Mountain, ND. I don’t know the exact dates but
I assume it was in the ’20s. Can you fill in the blanks LeaRae? Thanks Gary!

Dick

 

 

Made out of sand on the beach – Boracay Island, Philippines

 

 

Dinner buffet at one of the Boracay Regency restaurants on the beach.

 

This buffet only cost $12.00 net with taxes and gratuities. The Breakfast

 

Buffet was free. Restaurant food is cheap on Boracay.

 

 

Bernadette in the seating area of the Buffet pictured above.

 

 

 

Bernadette at the Boracay Regency. The beach is to the left behind the trees.

 

 

 

Me (Gary) on the Beach. Later on I did go swimming

 

 

 

Bernadette on the Beach. That water is as warm as heated bath tub water.

 

 

One of the 3 pools at the Boracay Regency. That is a bar in the lower right

 

of the picture with bar stools about 6″ under the water in the pool.

 

later on in the

afternoon all the stools were taken.

 

09/21/2009

Folks,
 
I’m making this a fast one today. Bernadette and I are leaving shortly this morning for Boracay, Philippines. We are going on a 3 day 2 night excursion, so we’ll be back Wednesday evening. Boracay is a little Island located about 200 miles NW of us. The island is only about 4 miles long and about 3/4 of a mile wide. We’ll be flying to a near by island and then taking a boat (2 miles) over to Boracay. Boracay’s beaches with the fine white sands are ranked #6 in the world with some of the literature I’ve read. Boracay is a well known tourist resort. We have always talked about going there, but never have.
 
With us being gone, I will not be sending out a blog for the next 2 days. Please keep your messages coming though. I’ll catch up when I get back.
 
Gary
Boracay Regency beach resort
 
 
From Vickie Metcalfe (70): Dunseith, ND.
 
Gary thanks for your response, below in the Peterson information recently sent by way of Dick Johnson,
#4, Emma Peterson m. Bill Childs children Billy and Donny…….They attended country school Seim School land owner unknown which was known previously as Oakes School located on the Metcalfe Farm SW corner of Holmes Township. All connected to the Lude Peterson Family

also please note #5 Vida Peterson m Jess Wilson……. Arla (Wilson) Hall long time former teacher at Bottineau school and many country schools is I believe a Wilson. I see Arla Hall out with other retired teachers, former country schools and Dunseith School ie. Millie and Marie Parrill their sister Jeannie Walker

.

Vickie,

In Gary’s message he sent me it shows a Billy Dean Childs born in Bismarck and Died in Dunseith in 1942. I think this could be the boy. I should have read his message first. Does this sound right? I remember Mom talking about this little boy being killed but never the year–just that he was 8 years old. His mother was Emma Peterson Childs, according to Gary’s Peterson family history. I’ll forward the page from Gary–actually from Vance Bailey. Thanks.

Dick

Yes, you are correct about Billy Dean Child’s. I’ll fwd these to Nancy…..since she does recall alot of stuff. I remember, the Child’s had another younger child too. I wonder if they came back once or not…I think Jim and Ella Metcalfe, while Jim was in partnership with Berg construction out of Seattle lived for a time in Spokane during the war, visited with the Peterson clan often, Jimmy or Gary Metcafe would recall this.
Vickie

Descendants of Ludrick “Lude” F. Peterson

Generation No. 1

1. LUDRICK “LUDE” F.2 PETERSON (ANDERS WHILHM1) was born 20 November 1865 in Hjorted, Sweden, and died 1959 in Spokane, Wa.. He married LILLY MAE OAKS. She was born 1880 in Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada, and died 1964 in Spokane, Wa..

More About LUDRICK “LUDE” F. PETERSON:

Burial: Fairmont Memorial Park, Spokane, WA

More About LILLY MAE OAKS:

Burial: Fairmont Memorial Park, Spokane, WA

Children of LUDRICK PETERSON and LILLY OAKS are:

2. i. MAX LEROY3 PETERSON, b. 1897, Battle Lake, Otter Tail Co., Minnesota; d. 1963, Renton, King Co. , Wa..

3. ii. MAUDE PETERSON, b. 1899, Dunseith, Rolette Co., N.D..

4. iii. EMMA PETERSON, b. 1903, Rolette Co., N.D.; d. 1994, Spokane, Wa..

5. iv. VIDA LILLIAN PETERSON, b. 1905, Dunseith, Rolette Co., N.D.; d. 1990, Spokane, Wa..

6. v. MINNIE PETERSON, b. 19 March 1915, Rolette Co., N.D..

Generation No. 2

2. MAX LEROY3 PETERSON (LUDRICK “LUDE” F.2, ANDERS WHILHM1) was born 1897 in Battle Lake, Otter Tail Co., Minnesota, and died 1963 in Renton, King Co. , Wa.. He married MARY LEAH AWALT 29 August 1920 in Dunseith, Rolette Co. ND, daughter of WILLIAM AWALT and MARY KNIGHT. She was born 14 December 1896 in Plano, Appanoose Co, Ia, and died 20 August 1977 in Bottineau, Bottineau Co, ND.

More About MAX LEROY PETERSON:

Burial: Oak Creek Cem., Bottineau, Bottineau Co., ND

Fact 1: Buried at Oak Creek Cem., Bottineau, N.D.

Children of MAX PETERSON and MARY AWALT are:

i. LUCILLE4 PETERSON, b. 02 October 1920, Dunseith, Rolette Co., ND; d. 15 July 2003, Washington State; m. LOUIS HOVELAND, 02 October 1940, Dunseith, Rolette Co., ND; b. 17 September 1915, Perth, Towner Co., ND; d. 18 November 1999, Renton, King Co., WA.

More About LUCILLE PETERSON:

Burial: Greenwood Cem., Renton, King Co. WA

ii. MARION PETERSON, b. 01 April 1922, Rolette Co., ND; m. CARL FEUTCHER.

iii. MAYNARD (BILL) PETERSON, b. 24 March 1923, Dunseith, Rolette Co., ND; d. 31 August 2004, Dunseith, Rolette Co., ND; m. JOY STICKLAND, 20 October 1944, Dunseith, Rolette Co., ND; b. 12 February 1927, Rolette Co., ND.

More About MAYNARD (BILL) PETERSON:

Burial: Little Prairie Cemetery

iv. DUANE LEROY PETERSON, b. 14 May 1924, Rolette Co., ND; m. LORRAINE EVA DUE, 1953, Willow City, Bottineau Co., ND; b. 26 March 1935, Bottineau, Bottineau Co., ND.

Notes for DUANE LEROY PETERSON:

The Courant, Bottineau, ND, Tuesday September 30, 2003

PETERSONS CELEBRATE 50th ANNIVERSARY.

Approximately 200 friends and relatives gathered at the Lodge at the Peace Garden, Sunday, Sept. 14, to help Duane and Lorraine Peterson celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary.

At the punch bowl was Tami and Frank Gladue. Serving coffee was Gail Lagerquist. Cutting and serving the Weddidng Anniversary cake was Renee and Holly Lagerquist. All are their grandchildren. The cake was baked by their daughter-in-law Sheri, and granddaughter Heather Peterson.

The Kelvin Homemakers provided and served the delicious lunch.

All four of the Peterson childrn were in attendance. They are Connie and Karen Lagerquist, (Mike) and Sheri Peterson of Dunseith, and (Kim) and Miles Brown of Colorado Springs, CO. All nine of their grandchildren were here for the event. They are (Russell) and Holly Lagerquist of Butte, Montana, and their grandaughter, McKenzie of Bismark. Renee and and Gail Lagerquist and Tami and Frank Gladue, and Danny and Heather Peterson of Dunseith and Alecia Brown of Colorado Springs, CO.

Duane’s brother (Bill) and Joy Peterson of Dunseith and sisters, (Vida) and Howard Hiatt and Doris Williams of Bottineau; Shirley Lagerquist of Rugby; Lois Peterson of Spokane, WA.; and Mary Artzer of Algona, WA were all in attendance.

Lorraine’s family were also all present.Dolly Schoonover of Rolette; (Joann) and Emery Vigness of Alexander, ND; (Helen) and Wesley Satron of Minot, ND; Marta of Fort Collins, CO; and Morris’ twin sister (Marion) and Mike Nerple of Dunseith, ND.

(then follows a description of the program)

Fifty years ago, Max Peterson’s Model A Ford truck was in Willow City to escort the bride and groom around town after the wedding. On their 25th anniversary, that same Model A truck was at the Peace Garden for a ride around the Garden driven by Jack Peterso. Would you believe, that same Model A was waiting at the Peace Garden on their 50th anniversary, driven by Martin Peterson for another ride around the Garden?

Approwimately 50 friends and relatives enjoyed supper after the open house at the Peace Garden, visiting and reminiscing. Relatives and freinds came from North Dakota, Montana, Minnesota, Colorado, and Canada.

v. VIDA PETERSON, b. 16 February 1926, Rolette Co., ND; m. HOWARD HIATT, 27 April 1944, Dunseith, Rolette Co., ND; b. 22 September 1924, Bottineau, Bottineau Co., ND; d. April 1977.

vi. LOIS PETERSON, b. 08 March 1927; m. (1) LEONARD HONSEY; m. (2) ROBERT RUDE.

vii. SHIRLEY MAY PETERSON, b. 26 August 1929, Dunseith, Rolette Co., ND; m. RALPH BENJAMIN LAGERQUIST, 03 December 1947, Dunseith, Rolette Co., ND; b. 22 April 1921, Kelvin, Rolette Co., ND; d. 10 December 1998, Rugby, Pierce Co., ND..

viii. DARREL (JACK) PETERSON, b. 19 February 1931, Bottineau, Bottineau Co., ND; d. 14 June 1989, Minot, Ward Co. ND; m. NETTIE Z. HIATT, 11 April 1951, Rolla, Rolette Co., ND; b. 08 March 1930, Dunseith, Rolette Co., ND.

ix. MARY PETERSON, b. 24 April 1933, Dunseith, Rolette Co., ND; m. (1) MARTIN EVANS, 08 June 1957; b. Dunseith, Rolette Co., ND; d. 20 April 1970; m. (2) ERWIN “BUD” HOERLE, 09 March 1972; d. 28 September 1984; m. (3) JOHN “JIM” ARTZER, 11 July 1986, Renton, King Co., WA; b. 08 March 1930, Longmont, Boulder Co., CO; d. 13 January 1995, Renton, King Co., WA.

x. DORIS PETERSON, b. 04 November 1934, Dunseith, Rolette Co., ND; m. MARLIN B. WILLIAMS, 27 August 1955, Rolette Co., ND; b. 10 July 1935, Rolette Co., ND.

3. MAUDE3 PETERSON (LUDRICK “LUDE” F.2, ANDERS WHILHM1) was born 1899 in Dunseith, Rolette Co., N.D.. She married (1) A. M. (ABIE) ROTHWELL. She married (2) FRANK WOLVERTON. She married (3) HENRY J. MORLAN 01 December 1917 in Dunseith, Rolette Co., N.D., son of WILLIAM MORLAN and EVELINE AWALT. He was born 30 August 1879, and died 27 September 1944.

Children of MAUDE PETERSON and HENRY MORLAN are:

i. EVYLEN4 MORLAN, b. 18 December 1919, Dunseith, Rolette Co., ND; m. MEYER QUAM.

ii. PHYLLIS MORLAN, b. 02 February 1925, Dunseith, Rolette Co., ND; m. ALVIN MARTIN.

4. EMMA3 PETERSON (LUDRICK “LUDE” F.2, ANDERS WHILHM1) was born 1903 in Rolette Co., N.D., and died 1994 in Spokane, Wa.. She married BILL CHILDS. He died 1958 in Spokane, Spokane Co., WA.

More About EMMA PETERSON:

Burial: Fairmont Memorial Park, Spokane, WA

More About BILL CHILDS:

Burial: Fairmont Memorial Park, Spokane, WA

Children of EMMA PETERSON and BILL CHILDS are:

i. BILLY DEAN4 CHILDS, b. Bismark, Burleigh Co., ND; d. 1942, Dunseith, Rolette Co., ND.

ii. DON CHILDS, m. PAT [–?–] CHILDS.

5. VIDA LILLIAN3 PETERSON (LUDRICK “LUDE” F.2, ANDERS WHILHM1) was born 1905 in Dunseith, Rolette Co., N.D., and died 1990 in Spokane, Wa.. She married JESSE C WILSON 10 June 1924 in Dunseith, Rolette Co., ND, son of SOLOMAN WILSON and EDITH ANDERSON. He was born 06 January 1897 in Mo., and died 13 December 1971 in Spokane, Spokane Co., Wa.

More About VIDA LILLIAN PETERSON:

Burial: Fairmont Memorial Park, Spokane, WA

More About JESSE C WILSON:

Burial: Fairmont Memorial Park, Spokane, WA

Children of VIDA PETERSON and JESSE WILSON are:

i. LUDRIC CALVIN4 WILSON, b. 01 August 1925, Gary, In.; d. May 1982, Spokane, Wa.; m. SHIRLEY ANN BERNICE STEINER; b. 13 May 1932.

ii. JESS CLEO WILSON, b. 14 September 1927, Eureka, Ca.; d. 31 May 2003, Spokane, WA.

iii. MARGARET CORINNE “CONNIE” WILSON, b. 04 December 1929, Minot, Ward Co., N.D.; m. MERRILL ALAN READ, 06 February 1957, Spokane, Wa.; b. 23 January 1920, The Dalles, Or.; d. 15 October 1967, Spokane, WA.

6. MINNIE3 PETERSON (LUDRICK “LUDE” F.2, ANDERS WHILHM1) was born 19 March 1915 in Rolette Co., N.D.. She married (1) LESTER PINE 11 March 1937. She married (2) EUGENE HARRY PATTERSON 03 June 1975.

Children of MINNIE PETERSON and LESTER PINE are:

i. LARRY4 PINE, b. 21 February 1940.

ii. MIKE PINE, b. 27 December 1943; m. ARLENE CHILDS.

iii. LESLIE ANN PINE, b. 09 March 1951; m. (1) DALE LEE MILLER; b. abt 1950; m. (2) TIMOTHY PETE

09/20/2009

Condolence to the Poitra family from Marge Longie Wilcox (56):Vancouver, WA.

 

Gary,

I would like to send my prayers and condolences to the Poitra family for their recent lost.

Marge Wilcox

 

 

 

Reply from Vickie Metcalfe (70):Dunseith, ND

 

THANK YOU. Dick and Gary for the information on our neighbors, the
Peterson’s of Holmes Township.
My dad was between Bill and Duane in age. When dad lived with the
Seim’s, Duane lived with the Carlson’s. Dad was there from the
time he was 14 to 17. He left the Seim farm to join his older
brothers in Seattle along with Bill Peterson. Dad and Bill ”
bached” together at Meyers rooming house for a year until he joined
the navy. Dad recalled many other hired folks a the Seims. Some
were were Jennie Nelson, & Louis DuBois. All the hired help that
ever worked at the Seim farm carved or wrote their in names in to
the wood close to the milk house in the barn. Dad or Art showed me
the many names that continued to withstand the test of time.

I recall mom and dad taking Nancy and I across the road to the north
to Lude and Lillies, where they would visit and would play cards
under the light of a kerosene lamp.

The article also made the connection as dad recalled it with the
Oakes family. While riding one of my trusty steeds ….(Byrd the
barn horse, Scout the Tennessee Walker…or Smokey…..the killer.)
I often rode over or around the original foundation of Oakes school.
Thanks Gary & Dicki

Vickie L. Metcalfe

Vickie, I think you are referring to some Peterson family info that Doreen Bailey sent to me with a personal message that I forwarded to Dick Johnson. I have posted A reply I got from Doreen about that very message below. Gary
 
Reply from Doreen Bailey:Tempe, AZ
 
Gary
I am happy if any of the information I have in Vance’s research is of interest and or helpful for others who are searching for family connections/history.. I just did not want to send something that was not appropriate for the email newsletter.
Thanks for continuing to send me the emails. I admire your dedication to the newsletter, it certainly has brought joy and renewed friendships for so many, God Bless. Doreen
Doreen, We know that Vance acquired a lot of Dunseith/Turtle Mountain/Rolette county info with his research. When you see subjects discussed that you have info on, please share. Not being that familiar with the Peterson family, I forwarded that message to Dick. I am glad that he shared it with those he thought it would be of interest too. Thank you Doreen, Gary.

 

 

Reply from Carmen Leonard Richard: Rolette, ND.

 

I printed out the picture of Little Prairie Ladies Aid for Marie(Eurich) Beachler and she was able to identify almost everyone.

Back row:-Hannah Kirkwold, Ella Metcalfe, Arla Millang, Joy Peterson, Jesse Millang, Kenrose Medlang, Bertha Meyer, Agnes Solmonson ? Elenore Fauske, Velma Millang.

Front row: -Christine Carlson, Annie Nicholson, Hilda Strong, Martha Handeland, Clara (Seim) Anderson, Francis Espe, Ingrid Seim.

Carmen, Thank you so much for sharing this with Marie. I do not have Marie or any of her children listed in my records. I see she is a sister to Dave Jr. Eurich (deceased). I also see that another sister, Olynda Eurich, was married to Ydola Piegon, Colette Piegon Reid’s mother. Colette, I had no idea that your mother was a Eurich. That makes you a first cousin to all of Dave/Winifred’s children. Gary

 

 

Reply from Geri Metcalfe Munro (59): Fargo, ND.

 

Hi Gary,

I will list the ladies on this picture beginning with the back row (including some that were standing a little forward): Hannah (Tom) Kirkwold), Ella (Jim) Metcalfe, Arla (Art) Millang to the rt of Ella, Joy (Bill) Peterson, Jessie (Carl) Millang, Kenrose (Odin) Medlang, Bertha (Earl) Myer behind Agnes (Cliff) Salmonson) , Pat (Johnnie) Myer, then to the right in front of Pat, are Dorothy (Leonard) Millang and Velma (Cliff)Millang.

Front row is Christine (Pete) Carlson, Mrs. Fred Nicolson, Hilda (LeRoy) Strong, Martha (Oliver) Handeland, Clara (Leslie) Sime, Frances (Elmer) Espe and Ingrid (John) Seim.

I think Dick Johnson’s guess of 1948 was probably closer than my guess of 1951–my family moved to the farm from Seattle by the time
Margaret was born in 1946 and they joined Little Prairie Lutheran Church. I have pictures of the pastors who served our congregation.
Geri

 

 

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

 

Gary and Friends,

In the picture of the Ladies Aid, they should be as follows:

Back row–L-R Arla Millang, Jessie Millang, Bertha Myer, and Pat Myer

Middle row–Hannah Kirkwold, Ella Metcafe, Joy Peterson, Kenrose
Medlang, Agnes Millang, Dorothy Millang, and Velma Millang.

Front row–Christine Carlson, Annie Nicholson, Hilda Strong, Martha
Handeland, Clara Sime, Frances Espe, and Ingrid Seim.

Gary—I’m sure the Metcalfe girls will know all these ladies and
respond too. After reading the story, it appears the picture was
actually taken in 1954. The roster with the picture shows another date.
Stan Salmonson found the picture in the Dunseith history book on page
318, for those who want to read the story. Thanks Gary!

Dick

Back Row: Arla Millang, Jessie Millang, Bertha Myer, and Pat Myer
Middle: Hannah Kirkwold, Ella Metcafe, Joy Peterson, Kenrose Medlang, Agnes Salmonson,
Dorothy Millang, and Velma Millang.
Front Row:
Christine Carlson, Annie Nicholson, Hilda Strong, Martha Handeland, Clara Sime,
Frances Espe, and Ingrid Seim.
 

 

These are some pictures that we took on the cruise. The flash was not set to go off on our camera when these were taken so they are not the best pictures. Gary

 

 

Cheryl Haagenson (71)

 

 

 

Geri Metcalfe (59) and Chuck Munro

 

 

Gary Stokes (65) Lorette Berube Leonard and Bernadette Stokes

 

 

09/19/2009

Harry Poitra, 71, Dunseith, died Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2009, in a Minot hospital.

He was born Sept. 23, 1937, to Robert and Eva Poitra in Belcourt. He married Leona Delorme on Aug. 6, 1957, near Dunseith

Survivors: sons, Richard, Dunseith, Larry, Rapid City, S.D., Douglas, Grand Forks, Randy, Bottineau, Kevin and Michael, both Belcourt, Sandy, Park River; daughters, Donna Fredericksen, Grafton, Cheryl Trottier, Williston, Peggy Parisien, Dunseith, Diana Poitra, St. John; 36 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; sisters: Theresa Manson, Rolla, Helen Sunblad of Minnesota, Amanda Poitra, Grand Forks; brother, Virgil, Dunseith.

Funeral: Saturday, 10 a.m., in Nero Funeral Home, Bottineau.

Burial: St. Louis Cemetery, rural Dunseith.

Visitation: Today, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., in the funeral home.

Marlin (Virgil 64), you are the only one of your brothers family members I recognize. I am sure many of our readers know many of your family members. Our condolences are with you and your family with the passing Harry. Gary

 
 
 
Request from Lyle (61) and Sharon Pearson Zeiler (62): Rugby, ND
 
Hi Gary,
 
We would like to be included in the Dunseith Blog.
We moved to Rugby in Jan.2008 and just got hooked up
to the internet again. Our e-mail address is
Our address is 410 -7th st sw
Rugby,ND 58368.
Thank-YOU,
LYLE & SHARON (PEARSON) ZEILER
 
 
 
Copy of message sent to Janice Leonard Workman (56): Auburn, WA, From
Gary Metcalfe (57): Forsyth, MO
 
Hi Janice, Good to see you in Seattle. Sure did enjoy your brother Bill on the cruise. We really had a lot to talk about.

Though I know you did not work full time for Judge Ray Wilson, I thought you might have been there the day Tony Christianson paid his fine for whatever. He gave the Judge and extra $20 and said, “I am gonna feed you so well that I hope your short leg grows out to match the other one.”
Tony wasn’t in Dunseith that long, I think he was Danish and some kind of a character. They all had a sense of humor those days. Tony was married to Velva House.

Hope you had a good time in S.D. for the reunion and that you found Bonnie and Keith doing well!!

Thanks Janice. Gary Metcalfe

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

Marshall Awalt’s latest picture of the Ladies Aid was at one time in
the papers with the caption ‘Fried Chicken Experts’. The ladies served
the Peace Garden board of director’s annual meetings at the old lodge.
They did this for many years and used the proceeds for the church. My
guess on the date is ’46 or ’48, by looking at the bottom part of the
numbers. They continued the serving tradition for probably close to 30
years. After looking, I believe only four of the ladies in this picture
are still living today. One is Joy Peterson who was in the kitchen today
helping with the lunch at Greg Grimme’s funeral. She is going strong!

When Vickie Hiatt LaFountaine mentioned the cream cans, I thought of a
neat thing that happened just a couple years ago. I’ve been known to
take an early morning drive over to St. John to have coffee with the
guys. One morning Doug Stewart came in after I did and told me he put a
‘present’ in the back of my pickup. When I left I noticed this old rusty
smashed cream can in my pickup box and thought it was a joke of some
kind, probably just something that was laying in the street and needed
to go to the junk. We pull tricks on each other too, so it could be
something like that. I went to throw it in my scrap iron pile and then
noticed the brass name tag on the can—Paul Strietzel-St. John, ND–my
great grandfather! I took it to the shop and heated the tag to loosen
the solder and now I have the tag as a keepsake. Doug had also noticed
the name and thought I might like to have it–he was sure right!

Greg Grimme’s funeral today was well attended and even though it was
sad to have lost our friend at such a young age, folks came together to
support the family and to remember all the good times we had. Several
classmates of Greg and Gwen came to pay their respects and visit with
Gwen and Bill. Greg was buried at Riverside Cemetery in the Grimme
family plot by his parents and brother, Conley. The Grimme family was an
integral part of our community and I think that was reflected by those
in attendance. My sympathy sure goes out to Gwen and Bill in this time
of sorrow.

Dick

 
 
 
Reply from Geri Metcalfe Munro (59): Fargo, ND
 
THANK YOU , Marshall Awalt and Gary Stokes for the precious picture of the Little Prairie Lutheran Ladies Aid group. My mom had it framed and on a wall at the farm, but I lost track of it, so I was DELIGHTED to get this back, and it prints so well. I am thinking the picture was taken in about 1951. Joy Peterson would probably remember the year. I was just about to write and ask her if they still have the picture. I remember these ladies so well from my childhood–good friends and neighbors all. They made money to support the church by serving chicken dinner to the Kiwanis and other organizations; it was the best in the world!

Many thanks and Marshall, I’ll bet you have other great pictures, too.

Geri (Metcalfe) Munro

 
 
 
Replies from Vickie Metcalfe (70): Bottineau, ND
 
Gary I try to inform my cousins (Kith and Kin) of family news It is so great to tell them to log onto your blog.. Always great when a special treat appears. Thanks Gary.

Date: Fri, 18 Sep 2009 14:12:28 -0500
To: Kith and Kin,
From: “Vickie L. Metcalfe”
Subject: Fried Chicken Experts

On today’s Gary Stokes #560 web site, there is a photo of the Little Prairie Ladies Aide. I’m sure you will recognize many familiar names. Each a wonderful rolemodel. These farm women served meals at the Peace Garden during the summer to earn monies for the ladies Aide.I think this group was called “The Fried Chicken Experts”. I hope Geri Munro writes in on Gary’s blog to tell him about her mom, Ella and others’ frying the chicken’s at home and how we all have Ella’s coleslaw recipe. When,after the big serving day,they would bring home roaster scraps to feed the family. ….What about it Geri?… I recall most of these ladies in the congregation at Little Prairie and also at Peace Lutheran.
Little Prairie merged with Dunseith Lutheran and Rendahl Lutheran, the ladies aide from all of those congregations grouped together and continued to serve at the Peace Garden for special meals. However, as time moves on and congregation grew smaller that doesn’t happen any more.
Tall evergreens now stand stately in place of the old church over the final resting place of many of these fine women. Clean up day at Little Prairie Cemetery is the first Saturday in May. After cleaning up, Little Prairie folks gather around, under the trees for….coffee, sandwiches, bars and commune.
Love, Vickie

http://garystokes.net/message5609.aspx

Vickie L. Metcalfe
Geri You’d remember more than I. I think you are right about the cooking at the Peace Garden because of the big ovens. Our mom wasn’t part of that earlier group, she did help in later years.
I know for the 1980 Metcalfe family reunion that’s what we did, led by Lorraine Somer’s and Cousin Barbara Straub cooked the in the day’s before.
Vickie.


Help Geri out here.

Please correct me if I’m wrong about the ladies frying chicken at the Lodge. They used to serve 150-250, I think–not sure of the #’s–it would have made sense for the ladies to fry at home–since they served so many…let’s hear from you guys out there!

Love,
Geri


From: chuckgerimunro
To: vickie.metcalfe
Subject: RE: Fried Chicken Experts
Date: Fri, 18 Sep 2009 15:15:27 -0500

Hi Vickie–You know, I remember that the ladies aid fried all the chicken at the Lodge at the Peace Garden, not at home–maybe they browned it the day before and went back–it was a long day and I know Mom was tired by the end of it, but it was so enjoyable for her. All she brought home was the scraps in the bottom of her roaster (my mouth waters just to think of what a wonderful flavor that chicken had–of course, they did not spare the butter, cream or browning) –the folks that were served always rushed to purchase the chicken that was left and it always sold out, no matter how much chicken there was.

Mom used to say that she didn’t know what they would do once Christine Carlson and Ingrid Seim were no longer available, so I guess that she decided to learn to be one of those in charge, which she often was after they were gone.

Love, Geri
 
This is the Little Prairie Lutheran Ladies Aid picture. We know the names of who all is in this picture but we do not know who is who. Geri, Vickie, Dick & others; can you guys help us out? Thanks, Gary
 
 
Reply from Geri Metcalfe Munro (59): Fargo, ND
 
Hi Gary and Marshall Awalt,
My cousin, Vickie Metcalfe and I were talking this week about old pictures and she suggested I send this picture to the Dunseith blog.
Gertrude Awalt had given Lottie and Vickie the picture, and they had it copied and gave copies to relatives. The kids are left to right: Jim Metcalfe (my dad), Uncle Lucky Metcalfe, friend and neighbor, Charles Anderson, (uncle of the Awalt kids)and Uncle Archie Metcalfe in front. We are not sure of the date but maybe 1924 (?)
Thanks, Gary

Geri (Metcalfe) Munro

Back L to R:Jim Metcalfe, Lucky Metcalfe, Charles Anderson
Front: Archie Metcalfe

09/18/2009

Pamela Fugere Schmidt (73): Mandan, ND

Loved Sharron’s comments on Jeff Gottbreht. I think I was just 10 years old when I started babysitting for the Gottbreht boys. Jeff, you’re quite a guy and you make us all proud!

Pamela (Fugere) Schmidt, class of ‘73

 
 
From Cheryl Kester Gaugler (69):North Brunswick, NJ
 
Gary,

Just wanted to check in and thank you for keeping Dunseith alive for everyone. I left 37 years ago, but my family knows that when I refer to ‘home’ I’m referring to Dunseith (New Jersey just feels different somehow!).

I’ve been enjoying Dick and Brenda Johnson’s CD, especially Johnny Cash’s Long Black Veil. It’s my favorite Johnny Cash song, so was great to hear Dick’s version. I told them the best part of the CD was hearing Dick talking and Brenda’s laugh in the background. I’ll be home in October for Mom’s 92nd birthday and am hoping to hear the Highway 43 group live.

 

Thank you for keeping everyone connected – it’s appears to be a labor of love on your part and everyone appreciates your efforts.

Cheryl Gaugler

 
 
 
From Aggie Casavant (69): Fort Mill, SC
 
Hi Gary, I just got home from working the night shift. This past week I’ve been listening to Dick,and Brenda Johnson’s & Ron Hett’s Hwy 43 C.D. on my way to work each night, and again on my way home in the morning. The more I listen to it the more I love it.
 
Lastnite I watched on T.V. who was going to walk away with 1st Place on “America’s Got Talent”. There was some awesome talent on there this past month or so. A chicken farmer from Kentucky won it. As happy as I was for him for winning it cuz he really did need a break in life, he didn’t come remotely close to how good Dick, Brenda,and Ron are. Dicks got such a clear strong great voice, and Brenda, Ron & Dick really know how to play those instuments. I’m not just saying this to have something to say, I’m dead serious they need to go to the next audition in New York, that’s coming up. That would be awesome!!! I Am So Serious About This …Go Dick, Brenda & Ron!!!!!
 
Who ever out there doesn’t have the C.D. “Get It” and then lets cheer them on…. all the way to New York!!!
Cheryl and Aggie, I’m assuming you guys have the same CD of Dick & Brenda’s that was recorded at the Frozen Fingers Festival in Minot last winter that Brenda sent to Bill Grimme and Me. It is for sure a jewel. And yes, you are right Cheryl about Dick’s talking. I enjoy that ND/MN accent that I’m sure at one time I also had. After being away from the area for all these years I can sure pick up those from that area by their accent. Guess what, Hwy 43 just came up on our Stereo as I’m writing this. It’s 50 plus minutes of wonderful music.
 
Folks, I’m not sure of the cost or the distribution of this CD, but I’m posting both Dick and Brenda’s email for them to answer those questions for those of you that are interested. djcars@hughes.netBrenda.Johnson@ndsu.edu Gary
 
 
 
Reply from Randy Flynn (70): Happy Valley, OR
 
Gary,
 
The message from Gary Metcalfe prompted 2 thoughts. First, it would be wonderful to hear Gary Metcalfe and his Granddaughter sing. Their singing on the Alaskan Cruise was enjoyable. Angelina was truly as entertaining as her Grandfather Gary. I hope they are now recording a few songs so we can all enjoy their voices on the internet throughout the year.
 
Secondly, Gary’s desire to see the Ocean is well understood. I am presently working for 3 days on the central Oregon coast. I have not had many days as enjoyable since the Alaskan Cruise. The sun has been shining for several days, tonight the temperature is still 64 degrees at 11:15 at night, and some forthcoming bad weather is creating a beautiful surf rolling white waves upon the beach and rocky shoreline. It is truly mesmerizing and therapeutic to see and hear. If anyone travels to the west coast and has not visited this area, it is a real treat. Driving HWY 101 from Lincoln City to Coos Bay permits you to see and feel the ocean as well as the majesty of the rugged cliffs filled with wildlife.
 
So, Gary Metcalfe, please record a few songs for all of us to enjoy. I will play them the next time I drive U.S. Hwy 101.
 
Gary Stokes, Thank you for your continued efforts to keep us all connected.
 
Randy Flynn
 
 
 
Reply from Vickie Hiatt LaFontaine (73): Grafton, ND
 
I have fond memories of every sat bringing the cream into town to Minnie Alvin and waiting for the cream check as mom called it. I remember thinking how horrible that place smelled and commenting only to get the shhh and head shaking. Oh and yes dear Bob and the cream truck what a pleasure it was to see him. As a child I never knew the importrance of those cows until mom told os that the cream check was what they survived on. Guess I should’nt been so mean to the hateful old cows.
Yes Vickie, the cream check was the bread and butter of those days for most of the farm families. Dad got paid 3 cents for each butterfat pound of cream that he delivered to the Bottineau Creamery. The farmers paid him one cent and the Creamery 2 cents. The over loads on his pick-up were well over loaded with all the cream cans, double stacked, in that extra wide wooden box on that ford Pick-up by the time he got to Bottineau. Gary
 

 

From Marshall Awalt (51): Newport, NC

 

HI Gary I don’t know if I posted these ladies before or not but some of the readers might see a mother or grandmother.

 

Marshall Awalt 51

Folks, I recognize a whole lot of these folks, but there are some I don’t recognize, so I’m not going to start placing names or guessing from the list posted below the picture with the names of those in the picture. I’ll leave that up to you guys. The four that stuck immediately to me were Ella Metcalfe, Velma Millang, Kenrose Medlang and Agnes Salmonson. Taking a closer look I do recognize a whole lot of the others too.
Thank you Marshall for sharing this picture. Can you tell us the year of this picture. The date got cut off on the top. Gary

 
 
Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe:neola@min.midco.net Minot & Bottineau, ND.
 
 

09/17/2009

Sympathy to Gwen & Bill Grimme
From Toni Morinville Gredesky (68): Farimount, ND
 

Gwen and Bill–

Please consider this my deepest sympathy on the loss of your brother Greg. His death brought back many memories of our childhood. There were so many kids in the neighborhood. Remember how we spent summer days outside all day? Greg was so incredibly intelligent and unique. He represents one of the reasons I am proud to be part of the class of 68.

Toni Morinville Gredesky

 

 

Sympathy to Gwen/Bill Grimme from Phyllis McKay (65): Auburn, WA.

To Gwen and Bill Grimme,

I am so sorry to hear of Greg ‘s passing. Words of sympathy can never capture the pain of losing a loved one. After losing my parents and little niece, I can only look forward to the day we will be reunited. You are in my thoughts and prays. Phyllis McKay

 
 
Message from Pam Wenstad Lane (78): Dunseith, ND.
 

Hi Gary,
 
I missed reading the blog in the last couple of weeks. I’m back HOME !! Been a long time, almost 25 yrs. Its nice to be around family again. Anyway, I was wondering if there are any friends out there that might have any insight on the history of the Willow Lake School? If there are any classmates around and years they went to the school? I myself did’nt go there but I know that Debbie did . Thats where she lives now. So, if you or someone out there could help me out I would greatly be thankful.
 
Pam Wenstad Lane (78)
Pam and All, I post all of these daily messages on the Dunseith Alumni WEB site. http://garystokes.net/default.aspx
I strip all email addresses and personal contact info when posting.
 
 
Reply from Nathan Richard (2000): Fairbanks, AK
 
In regards to the picture of C. Emerson Murry. Wow it is really cool to put a face with the name of the ND National Guard Fire Center (South Camp Grafton). Before moving up here to Alaska I have spent many days on that range qualifying. We are enjoying summer still up here. Last week it was still reaching around 70 which is great!

Nathan A. Richard
1LT, AD
Bravo Crew Sensor Operator
HHB, 49th MD BN
Unsecure: (907) 873-2222
Home: (907) 869-3563
Cell: (701) 330-6563

Larry Liere (55) and C. Emerson Murry (42)
 
Reply from Larry Liere (55): Devils Lake, ND.
 

Gary

 

One more thing of interest about the Turtle Mountain Creamery. During WWII that little creamery had a contract with the Army and shipped a railroad box car load of butter I think every week. At that time just about every farmer milked and they would bring in cream to sell in 3 to 20 gallon cream cans. It is hard to believe that those farmers, that little creamery, with one churn could produce that much butter. Emerson and I were talking about this subject at the reunion. I remember they would box the butter in boxes about 2 foot square maybe a little smaller. Emerson thought the weight of the box was about 60 lbs. If anyone out there knows the size and weight of butter to make 60 lbs. you can prove us right or wrong. Even after shipping to the Army they still had enough butter to supply Dunseith, and the San Haven.

 

LARRY

Larry, how well I and a whole lot of our readers remember milking those cows and selling the cream to the creameries in Bottineau and Dunseith. My share of the milking was three cows morning and night 7 days/week. There were no vacations. My dad had a cream route that he ran twice a week for many years. He hauled cream from the farmers in the hills from #3 to Bottineau. Many of those farmers would invite him in for coffee along the way too. He loved to socialize and he also loved his coffee.
 
 
Reply from Vickie Metcalfe (70): Bottineau, ND.
 
Gary and friends;
Responding to blog# 556, Albert Peterson and the Lude Peterson’s
were not related. Lude and Lillie Peterson lived across the road
to the north from my parents when they first purchased their primary
farm site from Bill Child’s. The Child’s were related to the Lude
Peterson’s as were the Oakes who had moved on to Spokane,Washington.
Cliff Metcalfe, (Dad) waded in snow waist high walking down from Bob
Lambs (Grandpa’s) to purchase the Child’s place in May 1950. My
parents, lived for a couple months with Nancy behind Kelvin. Around
that time Bertha (Metcalfe) House was the Central telephone operator
at Kelvin, then Kathy Gregory, Eleanor (Metcalfe) Nerpel was the
operator as late as fall 1961. I answered the crank telephone the
one August day she called ,she said, “Tell your dad to call Eleanor
Nerpel”…I didn’t Which.. I still feel guilty because as a 2nd
grader I forgot to tell Dad to return the call…Eleanor was calling
to notify him of his mother’s (Grandma Rose’s) death in Seattle.

> Previous to Carl Nelson,Albert Peterson owned the land to the
>north of “the flat” ,which is now owned by Mike Peterson. Various
>folks lived in the Albert Peterson shack, for short periods of time,
>Among them, Elmer and Sylvia Rush(mom’s first cousin), and later,Ed
>and Celia Walter and their new baby Erna.
>
Albert Peterson, a bachelor,was brother to Christina Medlang,
also owned the land across the road to the south of the Seim meadow.
Odin Medlang sold that portion of Albert Peterson land to my
parents, it was their second land purchase… Dad and mom called it,
both “the flat” or “The Homestead”.

> My sister, Nancy,commented to me about the questions Gary
>Metcalfe wrote in your blog. “Re. Gary’s email about Albert
>Peterson. Does he realize it was “out on the flat”. That’s who our
>dad bought “the flat” from in the 1950’s, just after we moved in to
>the Child’s house.. There was a shack in the trees at the end of the
>field where we used to pick rocks . (The row of trees between the
>flat & the rock field.) every spring. He was Odin Medlang’s mom’s
>brother. I don’t think he was related to Lude. But I’m not sure.
>When we were in Seattle, remember the story Aunt Leona told about
>him when he came to see Grandpa Metcalfe. He rode a old fat nag.
>When it was time to go he kept trying to jump up on the back of the
>horse but couldn’t make it. The boys were all standing around
>watching. She was exasperated they did not help him. When he tried
>the last time, Aunt Leona ran around and gave his foot a boost up,
>he made it. She was pleased he was smiling and was exasperated at
>her brothers.”
Later, Vickie

 
 
Reply from Gary Metcalfe (57): Forsyth, MO
 

Hello All, I do watch the news everyday and see the world changing drastically and I don’t know how long it will last, but we can still go back in time and will continue too. My wife and I drove to Mt. View, Arkansas the other evening. There were six or eight groups of 5 to 10 fiddle players, guitars and other instruments. I can always find someone to sing, “All Around the Water Tank” for me, an old Jimmie Rogers yodeling tune. Then to Kingston, Arkansas the next week, they were singing on the square and toward the end had an open mic time. So our six year old granddaughter, Angelina, sang without music and I did one too. She said that I did good, that was the best part of that endeavor. Anyway, the people, the setting, no cop in the town, we camped on the square that night and when we woke in the morning they were singing for a different benefit, some thing for a motorcycle group.

We can go to Alaska and watch a mother bear catch a salmon from that clear, cold creek; hear the bones crack in that big fish and take it up to the tree where her spoiled cubs were hanging out. That was at Juneau, Mendenhall Glacier. We saw Alaska at its best, clear skies. No one seems to be able to convey the true beauty very well. She’s a 10 for sure!

I won’t say too much about that beautiful place called Seattle, other than that I love every bit of the area. The place where I saw two generations of N.D. people fulfill their life dreams. I surely noticed a change in scene from the earlier days with the gorilla family at Woodland Park Zoo. Now they have a more natural surroundings. It seems to me that they enjoyed putting on a show, especially the one that was a baby. If I were to guess I would say that that big, magnificent guy weighed about twelve hundred pounds, I could be off by 300 pounds or so. The big guy sat where he could keep an eye on us, the spectators and his family. When he put his big hand over his face and looked through his fingers at us, I felt he was thinking “if I could get out of here, I’d sure put the run on whatever they are. But, then again they sure are entertaining at that, bald heads, tennis shoes, large stomachs. I wonder where they are from?” And he has to observe them every day.

 

On a trip last week back from Arizona there was a scene similiar to one we as a family had seen 25 or more years ago in northern Arizona. It was early evening, the young sheep dog was bringing the flock home with a big smile and he was in the lead with a happy look on his face. The earlier encounter was an older, unkempt, three legged sheep dog. It was a very hot Arizona day and I thought a human being would have to be paid a lot of money for what he does from the heart.

 

If we can see the ocean one more time this year, we will be ready to start all over again next year. Maybe earlier next year!!!

Gary Metcalfe

y are

 

09/16/2009

Gregory Grimme
December 19, 1950 – September 6, 2009

 

DUNSEITH – Gregory Lee Grimme, 58, Katy, TX, and formerly of Dunseith; died Sunday, September 6, 2009, in Tomball, TX.

He was born December 19, 1950 in Rolette to Carl and Kathleen (Fassett) Grimme. He was raised in Dunseith and graduated from Dunseith High School in 1968. After graduation, he attended the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks.

He moved to California and worked in Walnut Creek for Cordis Dow in the plastic fabrication field. His career led him to many destinations including Minnesota, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Texas where he designed and built commercial reverse osmosis water purifications systems, much of it tied to the oil industry. In recent years, he travelled internationally with his work. He made several trips and spent time in the Ukraine. He was currently employed by ITS Engineered Systems, Inc. in Katy, TX.

Gregory was a giving person and felt empathy for others. He enjoyed woodworking and built several clocks, and enjoyed hunting in North Dakota.

Family: fiancé, Lynn Snider, Magnolia, TX; brother, Bill Grimme, Birmingham, AL; twin-sister, Gwen (George) Eltz, Spokane, WA; and several nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles and cousins.

Gregory was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Conley; and Dingo, his pet German Shepherd.

Funeral: Thursday, September 17, 2009, at 2:00 p.m. at Peace Lutheran Church, Dunseith

Burial: Riverside Cemetery, Dunseith

Memorials: Memorials preferred to the Rolette County Historical Society or to Cypress Creek Christian Church, Spring TX.

Visitation: Two hours prior to the service at the church.

Sign the Online Guestbook

 
 
 
Symphathy to the Grimme’s from Esther Murray Fleming (65): Flint, MI
My deepest symphathy to the Grimme families. I know what it is like to lose someone you love and at such a young age. You will be in my thoughts.
 
Esther
 
 
 
To the Grimme Family from Sharron Gottbreht Shen (59): Everett, WA.
 
I feel lucky to have met Bill Grimme, Greg’s brother. Sibbling bonds are indestructable. I pray that Bill and Gwen will continue to experience the closeness of their brother and their parents until all are reunited. Saddness is a lame word to describe the loss of so young a sibbling. I hope Bill hears many stories in the coming days that will affirm how splendid a man has passed by. Sharron
 
 
 
Condolences to Bill & Gwen Grimme & Message from
Dick Johnson (68): Dunseith, ND.
 
Gary and Friends,

First of all, my condolences to the Bill and Gwen. There were lots of
good times with Greg. He left us too soon, but with many good memories
of our time together. We spent a lot of time together doing things that
kids do while growing up in old Dunseith. We will surely miss him.

To Aggie–Your story about the World Trade Towers was interesting. My
wife’s brother, Greg Knutson, had an office in one of the towers in the
early 90s when terrorists detonated a van full of explosives in the
basement parking area. They had placed the van near one if the main
support pillars in hope that one tower would fall into the second,
taking them both down. The company Greg worked for had the contract for
repair and cleanup of any disaster that could happen to the building. He
never thought anything more than a water leak or glass damage was
likely. The bomb blew down two floors and up four floors and left a
cavern as big as a large gymnasium.The people who were rushing to
evacuate all locked their office doors as they left and the firemen
chopped them all open to check for anyone who might still be in the
building. Everyone doing his job! Clean up was in the millions. The most
ironic part was that his folks saw him come out of the building, on CNN.
He couldn’t get an open phone line for over an hour and when he finally
reached his folks in ND, they already knew he was OK. He was covered in
soot but they recognized him. Of the approximately 30,000 people who
left the building, what would the chances be of seeing ONE person you
were worried about? He later moved to another job in New Jersey and
watched the planes hit the towers from his office window several years
later. He now lives in Denver and and stays close to ground level!

Thanks to Marshall Awalt for the picture of Berdella, ND and the
celebration of the end of WW I. Having lived here for most of my life, I
recognize were the picture was taken. It was taken looking to the north
from just inside of the gates going to our old farm yard. Anton Julseth
had a small store and Post Office just to the right and just out of
sight on top of the small hill that is visible. The store building
became the first part of my grandparents house. They moved it a couple
hundred feet south to a nice spot overlooking Horseshoe Lake and added
on to it. At the time this picture was taken, I would assume my great
grandmother and probably my Grandpa Hans and Axel would have been in
attendance as they were then living less than a quarter mile south along
the lake. Marshall’s grandparents were living where I now live about a
quarter mile northwest of where the picture was taken. It would also be
just out of sight to the left of the picture. Thanks Marshall for this
picture and please post any others you might have–this is great! Thanks
Gary!

Dick

 
 
 
Condolences to Grimme Family and Picture/Message from
Larry Liere (55): Devils Lake, ND
 
Hi Gary
 
This past week Sept. 11 to 14 retired members of the North Dakota Army and Air National Guard held their annual weekend get together at Camp Grafton near Devils Lake, ND. About 120 retired members were their to enjoy the reunion of old friends. Two former Dunseith members were there and had their picture taken together. C. Emerson Murry (42) and Larry Liere (55) via Devils Lake. Emerson is a retired Adjutant General for the State of North Dakota and Larry is a retired Supply-Property Officer for Camp Grafton. As a side note Larry’s dad Tony worked for Emerson’s dad Ray at the Turtle Mountain Creamery in Dunseith during the late 30’s and 40’s. When Emerson was Adjutant General for North Dakota Larry worked for him as a Supply-Property Officer. I guess that shows it is a small world and history can repeat its self. Sorry about the Sun making the picture have so much shadow.
 
LARRY
 
Our sympathy to the Grimme families Larry & Karen Liere (55) Devils Lake, ND
 
I knew Carl, Kathleen, Conley, and kind of remember Bill, but Greg and Gwen must have been born after I moved from Dunseith. My mother and Kathleen were very good friends and our families would visit each other often. Kathleen and Mom would visit a lot even after we moved. We lost a Son to cancer at age 23 and when a family has the loss of a young person like Greg the grief is hard to take. Grief is something most of us will have to live with during our life time. We found that thinking of all the good times we had with our Son helped us through some difficult times. I feel it helps to keep the memory of loved ones alive. Even though we did not know Greg we are sorry for your loss since he was the Son of our mothers good friend.

Larry Liere (55) and C. Emmerson Murry (42)

 

 

Reply from Bev Morinville Azure (72): Dunseith, ND.

 

Thank you Verna and Pete.. each message means the world to me….as you all know Verna has done as much volenteering in this area she is truly a angel to all of us. She never asks for a pat on the back she does it cause she can . HATS OFF TO YOU VERNA SOMEDAY YOUR REWARD IN HEAVEN WILL BE GREAT…

GOD BLESS YOU …………BEV

 
 
Reply from Aggie Casavant (69): Fort Mill, SC
 
Hi Gary, I would like to make a major correction on the name of the F.B.I Agent and the title of the book I mentioned in my last e-mail message to your blog…The name of the book is “The Man Who Knew” not “The Man Who Warned America” and it’s by John O’Neill, not Bill. I read alot of books,and I’m getting up there in years …..I rest my case….LOL! Ms. Aggie
 
 
 
From Tom Hagen (51): Mesa, AZ
 
Hi everyone of our friends in cyberspace!!!! We are back in AZ for
the winter and finally getting organized again , it seems to take longer
every year. Our son’s family (Sue and 6 kids ) now are in Mesa
permanently but our son is back in NY to sell the house and work at his
regular job at least for the first quarter. We are helping her as much
as we can until he can join them. We will be looking forward to
hearing from you and have already had some contacts.! We are back
online!!!!

We love E-mail letters, Love Tom and Dot

 
 

Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Minot & Bottineau, ND.

Charles Azure, 60, Wahpeton, died Saturday, Sept. 12, 2009, in his home.

 

He was born May 16, 1949, to Martin and Irene Azure in Belcourt. He married Judy Allery in January 1969 in Dunseith. They later divorced. He married Laurie Albertson on July 28, 1978, in Rolla.

Survivors: wife; sons, Gary DeCoteau, St. John, Brian Azure, St. Cloud, Minn., Mike Azure, Wahpeton; daughters, Tammy Azure, Wahpeton, Michelle Roquet, Dickinson; brothers, David, Aberdeen, S.D., Bryan, St. Paul Park, Minn.; sisters, Jeanette Belgarde, Bemidji, Minn., Karen Nadeau, Clintonville, Wis., Debbie Peltier, Dunseith, Sharon Gattke and Kathy Stein, both Rolla.

Funeral: Thursday, 2 p.m., St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, St. John.

Burial: St. John Holy Cross Cemetery, St. John.

Prayer vigil: Wednesday, 8 p.m., Vertin-Munson Funeral Home, Wahpeton.

Visitation: Wednesday, 5 to 8 p.m., in the funeral home.

Judy Allery Azure (65): I saw your name in Charle’s Obituary and with that I want to extent my sympathy to all of his family. Gary

 

Reply from Ken Striker: Dayton OH

Garrison Keillor out of hospital after stroke

MINNEAPOLIS — Humorist Garrison Keillor has been released from Mayo Clinic’s Saint Marys Hospital after suffering a minor stroke earlier in the week.

Keillor spokesman David O’Neill released a brief statement Friday night saying Keillor left the Rochester hospital earlier in the evening. O’Neill said Keillor was on his way back to his St. Paul home “and is in great spirits.”

The 67-year-old Keillor had said he felt ill on Monday morning and drove himself to a St. Paul hospital, then was transferred to Mayo Clinic.

Keillor said he still plans to start his new season of “A Prairie Home Companion” as scheduled in two weeks. Some 4 million people listen each week to the long-running show on nearly 600 public radio stations in the U.S.