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01/22/2009
From Edna (Susie) Knox Millang (60):
Hello Gary – Just want to correct Doreen Bailey. Viola Hobbs is also a cousin of mine. Her Dad was Allen Hobbs. Harvery was her brother. Thank you for all you do. Edna Susie Millang (60)
The name Harvey Hobbs is a very familiar name to me and I’ll bet to a lot of other folks too. I’ll bet Doreen was thinking Allen and said Harvey. Harvey Hobbs and Lake Metigoshe come to mind. I think I remember him having a store over there. I think Viola mentioned that too, when I talked to her. I hope I’m not wrong with my thinking. I believe Harvey is deceased. Gary
Reply from Tom Hagen (51):
Hi, Gary and Gary (MetcalfeL) Yes, Miss Ewen was my supervising teacher from Minot State at the time. She was quite a character and didn’t hold back about anything. I started teaching in the fall of l952 at Cleveland School west of Rolette and kept on there for 3 years until Dot and I got married and she taught there for 1 year. At 8th grade graduatiion in Rolette, Miss Ewen was the speaker, and I had a student graduating then. She looked out in the crowd and said “Yes, and there sits that Tom Hagen, and he didn’t even send me and invitation to his wedding” Dot and I both had her so she knew us both. Quite the old gal but we learned from her!!!
Thanks, Tom (Class of 51) Sending this from Texas as we are visiting with them for a week
Reply from Bonnie Smith Kohler (Wayne Smith’s (61) cousin):
HI GARY:
I AM ALSO RELATED TO DENNIS, CLAUDIA AND TERRY ESPE, AND WE SAW THEM AT WAYNE AND ROSEMARY’S 40TH ANNIVERSARY AT THEIR HOME. CLAUDIA WASN’T THERE, BUT THE REST WERE AND WE HAD A REAL NICE VISIT AS ALWAYS.
BONNIE
Bonnie, I knew that too, that you and the Elmer Espe kids were cousins. Lets see if I’ve got the connections correct. Frances Espe, Maybelle Salmonson & Alfred Smith were siblings to you dad Hank. Gary Metcalfe mentioned several days ago too, remembering seeing you over at Kelvin, before your family moved to MN. Gary
Reply from Marlene Lilleby Palmquist Larsen (53):
Dear Gary
I am really enjoying your E-mails and all the stories about people from Dunseith. The Viola & Dick Ziegler
story was really cute and interesting. I remember in grade school Viola Hobbs and Bonnie Awalt and so many others you hear from — The Leonards were cousins of mine as was Lois Lilleby — We are in Yuma Az.
for the winter and hope to get together with Bob and Donna Leonard in the next week and Lois and her husband Len are coming from Prescott for a short visit haven’t seen them for several years, so it will be
a nice time together and maybe we’ll see a few more Dunseith snowbirds.
Another cousin, Eileen Egbert Spitzer (daughter of James Egbert) who now lives in Fargo and is visiting us here in Yuma thought your blog was so good and she would like to be added to your list.
Her E-mail address is EREENIE@ aol.com. Keep up the wonderful work. You are so appreciated.
Marlene Lilleby Palmquist Larsen
Eileen, it is our pleasure to add you to our email list. The Egberts were well known in the Dunseith community. Without reviewing my notes, I believe your dad was a son of Adrian’s. I think your dad was killed in WWII. Please correct me if I’m wrong. If I remember right, your mother never remarried. Gary
Reply to Dale Pritchard (63) from Gary Metcalfe (57):
Dale, Maybe 52 years ago I knew Gene Beckman. He was a great friend of Carlyle Nelson. Preacher Nelson’s son up on Willow Lake Road. Anyway, I drank a few beers with him and Carlyle in Minot. They were heavy equipment operators at the air base then. Gene was a cool guy and a year or so after I met him he went down with a plane in Alaska. I think he must have had 2 names,I think Carlyle moved back to Dakota recently, he knew all about Gene Beckman.
Excuse me Doreen Bailey, did you mean Alan Hobbs or was Harvey Alan’s real name??
Gary Metcalfe
Gary, I believe Carlyle is Abe Nelson’s son who also lived in the Willow Lake road. I think Pastor Nelson lived on the Willow Lake Road too. Carlyle is living in Bottineau. He went to high school in Bottineau. Carlyle still has the farm up on the Willow Lake road. I talked to him a few months ago. I also saw a lot of Carlyle, both in Dunseith and Bottineau, with our trip back for the reunion in 2007. Gary
Reply from Marie Iverson Staub (60):
Dale,
I was pleased to receive the email from you regarding my cousin but the
person who was killed in Cook Inlet was Gene Beckman who was another
brother to Allen and Irvin Beckman . I remember that as we were still
living in Dunseith. There mother Oleanna was my mothers sister and I
think that was a reason that she passed away as she couldn’t cope with
that news and I can see how that would affect a mother as I have two
boys and I can’t imagine anything happening to them. Again thanks for
the email. If you ever talk to Allen tell him Hi from his cousin.
I know the last time I saw Irvin he was working for the highway
department but I can’t remember if that was in North Dakota or another
state he was also in the service with Elvis Presley. I’m sure this is
more information than you ever wanted to know.
I was pleased to receive the email from you regarding my cousin but the
person who was killed in Cook Inlet was Gene Beckman who was another
brother to Allen and Irvin Beckman . I remember that as we were still
living in Dunseith. There mother Oleanna was my mothers sister and I
think that was a reason that she passed away as she couldn’t cope with
that news and I can see how that would affect a mother as I have two
boys and I can’t imagine anything happening to them. Again thanks for
the email. If you ever talk to Allen tell him Hi from his cousin.
I know the last time I saw Irvin he was working for the highway
department but I can’t remember if that was in North Dakota or another
state he was also in the service with Elvis Presley. I’m sure this is
more information than you ever wanted to know.
Marie Staub (Iverson)
Reply to picture posted yesterday from Sharon Longie Dana (73):
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Reply to Bev Morinville Azure: Nice picture of you guys!!!!
Sharon Longie Dana (73)
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From Warren Anderson (65):
Hi, Gary and all from the Great Dunseith Schools, and the bush country schools too! This is the picture that tells our feelings when we have so much snow and cold in N Dak. Soo-o cute. My wife and I are flying out to Florda on Friday for 7 days, we set this trip up to break up the cold month of January. I do not wish 40 B-low temps on my friends back in Dakota. However it better not be 25 above all the time we are gone because I love to snowmobile. Have fun–Warren ’65
01/21/2009
Reply from Doreen Bailey:
Gary & Dick Johnson
I enjoyed the article from Reminisce ‘Extra’, I recognize the name Viola
Elaine Hobbs, she is a first cousin to Vance Bailey. His mother Marie Hobbs
and Viola’s father Harvey Hobbs were bother and sister. Thanks for the
memories that keep Vance close! Doreen Bailey
I enjoyed the article from Reminisce ‘Extra’, I recognize the name Viola
Elaine Hobbs, she is a first cousin to Vance Bailey. His mother Marie Hobbs
and Viola’s father Harvey Hobbs were bother and sister. Thanks for the
memories that keep Vance close! Doreen Bailey
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Reply from Gary Metcalfe (57):
Viola Hobbs, you got away from us too soon, I bet your dad thought so too. I remember you and Renae Chilton in Miss Schur’s class in the Dungeon. Leroy may have been Leroy Cote, surely not Leroy Stadheim?
I would like to pay tribute to a group that a lot of people can identify with. The one year rural teachers. They were to the teaching profession what the combat infantry soldier was to the military. Mud and snow, wind and cold or hot, no insulation or electricity. Tell me a mustard sandwich isn’t good after a couple years of peanut butter and jelly.
Some teachers were just 18 years old after nine months of training and 6 to 8 grades to teach.
I am sure I knew 20 or 30 teachers that had to deal with Miss Ewen. She was an institution. Something of the ilk of Patton or MacArthur. That Tank Commander in Italy straightened out Patton and Give-em-hell Harry dealt with McArthur. But I am not sure anyone messed with Miss Ewen or any of her people. She made a lot of great citizens. There are a lot of great rural school stories out there, Tommy Hagen what year did you start teaching and how about Miss Ewen??
Bonnie Smith you were just a cute little kid who came to Kelvin every Saturday night the last time I saw you. Also your brother Wally and I don’t know why Harriet comes to mind, was she a sister? Gary Metcalfe
Reply from Dale Pritchard (63):
Marie / Gary,
About 30 years ago or more, Irvin Beckman was living in Anchorage, Dale Dale Pritchard’s (63) Reply to the Smith girl photo:
Doris Smith Pritchard is Dale’s aunt.
Gary, Can’t help you with this. I just don’t remember what Doris looked like when I was 10 years old. Two of Doris’ sisters lived down here in Shreveport for many years. I can’t remember their last names so don’t know if they are still here or moved on. I get up to Shreveport about every 6 months or so just for someplace different to go. Dale
These are the Morinville kids. I beleive this picture was taken in 2007. Back: Deb & Bev
Front: Duane & Toni
Manvil & Dorothy Sebelius
Sebelius Boys: Duane, David, Jeff, Marvin, Dennis, Daryl, Dean and Harvey
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01/20/2009
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Viola Hobbs Ziegler (54) – This article is all about you that Dick has provided: rtziegler@onlinemac.com
Viloa, This is an amazing story that your husband has written. Who is the LeRoy mentioned in this Article? Would it be LeRoy Birkland? Gary
Reply from From Joe Johnson (77):
Gary,
While serving in Korea at Camp Humphreys in 1980 I remember seeing the SR-71’s that were flying out of Osan Air Base while visiting friends that I attended Korean language school with (Osan was north of Camp Humphreys by 9 miles or so.). Even in Camp Humphreys all the Army personnel knew when an SR-71 was taking to the air for a flight over North Korea, or possibly China or the Soviet Union and who knows where else. The way we all knew was that the SR-71 had a very distinctive series of sonic booms, usually 3 in very quick succession as the plane accelerated through and then to, two (2) or three (3) times beyond the speed of sound. These sonic booms were just seconds apart as I recall.
When I first heard these sonic booms I asked about them and learned, from Army friends who had been stationed at Humphreys longer than I, that they were caused by the SR-71s flying out of Osan. I later confirmed the sonic boom stories with my Air Force friends. Ellen, thanks for the info on the SR-71 and bringing back some fond memories of the time I spent serving overseas in the US Army.
If you would like to see the maps of Camp Humphreys and Osan Air Base south of Seoul Korea follow this link:
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=37.020921,127.00985&spn=0.143636,0.387268&t=h&z=12
Camp Humphreys is SW of Pyongtaek across the river and Osan Air Base is straight N about 9 miles just S of the city of Osan. Both military installations are easily identified by their air strips and surrounding airfield and military building layouts.
I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas and that your 2009 New Year will become your best year yet!!! Thanks to everyone for all their stories.
Joe Johnson (77)
Reply from Bob Lykins (60’s DHS teacher):
Gary, What a great piece of info on the SR-71 submitted by Ms. Myrick. What a great airplane that was. I remember the SR-71 very well from my days of living on Okinawa near Kadena Air Base 1977-1979. You always knew when an SR-71 was about to take off. The roar from their engines was very distinctive and seemed to cover the entire Island. We had a nick-name for the 71. We called it the “Habu” after the local poisonous snake. The take off times for the 71 were supposed to be secret for security reasons but ask any kid on the Island and they all seemed to know just when the bird would take off. I remember a rare night on the Island when, in late Fall, the sky was so clear you could see forever and the moon was very bright. I heard the roar of a 71’s engines and walked to the top of a hill near our base house. The plane took off and you could see the flames shooting out the back of the engines. Suddenly, the 71 literally stood on it’s tail and became a rocket ship shooting straight up into the sky. How high it went I really don’t know but one could follow it’s path from the trail of smoke and condensation it left behind. It was truly an amazing aircraft and this was really brought home to me when, several years later, I met one of the electrical engineers and aircraft designer who had worked on the design and creation of the SR-71. He was retired and had accompanied his wife to Germany as she worked on a consultant contract for our school system. He was a very interesting chap and told me a number of things about the airplane. The technology was very advanced and much of what went into this aircraft still remains a secret. However, much has also been realized in commercial aviation from the development of the 71. I was saddened when they retired the SR-71. As was stated she was an expensive bird to fly but perhaps the main reason was she was no longer needed as satellites had taken over much of the surveillance operations of our military. As anyone who was connected with the Air Force and the SR-71 will tell you she was a great aircraft that brought back the “romance” of military aircraft. Bob Lykins
Reply from Bonnie Awalt Houle (56):
Dear Gary, Don’t know what was in #342 but guess my computer doesn’t like it because it still hasn’t gotten through. Unusual. I rec’d today’s message #343 what a marvelous story from Ellen Graff.
Bonnie
Folks, I have this photo in my files labeled as a Smith girl. I forgot who sent it. Do any of you recognize which one of Winthrop Smith’s daughters this would be. His daughters are Doris (Pritchard), Betty, Beverly, Lois & Judy. I’m sure if there was a way for Doris, who lives in Bottineau, to see this, she could tell us. Gary
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01/19/2009
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Folks, this country, the Philippines is about 80% catholic. They religiously honor all their saints. Recently they honored their saint Sto. Nino with a procession. The procession route was about 7 miles or 4 hours in length. It was attended by an estimated 1.5 million people. When the start of the procession came back to the finish from where they started, it was another 45 minutes before the end of the procession could start. There are only about 4 million people on this island of Cebu. Cebu is about 150 miles long with a girth from about 5 to 15 miles. Gary
Reply from Bonnie Smith Kohler (Wayne Smith’s (61) cousin):
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HI GARY:
I NEVER WENT TO SCHOOL IN DUNSEITH. I ATTENDED SCHOOL IN ST. JOHN THROUGH PART OF THE FOURTH GRADE, AT WHICH TIME OUR FAMILY MOVED TO MT. IRON, MINNESOTA.
THANKS FOR ADDING ME TO YOUR LIST. I STILL REMEMBER SOME OF THE NAMES OF PEOPLE SUCH AS LLOYD AWALT AS THEY ALSO LIVED OUT HERE IN SOUTH GROVE(ADDITION TO MT. IRON). AND YES, KENROSE MEDLANG IS MY AUNT. ALSO HENRY SALMONSON IS MY UNCLE AND THEY ARE THE ONLY AUNT AND UNCLE I HAVE LEFT BACK THERE. I HAVE COUSINS THAT WE VISIT WITH AS OFTEN AS WE CAN, BUT NOW THAT MOST OF US ARE GRANDPARENTS, WE ARE BUSY TENDING TO LITTLE ONES ALSO.
THANKS AGAIN FOR INCLUDING ME, I WILL LOOK FORWARD TO MORE MESSAGES.
BONNIE
Ele Dietrich Slyter’s (69) reply to Karen Loeb Mhyre’s (65) Ice pictures:
Reply from Dick Johnson (68):
Gary and Friends,In reply to Gary Metcalfe, although I knew Alcide Lajimodier fairly well, I don’t know who his dad was. He lived with Ward and Annie Anthony south of Horseshoe Lake for a few years and I went there to visit several times. One time when winter had closed in and the lake froze over, I took an old gun and headed across Horseshoe Lake to hunt a bit on the way to Anthony’s. It was like going back in time. When I got to their place and walked up the steps and as I knocked on the door, I noticed a pancake in the window down behind the stove. They had me in and we sat around the table and Ward started his jargon about horses and the like. Then he said, “The damndest thing happened this morning. Ma was flipping pancakes and one never came down.” I told them it was behind the stove. Alcide and Ward jumped up and looked and then let fly with another banter about how dumb the other one was. They used to get so bored down there, they would start an argument just to have something to do! I saw it with my own eyes. Ward would say, “Yes it did.” Then Alcide would say, “No it didn’t.” Pretty soon it was, “You dumb ass, you wouldn’t know if it did or didn’t.” It was hilarious! They used to sit around the table and feed the dog candied orange slices, the fakey sugar kind. He was so fat he would lay on the floor and pant continually. I thought it couldn’t be good, just watching him. One time later when I was there, they were all sad so I asked what’s going on? They said, “Poco died– had a heart attack right there on the floor.” No doubt! I always thought Alcide was an uncle to Alice Bergan so she must have been a Lajimodier. I found out later she was a Laverdure, so I don’t know the connection. Gary’s mention of four gates on the road to Anthony’s was exactly right, I opened and closed them many times. As kids, Keith Smith and I would go down the trail south of their place, through all the gates, to Anthony’s. They were so far down in the woods, it was nearly an adventure just to get there. My old buddy, Carroll Carlson worked on the Miller ranch at Chinook, MT in the late 30s. He said Alcide showed up there as a ranch hand. He said Alcide was deathly afraid of snakes and would jump off a hay stack if someone yelled “snake”! Vickie Metcalfe confirmed the story, as her dad also said the same thing. I was at Kelvin when Alcide had a heart attack. I remember Richard Slyter and I were there with Leo and Betty Poitra, who took him to the hospital. He passed away later that night. I think Alcide was a veteran of WWII, but I’m not sure. Thanks Gary! Dick
Unidentified photo posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe:
Does anyone recognize this young lady?
 Posted by Randy Hiatt, Evan (Bing) Evans son:
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From Ellen Graff Myrick (58):
We’ve seen a lot about ships, how about some airplane information?
Ellen’s reply when I asked her if she was the Pilot and had been in the Air Force. GaryHi Gary,No I’m not the pilot…..don’t I wish I could have been. I don’t think it said who the pilot was since I sent the entire email to you – might need some editing?? Actually I taught English in North Dakota and Minnesota for 25 years and then quit that when I married an Air Force NCO who was an aircraft mechanic. After we married I started a 26 year civil service career with the Air Force working in Personnel and the Education Center. I retired from Grand Forks AFB in October 2005 and really enjoy the fact I don’t have to get cold since our home is usually about 75 degrees inside.When we were in California I worked at Norton AFB and the Detachment that took care of the 171 was two doors down. The planes weren’t stationed there but always made it to every Air Show. I did have occasion to go to the office of the personnel who took care of the 171 (kind of scary since the highest security clearance was required and an escort was required at al times). I was always very impressed with this plane and when one of my friends forwarded this today I thought I’d send it to you if you want to share it with the group.Thanks, Gary.Ellen
This was once a highly sensitive program at Norton AFB. SR-71 Blackbird
In April 1986, following an attack on American Soldiers in a Berlin disco, President Reagan Ordered the bombing of Muammar Qaddafi’s Terrorist camps in Libya . My duty was to fly Over Libya and take photos recording the Damage our F-111’s had inflicted.. Qaddafi Had established a ‘line of death,’ a territorial Marking across the Gulf of Sidra , swearing To shoot down any intruder that crossed the Boundary. On the morning of April 15, I rocketed past the line at 2,125 mph.
I was piloting the SR-71 spy plane, the world’s Fastest jet, accompanied by a Marine Major (Walt), The aircraft’s reconnaissance systems officer (RSO). We had crossed into Libya and were approaching Our final turn over the bleak desert landscape when Walt informed me that he was receiving missile Launch signals. I quickly increased our speed, Calculating the time it would take for the Weapons-most likely SA-2 and SA-4 surface-to-air Missiles capable of Mach 5 – to reach our altitude. I estimated that we could beat the rocket-powered Missiles to the turn and stayed our course, betting Our lives on the plane’s performance.
After several agonizingly long seconds, we made The turn and blasted toward the Mediterranean .. ‘You might want to pull it back,’ Walt suggested. It was then that I noticed I still had the throttles Full forward. The plane was flying a mile every 1.6 Seconds, well above our Mach 3.2 limit. It was The fastest we would ever fly. I pulled the throttles To idle just south of Sicily , but we still overran The refueling tanker awaiting us over Gibraltar.
Scores of significant aircraft have been produced In the 100 years of flight, following the achievements Of the Wright brothers, which we celebrate in December. Aircraft such as the Boeing 707, The F-86 Sabre Jet, and the P-51 Mustang are Among the important machines that have flown Our skies. But the SR-71, also known as the Blackbird, stands alone as a significant contributor To Cold War victory and as the fastest plane Ever-and only 93 Air Force pilots ever steered The ‘sled,’ as we called our aircraft.
The SR-71 was the brainchild of Kelly Johnson, The famed Lockheed designer who created the P-38, the F-104 Starfighter, and the U-2. After The Soviets shot down Gary Powers’ U-2 in 1960, Johnson began to develop an aircraft that would Fly three miles higher and five times faster than The spy plane-and still be capable of photographing Your license plate. However, flying at 2,000 mph Would create intense heat on the aircraft’s skin. Lockheed engineers used a titanium alloy to Construct more than 90 percent of the SR-71, Creating special tools and manufacturing Procedures to hand-build each of the 40 planes. Special heat-resistant fuel, oil, and hydraulic Fluids that would function at 85,000 feet and Higher also had to be developed.
In 1962, the first Blackbird successfully flew, and In 1966, the same year I graduated from high school, The Air Force began flying operational SR-71 missions. I came to the program in 1983 with a sterling record And a recommendation from my commander, Completing the weeklong interview and meeting Walt, my partner for the next four years He would Ride four feet behind me, working all the cameras, Radios, and electronic jamming equipment. I joked That if we were ever captured, he was the spy and I was just the driver. He told me to keep the pointy End forward.
We trained for a year, flying out of Beale AFB in California , Kadena Airbase in Okinawa , and RAF Mildenhall in England . On a typical training mission, We would take off near Sacramento , refuel over Nevada, accelerate into Montana , obtain high Mach Over Colorado , turn right over New Mexico , speed Across the Los Angeles Basin , run up the West Coast, Turn right at Seattle , then return to Beale. Total flight Time: two hours and 40 minutes. One day, high above Arizona , we were monitoring The radio traffic of all the mortal airplanes below us. First, a Cessna pilot asked the air traffic controllers To check his ground speed. ‘Ninety knots,’ ATC replied. A Bonanza soon made the same request. ‘One-twenty on the ground,’ was the reply. To our surprise, a navy F-18 came over the radio with a ground speed check. I knew exactly what he was doing. Of course, he had a ground speed indicator in his cockpit, but he wanted to let all the bug-smashers in the valley know what real speed was ‘Dusty 52, we show you at 620 on the ground,’ ATC responded. The situation was too ripe. I heard the click of Walt’s mike button in the rear seat. In his most innocent voice, Walt startled the controller by asking for a ground speed check from 81,000 feet, clearly above controlled airspace. In a cool, professional voice, the controller replied, ‘ Aspen 20, I show you at 1,982 knots on the ground.’ We did not hear another transmission on that frequency all the way to the coast. 
The Blackbird always showed us something new, each aircraft possessing its own unique personality. In time, we realized we were flying a national treasure. When we taxied out of our revetments for takeoff, people took notice. Traffic congregated near the airfield fences, because everyone wanted to see and hear the mighty SR-71 You could not be a part of this program and not come to love the airplane. Slowly, she revealed her secrets to us as we earned her trust.
One moonless night, while flying a routine training mission over the Pacific, I wondered what the sky would look like from 84,000 feet if the cockpit lighting were dark. While heading home on a straight course, I slowly turned down all of the lighting, reducing the glare and revealing the night sky. Within seconds, I turned the lights back up, fearful that the jet would know and somehow punish me. But my desire to see the sky overruled my caution, I dimmed the lighting again. To my amazement, I saw a bright light outside my window. As my eyes adjusted to the view, I realized that the brilliance was the broad expanse of the Milky Way, now a gleaming stripe across the sky. Where dark spaces in the sky had usually existed, there were now dense clusters of sparkling stars. Shooting stars flashed across the canvas every few seconds. It was like a fireworks display with no sound. I knew I had to get my eyes back on the instruments, and reluctantly I brought my attention back inside. To my surprise, with the cockpit lighting still off, I could see every gauge, lit by starlight. In the plane’s mirrors, I could see the eerie shine of my gold spacesuit incandescently illuminated in a celestial glow. I stole one last glance out the window. Despite our speed, we seemed still before the heavens, humbled in the radiance of a much greater power. For those few moments, I felt a part of something far more significant than anything we were doing in the plane. The sharp sound of Walt’s voice on the radio brought me back to the tasks at hand as I prepared for our descent. 
San Diego Aerospace Museum
The SR-71 was an expensive aircraft to operate. The most significant cost was tanker support, and in 1990, confronted with budget cutbacks, the Air Force retired the SR-71.
The SR-71 served six presidents, protecting America for a quarter of a century. Unbeknownst to most of the country, the plane flew over North Vietnam , Red China , North Korea , the Middle East , South Africa , Cuba , Nicaragua , Iran , Libya , and the Falkland Islands . On a weekly basis, the SR-71 kept watch over every Soviet nuclear submarine and mobile missile site, and all of their troop movements. It was a key factor in winning the Cold War.
I am proud to say I flew about 500 hours in this aircraft. I knew her well. She gave way to no plane, proudly dragging her sonic boom through enemy backyards with great impunity. She defeated every missile, outran every MiG, and always brought us home. In the first 100 years of manned flight, no aircraft was more remarkable. The Blackbird had outrun nearly 4,000 missiles, not once taking a scratch from enemy fire. On her final flight, the Blackbird , destined for the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, sped from Los Angeles to Washington in 64 minutes, averaging 2,145 mph and setting four speed records
01/18/2009
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01/17/2009
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Request from Pam Wenstad Lane (78):
Hi Gary,
My name is Pam Wenstad Lane. I graduated in “78”. My parents are Elberta and Oscar Wenstad. I think you might have graduated with either Donnie or Connie. I was to young to remember. Also Debbie Slyter is my sister.
I went to school with Dellorie Enno, Shelly Hagel, Keith Berg,David Fugere.
Thanks Gary,
Pam Wenstad Lane
Gary this is to Dwight . first of all I would like to say I am sorry about you having cancer.It is a very scary thing to hear the Dr say those words. I to had the same fun news a year ago on the 9th of jan 2008 I had cancer on my tongue and they removed 50% that was cancerous and then on to 36 treatments of radaition ( which was the hardest part of this whole thing) BUT with that being said today a year later I am cancer free so far Praise the Lord. My Dr told me my attitude had alot to do with my recovery. Radaition on the mouth is the hardest type of radiation a person can have. Dwight my point is Keep up your spirit and it is amazing how your body heals. I am praying hard for you and for the others I know that have cancer. stand up against this awful illness YOU CAN WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GOD BLESS YOU …………BEV
From Ginger (LaRocque) Poitra (65):
Gary,
I noticed no one sent any pictures of the snow, around our area, maybe I missed it too. A lot of the stores in Minot had to close to clean off the snow from the roofs. The Wal Mart has been closed since Sunday the 11th, later the Town and Country Mall, Miracle Mart, and Oak Park closed for the same reason, they would ‘ve put the customers in danger if the roof would fall in. The weather is HOT! today it’s 9 degrees below here in Belcourt this morning. It is supposed to rain today?? and get into the 20’s and 30’s this Ginger (LaRocque) Poitra (65)
Reply from Gary Metcalfe (57) to Sharron Gottbreht Shen (59):
Sharron, I am convinced #333 has Herman and Olard Boucher. Compare #329, the way Olard holds his arems and parts his hair. Why do I think he was killed in the war? Was he Elmer Boucher’s brother? I think so. Gary Metcalfe
Neola Kofoid Garbe’s reply to Monte Espe’s (68) message posted below:
Hi,
Thanks for much for the email/prayers. People’s prayers are sure working; I’m feeling fine. I have a doctor’s (surgeon) appointment on Monday, so I’m headed back to Minot as soon as I get ready. I’ll try to respond more thoroughly to this at a later date, as there are a few things I’d like to mention–naturally! Ha! My appointment with the oncologist is Feb. 9, so I’m assuming sometime after that, I’ll be starting radiation. I take a day at a time/don’t worry about any of it/have no pain unless I accidentally bump my breast. I have a hard time remembering not to lift over 10 lbs. with my right arm, as it feels “fit”, and even though I’m basically left-handed, I do reach for/carry many things with my right hand/arm.
Thanks again for the email. Thanks to you, too, Gary.
Neola
Message/pictures from Julie Hiatt Bonebrake (81):
Hi Gary,
Here are some pictures of my husband Billy and our neighbor down the street. They some how managed to get the snow blower on the roof of our house, and attempted (key word attempted) to blow the snow off. They were having some trouble keeping the blower from sliding down the roof. It was pretty comical. We have so much snow in Minot. Just in January I believe we have received over 20 inches and I think most of it is in our back yard. I will try to send more pictures. Please share these with the rest of the world. Thank you so much.
Julie (Hiatt) Bonebrake
Julies’s second reply: Her pictures did not come thru the first time. Gary
Reply from Neola Kofoid Garbe:
Hi Gary/Others,
I just had a fun visit with Judith Bailey Foley. From info provided by Mona Dionne Johnson & Bonnie Awalt Houle, I located an address/phone number for Judith (white pages on the net) and called her. I’ll be mailing her picture to her soon.
Also, thanks to Judy Azure, Rita Gable’s picture is ready to mail.
I’m packing/getting ready to return to Minot (I’m going a day earlier than I had planned to go.), so I’ll either mail the pictures on my way out of town, or I’ll have my husband mail them after I get to Minot–He makes daily trips to the mall and other places; I prefer to stay home and work on “projects”.
 I’m taking the last pictures I’ve sent, with me to Minot, and will get them sent from there.There are others (Gailord Peltier/Debby Champagne, etc.)who have helped with addresses/identifying people in the last few days and before. Thanks to all of you, too! I appreciate any/all help!
Neola
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01/16/2009
Temperature report from Evon Lagerquist (77):
Hi Gary, Thought I’d let you know, we had a toasty -50 or lower ( that was as low as my thermometer would register), this morning in the hills! Don’t you miss weather like this?
Evon
Man, It’s cold up there in the hills in the Ackworth community. It’s currently noon here in the PI and the temp is 88F. That’s a 138 degree difference in our temps at the moment. I remember those Nylon tires having a flat spot from sitting in the cold. At times we’d have to drive several miles, with rough riding, before they’d be rounded out again.I just now recieved Martha’s message posted below. It was -52 in the Newberg area this morning too! Gary
Reply from Marth Lamb Schepp (68):
Hi Gary and Monte,
Lynn and Shane are going to the Mohall Seed Show tomorrow where they will have a booth for the Souris River Coop. I will send this with Lynn. I’m sure Shane will enjoy your information. I just heard on the news that Newburg’s own Leonard Walsh, who is our local meteorologist recorded a whopping -52 this morning. Wow!
Monte, I also remember how excited we were when the oil rig was set up north of your parents home. And the country school days. I wish I could remember the rules to kick the can. Suppose there might be danger involved with such a game at school these days. Martha
Reply from Julie (Knox) Seier (82):
Gary,
Once again, thank you for doing this. It is amazing the things
that come up here that bring back childhood memories for me.
First off, the squeaking of the runners on the sleigh as the
horses pulled a load of wood or a load of hay on a quiet winter
day in the Trutle Mountains. I can still smell the smoke from
my Dad’s cigarette that he rolled himself, from the Prince
Albert tabacoo can, on the way home from whatever it was we
were hauling that day. My Dad had a team of horses on the farm
up until about 2003 so my kids got to have the fun sleigh rides
in the winter as well. We mostly used them for work when I was
a kid but every now and then we would have friends come to the
farm and he would give them a sleigh ride too. Not too many
folks my age can say that they used a team of horses for farm
work! I would have much rather hauled hay or wood or cleaned
the barn than do housework!
Once again, thank you for doing this. It is amazing the things
that come up here that bring back childhood memories for me.
First off, the squeaking of the runners on the sleigh as the
horses pulled a load of wood or a load of hay on a quiet winter
day in the Trutle Mountains. I can still smell the smoke from
my Dad’s cigarette that he rolled himself, from the Prince
Albert tabacoo can, on the way home from whatever it was we
were hauling that day. My Dad had a team of horses on the farm
up until about 2003 so my kids got to have the fun sleigh rides
in the winter as well. We mostly used them for work when I was
a kid but every now and then we would have friends come to the
farm and he would give them a sleigh ride too. Not too many
folks my age can say that they used a team of horses for farm
work! I would have much rather hauled hay or wood or cleaned
the barn than do housework!
I remember Martin Belgarde too. He and my Dad used to hay
together for many summers lots of years ago. The one thing that
I can remember about him distinctly was that he always drank
cold coffee. When we would bring them lunch in the hay field he
always had his jug of cold coffee. He said it was the best
thing in the world to quench his thirst. (YUCK!!) Because he
was diabetic he kept candy bars in his lunch box too. Once in
awhile he would slip them to us girls for a treat! He was such
a nice man.
Monte, I met Shane Lester a few years ago when he was a student
at MSU-Bottineau. Luann came to know him and found out we were
realated. Fun young man.
Mark Schimetz, thanks for the photos from Aunt Minnie Flynn’s
birthday party. I was sad that I had to miss it.
Again Gary, thank you so much for your hard work.
Julie (Knox) Seier class of 1982
Reply from Marie Staub Iverson (60):
Gary,
I want to add my thanks for all the great emails you send out each day I look forward to reading them ever morning.
Most of the time I recognize the names of several of the people but this morning I was surprized to read the message from Dale Pritchard as he mentioned one of my many cousins Allen Beckmen who was married to Lois and I was wondering were he was as after his dad George Beckman passed away I haven’t had any
contact with him. His mother was my mothers sister who passed away several years ago. I also wonder were his brother Irvin is as when we were younger we spent a lot of time with them .
So it’s great to here he’s in Golden Colorado.
The message from Dwight Lang brings back a lot of memories of school .I hope everything goes great for him as I’m sure it will . I sure remember his mother- a great lady. One year she sent me a bunch of things
that they had left from one of the reunions which I was not able to attend.
Thanks again Gary for all this great infomation.
Marie Staub Iverson 60
Reply from Dave Slyter (70):
Dwight Lang:
Just want to pass on a word of good luck to you during your medical procedures for your cancer. Hopefully they caught it early so it won’t be much of anything. When I seen your picture it reminded me of when you hired me to go down and clean your dad’s house. It was a fun job as your dad always had a challenge for me to clean up. ha But I always managed to help him out anyway I could. So you take care and our thoughts and prayers will be with you thru this medical ordeal.
God Speed,
Dave Slyter (70)
Reply from Judy Allery Azure (65):
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Gary & Neola,
The picture with the date January 20,1973, is my cousin Rita Keplin Gable. Rita is a school counselor in the Dunseith School system. Neola you should be able to contact her there. Not certain of the others, thanks Gary & Neola for all the wonderful pictures and information concerning Dunseith. By the way Gary I have a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration. I was recently hired at Cultural Divesity Resources in Fargo, I am the Program Manager for the new Native American Center, very excitig positon as I get to meet so many new people from North Dakota and Minnesota.
Well Gary, the weather is suppose to change this weekend, we are expecting above 0 by Saturday. I guess we live in this beautiful state because we LOVE everything about it.
I must sign off for now so until next time all take care. Sorry to hear about so many with illnesses, I will be praying for you all.
Judy Allery Azure
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Reply from Mona Dionne Johnson (48):
Gary: Unknown pic #2 is of my cousin, Judith (Bailey) Foley, who
lived in Rolla. Her dad worked for the Turtle Mountain Star.
Mona Johnson (48)
lived in Rolla. Her dad worked for the Turtle Mountain Star.
Mona Johnson (48)
Reply from Bonnie Awalt Houle (56):
Good Morning Gary,
It is wonderful to wake to your messages each morning. Certainly enjoy hearing from everyone especially on mornings when the temperature is -26 in Minnesota.
The girl in the unknown photo #2 is Judy Bailey Foley. She is the daughter of Harvey and Hulda Bailey, and a graduate of Rolla High School. She has been married to Robert Foley of Rolla for 50 years. She is a retired teacher from Willmar Minnesota, her husband Robert is a retired Media Specialist of the school system.
Judy is my cousin.
Bonnie Awalt Houle (56)
Judy Bailey Foley
Folks, for those of you that have been following the trail of messages, Randy Hiatt recently discovered the Jim & Ella Evans Metcalfe siblings and vice versa. They are first cousins. His biological father Bing Evans & Ella Metcalfe were siblings. The following is a message trail between Geri Metcalfe Munro and Randy. Randy’s mother was Delores Hiatt Berkland. Gary
From Geri Metcalfe Munro (59):
Hi Gary,
MANY THANKS for connecting us with Randy Hiatt–we are sharing info with him (not all for publication on the blog). I’m adding this one because I mention that the Evans family had all moved away by the time you were born, except Aunt Nellie (Evans) Byre. She has two daughters in Minot, one in Rugby, etc Nellie never did leave ND–she lived at Kramer, ND where Bing died while doing carpenter work on the school there. We are as pleased as Randy is about all of this connection.
Of course, Mom and all her siblings are deceased.
Geri Metcalfe Munro
MANY THANKS for connecting us with Randy Hiatt–we are sharing info with him (not all for publication on the blog). I’m adding this one because I mention that the Evans family had all moved away by the time you were born, except Aunt Nellie (Evans) Byre. She has two daughters in Minot, one in Rugby, etc Nellie never did leave ND–she lived at Kramer, ND where Bing died while doing carpenter work on the school there. We are as pleased as Randy is about all of this connection.
Of course, Mom and all her siblings are deceased.
Geri Metcalfe Munro
Subject: MORE INFO FOR YOU
Date: Thu, 15 Jan 2009 14:22:46 -0600
01/15/2009
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Reply from Monte Espe (68) to Martha Lamb Schepp’s (68) Question:
Gary, I have to let you know how much you are appreciated by
putting this all together. So much history is being recorded by our own little group. Here is what I found out. Shane Lester’s Grandmother [Fern Wetherelt], was born at Kelvin in 1905. The oldest daughter of Thomas H Wetherelt. Thomas H Wetherelt and my Grandmother Scelina Wetherelt House were siblings. Fern Wetherelt moved with her parents to Broadus, Montana in in 1922 and in 1928 married Joseph Lester [Shane’s Grandfather] Shane’s father [Lloyd Lester] married Charleen Best[who grew up on a ranch west of Towner]. So yes Shane has a lot of relatives from up in the Hill’s. Hope this answers your question Martha. Of course Martha and I go back to our first grade as classmates at Hilltop School. Gary, When I came in from the shop tonight , the snow crunch’es under your feet like it did when we were kid’s. It’s -38 out tonight and clear as a bell. WILL BE OUR COLDEST NIGHT IN YEARS !!! Hope it’s years till it returns. Also the coyotes are really howling it up. Bring back any memories ?
Dwight Lang (61) – Colon Cancer:
I think most of you know Dwight and knew his parents, Adam & Charlotte (Hiatt) Lang. Gary
Dear Friends,
2008 has finally ended, thank goodness! Property values, retirement accounts and all other investments free fell as expenses, taxes and living costs, grew like pig weeds in early summer. To cap off this wonderful year, I has a colonoscopy performed on the 31st of Dec. Happy New Year!! On the positive side of the ledger, this old tight wad finally splurged on a new LCD 47″ TV. Merry Christmas to me! Now I actually pay my Comcast bill each month knowing I enjoy watching their service.
Here we go with 2009. As the Obama maniacs plan for their super blow out bash in DC, I awaited the biopsy results. Got a call Friday and malignant was the verdict. Since moving to Tucson some five years ago, I have used the VA for my primary health care services. Having had several health issues mainly back and hip problems these last few years, at times I have bitched and moaned about the delays in receiving services thru the VA bureaucracy. I have found the care and the staff both to be great at the VA, but scheduling to receive them is usually another matter. Well today being Tuesday, I got a call from the surgeons assistant, Mary, and I am set up for pre-opt testing and consultation within two week with surgery scheduled to remove the cancerous section of my Colin the following week. Now how about that for service? I know and trust Dr. Levine, the surgeon, and Mary, his asssistant. Yes, I am relieved and hope for the best in the remainder of 2009.
I still have the area code 58319 (Lake Metigoshe) on my AOL welcome screen and as I logged on tonight, I see it is 25 below in Bottineau (hope the wind is not blowing). The extended forecast for Tucson is for highs in the low 70’s all this week. Yes, there are some things to be thankful for even when this old body starts giving me fits. This Internet thing is kind of neat too, isn’t it? Within a minute, my small sermon here, will find it’s way to the Phillipines, Ukraine and Texas to North Dakota without a stamp. Happy New Year to all of you and I wish to each of you the best life can offer through 2009.
Dwight Lang
From Carmen (Leonard) Richard (Rolette):
Our nephew, Bryan Schmeitz, son of Stella (Richard) and Louis Schmeitz. is truning 50 on Feb. 4th. He has been battling Multiple Sclerosis for a number of years and is a resident of the Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Bottineau. He is pretty much confined to his room, as the heat and lights bother him. I am requesting a card or letter shower to help him celebrate this milestone birthday. It would brighten his day to hear from any of you. Bryan graduated from Dunseith High School in 1977. His address is
Bryan Schmeitz
Good Samaritan Home
725 E 10th St.
Bottineau, ND 58318
Terry Espe (64) retires from the Head of the ‘Home Land Security Office’ at the Peace Garden Port of Entry.
Posted by Patti Metcalfe Woods (67):
Gary,
Jack and I will be attending Terry Espe’s Retirement Party tomorrow night, Thursday, January 15th, at the Norway House in Bottineau.
Wish you could all join us. Terry’s wife, LeaRae (Parrill) and I started first grade together in Dunseith. LeaRae’s mother, Mrs. Millie Parrill was our first grade teacher.
Terry’s brother, Dennis Espe, was my junior high teacher. I road on the same school bus as Terry’s sister, Claudia. She had a beautiful long plaid coat and
would wrap our feet in her coat to keep them warm. There were no radios or heat in Johny’s bus. These are all very fond memories of mine.
I have worked with Terry at the border for 22 years. He was a number one boss and we will miss you Terry.
His job is complete. He has given his best effort. It is time to sweep up and turn out the lights on this career. For the light
will come up brightly on the brand new adventures that await him. Enjoy your retirement, Terry.
Best Regards, Patti and Jack Woods
Terry and LeaRae (Parrill) Espe
Reply from Dick Johnson (68):
Gary and Friends,
Thanks to Jill Flynn Tinjum for the correct story on her uncle Harold Dick
Reply from Ginger (LaRocque) Poitra (65):
Gary,
This summer the Wondrasek Photography lady and her daughter in Bottineau They said that if we know who they were to take them and give them to the I took a few of them and some were of this couple. Jeannie and Ron, Mrs. Wandrasek and her daughter are very kind in doing this, there were a Ginger (LaRocque) Poitra (65)
Reply from Sharron Gottbreht Shen (59):
Dear Gary, In this very kind message from Neola she mentioned a picture posted of Ernest Tennancour. Could I have a copy or forward of the posting. Ernest Tennancour was the great uncle of the children of Dale and Alma Gottbreht. Ernest, brother of Mary Louise Tennancour our great grandmother by her first husband John Levi Gaudette, was our neighbor across the street and up the block. Their home was near the steep Willow Creek bank. EJ and I were returning from a visit to Aunt Celia Evans late one spring, traveling along the creek shore. One could hear the rush of water under the snow covered ice and EJ decided she would check this out, we were 6 and almost 5. “Don’t do it Emma Jo”, but out she went and fell through about 8ft from shore. I fled up the embankment and started screaming for Uncle Ernest all the way to his home. He was out the door and rushed past me with a long shovel and was able to extend it to EJ and pull her off the ice. Lucky she was such a “light weight” and only lost boot and shoe from one foot. I am sure Uncle Ernest and Aunt Theresa must have tired of my frequent visits; a family hero. I’ve never had a problem believing in Be well. You do good work Neola and Gary. Love the prospect of Gary’s page in 2009. Sharron Gottbreht Shen I think this is the picture you are referring to? Gary
Ernest Tennancour
 The Robert & Dorothy Pritchard family from Dale Pritchard (63):
Dale, I hope you don’t mind me posting this.I know it will be of interest to many of our folks.
I’ve included a recent picture of your mother too. Gary
Gary & Neola,
Shirley (#1) was married to Alvin (Howard) Wagner from Bottineau. Lorraine (#2) is married to LeRoy Tohm from Kramer. To show how we all Lois (#3) was the one married to Lyle Draveland from Bottineau. Carol (#7) is married to Don Corzine from Texas, currently the Sherrif Neola – We had 7 in the family. Shirley, Lorraine and Lois then Darold, Dale
Dorothy Pritchard several weeks before her 96th Birthday this month – 01/09
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01/14/2009
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Reply from Claudette McLeod (From Belcourt):
From Vickie Hiatt LaFontaine (73) Daughter of Norman & Irene Hiatt:
Good morning I went to work @ 6 a.m and it was -28 here in grafton n.d. the first thing that came to mind was mom getting us all on the bus and then going out to do chores. I don’t think she ever complained. For all of you that your parents are still living call them and tell them “I love you” I sure wish I could. Vickie Hiatt LaFontaine
From Susan Fassett Martin (65):
I found the article in Readers Digest and sent a letter to the magazine protesting the use of the Peace Garden as pork spending. I hope many of you will do the same. The Peace Garden is a wonderful place to visit and I have many fond memories of times spent there with family and friends. I know many or most of you do too. Please let readers digest know how you feel about this. Thanks. Hugs and prayers Susan
From Jill Flynn Timjum (68):
Thanks, Gary, for all your work on the Dunseith Alumni blog.
I passed on the above messages to Mom and Dad. They will appreciate it.
The following information I have gathered about our uncle, Harold Flynn, who died in the Philippine Islands during World War II. (Our grandmother, Mathilda Flynn, was honored as one of the Gold Star Mothers during Memorial Day programs in Dunseith, having lost her son as a result of the War.
Frank and Mathilda Flynn lived in Rolette in the years before World War II, so the family was schooled and known in that area. Their son, Harold Frederick Flynn, born in 1919, joined the army in May,1941 at Ft. Snelling, Minneapolis, MN. Previous to that, Harold had been in CCC camps in North Dakota and also worked at various jobs, like for farmers in the area. Dad (Jack) was inducted into the army in 1942 at Ft. Snelling. Frank and Mathilda moved to Dunseith in 1942 after Dad joined the service, so the family was not located in the Dunseith area until that time.
Harold was with Company B, 803 Engineering Battalion, U.S. Army. He sailed from San Francisco on the U.S.S.Tasker Bliss in October of 1941. He was stationed at Fort Stotsenburg, Pampanga, Philippine Islands, about 80 km north of Manila. (Part of Fort Stotsenburg became Clark Field, then Clark Air Force Base –from an internet source.) He drove a reconnaissance or commander car. He usually drove the Captain (company commander) or other officers to their destinations.
Harold died in Camp #3, Cabanatuan Prisoner of War Camp, Philippine Islands, on June 12, 1942 from malaria and dysentery. Lack of food and water and no medicine caused so many of the prisoners to die of disease. The family was notified by Western Union in October of 1942 that Harold was missing in action on the Philippine Islands. There was no official confirmation of death until October 1945. Harold’s remains were buried in the US Armed Forces Cemetery, Manila, PI, and were reinterred at the request of the family at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, MN in 1949.
Besides the official notices from the government, the family received notes from the diary of Lt. Col. F. S. Conoty:
Pvt. Harold F. Flynn, 803 Eng. Battalion
a. beleagured from 8 Dec 1941 to 6 May 1942
b. was a P.O.W. from 7 May 1942 to 12 June 1942
c. died of disease (malaria and dysentery) 12 June 1942
d. was not absent from his post without proper authority
Harold was not on Bataan, a peninsula to the southwest of Manila, I am sure. He was in Camp #3, Cabanatuan, north of Manila,at the time of his death.
A Fergus Falls, MN Ex-POW Clarence K Larson wrote a book in 1998, A Long March Home, where he fulfilled his promise to his compatriots that whoever survived would tell the story of the Bataan March. Part of Clarence’s POW stay was at Camp #1, Cabanatuan, which he said was built as a prisoner of war camp. He tells of the death, disease, and horrific treatment they endured, which undoubtedly existed in each of the camps.
Thanks again, Jill
From Ginger LaRocque Poitra (65):
Gary,
I think someone mentioned something about Andy Patnaude getting shot during World War ll, and wanted to know more about the situation. Andrew has a daughter who stills lives around the area her married name is Alfreda Morin. She probably knows a lot more about him, and then maybe not, some of those dad’s didn’t mention those kinds of things to their daughters. Alfreda’s brother (Jigs) Andrew was killed in a car accident on San Hill Alfreda’s mother was Mary Delorme. Martin Belgarde was my Grandma (Poitra) Bergie’s, sister Rose’s son, her I’ll quit here for now, I will write more later. Ginger (Poitra) LaRocque (65) From Gary Metcalfe (57):
Another memory of Martin Belgarde, one morning in the sixties, old John Bedard, at age 86, and I were looking out the picture window of the old house at the little lake and about a foot of fresh snow. Can you imagine Martin riding a Scorpion snowmobile, they were tippy and smaller. He had his big brown parka on with the hood up. He made a turn and when we saw him from the back, John said, in his broag, “Gentle Ben”, so I called Martin Gentle Ben from then on. Needless to say I just listened to those old timers? Martin lived about l mile east of us on the old Fred Belgarde place, next door to George Albert.
Dick you asked about John Belgarde’s war stories, now I am sure you didn’t mean Toby’s son, but I am sure it was Dan’s brother or else Charlie’s brother. Charlie held a higher rank in the military, Captain, and was a very successful contractor in Minneapolis. Warren Anderson’s uncle.
Thanks Gary Metcalfe
Message/Pictures from Verena (Pete 65) Gillis:
> Hey Gary,
Wonderful to hear from you. Pretty Cold here right now, with the wind chill around -15. Schools are running late, some not having school at all and bus trouble. I’d rather be where you are right now! Especially since we are supposed to get -30 to -40 below weather this week, eeeeeeeeeeeek! Pete and I are doing very well. He had a check-up in December and the PSA Our daughter moved home in May and she is going to school at the TMCC in I have been pretty busy what with benefits for other unfortunate people in Anyway, enough of that, I saw the pictures of your wife’s family members You tell Bill hi for us. Verena  ND Poem from Verena (Pete 65) Gillis:
> Hey everybody, Happy New Year! Here’s another cute little poem about
God’s Country for you to enjoy- It’s winter in North Dakota and the gentle breezes blow Verena Gillis (Mrs. Pete) ND Poem from Larry Hackman (66):
Gary
A few people were sending in poems, that they would sing as they traveled into North dakota. Here is the one we ar singing now.
Larry
And the gentle breezes blow
Seventy miles an hour
At twenty-five below
Oh, how I love North Dakota
When the snow’s up to your butt
You take a breath of winter
And your nose gets frozen shut
Yes, the weather here is wonderful
So I guess I’ll hang around
I could never leave North Dakota
‘Cause I’m frozen to the ground |
01/13/2009
Reply from Shirley LaRocque Windt (59):
GOOD MORNING MARTIN BELGARD WAS MY MOTHERS UNCLE HIS FATHER WAS FRED.
ANDY WAS MY DAD’S UNCLE HIS WIFE MARY’S DAD JOE DELORME WHO WAS MY GRANDMOTHER MARY LAROCQUE BROTHER SO I WAS RELATED TO BOTH OF THEM THANKS AGAIN FOR ALL YOU DO GARY
Reply from Judy Allery Azure (65):
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Gary,
Florestine and Martin Belgarde were my aunt & uncle (Florestine was my dad’s sister) Frank Allery was my dad, and Clarence was my uncle, all these people are deceased. Yes, Ronnie they were related to you also, as our dads were 1st cousins. My uncle Martin did serve in the service and so did my Uncle Clarence Allery.
Hope you all have a wonderful 2009…
Judy
Reply from Bobby Slyter (70):
Comments about ND folks from Cheryl Larson Dakin (71):
You just don’t find the same friendliness that people from North Dakota display anywhere else. And I don’t think that it’s because most of us are related in some way. They just are. When I got married 32 years ago and my in-laws came out from California, I gave them directions to get from the airport in Minot to Bottineau. I even told them about the 2 curves in the road. What I forgot to tell them about was Thompson Street. So after they got to Bottineau and drove around for a few minutes, they decided to stop at someone’s house and ask for directions. The lady who answered the door made the comment “Oh, are you here for the double wedding? Well let me just get my buns out of the oven and I’ll take you right over.” So she pulled her batch of bread out of the oven and led my in-laws the few blocks to my Dad’s house. They talked about this for a long time. Six years ago friends of ours from here in Texas came up for my mom’s funeral and it was way below zero and snow was blowing like crazy. They ended up drifting into a snow filled ditch. They called us on their cell phones and a couple of our husbands went to rescue them. Meanwhile, every single car that passed them on the road, and there were several, stopped to see if they could lend a hand. I could go on and on with examples but you all know them too. I’m just saying…….. what wonderful, kind and generous people!
Cheryl Larson Dakin
Reply from Dick Johnson (68):
Gary and Friends,
The picture of Herman Boucher and the other soldier, unknown, in #333 Dick From Sybil Johnson:
Good morning all from Wyoming. Its now 23 and we got our first snow for winter of about 2 inches. I woke up and looked out and to my surprise, there was snow on the ground. I had to even go out and brush off the food for my
squirrels and birds. I was appalled, when I saw what they are calling “pork spending” to the Peace Gardens. I use to drive from Minot, just to visit them and feel the serenity of the Gardens. Of all the sites in North Dakota, the Peace Gardens were my favorite. Sometimes, I would go up and I would feel the Canadians were doing a better job on their side, than what was happening on our side. For, I would see where visitors threw their garbage on the ground/ not even bother picking it up. What I like mostly were the Bell Towers and the Chapel, but yet, the whole Gardens are so Peaceful, I just wish more people would learn about them. Sybil Johnson (great_grandma2007@live.com) Warren Anderson’s (65) reply to picture posted below by Neola Kofoid Garbe:
Gary, They are Belcourt people. Nice folks, Ron Laverdure is the Groom and Jeanie Jollie is the Bride. The gentlemen 3rd from the right is Doug Gourneau, I knew him some before we were drafted togeather in ’69. was in viet nam togeather and both wounded in the same area. He has left us now. Kind of a sad ending, like Cliff Henrey. Have fun, Warren
Ron Laverdure & Jeanie Jollie Wedding
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01/12/2009
Brenda Berube Lenertz Obituary posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe:
BISMARCK Brenda Lenertz, 55, Bismarck, formerly of the Minot and Rolla areas, died Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009, in her home.
She was born Aug. 20, 1953, to Edward and Evelyn Berube in Rolla. She married Myron Lenertz June 24, 1977.
Survivors: husband; daughters, Andrea Lenertz, Bismarck, Jenna Lenertz, Fargo; mother, of Belcourt; sister, Sharon Austel, Simi Valley, Calif.; brothers, Gary, Mandan, Brian, Bismarck, Perry, Euclid, Minn., Timothy, Andover, Minn.
Funeral: Saturday, 10:30 a.m., St. Anne’s Catholic Church, Bismarck.
Burial: St. Mary’s Cemetery, Bismarck.
Vigil and rosary service: Today, 7 p.m., Bismarck Funeral Home, Bismarck.
Visitation: Today, 5 to 7 p.m., in the funeral home.
Folks, This Berube family recently lost their father/husband Edward too. Edward was a brother to Fortune & Lawrence Berube. My condolences go out to the Berbube family for the loss of Brenda and Edward. It has to be tough loosing two family members so close together. Gary
Pete & Vie Mellmer Celebrate their 60th Wedding Anniversay:
Message from Jim Mellmer (72):
Today, January 11th, is the 60th wedding anniversary of Pete and Vi Mellmer. They were married in 1949 in New England, ND. They are living in Bismarck at 3009 N. Colorado, Bismarck, ND 58503. Also, Pete will be celebrating his 80th birthday on March 2nd of this year.
Thank you Jim for posting this. We congratulate your parents for 60 years of marriage and also your dad with his 80th birthday. Your family was well known in the Dunseith community. Gary
Question from Martha Lamb Schepp (68):
Hi Gary,
Last night we were at my husband’s company Christmas Party, Souris River Cooperative, somehow the agronomy manager, Shane Lester, started talking about his heritage. He said his Grandma Wetherelt was at Kelvin Store in the 1920’s and later moved to Breadas, Montana. Does anyone remember hearing this name or have any stories to share. He also says he is related to the “House” family. Any comments would be welcomed. Thanks for all that you do Gary and everyone else. Martha Lamb Schepp
Martha, I think Shane Lester may have some relatives among us. This is from the 1982 Dunseith Book. With what you said, his family may be one of the ones listed below. I’ll bet we have some folks that will know.Herman House Married Scelina Wetherelt. Their children were: Velva (Mrs. Tony Christianson), Jessie (Mrs. Carl Millang), Effie (Mrs. Art Espe), Walter, George (Married Violet Hiatt) Harold (Married Pearl McKay, and Richard (Married Bertha Metcalfe).
Reply from Bonnie Awalt Houle (56):
To Randy Hiatt: Lois Hiatt and I were friends and she baby sat for you while your Mom worked at the Gamble Store. Your nickname was “Pudgy” and we all called you that, infact couldn’t remember your name as anything but Pudgy until you signed on to Gary’s newsline. We had a lot of fun taking you around with us even at Slumber Parties at Lois’s house. Sure am glad you were so small you couldn’t remember anything that went on!!!.
Dunseith Alumni: Check out the slam in the Reader’s Digest February issue, page 50. Speaking about a bill the was passed through they are speaking about PORK SPENDING, Dunseith North Dakota, pop.739 received $295,000 for the International Peace Garden, I don’t believe that they checked at all to see what the Peace Garden is, what it stands for, or the correct population of Dunseith. Maybe Readers Digest should get a lot of letters from our Alumni letting them know the importance of the Peace Gardens, and what it represents. You can e-mail Readers Digest at letters@readersdigest.com. Let our appreciation of the Peace Gardens be known.
Bonnie Awalt Houle (56)
Reply from Ron Longie (65):
Randy,
I remember Martin and Florestine very well they were real close friends to my folks, they lived north of town, and we used to go there quite often. I believe my dad and Florestine were cousins, if I remember right Florestine was Clarence Allery’s sister (I could be wrong). Randy thanks for the memory recall.
Ron Longie
Ron and Dick with your posting below, My dad became a close friend of both Martin & Florestine when he worked at San Haven. He spoke highly of them, very often. I never met them, but I felt as though I knew them through my dads converstations.
Reply from Dick Johnson (68):
Gary Metcalfe mentioned Martin Belgarde and his service time. I knew him
in later years through selling hay to him and trading guns. He was a
story teller for sure. Another serviceman who was badly wounded was Andy
Patnaude, who was shot through the eye as he peered out from a trench.
He was supposedly with another Dunseith soldier when he was wounded, but
I can’t remember who. Maybe Martin Belgarde or Dan Decoteau–I’m not
sure any more. Maybe someone can fill us in if they know the details.
Jay and Lola Vanorny were good friends with Martin and Florestine, maybe
they know. I remember Andy had an artificial eye and a plate in the
back of his skull, his injury also affected his balance. Gary M. did
you ever hear John Belgarde tell about his experiences in the tank
battles? He said they were told the new Sherman tanks were bullet proof
and to take the Panzers head on. They met up with a new a Tiger tank and
it shot right through their new Sherman tank! It was the wrong kind of
shell so only blew a hole and didn’t explode. He said they headed for
cover and stayed out of sight just like they did with the old tank! The
Turtle Mt. Star did an article on John’s WWII experiences about 2-3
years ago. I don’t think I kept the article but I planned to and forgot.
John passed away just shortly afterward. It was interesting, although he
may have ’embellished’ a tad! I guess he earned that right! Thanks Gary!
Dick
From Dick Johnson (68):
Gary and Friends,
My wife’s dad told about how his ship, a destroyer escort, was also used
to help transport Marines between islands and battles. While on the Navy
ship the Marines were under the command of the Navy Admiral. The rivalry
between the different branches of the military caused a lot of barroom
brawls, so this unique command made the Marines on board disgusted, to
say the least. The Admiral ordered everyone on deck and at attention,
while he gave the men their orders for the coming day and the next
battle. He started out the briefing with—“Tomorrow morning at 0600
hours–for you Marines, the big hand is on the 12 and the little hand is
on the 6!” My father-in-law said all the sailors were grinning and the
Marines were boiling mad! There wasn’t anything they could do that
wouldn’t cause a court martial! They were heading into places where they
probably needed both the humor and the anger just to survive. Thanks Gary!
Dick
Reply from Neola Kofoid Garbe:
It just ocuured to me again how connected everyone is. Rich Campbell and Wally, my husband, worked at the same bank in Minot for a few years.
Neola
Annabelle Shelver’s picture posted by her grandson (Dave’s son) Jeff Skjelver:
Hi Gary,
Here is one of my favorite pictures of Annabelle Shelver with one of her great-granddaughters taken at the Shelver cabin at Lake Metigoshe in 2002.
My wife posted this one at her website:
Peace…
Jeff Skjelver
Jeff, this is a great picture. Many folks remember your grandmother well. Thank you so much for sharing. Gary
Annabelle Shelver with her Great-Granddaughter – 2002
Message/Pictures from Geri Metcalfe Munro (59):
Gary,
I will attempt to attach some pictures of my Uncle Bing Evans, Dary Ryan and my parents, Jim and Ella Metcalfe, Jimmy and Gary taken while they lived in Seattle–1941–I was not born yet at the time of these pictures, but soon after. lol Hope our cousin, Randy, enjoys these.
Geri Metcalfe Munro Class of’59
I will attempt to attach some pictures of my Uncle Bing Evans, Dary Ryan and my parents, Jim and Ella Metcalfe, Jimmy and Gary taken while they lived in Seattle–1941–I was not born yet at the time of these pictures, but soon after. lol Hope our cousin, Randy, enjoys these.
Geri Metcalfe Munro Class of’59
p.s. Hi to Margie Longie; I graduated with Wally and friends with Willie and Marg.
Pictures posted by Geri Metcalfe Munro – L to R:
Dary Ryan, Jim Metcalfe holding Gary, Uncle bing
and Jimmy Metcalfe in front.
Ella Evans Metcalfe holding Gary, Uncle Bing Evans;
Jimmy Metcalfe
and Dary Ryan in front
Dary Ryan (he was Kenrose Medlang and Glady’s” brother;
their mother was a good friend of my Grandmother, Randina (Martin) Evans
01/11/2009
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Reply from Gary Metcalfe (57):
Wow, I guess I have another cousin!! I tried calling Randy Hiatt tonight to welcome him to the family, but did not get an answer.
It’s really something how one letter can tip you off to lots of things you would like to know. Herman mentioned Cote’s outfit, I thought Laureus Cote was somewhere over there, now I know for sure.
Does anyone remember Martin Belgarde? He was a fixture at Lamoureux Bros. Garage, about like Carroll Carlson was. Martin was a great storyteller. I think he actually was in Italy for awhile. He said he jumped off a ten foot bank hoping to break just one leg and all I broke was my gol dang gun. LOL
Janice and all of you in Seattle area, hope you are staying safe and dry through all of this unusual wet/snowy weather out there. Gary Metcalfe
Request from Marge Langan Wilcox (Ron Longie’s (65) sister):
Good morning Gary,
You probably don’t remember me.
I am Ron Longie’s sister in Vancouver WA…. would like to be added to the Dunseith alumni I left Dunseith in 1956….. after marrying Hollis Wilcox I get all of the messages from my brother Ron longie. Marge Langan Wilcox
Wilbur Longie Family:
Back row: left Wallace, Wilbur, Marge, Ronnie
Front row: left Willie, Patti, Ursula, Donnie  Hannah Higgins Loab & Ursula Longie – 7-13-07
 Reply from David Slyter (70):
To Dick Johnson:
I too enjoy reading the War stories. It is so interesting to read the letters of the soldiers to their loved ones during a very tough time in their lifes. Not being a military person myself, I still have a respect for the ones that serve in any of our armed services. Our dad Fred Hiatt was commander of the American Legion in Dunsieth for many years and as you know we always played or sang at the memorial day programs at the old Duseith city hall or the High School. It takes people like my dad, or Jack Flynn, or Floyd Dion and the Hosmers and many more to keep things going in a small town like Dunseith. Those were the good ole days. To Randy Hiatt: Welcome to the Dunseith Alumni pages. Mom always spoke of the day that she delivered you into the world and it was a proud moment for her. In 98 we took Mom out to Washington on a summer trip with us. It was great seeing you and the rest of the Hiatt clan at the picnic that everyone thru for us. I had seen relatives that I hadn’t seen in 25 years. Mom passed the following year in 99 but had always talked about that previous summer. So again welcome to our world and enjoy. Dave Slyter (70) Reply from Sharron Gottbreht Shen (59):
It is so frustrating that I cannot send mail direct to Gary Metcalfe. Just wish to thank him for the keen insight he has into the 34th. I shall look for the book he recommends. Copies of the camp picture in the mail by Monday; I am sure Aunt Emily and/or Uncle Roland will know fellow soldier. I have no idea what camps behind the lines looked like but the tent structure looks collapsable and screened – good for buggy Louisiana but also important in Italy where fever born disease from mosquitoes was a problem in river areas. Sharron
Reply from Allen Richard (65):
To Wally Garbe– Yeah this is a weird winter by modern standards for sure. Saginaw Mi was a couple inches short of its annual snow fall last week– we are supposed to get another 3-4 inches tonight. Over the Christmas Holiday — in a 10 day period, we went form nearly no snow to two feet of snow to no snow. We have about 8 inches now. I hope you don’t get another “blizzard of ’66” That was the nastiest in my memory. I have a few stories about that one– I’m sure a lot of you do too.
Hope everyone had a great holiday season — onward and upward for 2009—not sure if we can get much lower!
Allen
Willie/Maxine Hiatt picture posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe:
Folks, Willie and Maxine Radley (38) Hiatt lived in the Ackworth community until moving to Bottineau in about 1955. Norris Knutson purchased their farm and has lived there ever since. Willie was a plumber in Bottineau for many years. Maxine worked for Dr. Sveen, a Dentist in Bottineau, for a number years. Willie pasted away this last year. Maxine is currently living at the Oak Manor Apartments. Their children are Barbara Cote, Harvey, Lawrence & Doug. Doug has been working the Good Samaritan home in Bottineau for quite some time now. Gary
 Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe:
Jammin’ to the oldies Minot Daily News: December 28, 2008Frozen Fingers Music Association holds stage show, jam session The Frozen Fingers Music Association held a stage show and jam session at the Sleep Inn in Minot Saturday. Members of the association entertained an audience with old-time and bluegrass music. “This organization is for the education of people about old-time music, and it’s for fun. The whole purpose is to promote bluegrass and old-time music, to get a few more people interested in it,” said Dick Johnson, vice president of the Frozen Fingers Music Association. Once individuals are interested in the music, it seems to be something that sticks with them. Johnson recalled how he started playing. “I came down to the concerts three years ago. I went in a jam session with my guitar, and I didn’t leave my chair for 14 hours,” he said. The Frozen Fingers Music Association is made up of old-time and bluegrass groups from around the region. Frozen Fingers hopes to interest more young people in the music, and the association serves the purpose of teaching them how to play. “The best way to learn how is to sit down with people, and do it. It’s something we need to keep doing, or it’s going to slowly dwindle away,” Johnson said. Frozen Fingers’ next stage show and jam session will be held at the Sleep Inn in Minot Feb. 14-15. A dance will be held Feb. 13, and a guitar clinic will be going on during the stage show and jam session. “It’s a full two days of music groups, old-time or bluegrass. Sunday morning we’ll have a polka mass, and during the day we’ll have old-time gospel music,” Johnson said.
Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: I know some of you know Claudia Harrison Trebas. Gary
Hi Everyone,
Claudia sent the info written in green. I had “run” the original email by her before I sent it. I’m including her latest info. Thanks, Claudia.
FYI: Claudia has acess to a computer in Bismarck/Bottineau, so you may visit her site/send emails any time, and she’ll receive them immediately. Neola
January 9: Good morning Neola, I am home now, as of last night. Really
glad Bottineau didn’t get the snow. I will be in Bismarck for treatments, 6 chemo, 3 weeks apart and then 6 weeks radiation. I will be home when I can be. I have to have hercepin every week until I’m done with chemo, then herceptin every 3 weeks for a year. Thank you for passing it on, it is so nice to hear from people and have the support. How are you? When do you start? Is radiation first? Let me know how that goes and keep me posted. You are in our prayers also. Thanks for all the laughs, you know laughter is the best medicine. God Bless, Claudia
Hi Everyone,
Some of you know Claudia Harrison Trebas/her father and mother, Marvin and Muriel Bergeron/her grandparents, Leo and Claudia DuBois Bergeron (Page 76 in Centennial Book). Leo and Claudia lived 9 miles east of Bottineau (about half-way between Bottineau/Dunseith; Leonard Neubauer and family lived there later; Leonard’s son now lives on “the place”.
Claudia is married to Brad Trebas of Bottineau. Brad/Claudia live in Bottineau. I copied/pasted the following info I found in Claudia’s Caring Bridge site. I have had two surgeries to achieve clean margins and the lymph nodes were removed after cancer was found in the sentinel node. I will begin chemotherapy treatments January 16th and radiation will follow. Maybe we can’t see this as a blessing quite clearly yet, but we do know we are blessed with such loving and supportive family and friends.
It is with Claudia’s permission and blessing that I send this email to all of you. If you click on the link I’m including, it will take you directly to Claudia’s journal on Caring Bridges (Hi, Claudia!). Claudia would love to have you visit her journal/read the information/look at the pictures/sign her guestbook. Claudia is staying at her daughter’s (Chelsey) home in Bismarck. It’s not exactly the way you’d choose to spend more time with your grandson, but, if you have to stay somewhere, you can’t do better than seeing your grandson (other family members) every day.
Neola
Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: neolag@min.midco.net
IPG “Rainy Day” fund.
Gary,
As you can see, this is a little old. The Courant was lying on the table. I saw this article and decided to scan/send it. Now I can throw this part of the paper.
Neola
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01/10/2009
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Request from Jacqueline Hiatt Fix (79):
First off Gary thank for your hard work keeping us in touch with whats going in North Dakota today and taking us down memory lane.
My cousin Randy Hiatt son of Aunt Deloris (Hiatt) and Uncle LeRoy Birkland would like to be added to your distribution list. He lives in Seattle (or Suburb). His e-mail address
Thanks again for bringing us all closer.
Happy New Year!
Jacqueline (Hiatt) Fix
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Message from Randy Hiatt:
Gary I can’t believe how much you know about all the relatives in ND. I wouldn’t mind at all if you posted my e-mail. Thanks for bringing me closer to my family and friends.
As you have probably figured out this is my work e-mail address. Would it be to much trouble to ask you to add my home e-mail to the list? It is hapicamper2@comcast.net
Thanks Gary.
Randy Hiatt.
Randy’s message.
Gary thanks for adding me to your distribution list. I am neither the Randy Hiatt from Lynnwood or Everett. My wife Lori and I are from North BendWA. 98045.I have lived there for more than 20 years now. I was born in Dunseith in 1954 in the house my mom (Delores Hiatt) was living in and delivered by my aunt Margret (Fredy Hiatts wife). My step father who I was just back to see is Leroy Birkland and yes he lives in Bottineau.
I just read a lot of the e-mail that you sent me after this one. Dunseith Alumni Wow a lot of those names were very familiar. Like Dick Johnson who was my half brothers (Terry Hiatt) good friend.
As time goes on I want to learn more about my real father Evan Evans or Bing Evans as he was called. I know that he pasted away in a house fire when I was only 1 or 2 years old. Anyway it so good to hear about some of the people from the TurtleMountains.
Thanks Again
Randy Hiatt
Building Envelope Specialist
W.G. Clark Construction
O 206-340-6659
C 206-499-2940
From Gary Metcalfe (57):
To Sharon Gottbreht,
Good job Sharon! That is not Bing or Ole in the picture with Herman. If you go to message #70 you will see Ole with the gal he married in San Francisco and Bing in work uniform. Bing was 27 years old and Ole was 25 when they went in the service. They realized what they were in for from the beginning. Most of the replacements were probably 18 year old kids and the older soldiers felt terrible guilty for not being able to keep them alive in a rifle company. When Herman mentions Ick and Dary Ryan, I think he meant Ike Hagen??
When he says you all got to see Ole, Ole had been wounded pretty bad and had had 28 months in combat so needed rest badly. They sent him home for a time, 3 or 4 weeks maybe.
I am going to suggest the picture of Herman and the unknown soldier was at Boot Camp in Louisiana. It is fun trying to figure out the wat and when of a time so far in the past. I don’t think any of these men had a racket, this was about the time that they were abandoned by Patton and most of the units as they went into France and Normandy, the 34th went on to the end of Italy.
Here is another letter that Bing sent his mother dated
November 18, 1944
France
Dear Mother,I’ll have to find out how Ole works that furlough stuff. I could go for a little of it myself. If I didn’t know him so well, I’d swear he was AWOL. Two generous furloughs in quick succession isn’t the usual thing you know.The mail came in this evening with your letter of Oct. 27. Rather slow for a V-letter but I guess that’s to be expected this time of year. Christmas packages have been pouring in for more than two weeks now. I got one from Hanna and two from Edna about a week ago. Tell Edna the cookies were swell.It appears the young ladies around that part of the country are making one last desperate drive while it’s still legal, and it’s a long time ’til ’48. Poor Ole. I wonder if he survived the mad rush of matrimonial-minded maidens?!? A Tech. Sgt. I hear is considered a pretty fair catch….up in them thar’ hills…should be good for about a hundred dollar monthly allotment, which ain’t to be sniffed at, by any means. As to my chances, —I feel confident and maybe just a bit smug over the fact that all First Sgts. in general are considered such utterly repulsive people, that even the most hardened character must indeed be in sorry straits to dare associate with one. However, being a cautious sort of a guy, I’ll stay away ’til Leap Year is over.Over here, things are going much the same as usual, although the weather has turned somewat colder. We’ve already seen the first snowfall of the season, which melted within a few hours after the sun came out. Of course we’ve been issued warmer clothing and I for one, don’t fear the cold.Best regards to all! Bing
PS. This blog is such a wonderful register of history that could just be forgotten. Now I wish I had my one and only letter from Ole to type into the blog, but….I have lost it. How sad for me. One thing I do remember from his letter is that he told his mother that “I had a coke today, the first one in over a year”.
Randy Hiatt, I will forward message #70 to you with those pictures. Gary Stokes
From Dick Johnson (68):
You all are doing a great job on the history of WWII. I really enjoy
hearing local stories of those who served. It does seem to me though
that some people, especially younger ones, really don’t care about this
stuff or even want to be bothered hearing about it. Little do they
realize that without the sacrifices that these men and women endured,
they would not have the life they take for granted today. I’m sure we
are not as removed from the issue because it was closer to our time and
much study of it was done during our schooling. Anyway the old slogan
‘Lest We Forget’ is certainly self explanatory! Memorial Day is becoming
a day to enjoy the lake or other activity when we need to remember what
the true purpose of the day is!
hearing local stories of those who served. It does seem to me though
that some people, especially younger ones, really don’t care about this
stuff or even want to be bothered hearing about it. Little do they
realize that without the sacrifices that these men and women endured,
they would not have the life they take for granted today. I’m sure we
are not as removed from the issue because it was closer to our time and
much study of it was done during our schooling. Anyway the old slogan
‘Lest We Forget’ is certainly self explanatory! Memorial Day is becoming
a day to enjoy the lake or other activity when we need to remember what
the true purpose of the day is!
In the message from Sharron Gottbreht Shen, the picture of Hermann
Boucher and another man–I don’t think that is Bing Evans, but Gary
Metcalfe and his crew will know for sure. The letter is very interesting
and gives us an insight to what our local soldiers were up against.
Italy was another rough battle zone and was one Hitler did not want to
give up. The battles of Anzio, San Pietro, and Cassino were some of the
worst of the war. Heavy casualties for every yard gained. Thanks
Sharron, Gary M., and Gary S.!
Dick
Posted by Dick Johnson:
Gary and Friends,
Bill Hosmer mentioned his dad, Jack Hosmer and someone going to Kansas
City to recruit a baseball team. Today I was looking at an old Dunseith
Journal and here was the article—April 2, 1936. If there is some
interest from the readers I can scan the article and post it. Thanks Gary!
Dick
Gary,
Here is the article although it doesn’t fit the scanner completely. Thanks.
Dick
01/09/2009
A big salute to Mrs. Flynn from Martha Lamb Schepp (68):
Hi Gary,Lynn and I very much enjoyed Minnie Flynn’s birthday party. I would like to give a compliment to Minnie Flynn as a teacher. I think Dean and I were very fortunate to have teachers who really cared for the individual all through our school years in Dunseith. When my brother set his goal to be a Veterinary, it appeared that there was much studying to be done before such a task could be accomplished. Mrs. Flynn was Dean’s teacher, I believe in about the 5th grade. Mrs. Flynn approached Dean to see if he would accept extra help during her break and his recess. He respectfully accepted her offer . He always felt she had a lot to do with giving him the extra boost to earn his Dr. of Veterinary Medicine Degree..
Thank you, with much respect Mrs. Flynn.
Thank you, with much respect Mrs. Flynn.
Martha Lamb Schepp
Randy, K & Jill Flynn, Please pass this message onto your mother? Thanks, Gary
Thanks to Jack/Minnie from Rob Olson (79):
Gary
I just had to write after I saw the Flynn family photo. I picked Randy, Jack and Minnie out right away. Don, Lyle and I lived right across the street from the Flynn’s. What a nice famly. In fact I credit-or blame Jack Flynn for introducing me to ice cream. If I was out in the yard when he came home he would invite me over and Minnie would get me a bowl, or two. (Like I needed it!). Jack was another person who would take me and whom ever wanted to go to away baseball games. We rode in his pickup-sometimes in the front seat and sometimes in the box. It didn’t matter to us we were going to a game. It was always an adventure. It did not even matter if I or any of the guys had any money which we usually didn’t Jack would take care of us buy us seeds and pop or whatever.
Some times-early in the morning Jack would come over to the trailer and knock on the door and ask Lyle if he wanted to go up to the farm and pick rock or haul bales. After a lot of begging Jack even took me. Jack told me that if the rock was to heavy for me to lift I was to let Lyle know and Lyle could pick it up and put it in the pile. Being no dummy eventually all the rocks got to be to heavy for me so Jack let me ride on the tractor/loader with him.
Minnie was the owner of the gift shop at the Peace Garden. One year she hired a gal by the name of Christina Hiatt- Jim Hiatt’s daughter. I was working for Orvin Hagen on the grounds ( I did that for 4 summers-great job!). Orvin’s crew spent most of our breaks at the gift shop and Christina and I met. We celebrated our 25th this past summer. Thanks Minnie!
Randy, as most of the older baseball fans know, was a stellar second baseman for the Dunseith Dragons. By looking at the size of his arms in the picture I think now Randy could make that throw from second to first without a problem–just kidding. I did not know Jill or Kay well but one thing is for sure those Flynn’s are good people and I owe a big thanks to them for treating me so nicely.
Happy belated birthday Minnie.
Rob Olson
Rob, What a surprise! I had no idea that you are married to Jim Hiatt’s daughter, son of Norman and Irene. What a pleasant shock to read that statement. As you well know, I know Jim and his sisters well. We were close neighbors our entire growing up years. I’m hoping Jim can make it up to Seattle for our ‘Seattle Dunseith Alumni Reunion’ this coming July. It’s been nearly 40 years since I’ve seen him. Speaking of Orvin, he was like family to us. I need to call him again one of these days too. He lives in Kindred ND. What a small world!Randy, K & Jill, Can you pass this along to your folks too? Thanks Gary
From Rod Hiatt (69):
Gary, Not sure if you even want to put this on your blog, but sure were
a lot Dunseith people there.
a lot Dunseith people there.
Rod, I for sure want to post this. Thanks for sharing. Gary
Good morning Gary and the rest of the world.
Well I believe that we started 2009 out with probably one of the social
highlights of the year, not saying that there won’t be
more events to come.
Toad Knutson and Jenna Mastvelton wedding brought out almost every
Hillbilly from Souris to St. John and flat landers from
the Canadian border to S. Dak. and east and west to the neighboring states.
Now Jenna, is the daughter of Lisa (Williams) twin to Lois Soland and
sister to Lori Lagerquist, and another 3 sisters that I never knew
existed + some brothers I was also informed about. When these younger
ones moved to Dunseith the others were already on their own. I noticed
that they were all getting their picture taken, so maybe someone will
have a copy to post later. So now thats where a lot of the Dunseith
people came in, knowing or being related to the Williams family.
Ray and Lori Lagerquist and there 3 daughters and new son-in-law came
back from Montana and it sure was good to sit and talk with them. I
don’t think that I had seen Ray for 15 years or better and back in the
early 70’s Ray, Brian Fauske and myself were kind of a, well thats
another whole chapter that maybe we’ll just leave out for right now.
Toad, son of Roger and Julie(Bullinger) Knutson & grandson to Norris and
Arlene Knutson, well that brought out all the Hillbillies Toad is
involved in Demolition Derby racing, so that brought out the rest of the
people in at least the 2 counties.
The wedding was held up at the Metigoshe Chapel and the reception and
dance followed at the Armory in Bottineau. They had the place decorated
up really nice with the wedding party at the head table and parents and
grand parents up toward the front as well. They served a large group a
very good meal( a little disappointed that Rodney and Curt Lagerquist
didn’t furnish fresh Venison).
My son Jason and his wife Lisa were matron of honor and best man, so
they both gave a short speech or toast. Lisa’s was very nice and sweet,
what you would expect to hear from someone talking to their best
friends, and Jason’s, well lets just say that it sure got the crowd woke
up, as well as embarrass his mother. A nice slide show was presented and
then the MUSIC began.
It was -20 outside but it was heated up inside. I’m sure that with all
the anti freeze that was consumed that night, it wouldn’t have made much
difference if it were-40.
The dance floor was full with steps like the St. John Shuffle and the
Turtle Mountain Twirl. Not so sure I didn’t see the Williams Twins (
Lisa and Lois) doing some kind of Shottish or Highlander step as well.
It sure was great visiting with all the friends and family that you just
don’t see often enough. Seems like its either a wedding or funeral that
brings people together. I know that some of you might be thinking that
there isn’t much difference in the 2, but I’m not saying that, as my
wife reads all of Gary’s emails. I hope all that were there enjoyed the
evening as much as I did
highlights of the year, not saying that there won’t be
more events to come.
Toad Knutson and Jenna Mastvelton wedding brought out almost every
Hillbilly from Souris to St. John and flat landers from
the Canadian border to S. Dak. and east and west to the neighboring states.
Now Jenna, is the daughter of Lisa (Williams) twin to Lois Soland and
sister to Lori Lagerquist, and another 3 sisters that I never knew
existed + some brothers I was also informed about. When these younger
ones moved to Dunseith the others were already on their own. I noticed
that they were all getting their picture taken, so maybe someone will
have a copy to post later. So now thats where a lot of the Dunseith
people came in, knowing or being related to the Williams family.
Ray and Lori Lagerquist and there 3 daughters and new son-in-law came
back from Montana and it sure was good to sit and talk with them. I
don’t think that I had seen Ray for 15 years or better and back in the
early 70’s Ray, Brian Fauske and myself were kind of a, well thats
another whole chapter that maybe we’ll just leave out for right now.
Toad, son of Roger and Julie(Bullinger) Knutson & grandson to Norris and
Arlene Knutson, well that brought out all the Hillbillies Toad is
involved in Demolition Derby racing, so that brought out the rest of the
people in at least the 2 counties.
The wedding was held up at the Metigoshe Chapel and the reception and
dance followed at the Armory in Bottineau. They had the place decorated
up really nice with the wedding party at the head table and parents and
grand parents up toward the front as well. They served a large group a
very good meal( a little disappointed that Rodney and Curt Lagerquist
didn’t furnish fresh Venison).
My son Jason and his wife Lisa were matron of honor and best man, so
they both gave a short speech or toast. Lisa’s was very nice and sweet,
what you would expect to hear from someone talking to their best
friends, and Jason’s, well lets just say that it sure got the crowd woke
up, as well as embarrass his mother. A nice slide show was presented and
then the MUSIC began.
It was -20 outside but it was heated up inside. I’m sure that with all
the anti freeze that was consumed that night, it wouldn’t have made much
difference if it were-40.
The dance floor was full with steps like the St. John Shuffle and the
Turtle Mountain Twirl. Not so sure I didn’t see the Williams Twins (
Lisa and Lois) doing some kind of Shottish or Highlander step as well.
It sure was great visiting with all the friends and family that you just
don’t see often enough. Seems like its either a wedding or funeral that
brings people together. I know that some of you might be thinking that
there isn’t much difference in the 2, but I’m not saying that, as my
wife reads all of Gary’s emails. I hope all that were there enjoyed the
evening as much as I did
From Shirley Olson Warcup (49):
Gary,
I am enjoying all of the information I receive in your e-mails! It’s almost like being “home” —-in Dunseith. A few people have commented about how many of the men who served in the military are rather silent about all that took place while on duty. I met a couple men where this was certainly the case.
Many years ago, I met a man called Gail Halvorsen. His sister introduced me to him one Sunday. I spoke to him for a short time; I can’t remember what we even talked about. Sometime later, his sister Marilyn, said he dropped candy to children in Germany when he was stationed there. She told me this about 25 years ago. It wasn’t until last week that I found out what that “dropping candy” was about. There was a 1 hour special on TV about the “Candy Bomber”. Gail Halvorsen was that candy bomber. He has been honored by the Republic of Germany in many ways. He received the highest medal awarded by them. He also carried the German team’s National Placard into the Rice-Eccles Stadium in the 2002 Winter Olympics. He became the commander of some airbase in Germany and also participated in its closing. He has been back to Germany many times and something was named after him (I missed what it was). They said the U. S. Military has modeled some of Halvorsen’s actions in Iraq, dropping toys, teddy bears, and soccer balls to Iraqi children. I wish I had known all of this at the time I met him–I imagine he could have told us many things !!
Another man we knew for about 30 years was Jess Bullock. Ron saw him frequently, Jess worked at the lumber yard where Ron bought lots of “stuff” We also saw him at church on Sundays. He left Merced about 15-20 years ago. One day after his departure, someone mentioned he had served in WW2. He had never said a word about that. They then told us he had been at Guadalcanal and that he was the 2nd most decorated soldier in the war–right behind Audie Murphy. Jess was the most gentle, soft spoken man I’ve ever met. They tell me he’s mentioned in “Guadalcanal Diary”–I’ve never checked that out—one of these days, I will.
There are so many stories to be told and so many men (and women) to be thanked for their service to our country. I had no idea so many men from the Dunseith area served in the military. We owe them a great deal!!!Thanks for doing what you’re doing, Gary. I’m learning more about Dunseith and its people from these e-mails.
Shirley Olson Warcup
From Dick Johnson (68):
Gary and Friends,With the interesting discussion on the men and women who served in WWII,
there is one young man who hasn’t been mentioned. Harold Flynn, the
brother of Jack Flynn, was among those who died at the hands of the
Japanese on the infamous Bataan Death March. He would be the uncle to
Randy, Jill, and K. Flynn and also uncle to Terry, Tim, and Tera
Martinson. I can’t find any mention of this in the Dunseith history
book, but I believe it’s correct. Maybe some of the family will confirm
or correct me. That was one of the worst atrocities of the Pacific war.
Carroll Carlson said that Gen. MacArthur told the men to fight to the
end until reinforcements could arrive, knowing none were being sent!
Those that did hold out to the end were nicknamed the ‘Battling Bastards
of Bataan’, by those who knew of their valiant, though hopeless, effort.
Thanks Gary!
there is one young man who hasn’t been mentioned. Harold Flynn, the
brother of Jack Flynn, was among those who died at the hands of the
Japanese on the infamous Bataan Death March. He would be the uncle to
Randy, Jill, and K. Flynn and also uncle to Terry, Tim, and Tera
Martinson. I can’t find any mention of this in the Dunseith history
book, but I believe it’s correct. Maybe some of the family will confirm
or correct me. That was one of the worst atrocities of the Pacific war.
Carroll Carlson said that Gen. MacArthur told the men to fight to the
end until reinforcements could arrive, knowing none were being sent!
Those that did hold out to the end were nicknamed the ‘Battling Bastards
of Bataan’, by those who knew of their valiant, though hopeless, effort.
Thanks Gary!
Dick
From Don Aird (Carroll Carlson’s Nephew):
Dick Johnson mentioned that you had to live in North Dakota to understand how folks help each other. When my Uncle Carroll died I had to come up from St Louis to make the funeral arrangements. It was mid May and there was a lot of new snow on the ground from a freak storm. I had to drive between the funeral home in Bottineau to Dunseith where Uncle Carroll’s funeral would take place then on to Rolla to stay with my Aunt Verlie Aird Clark. On the way back to Dunseith from Bottineau a van had gone off the road into the ditch. The Sheriff stopped the first 4 wheel drive vehicle that came by and had him pull the van out of the ditch. Then the sheriff let the traffic move on. There are very few places in the US where something like this would have happened.
From Sybil Johnson:
Dick, you are so right. Not even here in Wyoming, can one depend on help from a stranger. You really dont even dare
look for help; atleast that’s the way I feel. Being by myself, I dont trust alot of people that pass my apartment.
Wyoming is known for being one of the main routes for drugs and where I live here in Cheyenne, there have been
many homes around me that have been noted as drug outlets. The 10 years that I have been in my apt., I have
made very few friends and that is sad. I have more friends on the internet, than right here in Cheyenne. But, I
cant do anything about that and I wont dwell on it. Have a nice day everyone.
Sybil Johnson (great_grandma2007@live.com.)
look for help; atleast that’s the way I feel. Being by myself, I dont trust alot of people that pass my apartment.
Wyoming is known for being one of the main routes for drugs and where I live here in Cheyenne, there have been
many homes around me that have been noted as drug outlets. The 10 years that I have been in my apt., I have
made very few friends and that is sad. I have more friends on the internet, than right here in Cheyenne. But, I
cant do anything about that and I wont dwell on it. Have a nice day everyone.
Sybil Johnson (great_grandma2007@live.com.)
Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe:
Folks, Leonard & Eleanor have asked to put their messages on hold until they return to their summer home at Lake Metigoshe in the spring. I’m hoping they will see this posting? Gary
From Sharron Gottbreht Shen (59):
I spoke with Aunt Emily Birkland Boucher this week; she confirmed that bootcamp was in Louisiana but did not know exact location. She said that Herman did receive the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star and several other ribbons. Uncle Herman seems weary of war and the more fierce combat as Axis lose ground and are pushed north. The attached picture was found with Herman’s letter. Uncle Ernie confirms that the picture was taken in Italy. I was told identity of the brother-in-arms, but did not write it down! Perhaps Ole or Bing Evans?Sharron
Herman Boucher’s letter from Italy in 1944:
Dear Sis & Bro Italy 7-11-44
Well my mail finally got up with me & I guess I owe you girls all letters. So I guess this will have to hold you for awhile. Anyway, I suppose these letters all go around, I hope.
Well I see you all got to see Ole [Evans]. So you should have got the low down on this outfit pretty well & on my racket. My racket is a good one, as long as you got to be in the Infantry. Ole doesn’t throw the bull, he isn’t that kind of guy. And there’s a rumor here now that he’s back in Naples, so I’ll be seeing him before long. I should be able to get lots of good news. I suppose you thought he had lots of stripes. Well I don’t think he’ll be wearing them very long when he gets back. He’ll be wearing a bar instead. That is if he wants to take it. They’ve been making quite a few officers out of these line Co. & Ole’s been a good soldier. So I guess he’s got it made & I sure hope he gets it.
Ick and Dary Ryan were down to see me this afternoon. The first time I see Dary. Well he didn’t get taller, still a runt and looks about 50 yr’s old & he sure can throw the bull. I got a couple of pts of rot gut & we got feeling pretty high. He’s got some tall stories to tell, pretty interesting. I just listen. They’ll make good stories to tell at the bar – should be able go get a lot of free drink out of them. His racket is about as good as you can get in the Inf. The only thing that bothers him most of the time is the noise of our own artillery guns & I think I could stand that pretty well. Somebody has got to get the breaks.
I think it was you or Yvette was hoping that my wound would keep me in the hospital for awhile. I told you it was just a scratch. I just went to the medic & got it patched up. I wasn’t going to go to the hospital at first, said it was too damn far to walk. So the Sgt took me down in the jeep. He said you might as well get the Purple Heart – some of these other boys are getting them for the GI’s or in plain English the s___s.
Well I wrote a letter to Hector & told him we were off the lines. That was right but we had too good a setup and I knew it wouldn’t last. We got a pretty good rumor that we’re going back Fri night. We’ll have been off 9 days. Well I don’t know what they would do if they didn’t have this Div over here. They keep us on all the time. We thought at first we were getting a Div relief, but it was just a regiment relief. I guess Cote’s outfit is coming back in our place. These new outfits they brought over here last winter & spring laid on their ass most of the summer & went up the line when we did this fall. And now their getting Div relief. I hope our boys get good & drunk and clean their ass before we go back up. Their a pretty cockeye outfit. It’ll do them good.
Well one thing I know, before we go up again we’ll be bringing ourselves some cough medicine along. The last pass we couldn’t even get wine. The Dagoes that we run across up there are no damn good. They won’t give you nothing. The only way we can get anything from them is to steal it. In the southern part of Italy they were glad so see us. They use to give us anything they had. We didn’t have to steal it at least.
Well I was suppose to go on a day pass tomorrow but now they called it off until the next day. They better be careful how many days they call it off or I’ll just be out of luck. We get five day passes every so often in a rest CA. but that comes about every 6 mo and the last one I had was about 3 months ago. So I don’t have to think about that for awhile.
It’s about my bedtime so I better sign off. Hoping this finds everybody in the best of health.
Love & Best Regards from your Bro Herman
Herman Boucher
Herman Boucher & Bing Evans?
Posted by Carmen Leonard Richard (Rolette):
Carmen, this is beautiful. Gary
BLESSED NORTH DAKOTA
On the sixth day God turned to the Archangel Gabriel and said: ‘Today, I am going to create a land called North Dakota.
It will be a land of outstanding Natural beauty; a land of beautiful lakes, each one full of fish. It Shall have tall majestic pines, peacefully flowing rivers, landscapes full of Buffalo, tall grass, and eagles, beautiful blue skies, forests full of bear, elk And moose, rich farmland and fair skinned people.’
God continued, ‘I Shall make the land rich in resources so as to make the inhabitants prosper and They shall be known as a most friendly people, people who practice being Nice every day.’
But Lord,’ asked Gabriel, ‘don’t you think you are being too Generous to these North Dakota people?’
‘Not really,’ replied God ‘just wait and see the winters I am going to give them,’
AND NOW YOU KNOW
01/08/2009
Condolences to Ivy Eller Robert with the loss of her brother from Robin & Bernard (76) Morin:
Our sincere condolences to you and your family, our thoughts and prayers are with you. Robin and Bernard Morin
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Request from Jacqueline Hiatt Fix (79):
First off Gary thank for your hard work keeping us in touch with whats going in North Dakota today and taking us down memory lane.
My cousin Randy Hiatt son of Aunt Deloris (Hiatt) and Uncle LeRoy Birkland would like to be added to your distribution list. He lives in Seattle (or Suburb). His e-mail address RHiatt@wgclark.com
Thanks again for bringing us all closer.
Happy New Year!
Jacqueline (Hiatt) Fix
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Reply from Debbie Armentrout Metcalfe (77):
Gary:For many years mom has reserved her Monday mornings to gather the news for the Turtle Mountain Star and the Courant. I will pass on your thanks.
Debbie
Debbie, Neola has provided us with several more of your mothers wonderful ‘Dunseith News’ columns posted below. Gary
From Gary Metcalfe (57):
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Reply to Dick and Larry,
I think the stucco man was probably Adrian Egbert, who else but a man who used to custom saw firewood. You may remember how we used to push a whole years supply of poplar trees through a buzz saw in 6 ot 7 hours in the winter with the help of 3 or 4 neighbors, well Adrian traveled doing this every day for a given amount of time.
The second house you talk about was Martin and Randina Evans. That old model A probably belonged to Bing or Ole. I pulled the spark lever down all the way and really made a lot of miles in my minds eye.
The third house was built by Archie Metcalfe, logs running vertically. A warm house and it may have been sheeted before the stucco.
Sue is retyping a letter from Bing, I have several, in hopes that Sharon Gottbreht will send that one from 1944 by her Uncle Herman. I had surely wondered about Fritz Eurich for a long time, also Olard Boucher, they were definitely heros. When we find out about Adrian Mongeon’s Bronze Star and Johnny Danielson’s Silver Star, we will have Dunseith surrounded.
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Reply from Dick Johnson (68):
Gary and Friends,You nearly have to live in North Dakota to understand the way folks here
help each other. The other day there was a picture of Randy Hiatt, Ike’s
son, posted here on the blog. A couple years back I was out in the
eastern part of the state to pick up an antique car. As I was heading
back with the car on my car trailer, I looked in the mirror and noticed
a tire was going down on the trailer. I stopped out in the middle of
nowhere to put on the spare, but my spare was also flat. I limped along
at about 20 miles an hour until the tire was nearly flat. I came to a
rural elevator at Loma, ND. There are no houses anymore but the elevator
is still operating. I pulled in to see if they might have an air
compressor I could use to air up the tires. The young guy came out and
said he loaned his compressor out that day and it hadn’t been brought
back yet. I told him I have a real problem with a flat and a flat spare.
He said we could just drive over to the next farm and use his air and he
jumped in with me. I asked if the guy was home and he said it didn’t
matter, he knew where the stuff was and how to turn it on. We did
exactly that and I was ready to go. On the way back to the elevator he
asked who I was and I told him. He said he was Randy Hiatt and was from
St. John. I told him I had breakfast with his dad in St. John that
morning before I left! He wouldn’t take a dime for helping me and wished
me luck on the rest of my trip. I can only imagine what my chances of
having this kind of help in other places than good old ND, would have
been ! Thanks Gary!
help each other. The other day there was a picture of Randy Hiatt, Ike’s
son, posted here on the blog. A couple years back I was out in the
eastern part of the state to pick up an antique car. As I was heading
back with the car on my car trailer, I looked in the mirror and noticed
a tire was going down on the trailer. I stopped out in the middle of
nowhere to put on the spare, but my spare was also flat. I limped along
at about 20 miles an hour until the tire was nearly flat. I came to a
rural elevator at Loma, ND. There are no houses anymore but the elevator
is still operating. I pulled in to see if they might have an air
compressor I could use to air up the tires. The young guy came out and
said he loaned his compressor out that day and it hadn’t been brought
back yet. I told him I have a real problem with a flat and a flat spare.
He said we could just drive over to the next farm and use his air and he
jumped in with me. I asked if the guy was home and he said it didn’t
matter, he knew where the stuff was and how to turn it on. We did
exactly that and I was ready to go. On the way back to the elevator he
asked who I was and I told him. He said he was Randy Hiatt and was from
St. John. I told him I had breakfast with his dad in St. John that
morning before I left! He wouldn’t take a dime for helping me and wished
me luck on the rest of my trip. I can only imagine what my chances of
having this kind of help in other places than good old ND, would have
been ! Thanks Gary!
Dick
Reply from Mel Kuhn (70):
Gary,
In answer to Bev…….That saying about you can’t teach an old dog new tricks…….Well I’m a pretty old dog. Besides, if anyone saw me with a smile on my face they’d think I got my medication mixed up. HA!HA!HA!!!!
Mel Kuhn
Picture posted by Susan Fassett Martin (65):
These are the five Watkins girls–Irene (Mrs Wm T Fassett), Lenore (Mrs
Leslie J Hoover), Carol(Mrs Emery Carbonneau), Jeannine(Mrs Adolph
Robert) and Murl (Mrs Johnny Hill). There was also Elaine but she was
much younger and was not part of the run around together pack. This is
dated Oct of 1976. I will try and find an older set of the five if I
can. Thought some of the older Dunseith alumni might be interested. I
am sorting pictures—again!! I may never get done with scrapbooks and
albums, but I am going to give it a try. Hugs, and prayers, Susan
Leslie J Hoover), Carol(Mrs Emery Carbonneau), Jeannine(Mrs Adolph
Robert) and Murl (Mrs Johnny Hill). There was also Elaine but she was
much younger and was not part of the run around together pack. This is
dated Oct of 1976. I will try and find an older set of the five if I
can. Thought some of the older Dunseith alumni might be interested. I
am sorting pictures—again!! I may never get done with scrapbooks and
albums, but I am going to give it a try. Hugs, and prayers, Susan
Picture:
Irene (Mrs Wm T Fassett), Lenore (Mrs Leslie J Hoover), Carol(Mrs Emery Carbonneau),
Jeannine(Mrs Adolph Robert) and Murl (Mrs Johnny Hill).
01/07/2009
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From Warren Anderson (65):
Hi, Gary we are talking about WWII alot and a friend of mine sent this to me. I think it is great as we only studied about “Betty the
Ribbeder” in History Class but here is another nation that used wood. Maybe Mr. Hosmer can say alittle more about it. Class of ’65 Warren
Reply to Neola from Chery Larson Dakin (71):
To Neola Kofoid Garbe, good luck on your surgery tomorrow. You are in my prayers for a quick recovery. Take good care, and let us know when you can how you’re doing.
Cheryl Larson Dakin
Neola’s reply following Lumectomy Surgery:
Hi Everyone,
First, THANK YOU to everyone for your prayers. They were definitely answered.
I’m so blessed to have so many “praying” relatives/friends. I did not worry about the surgery before I had it, and I’m not worried about it now. I don’t expect cancer will be in the tissue they removed. If, by any chance, there is, we’ll take it from there. Wally and I got home about 20 minutes It[It’s taken me 15 minutes to write this email, so it’s a little long ago now)ago (after dropping off a prescription for pain pills and buying a few groceries for me to take along to Bottineau tomorrow). Annn Kofoid’s funeral is tomorrow at 2:00 at Nero Funeral Parlor. At this point in time, I plan to go. I’ll see how I feel tomorrow. I’m feeling fine right now–the pain pills will wear off sometime this afternoon, so that might change. I’ll take a couple more pills if I need them.
I am very fortunate in that I heal quickly. The first thing I did when I got back to my room was to ask for Diet Coke (Yes, I KNOW it isn’t good for me!). Then I had two slices of toast/jelly and a cup of coffee. After that, I had to prove my kidneys/bladder worked. They do.
I see the surgeon on January 19, unless something comes up. I don’t plan to see him before the 19th.
I imagine that’s when I’ll find out when the radiation treatments start. Again, I don’t anticipate any probelms before/with the treatments. Again, thanks for all the prayers, emails, cards, anything I might have missed mentioning.
Like I said, I am BLESSED!Neola
P.S. We stopped for groceries to buy ice cream. Wally says I can rationalize anything; I didn’t want to let him down, so I “rationalized” that I need to indulge myself and have some ice cream–half-gallon, of course!! (Two of them!)
Tim Martinson’s reply to Larry St. Clair’s photo posted in message (328):
Hello Gary, I had to comment on the picture that Larry sent to you. I had mentioned that Larry was part of the
class of 1966 and you had said that he was from the class of 1965. It kind of puzzled me that was I wrong
and my mind slipping but has the truth come forward at the bottom of the picture. Tommy was a senior that
year as his 4 year stripes on the letterman’s sweater attest to. I could still be wrong and Larry was eligible to
play an extra year as in a red shirt freshman status. I sure hope this does’nt raise a stink and DHS has to forfeit
all those games that were won that year!!!! Maybe we should keep this quiet? Hope your web site is secure?
Anyway the picture brought a smile to my face and fond memories of loud cheering and fast paced basketball.
Always looked forward to the next day breakdown of the previous nights game at the bakery. Back then it was
slaps on the back, way to go, and usually a win, that paid off for off for all the hard work put in at the lengthy
practices. Take Care, Tim
Reply from Dale Pritchard (63):
Gary,
I did a search for “USS Cole” on the internet and it brought up several You mentioned going through Clark Air Base in the Philippines. When I Dale Reply from Bev Morinville Azure (72):
Mel Kuhn, I think you should come and live in our house with me for a few weeks I could train you and send you home after that and your wife would be soooooooooooo happy, After all most men are trainable lol
GOD BLESS YOU …………BEV
Reply from Bobby Slyter (70):
Lloyd Awalt’s service posted by Ele Dietrich Slyter (69):
|
|
From Warren Anderson (65):
Hi, Gary we are talking about WWII alot and a friend of mine sent this to me. I think it is great as we only studied about “Betty the
Ribbeder” in History Class but here is another nation that used wood. Maybe Mr. Hosmer can say alittle more about it. Class of ’65 Warren
Reply to Neola from Chery Larson Dakin (71):
To Neola Kofoid Garbe, good luck on your surgery tomorrow. You are in my prayers for a quick recovery. Take good care, and let us know when you can how you’re doing.
Cheryl Larson Dakin
Neola’s reply following Lumectomy Surgery:
Hi Everyone,
First, THANK YOU to everyone for your prayers. They were definitely answered.
I’m so blessed to have so many “praying” relatives/friends. I did not worry about the surgery before I had it, and I’m not worried about it now. I don’t expect cancer will be in the tissue they removed. If, by any chance, there is, we’ll take it from there.
Wally and I got home about 20 minutes It[It’s taken me 15 minutes to write this email, so it’s a little long ago now)ago (after dropping off a prescription for pain pills and buying a few groceries for me to take along to Bottineau tomorrow). Annn Kofoid’s funeral is tomorrow at 2:00 at Nero Funeral Parlor. At this point in time, I plan to go. I’ll see how I feel tomorrow. I’m feeling fine right now–the pain pills will wear off sometime this afternoon, so that might change. I’ll take a couple more pills if I need them.
I am very fortunate in that I heal quickly. The first thing I did when I got back to my room was to ask for Diet Coke (Yes, I KNOW it isn’t good for me!). Then I had two slices of toast/jelly and a cup of coffee. After that, I had to prove my kidneys/bladder worked. They do.
I see the surgeon on January 19, unless something comes up. I don’t plan to see him before the 19th.
I imagine that’s when I’ll find out when the radiation treatments start. Again, I don’t anticipate any probelms before/with the treatments.
Again, thanks for all the prayers, emails, cards, anything I might have missed mentioning.
Like I said, I am BLESSED!
Neola
P.S. We stopped for groceries to buy ice cream. Wally says I can rationalize anything; I didn’t want to let him down, so I “rationalized” that I need to indulge myself and have some ice cream–half-gallon, of course!! (Two of them!)
Tim Martinson’s reply to Larry St. Clair’s photo posted in message (328):
Hello Gary, I had to comment on the picture that Larry sent to you. I had mentioned that Larry was part of the
class of 1966 and you had said that he was from the class of 1965. It kind of puzzled me that was I wrong
and my mind slipping but has the truth come forward at the bottom of the picture. Tommy was a senior that
year as his 4 year stripes on the letterman’s sweater attest to. I could still be wrong and Larry was eligible to
play an extra year as in a red shirt freshman status. I sure hope this does’nt raise a stink and DHS has to forfeit
all those games that were won that year!!!! Maybe we should keep this quiet? Hope your web site is secure?
Anyway the picture brought a smile to my face and fond memories of loud cheering and fast paced basketball.
Always looked forward to the next day breakdown of the previous nights game at the bakery. Back then it was
slaps on the back, way to go, and usually a win, that paid off for off for all the hard work put in at the lengthy
practices. Take Care, Tim
Reply from Dale Pritchard (63):
Gary,
I did a search for “USS Cole” on the internet and it brought up several You mentioned going through Clark Air Base in the Philippines. When I Dale
Reply from Bev Morinville Azure (72):
Mel Kuhn, I think you should come and live in our house with me for a few weeks I could train you and send you home after that and your wife would be soooooooooooo happy, After all most men are trainable lol
 GOD BLESS YOU …………BEV
Reply from Bobby Slyter (70):
Lloyd Awalt’s service posted by Ele Dietrich Slyter (69):
|
01/06/2009
Reply from Kay Hosmer (77):
From Kay Hosmer (77) – to Marlene Armentrout, I hadn’t remembered that you have done the news column for so long in the paper! It reminds me of my maternal grandmother Ila Selzler who did the column in Towner for probably 50 years? Good job, Marlene!
Folks, Kay is the Daughter of Don (Bill & Bob’s Brother) and Jesslyn Selzler Hosmer. Kay is currently living in Indiana. Her mother Jesslyn taught school in Dunseith for a number of years. She had the class of 65 and others in their elementary years.Debbie Armentrout Metcalfe, Can you relay this message of Kay’s to your mother? She has been doing a darn good job of posting the Dunseith news to both the Star and the Courant for many years. She is to be commended for such dedicated service. Gary
Reply from Sharon Longie Dana (73):
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Response to Ivy Eller:
My condolences to you and your family. Thoughts and prayers are with you during this time.
Sharon Longie Dana(73)
Reply from Loraine Neameyer Haas (72):
Gary, I believe the piano teacher in message 328 is Alice Solberg from the Rolette area. She is deceased but her son Peter is living in that area. Very often Peter plays guitar with Rocky LaRocque (Floyd) at the Dunseith Nursing Home and the residents do enjoy their music.
Loraine Haas (Neameyer) – Director of Nursing at the Dunseith Nursing Home.
Reply from Dale Pritchard (63):
Good Morning Gary,
Ships were not my thing during my military time. However, the picture Talking about left over WWII equipment reminded me of all the rusted Dale
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From Mel Kuhn (70):
Howdy Gary,
Finally I can say Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I say finally because they’re finally over with, Geez—-don’t they just go on forever? We have a grandson that lives with us—finally he’s back to school. Finally the wife is back to work on a daily basis like she should be. It’s bad enough when they leave you these honey do lists but when they’re right there telling you what they want done—-day after day after day. Now Lola is gonna tell her what I said again and here goes the circle again—day after day. Women—Geez—-OK Paula have at it, go ahead I can take it. I kind of roamed off of the holiday stuff, finally the credit cards are full and the checking account is empty and everyone is happy. Finally the house is back to empty and I can have some peace and quiet. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!!!!
Mel “The Scrooge” Kuhn
Message/Pictures posted by Debby (Darrel 70) Stokes:
Here are 2 pictures I took at Dorothy Pritchard’s birthday party today. Her birthday isn’t for another 3 weeks but they celebrated it along with Winifred Eurich at St. Andrew’s Long Term. Winifred is 90 and Dorothy will be 96. Dorothy seems to like it at St. Andrew’s Long Term, but she still misses Oak Manor.
Thank you Debby for sharing these pictures. Dorothy is looking great! You can see the spark in her eye and I know in her mind equally as well. Joanne Smith Fuchs from our class of 65 has been her hair dresser of a number of years.Folks, Debby is married to my brother Darrel or better known as Bud among a lot of us. Debby retired from a life long career of teaching several years ago. In retirement she chose to help out 3 days a week with the noon meals that are delivered to Oak Manner. Dorothy had an apartment at Oak Manner for a number of years. She recently moved to Saint Andrews. The Lagerquist boys or I think Lyle purchased Robert and Dorothy’s farm following Robert’s death. The Lagerquist boys sister Evon is currently living on the Pritchard home place located one mile south of our old home place up in the Turtle Mountains. Believe it or not, there are a number of our Senior Dunseith Alumni currently living at the Oak Manner apartments in Bottineau. With your visits to Bottineau feel free to stop down there and see them. Noon is a good time to catch them out in the dining area. They are a friendly bunch of folks.Back to my brother Darrel (Bud). He works for the City of Bottineau and also farms. He’s one busy guy. Bud is in charge of the Bottineau Land fill and transfer station located less than a half mile north of the fair grounds on the west side of the road. If you have any garbage to get rid of, he’s the guy you will see. He welcomes friendly visits too, even without garbage. Gary
Dorothy Pritchard & Darrel Stokes (70):
Dorothy Pritchard several weeks prior to her 96th Birthday.
Reply from Dick Johnson (68):
Gary and Friends,
A note to Bill Hosmer– saddened to hear of the loss of your flight
leader. It sounds as though he did a lot for his country and it’s
citizens, as well as his friends. Just a point to check; at the
beginning of each township chapter in the Dunseith Centennial book there
is a map of the township with home sites shown in the early days and
then another with a newer map. The homes are shown as a black dot. It is
interesting to see how many people lived on each parcel back then.
Ivy— We are sorry of the loss of your brother. It’s good that you got
to know him in these later years.
When we were talking about trails and sleighs, I remembered another
trail story. In 1967, Ernest LaCroix passed away and Dad bought his
black angus cattle. I remember going to look at them with Elwood Fauske,
who was Ernest’s brother-in-law and was handling the sale for Lydia, his
sister. If I remember right, there were about 30 cows and a bull that
had been wintered about three and a half miles straight south of our
farm. There is no road through the trees, just some trails that link
together to go through the ‘jungle’. On a Saturday morning Dad and Randy
Kelly and I went cross country through deep snow and started the long
cattle drive on foot. The cattle had no idea where we were chasing them
so they took every wrong turn and spread out through the brush every
chance they got. Dad was in front of the herd with a tractor and hay
rack. Randy and I had to run through the hazelbrush and get them back to
the trail time and time again. We started the day thinking it was a two
hour hike. About eight hours later we finally got them all to our place.
We were so worn out and hungry we could hardly get in the pickup for the
ride back to town. That evening Dad took us to Dale’s and told the
waitress to give us anything we wanted. We each had a Jumbo and fries
and a chocolate malt. When we finished that, we each had a sundae! If I
tried to eat HALF that much today, I would croak! Randy and I had some
good times together when he lived in Dunseith. He went back to St. Paul,
MN and graduated there in ’69. He later was a state legislator and most
recently mayor of St. Paul. I’ve often wondered I he remembers some of
the stuff we did as kids? Thanks Gary!
Dick
Dick, Randy Kelly’s mother was a Fauske, sister to Elwood and Lydia LaCroix. Randy is currently on President George Bush’s staff. I’m assuming that most of President Bush’s staff will be replaced with our new President? With his status, I’ve been unable to get in touch with him. I’m hoping that he has been recieving some of these messages via some of his family members? Randy is well remembered and was well liked by those from his school days. I think Randy spent a lot of time at the LaCroix’s in his growing up days. Gary
Randy Kelly (69) & Donna LaCroix Allard (64)
Folks, This picture has been posted several times before, but now we have a story to go with the folks in this picture.
Yes, Lydia looks like one of the girls. She’s retained that Fauske youthful appearance over the years. Gary
Ernest LaCroix family
Joan, Judy, Lydia & Donna LaCroix – 2007
Reply from Neola Kofoid Garbe:
Gary,
I was quite sure I (Dad’s) have a copy of Rolette Counties (the one I’m assuming this page came from.) I just found it tonight. If anyone in the Bottineau/Dunseith area would like to borrow it to scan pages, they are most welcome to do so. I’m guessing many of your readers also have this book, so this is can be a “back-up”, if you need one. I’ll take it along to Bottineau the next time I go and will have it there. 228-3917, or send an email to me.
I’m trying to remember what all I have to do while I still have two “good” arms. I think I’ve heard you aren’t suppose to lift anything heavy for a week, or so, after a lumpectomy. I also have to remember to not eat/drink after midnight. That might be the hardest of all! I drink a LOT of liquids, so going 8+ hours (until the surgery) will be challenging. I’ll have to leave notes around the kitchen, reminding myself not to drink anything; I always have a mug of something on the counter and drink without even thinking about it. I’m still fine with the surgery tomorrow. I probably should be concerned about it, but, as yet, I’m not. Because I stayed up so late last night (10:00 this morning), I slept all day. I suppose I’ll be up all night. That’s OK. That might make it easier to be at the hospital by 8:30 A.M.
I’m still fine with the surgery tomorrow. I probably should be concerned about it, but, as yet, I’m not. Because I stayed up so late last night (10:00 this morning), I slept all day. I suppose I’ll be up all night. That’s OK. That might make it easier to be at the hospital by 8:30 A.M.I’ll try to send an email later tomorrow. I’m not sure when I’ll get home, but I’m guessing by maybe three-four o’clock in the afternoon. I’ll have to see how much energy I have/how I feel later in the day. I can hardly believe how many people are saying prayers for me. They must be working already being I’m so calm about all this. It’s wonderful.
I’m checking into attending Ann Kofoid’s funeral on Tuesday afternoon at Nero Funeral Home. I’ve contacted someone who might be willing to take me to Bottineau/visit her relatives while I attend the funeral/lunch, depending on how I feel, of course. As you can tell, I don’t plan on being “laid up” for very long. I might be over-confident, but that’s OK.
Neola
Neola, you’ve got the right attitude. Please keep us posted. You are in our prayers. Gary
Reply from Mark Schimetz (70):
Jack Flynn is wearing the Dark glasses (1st Picture) behind him is Kay Flynn (Richard) in purple, Jill Flynn’s son next to Kay, and Jill is next to her mother Minnie. Randy is to the right of Jack in a green sweater. Behind Kay is her son and to his right Kay’s Daughter Brook, Other than that. Randy will have to fill you in.
The Bottom Picture is Stella Schimetz, Jennie Took and Sharon Tooke
It was a wonderful Tribute for a stellar individual of our community and the program was so well done with music and singing from family and stories abound. It is so great to see something like this done while the person is still alive.
There just wasn’t enough time to visit with everyone as the church was near full, not enough coat rack space. Larry, Tooke and his wife along with Linda Kay Tooke came in from Westhope, Jeannie Tooke came in from Mandan. Randy from the South I think he said Alabama, anyway it was a blast. mark
Reply from Randy Flynn for his mothers birthday pictures (70): randyflynn500@yahoo.com
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Gary,
Thank you for posting the pictures from Minnie Flynn’s Birthday Party. It was very nice of Mark Schimetz to take the pictures. This was the first time MiniGran’s Children and Grand Children were all together in one place in 15 or 20 years. We had a enjoyable weekend.
Gary keep reaching out and dusting us all a little each day.
Randy Flynn
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Flynn Family Foto
L-R Back Greir Huck Flynn (Randy’s 2nd Son), Liza Southwood (Friend of Wyman Flynn), Brooke Silbernagel and Patrick Richard (K’s Daughter and Son), Elizabeth Richard (Pat’s Spouse), Dr. John Tinjum (Jill’s 2nd Son), Tally Tinjum (John’s Spouse), Stephanie Tinjum (Jill’s 3rd Child), Larry Tinjum (Jill’s Spouse)
Middle – Wyman Flynn (Randy’s Oldest Son), K Richard, Richard Tinjum (Jill’s Oldest Son)
Front – Laurice Flynn (Randy’s Spouse), Randy, Rio Flynn (Randy’s Daughter), Jack Flynn, Minnie Flynn, Jill Tinjum, Sonja Tinjum (Jill’s Youngest Daughter)
Randy Flynn Family
Randy Flynn, Greir Huck Flynn, Jack Flynn, Rio Flynn, Wyman Flynn, Liza Southwood, Minnie Flynn, Laurice Flynn
3 Amidas ?
Stella Schimetz, Jean (Tooke) Berger, and Sharon (Tooke) Parkhouse
Reply to Minnie Flynn’s birthday pictures from her daughter Jill Flynn Tinjum (68): jbtinjum@yahoo.com
We had a great time celebrating with Mom. She wanted her party at the end of the holiday season so all our families had time to get up to Dunseith, before commitments of school and work. Thanks to so many family and friends who came out in the nasty weather. We had such a nice time visiting everyone. It was a great party! Thanks, Mark, for the pictures.
Sibling family color code – Please correct me if I’m wrong. Gary
Randy’s family
K’s family
Jill’s family
Top row: Greir Flynn, Liza Southwood, Brooke Silbernagel, Patrick Richard, Elizabeth Richard, John Tinjum, Tally Tinjum, Stephanie Tinjum, Larry Tinjum.
Middle row: Wyman Flynn, K. Jacqueline Richard, Richard Tinjum.
Front: Laurice Flynn, Randy Flynn, Rio Flynn, Jack Flynn, Minnie Flynn, Jill Tinjum, Sonja Tinjum.
Randy with his family and his parents
Randy, Greir, Jack, Rio (middle), Wyman (Back), Minnie, Liza, and Laurice.
Reply from Diane Larson Sjol (70): nrsnice@min.midco.net
In the photo of the three ladies supplied by Minnie Flynn’s family,
the gal on the left in the red sweater is Stella (Richard) Schimetz.
I don’t know anyone else. Diane Sjol
Reply from Evon Lagerquist (77): lagerquist@srt.com
Gary, I think the 3 ladies in the bottom picture are Stella Schimetz, Jean Tooke, and her older sister, Sharon.
Picture taken at Minnie Flynn’s birthday party:
Stella Schimetz, Jean Tooke Berger, Sharon Took Parkhouse
01/05/2009
Leo Eller passed away – Posted by Ivy Eller Robert (74):
Hi Gary & Dunseith Alumni,
I hope you will post this:
My half-brother Leo Eller, died Friday morning January 2 at 10:30am, of lung cancer. He had several heart attacks in the past 15 years or so. He also had a kidney removed a couple of years ago, it was full of cancer. He had been in and out of the hospital, more in than out, for the last couple of years.
I don’t know his exact age, but I think he was in his late 60’s. He did not graduate in Dunseith, but lived around there as a kid and is related to several folks in the Dunsieth and surrounding areas. He had moved out of the house when he was a teenager, and lived a brief period with my grandfather George Albert. Then moved out to California, and eventually moved to the Seattle Washington area. He went to work for the Boeing Company when is was pretty young and ended up work for Boeing for 48 or 49 years. His heath was not good enough to reach the 50 year mark. Him and his family lived in the Marysville/Everett area most of the time until he retired from Boeing, 3 or 4 years ago. They bought a place in the country, about 20 miles north of Portland Organ in a town called Battle Ground Washington.
Not growing up with him, I didn’t really know him as my brother, but when I moved to the Seattle area in 1986, I really got to know him. I must say, you could not have found a more layed back, mischievous, and “full of the Devil”, gentle soul as Leo. He was the best and will be missed very much.
I know he thought very fondly of a lot of people from his home town (Dunseith) and I didn’t know how else to let those people know of his passing. Anyone wishing to contact his wife can at,
Billie Joy Eller
360-667-0223
Thanks again Gary for all that you do…….
Ivy Robert
Ivy, we are saddened to hear of the death of your brother. I’m sure there are some of our alumni that do remember him. Our condolences are with you and his family. Gary
Map reply from Bill Hosmer (48):
Gary and Doreen, Thank you for presenting the display in this mailing. Doreen has picked up on Vance Bailey’s penetrating interest and actions regarding the history of our fair community. Doreen, I thank you for sending the display. Surely there are those among us who can build on this offering. It looks like a whole wall with enlarged maps and homesteads, etc could handle the challenge. I’ll keep encouraging ideas like Doreen’s and try to figure out the ways and means. Cheers, Bill Hosmer
Reply from Bill Hosmer (48):
Gary, Another tremendous collection of good reading. I’ve got a couple of things to say. One is that I’m old enough to have met all four of the Gottbreht gentlemen in the 4 generation picture that Evie gifted us with. There is a picture of George and my Dad, Jack Hosmer in the Centennial Book, when they were in Kansas City trying to get a baseball team to come to play for Dunseith. They were the all black team who used to play all comers, including The House Of David team which was all caucasion, and all with full beards. They played on Sundays at the ball field west of the Dunseith City Park The gentleman holding the youngest of that clan, William Gottbreht was still operating the mill at the site now owned by Jim Evans. One day when we were young and wreckless Joe Evans and I were running around doing what kids do, and we picked up alot of mud and other barn yard materials on our shoes just before we ran across a whole stack of newly sacked
flour which had not been delivered to the stores in town.
We left ugly tracks on those beautiful white sacks of flour. William, who was a friend of my grandfather, Will Hosmer (Jack’s Dad) came around the corner while Joe and I were trying to disappear into thin air and said, ” I know who you are, Hosmer, and I’m going to tell your grandpa about this, Now, GET HOME. I got home. The word never got out and I could start breathing again after about a week of agonizing suspense. Dale was always friendly toward us young guys running around the place, and Alma was everyone’s friend especially if they were Dunseith Kids. That family certainly gave our town alot of the character we still take pride in. And George and Ernie are still maintaining the watch.
flour which had not been delivered to the stores in town.
We left ugly tracks on those beautiful white sacks of flour. William, who was a friend of my grandfather, Will Hosmer (Jack’s Dad) came around the corner while Joe and I were trying to disappear into thin air and said, ” I know who you are, Hosmer, and I’m going to tell your grandpa about this, Now, GET HOME. I got home. The word never got out and I could start breathing again after about a week of agonizing suspense. Dale was always friendly toward us young guys running around the place, and Alma was everyone’s friend especially if they were Dunseith Kids. That family certainly gave our town alot of the character we still take pride in. And George and Ernie are still maintaining the watch.
The second thing I wanted to say is that the Leader of the Thunderbirds who took us down main street in 1961 died yesterday here in Tucson from a fall. It took the wind out of me, because, since those days, we have had alot of togetherness on the social arena. He was a very giving person who was also a great leader in the business of formation acrobatics. He was also a fighter Ace from the Korean War. He shot down 6 MIGs during that war and is a member of the Arizona Aviation Hall Of Fame, along with other notables like Barry Goldwater, Frank Borman(astronaut). I guess I just felt like letting the readership know that it happened. No one in my experience had the fortitude to break all the rules and give our town a salute like he did. So, in the fighter pilot world we have an expression about these things. “Hoot Gibson has gone West”. So it is.I will miss him and remember him. Bill Hosmer
Bill, is this the picture your are referring to? Gary
Minnie Flynn’s Birthday pictures posted by Mark Schimetz (70):
Here are the photos that I want to share with you. Gary These are from Minnie Flynns 80th Birthday Party at Peace Lutheran Church in Dunseith. This adobe method is new to me so here goes, anyway it was a great turn out but was a nasty day outside and the weather has not improved. Later Mark.
Mark, Thank you so much for sharing these pictures. I had no idea they had a birthday party planned for Minnie. Now we will have to ask you or someone to identify everyone. I recognize for sure Minnie and I think Jack and also Randy, but from there I’m lost. Randy, is that by chance you and your family with your parents in the 2nd picture? Who are the 3 ladies in the bottom picture? I don’t see any of them in the group picture. When I get the names, I will repost these pictures. Randy, K & Jill, do you guys realize it’s been nearly 44 years since I’ve seen you and I don’t think I’m alone in that department either. I used to see your mother some up at the Peace Garden over the years. She has not changed from the way I remember her back in our school days. Gary
From Mike & Sandra (62) Zeiler Vandal:
This is “GREAT!” Tells it like it is……
“If You’re Gonna Play in Fargo” (ya better have a shovel in the Van) . . . It’s pretty funny.
Click on Play when you get to the site.
From Cheryl Larson Dakin (71):
Happy New Year All! To Diane….we (I) still sing the North Dakota song when we hit the North Dakota border, and our kids still roll their eyes . Between that, stamping white horses, and making them get out of the car to take a picture every time we got to the Geographical Center of North America at Rugby, I know they think I’m half nuts. With all the plays we would put on, and the singing we would do, how did our kids get to be so quiet and conservative?
Cheryl
Email address change for Sybil Johnson:
Good morning Gary! Just a note to let you know of my new address–great_grandma2007@live.com
Because of the change, I have missed the last 4 emails, so, you can send future ones to this
address. Thanks and HAPPY NEW YEAR! Sybil Johnson
Because of the change, I have missed the last 4 emails, so, you can send future ones to this
address. Thanks and HAPPY NEW YEAR! Sybil Johnson
Message & Pictures posted by Susan Fassett Martin (65):
Gary, with all the back and forth on service men, I thought some might
be interested in this page from my Dad’s history book. Gottfred “Fritz”
Eurich was the son of David and Eva (Kraft) Eurich. He had served at
Guadalcanal and several years overseas. Then he contracted thyphus
while in Burma and died there. He was a first cousin to my dad and his
sister Bette Nerpel was just here visiting. If anyone wants to know
history of Dunseith, go visit Bette in Bottineau. She has an amazing
memory and loves to tell stories.
be interested in this page from my Dad’s history book. Gottfred “Fritz”
Eurich was the son of David and Eva (Kraft) Eurich. He had served at
Guadalcanal and several years overseas. Then he contracted thyphus
while in Burma and died there. He was a first cousin to my dad and his
sister Bette Nerpel was just here visiting. If anyone wants to know
history of Dunseith, go visit Bette in Bottineau. She has an amazing
memory and loves to tell stories.
Happy New Year to all. Hugs and prayers, Susan
Susan, I recognize Clarence Hagen. That’s him. I did not realize that Dave Jr. and Betty had a brother that died in the war. Speaking of the Eurich’s, today for you guys and yesterday for me they celebrated Winifred’s (Mrs. Dave) 90th and Dorothy Pritchard’s 96th Birthdays at Saint Andrews hospital in Bottineau. Gary.
Leo Eller passed away – Posted by Ivy Eller Robert (74):
Hi Gary & Dunseith Alumni,
I hope you will post this:
My half-brother Leo Eller, died Friday morning January 2 at 10:30am, of lung cancer. He had several heart attacks in the past 15 years or so. He also had a kidney removed a couple of years ago, it was full of cancer. He had been in and out of the hospital, more in than out, for the last couple of years.
I don’t know his exact age, but I think he was in his late 60’s. He did not graduate in Dunseith, but lived around there as a kid and is related to several folks in the Dunsieth and surrounding areas. He had moved out of the house when he was a teenager, and lived a brief period with my grandfather George Albert. Then moved out to California, and eventually moved to the Seattle Washington area. He went to work for the Boeing Company when is was pretty young and ended up work for Boeing for 48 or 49 years. His heath was not good enough to reach the 50 year mark. Him and his family lived in the Marysville/Everett area most of the time until he retired from Boeing, 3 or 4 years ago. They bought a place in the country, about 20 miles north of Portland Organ in a town called Battle Ground Washington.
Not growing up with him, I didn’t really know him as my brother, but when I moved to the Seattle area in 1986, I really got to know him. I must say, you could not have found a more layed back, mischievous, and “full of the Devil”, gentle soul as Leo. He was the best and will be missed very much.
I know he thought very fondly of a lot of people from his home town (Dunseith) and I didn’t know how else to let those people know of his passing. Anyone wishing to contact his wife can at,
Billie Joy Eller
360-667-0223
Thanks again Gary for all that you do…….
Ivy Robert
Ivy, we are saddened to hear of the death of your brother. I’m sure there are some of our alumni that do remember him. Our condolences are with you and his family. Gary
Map reply from Bill Hosmer (48):
Gary and Doreen, Thank you for presenting the display in this mailing. Doreen has picked up on Vance Bailey’s penetrating interest and actions regarding the history of our fair community. Doreen, I thank you for sending the display. Surely there are those among us who can build on this offering. It looks like a whole wall with enlarged maps and homesteads, etc could handle the challenge. I’ll keep encouraging ideas like Doreen’s and try to figure out the ways and means. Cheers, Bill Hosmer
Reply from Bill Hosmer (48):
Gary, Another tremendous collection of good reading. I’ve got a couple of things to say. One is that I’m old enough to have met all four of the Gottbreht gentlemen in the 4 generation picture that Evie gifted us with. There is a picture of George and my Dad, Jack Hosmer in the Centennial Book, when they were in Kansas City trying to get a baseball team to come to play for Dunseith. They were the all black team who used to play all comers, including The House Of David team which was all caucasion, and all with full beards. They played on Sundays at the ball field west of the Dunseith City Park The gentleman holding the youngest of that clan, William Gottbreht was still operating the mill at the site now owned by Jim Evans. One day when we were young and wreckless Joe Evans and I were running around doing what kids do, and we picked up alot of mud and other barn yard materials on our shoes just before we ran across a whole stack of newly sacked
flour which had not been delivered to the stores in town.
We left ugly tracks on those beautiful white sacks of flour. William, who was a friend of my grandfather, Will Hosmer (Jack’s Dad) came around the corner while Joe and I were trying to disappear into thin air and said, ” I know who you are, Hosmer, and I’m going to tell your grandpa about this, Now, GET HOME. I got home. The word never got out and I could start breathing again after about a week of agonizing suspense. Dale was always friendly toward us young guys running around the place, and Alma was everyone’s friend especially if they were Dunseith Kids. That family certainly gave our town alot of the character we still take pride in. And George and Ernie are still maintaining the watch.
flour which had not been delivered to the stores in town.
We left ugly tracks on those beautiful white sacks of flour. William, who was a friend of my grandfather, Will Hosmer (Jack’s Dad) came around the corner while Joe and I were trying to disappear into thin air and said, ” I know who you are, Hosmer, and I’m going to tell your grandpa about this, Now, GET HOME. I got home. The word never got out and I could start breathing again after about a week of agonizing suspense. Dale was always friendly toward us young guys running around the place, and Alma was everyone’s friend especially if they were Dunseith Kids. That family certainly gave our town alot of the character we still take pride in. And George and Ernie are still maintaining the watch.
The second thing I wanted to say is that the Leader of the Thunderbirds who took us down main street in 1961 died yesterday here in Tucson from a fall. It took the wind out of me, because, since those days, we have had alot of togetherness on the social arena. He was a very giving person who was also a great leader in the business of formation acrobatics. He was also a fighter Ace from the Korean War. He shot down 6 MIGs during that war and is a member of the Arizona Aviation Hall Of Fame, along with other notables like Barry Goldwater, Frank Borman(astronaut). I guess I just felt like letting the readership know that it happened. No one in my experience had the fortitude to break all the rules and give our town a salute like he did. So, in the fighter pilot world we have an expression about these things. “Hoot Gibson has gone West”. So it is.I will miss him and remember him. Bill Hosmer
Bill, is this the picture your are referring to? Gary
Minnie Flynn’s Birthday pictures posted by Mark Schimetz (70):
Here are the photos that I want to share with you. Gary These are from Minnie Flynns 80th Birthday Party at Peace Lutheran Church in Dunseith. This adobe method is new to me so here goes, anyway it was a great turn out but was a nasty day outside and the weather has not improved. Later Mark.
Mark, Thank you so much for sharing these pictures. I had no idea they had a birthday party planned for Minnie. Now we will have to ask you or someone to identify everyone. I recognize for sure Minnie and I think Jack and also Randy, but from there I’m lost. Randy, is that by chance you and your family with your parents in the 2nd picture? Who are the 3 ladies in the bottom picture? I don’t see any of them in the group picture. When I get the names, I will repost these pictures. Randy, K & Jill, do you guys realize it’s been nearly 44 years since I’ve seen you and I don’t think I’m alone in that department either. I used to see your mother some up at the Peace Garden over the years. She has not changed from the way I remember her back in our school days. Gary
From Mike & Sandra (62) Zeiler Vandal:
This is “GREAT!”Tells it like it is……
“If You’re Gonna Play in Fargo” (ya better have a shovel in the Van) . . . It’s pretty funny.
Click on Play when you get to the site.
From Cheryl Larson Dakin (71):
Happy New Year All! To Diane….we (I) still sing the North Dakota song when we hit the North Dakota border, and our kids still roll their eyes . Between that, stamping white horses, and making them get out of the car to take a picture every time we got to the Geographical Center of North America at Rugby, I know they think I’m half nuts. With all the plays we would put on, and the singing we would do, how did our kids get to be so quiet and conservative?
Cheryl
Email address change for Sybil Johnson:
Good morning Gary! Just a note to let you know of my new address–great_grandma2007@live.com
Because of the change, I have missed the last 4 emails, so, you can send future ones to this
address. Thanks and HAPPY NEW YEAR! Sybil Johnson
Because of the change, I have missed the last 4 emails, so, you can send future ones to this
address. Thanks and HAPPY NEW YEAR! Sybil Johnson
Message & Pictures posted by Susan Fassett Martin (65):
Gary, with all the back and forth on service men, I thought some might
be interested in this page from my Dad’s history book. Gottfred “Fritz”
Eurich was the son of David and Eva (Kraft) Eurich. He had served at
Guadalcanal and several years overseas. Then he contracted thyphus
while in Burma and died there. He was a first cousin to my dad and his
sister Bette Nerpel was just here visiting. If anyone wants to know
history of Dunseith, go visit Bette in Bottineau. She has an amazing
memory and loves to tell stories.
be interested in this page from my Dad’s history book. Gottfred “Fritz”
Eurich was the son of David and Eva (Kraft) Eurich. He had served at
Guadalcanal and several years overseas. Then he contracted thyphus
while in Burma and died there. He was a first cousin to my dad and his
sister Bette Nerpel was just here visiting. If anyone wants to know
history of Dunseith, go visit Bette in Bottineau. She has an amazing
memory and loves to tell stories.
Happy New Year to all. Hugs and prayers, Susan
Susan, I recognize Clarence Hagen. That’s him. I did not realize that Dave Jr. and Betty had a brother that died in the war. Speaking of the Eurich’s, today for you guys and yesterday for me they celebrated Winifred’s (Mrs. Dave) 90th and Dorothy Pritchard’s 96th Birthdays at Saint Andrews hospital in Bottineau. Gary.
01/04/2010
Donald Egbert:
Reply from Claudette McLeod (80): Dunseith, ND
Gary,
Great story about Donald Egbert, You have a great way of bringing out good things about everyone you share stories about. However I must include that I visit with Donald every time I see him, he was a great friend to my deceased father (Leonard McLeod) and Donald has stories that he shares all the time. He has the mind of an elephant he remembers everything, as well as everyone! He truly is a great person.
Claudette McLeod
Turtle Mountain Outreach
Office (701)244-0199
Posted on the Dunseith Alumni Website: http://garystokes.net/default.aspx
From: Jennifer Bergan
Phone: E-mail: Message:
Hi I was wondering what kind of info you have for the Bergan family in Dunseith?Jenn
Folks, I have added Jennifer to our distribution. Jennifer is a granddaughter of Clayton Bergan. Her parents are Kenneth (Deceased) and Julie Aasness Bergan. Julie’s mother is Audrey Hanson Aitchinson. Audrey is my first cousin.Jennifer, It is a pleasure adding you to our distribution list. I know you have been doing some genealogy on the Bergan family. Please share any thing that you have. Gary
Pigeon Family photo:
From Allen Richard (65): Midland, MI
I scanned a few pictures my folks had. Some of the “Frenchies” might find them interesting I won’t put them all in one letter.
I won’t put them all in one letter.
Top: The Pigeon family. This was in the early 1950’s. Front Louise Horsman; Grandma Hortence (Robert); my mother Emeline.
Back: Ydola, Theodore (Ted), Ubald (Jack) and Romulus (Bae)
Below: Pictures of “Pigeon Store” and the farm taken from the pasture. These pictures would be from the late 1940’s
Happy New Year everyone!
Allen
Allen, These are great! Thanks for sharing. With my first glimpse of this at this picture, I thought that was you in the upper left. You are a mirror image of your uncle Ydola. Gary
Pigeon Family:
Back: Ydola, Theodore (Ted), Ubald (Jack) and Romulus (Bae)
Front: Louise Horsman; Grandma Hortence (Robert); Emeline Richard.
Arla Berg’s Husband, Tony Marteliano’s Obituary:
Marvin Olson update:
From Neola Kofoid Garbe: Bottineau & Minot, ND.
Hi Gary,
I’m reading your newsletter. I decided I’d make a few notes as I’m reading.
Marvin Olson now lives (at least for now) at Good Sam. His sister-in-law, Terry’s wife, works there. She was the former Carol Pugh, daughter of Al Pugh who owned a grocery store in Bottineau for many years.
As the records you enclosed state, Arla Berg Marteliano has passed away. Tony passed away a couple of years ago, too. I’m including Tony’s obituary. Use it if you want, but it’s not necessary.
Anthony “Tony” D. Marteliano, 90 of Port Charlotte, FL passed away on Monday, February 4, 2008. Anthony was born on April 21, 1917 in New York City, New York the son of Charles and Sadie (Salvaggio) Marteliano. After he served in the US Navy he worked for 26 years as a boiler mechanic at the utility company. After he retired he moved to Port Charlotte in 1979 from Downer Grove, IL and was a member of the Elks Lodge 2153, the American Legion Post 110, the Italian American Club, the Sons of Italy and the Illinois Club.
Anthony was predeceased by his wife Arla. He is survived by his Sisters Mary and Santa Marteliano who live in New York, and many friends.
Services for Anthony Marteliano will be held on Thursday, February 7, 2008 at 11:30 AM with a visitation prior to the service from 10:30 to 11:30 AM at the Kays-Ponger Funeral Home, Port Charlotte Chapel. Burial will follow at the Royal Palm Cemetery.
Neola’s comment: Tony/Arla lived in Chicago for many years. I’m assuming they moved to Florida when they retired. From entries made in Tony’s guestbook, Tony/Arla also lived in New York City/Downers Grove, Illinois.
I’m also sending Tony’s obituary as an attachment–genealogists who receive your newsletters MIGHT be interested in Tony’s obituary.
Neola
Bernadette having a Manicure/Pedicure.
We were invited out to a birthday party late yesterday afternoon. Strapped for time having her nails done, Bernadette solicited the assistance of Gaga & Tata, our helpers, to remove the old polish. The gal sitting on the stool is a local manicurist that comes to the house. Her fees, including the polish, are 50 cents per Limb. Gary
Arthur Foss Obituary:
From Neola Kofoid Garbe: neolag@min.midco.net Bottineau & Minot, ND.
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This is old; I wanted to send it before I throw the paper. I might have sent it before.
Neola
Arthur Foss
Arthur Foss, 88 a life long resident of ruralRolette,NDdied at his home on Friday, October 9, 2009.
Funeral Services for Art will be held on Wednesday, October 14, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. atValleLutheranChurch, Rolette. Rev. John Hesford will officiate and burial will be in theWillowCreekCemetery, rural Overly, ND.
Visitation will be held at Valle Lutheran Church on Tuesday from 5:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 7:30 p.m. Visitation on Wednesday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral service.
Serving as Casket Bearers for Art will be his grandsons, Jarrett Foss, Nick Foss and Joshua Foss and nephews, Gary Foss, Rodney Foss and David Armstrong. Music will be provided by Robert Gilje, soloist and Lavonne Ivey, organist.
Arthur Foss was born on February 7, 1921 inKohlmeierTownship,Rolette County,North Dakotathe son of Christ and Guri (Haugen) Foss. He was reared and educated inKohlmeierTownshipand attendedClevelandSchool, rural Overly.
Art was united in marriage to Lenore Gable on May 31, 1946. They made rural Rolette their home, where they lived, farmed and ranched and raised their family through the years. Art was a baptized and confirmed member ofWillowCreekLutheranChurchin Overly and later a member ofValleLutheranChurch, Rolette.
Although Art never officially retired from farming, when he had more free time he enjoyed fishing, playing cards, Minnesota Twins baseball and bingo. In fact he was able to enjoy many of these pastimes all at one time. Art never missed a chance to visit with friends and family over a cup of coffee at the house or in town. He always enjoyed a good conversation about most any topic, as he kept up with what was happening in local, regional and national news.
Art’s legacy to everyone that knew him was his love and devotion as a husband, father, grandfather and his kindness and honesty as a neighbor and friend. He was always so supportive and took an active interest in everything that his children and grandchildren were involved in; sports, music, their work and their hobbies. May he now rest in God’s everlasting peace.
Art is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Lenore; Five Sons: Bruce and Cheryl~Paul and Holly all of Rolette~Duane and Carol of Rolla~Glen and Denise and Danny and Wanda also all of Rolette. Grandchildren: Jarrett Foss, Melodie (Matt) Slocomb, Joshua Foss, Nick (Sarah) Foss; Step Grandchildren: Brock (Angie) Kavlie and Jeremy McKeown; Great Grandchildren: Adam Gustafson and Rhiannon Foss; Step Great Grandchildren: Lexi, Brooklyn and Zoe Kavlie; Sister: Mabel Armstrong of Rolette; Sisters-In-Law: Edna Foss ofRugby~Jeannine Westby of Cando~Coleen Sivertson of Bottineau. Numerous nieces, nephews and their families also survive.
Art was preceded in death by his parents; infant daughter, Brenda; sister, Marie Clark and brothers, Olaus, Oliver, Melvin, Grant and Alfred Foss. |
01/04/2009
Reply to Peggy Peltier’s picture posted yesterday, from Judy Allery Azure (65):
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Gary,
Peggy is not Gailord Peltier’s sister, she is a sister Linda Gunville. She is married to Frank Gillis, Pete’s nephew.
Have a Wonderful 2009
Judy Allery Azure
Reply from Florence Hiatt Dahl (50):
Gary….I took my lap top over to my grand daighter. and bless her brainy mind, she got my computer back to normal. The moral of my story is, don’t let your well meaning friends touch your computer…………….they don’t know any more then I do…..which is little. Anchorage is absolutely spectacular right now. Every thing is piled high with snow. The trees are thick with frost. We seldom have wind. AND it is 12 below. I don’t miss North Dakota at all, certainly not the wind and the fact that the below zero weather never lasts long in Anchorage…another story in the interior. I’m always amazed at Dick Johnson,s memory…his stories are like listening to Dad’s stories. Bless you Gary…………….,,,Florence
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Pictures from Larry St. Claire (66):
This picture was given to me by Jim Tooke, his mom took it. Left to Right top row, Donny Mongeon, Mr Hepper, Larry St.Claire (me), Tommy Evans, bottom row, Allen Houle, and Jim Berube. I hope this attachment opens, it’s the first time I tried this.
Larry, You did great! both these pictures came through just fine. It’s wonderful hearing from you. I was wondering if you were still out there. This a great picture of you guys in Hawaii too. Gary
Top row: Donny Mongeon, Mr Hepper, Larry St.Claire, Tommy Evans
Bottom row: Allen Houle, and Jim Berube
Happy New Year from Larry and Robbie St.Claire in Anchorage, Alaska. It is cold and snowy here, about 13 below for the past week. Brrrrr!. Time to go back to Hawaii. Hope this picture comes through.
From Sharron Gottbreht Shen (59):
Joan, Uncle Roland Mongeon’s step-daughter, shared the Herman Boucher letter and picture of his farm; he enjoyed seeing his old farm and little EJ once again. Uncle does not recall the date of the visit or where in Louisiana Army maneuvers might have taken place. It had to have been a moment of satifaction for FDR having the 34th readied for battle before Pearl Harbor. Alma wrote at the top of her letter “Herman went in May ’41, overseas early 1942.
Certainly Rolette County suffered more casualties than the Boucher/Casavant cousins Harvey Grenier [Europe] and Olard Boucher [Pacific], but I also like to recall persons like Roland G Tennacour who died young of illness; made his mark in local history through Ronnald Tennacour. Where would Bottineau County and Dale’s be without the plummer who has sorted out folks’ problems for 40 years. I’ve heard he has retired to local golf courses; I hope so.
Herman and Emily Boucher are the parents of Barbara/Gary/Martin/Marvin; Aunt Emily Birkland Boucher lives in LaGrande, OR near Gary. Herman was a lumber jack there for years. I was happy to read that Gary Metcalf is in touch with Barb and will enlarge on Herman’s service years. I hope Gary will forgive me for calling him “Greg”.
Ernest Boucher, older brother of Herman, born Sept 1910, also served in WWII. He was conscriped about 1943, stationed in England initially, probably with the Quatermaster Corps in armaments. He served behind the front lines in France. At Bastonge he related that there was a foot of frost on the trees the morning of the Battle of the Bulge. He must have been attached to the 10th Army. Ernest Boucher lives in Fort Benton, MT. Excellent memory but does not see or hear well. Ernest Boucher is very modest about his contribution to the Allied victory in Europe. He is fluent in French and I believe he served additional time after the fall of Germany. I recall his visit to Alma in uniform winter 1946.
Sharron
From Sharron Gottbreht Shen (59):
Cousin on the Casavant limb of my family tree, Harvey Orndorf, USMC and Nam vet, sent this indepth reply concerning the entry about Herman Boucher in bootcamp. Interesting to me and perhaps to all. Sharron
From: OrndorfH@aol.com
Date: Fri, 2 Jan 2009 20:40:17 -0500
Subject: Family Letter
To: sharron_shen@msn.com
Sharron, I asked a friend and classmate who resides in the Baton Rouge, LA area about probable location referred to in the letter from your uncle “Herman” Below is the response. He is my USMA classmate, Phil StAmant. I really enjoyed seeing the picture of your family when you were expected and EJ as an infant. It is something you will treasure forever. Love, Harvey
From: Pastamant
To: OrndorfH
Sent: 1/1/2009 11:15:24 P.M. Pacific Standard Time
Subj: Re: Family LetterHarvey,
To the best of my knowledge, there were no field training locations for Army combat arms units in or near Baton Rouge. Most of the training that occurred in Louisiana prior to and during World War II was associated with the “Louisiana Maneuvers,” and the bases–both Army and Army Air Corps–were located in Central Louisiana, in the general vicinity of Alexandria (Rapides Parish), although some bases were also found in Natchitoches Parish, Vernon Parish (where Ft. Polk is currently located), and Sabine Parish.
The most important of the Army training bases was located right by Alexandria, and is still operational as Camp Beauregard, a Louisiana National Guard base.
For a discussion of the various locations, look at the following two websites.
http://www.crt.state.la.us/tourism/lawwii/Maneuvers/Robertson/Camps.htm
http://www.crt.state.la.us/tourism/lawwii/Maneuvers/Studying_War.htm
Baton Rouge was not left out of the war preparation; however, I don’t think that’s where your cousin was based. So far as I know, the only military training in the Baton Rouge area was at Harding Army Airfield, which is now the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport, also known as Ryan Field. It was used for a variety of training purposes, including glider training.
The distance from Baton Rouge to Alexandria, where it is most likely your cousin was based, is today about 110 miles, via I-10 and I-49. In World War II, it would have been a somewhat shorter distance, but it would have taken considerably longer to make the trip.
The 106° temperature mentioned is quite a record for this area. It has happened, but is rare enough that it wouldn’t have been an everyday occurrence, even in primitive training conditions. In fact, the all-time high for the state was 114°, which occurred on 10 August 1936 in Plain Dealing (north of Shreveport, near the Arkansas border). Perhaps he was pining for the North Dakota summers, where the all-time high was (I understand) recorded on 6 July in that same year, when it reached 121° in Steele.
Phil
Doreen Bailey’s reply to Bill Hosmer’s suggestion for a map:
Reply : Vance Bailey has alot of research papers for the Dunseith area.
I found the Township and Precinct Maps and am sending a sample copy of
Hillside so you see what they include. It may be a starting point for
anyone that is interested in the map project. The county court house has a
lot to offer in the mapping department. Vance and I picked these up 5 or 6
years ago. It would take alot of guess work on the locations and lakes etc.
Just a thought! Doreen Bailey, Tempe, AZ
Folks, this map idea is a wonderful idea. I think these Township and Precinct Maps would be a great tool in placing farmsteads, etc onto a good graphical map, if we can find or create one of Rolette county.
Thank you Doreen. Gary
1/2/2009 (326)
From Martha Lamb Schepp (68):
Happy New Year everyone!
*It is blowing snow around the corner of our home as my husband and I watched the Tournament of Roses Parade in California. My thoughts went back probably about 40 years when my dear friend Jill Flynn was marching in that parade. My fond thoughts go back to the days of band and chorus in Dunseith, what a wonderful experience, I remember marching in the Minot State Homecoming and thought I had reached the top. We were so fortunate to be under the music direction of Mr. Johnson. I don’t know if we let him know how grateful we were.but I’m sure he hears our praises of him in heaven. Anyway Jill you made us proud and to think your music adventure was started under the direction of Mr. Johnson and of course your hard work.
*Another thought to the class of 1968. Do you remember the neat looking quill pens Mrs. Conroy gave us for Christmas in the 4th grade? When I was looking for a gift for the Title 1 students, I thought I haven’t seen a quill pen forever in the teacher catalogs. I would have loved to have given them to the Title 1 students this year.
* Can you tell the holiday rush is over? I have time to write now. I always tell my students about going with horses and a sleigh to my Grandparent Abrahamson’s for Thanksgiving if there was an early snowfall, and for Christmas every year. There was not a graded road by the Berdsley lake and no mail route or bus route for one mile between us and my Grandparent Abrahamson’s. This trail was never maintained. My parents worked so hard to make this a special day for us. The day started our milking the cows, feeding the animals, gathering the eggs, harnessing up the horses hitching up the sleigh, making sure there was fresh straw on enclosed sleigh or sometimes the stoneboat. Plus Mom had made our favorite dishes to take to Grandpa and Grandma’s, packed blankets and stoked the foot warmer. One time my Dad had to shovel in front of the horses by the Berdsley lake and the horses would lunge forward as he tried to make a narrow path for them. I remember my brother Dean and myself being scared that the sleigh might not make it through the snowbank or tip over, but Dad always pulled us through. Those horses knew just how to work for him. Once we got to Grandpa and Grandma’s, Dad would tie up the horses and give them hay and water, I assume some of Granpa’s hay and water. We always pulled our runner sleighs behind as we would spend the day sliding down Grandpa and Grandma’s hill by their house, we were lucky there wasn’t too much traffic as we went on the main road. We never had a accident. When it was getting dusk and after our last time of an evening feast Dad would get the horses out of Grandpa’s barn and we would start home. This is what I remember the most was the jingle of the harness on the horses after dark. I remember that like it was yesterday. We always pulled the runner sleighs and after dark the runner might hit a rock at different times , I remember the sparks would fly.
When we were home 2 miles later, Dad would unharness the horses, we would milk the cows, feed the calves , haul in drinking water and stoke the furnace. Thanks to our ancestors for making our life so easy today. This is when we learn the song to Over the River and Through the Woods to Grandma’s house We Go in my Kindergarten class. I’m sure it is the lesson when my heart yearns for the good old days.
* Another thing that sticks out in my mind is that Santa Claus always in real life to Grandma’s during Christmas day. Grandma saved the wrapping paper from the year before and ironed it for the next years Santa gifts.
* One more thought I remember is both Grandma Lamb and Grandma Abrahamson always wearing a apron. I happen to have one of my Grandmas aprons. I also have a book My Mother’s Apron by Dr. Edward Keller, The author is from Strausburg, North Dakota. Our grand daughters love to wear grandma’s apron as we read this book to them. Memories!!!
Love to all and Happy New Year!! Martha Lamb Schepp
Reply from Dick Johnson (68):
Gary and Friends,
To bring others up to speed on the messages between Larry Hackman and
Larry Millang and me, I need to fill in some blanks. We were discussing
where some of the farmsteads were along Highway 43 and who lived where,
long ago. Larry and I concur on several places and have things fairly
well worked out. The thing I mentioned about Larry being done dusting,
was an inside joke. I told him he blew the dust off some other memories
in the back of my mind. To this he said that we better not let our wives
know we are into dusting or we will find ourselves with another job!
To Diane Larson Sjol,
I may be mistaken totally, but I think when I was a very young kid
someone told me the words to your little North Dakota song were written
by Henry Sunderland from Dunseith. Can someone confirm or correct my
memory? I think Bob and Donna Leonard would know. As I stated, I may
have been mistaken or possibly told wrong. I remember most of the words,
but hadn’t heard them for years–cattle and the wheat, and the folks
that can’t be beat! True. Thanks Diane!
To Sharron Gottbreht Shen,
Thanks for sending the letter and picture from the WWII era. I assume
Roland Tennancour was a casualty of the war, judging by his young age
and death in 1942. Do you have information on his story that you would
be willing to share? Thanks !
Dick
Reply from Diane Larson Sjol (70):
To Sharon Gottbreht,
I so enjoyed the letter from Herman Boucher and the picture….you can
see the Gottbrehts in little EJ’s face in the photo. I have a
question….my grandmother was Johanna Boucher and married to Fred
Richard (my mother, Verdellis Larson’s parents). They lived on the
farm in Thorne…do you know how we were related to Hermann? Mom was
born in 1927…Fred and Johanna were married in 1918…born in 1897 I
think….
Diane Larson Sjol
Bill Grimme (65) in Times Square NYC 01/01/09:
Gary,
Here it is – 2009. Just got back to the room after watching the ball drop in Times Square. The attachment is a picture of Irena and me during our wait for the event. We stood for 5 hours on 7th Avenue. Temp was about 20. Breeze was stiff. Snowed for a little while. I think I just neared, but did not reach, my limit. Damn close, though. This is like Mardi Gras–great to do once, but once is enough.
We are staying in NY until Sunday. Then back to Alabama to say hi to my little dog and cat, then off to Arizona for a little while.
Happy New Year to all!
Bill
Folks, Bill Grimme lost his wife to cancer in about August 2006. Her death was extremely painful for him. It was several months later that I contacted Bill putting our class of 65 list together. Shortly there after I distributed our whole class list to all of our class members. Our class had not seen one another for nearly 42 years. The release of our class list was great timing for Bill to get reacquainted with all of us helping ease the pain of having lost his wife. Bill was in no means looking for sympathy, but just talking to folks eased the pain even if he didn’t mention the fact to those he talked to that he had lost his wife. Bill called each and every person on our initial class list. For our class folks, getting a phone call, out of the blue, from Bill Grimme was heart wrenching. Bill was a pretty popular guy, well know for his academic achievements, in our high school days.
In the last while, Bill has been seeing and has become attached to Irena. She immigrated from Russia and has a PHD in I think Chemistry. Bill has told me several times and I keep having Physics on my mind of which is not correct. Irena is a department head in one of the state colleges, I think at the University of Alabama. Bill, please correct me one more time with the correct info. Thanks, Gary
Bill Grimme with his friend Irena at Times Square in NYC – 1/1/2009
Gary,
Still having fun.
Bill
Bill, I’ve been up there and it’s beautiful. On the top floor, where you guys are at, it feels like one can feel the resiliency movement of the building. It’s so high and that top floor is not very large. It kind of gives you the feeling of being in outer space. Gary
Bill Grimme & Irena – New Year’s Day (2009) at the Empire State Building
Jeff Skjelver’s (Glen & Annabel Shelver’s Grandson) reply to yesterday’s message:
“I and Ole Evans went to the Carnival last night & had a few drinks – don’t feel so good today but when you get about half drunk it gets your mind off of the Army for a little while – this Army will make more bums then soldiers.”
Wow! It’s just like the present with the Afghanistan and Iraq BS in which we currently find ourselves mired.
How prescient of Mr. Boucher.
Yet another truth-speaker: Wilfred Owen (Dulce et Decorum Est).
Semper Fidelis and Peace…
Randy Hiatt’s photo provided by Neola Kofoid Garbe:
Folks, Randy is Glen (Ikie) Hiatt’s son. Ikie is the younger brother of Leola Lagerquist & Netty (Jack deceased) Peterson. Their father was George Hiatt.
The following is a reply from Leola’s daughter, Evon Lagerquist. Gary
Yes Gary, This is our cousin Randy, Ikie’s 3rd son. He lives in Langdon,ND now. I believe he is around 44 yrs. old. I haven’t seen him in quite a few years, so really do not know his kids. Ikie lives in Rolla now.
Evon
01/03/2009
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From Florence Hiatt Dahl (50):
Florence, I replied with an individual message to you, but I want to post this so folks know you are still out there. Gary
GARY, you have disapeared from my internet. Are you o.k.? The wind seldom blows here in Anchorage, thus with all the snow we have this last two months we have a winter wonder land. I live in a condo, so I have pity for the poor souls that have to shovel snow and shovel and shovel….Thank you again for your peraverance on this internet. Happy New Year and God bless you. I’ll bet you don,t miss shoveling snow…………………
From Blanche Wicks Schley (42):
Request from Bill Hosmer (48):
Gary and Dick Johnson, and several others. When you old timers were talking about the different homes around the hills, it occurred to me that someone with some abilities beyond my own, that it might be possible to develop a map of the area which included all the families we hear from and about. It could be a graphic display with a little bit of surveyor assistance and possibly result in a two by three foot chart, which might be reproduceable and even a sale item for the Dunseith Log House and the Rolette County Museum. I can see a framable image of the map, with sketches, and or photos of the homes of a given year, or a given decade. For example, “The Way It Was in the Hills in 1930 to 1950, or less and more, and I think it could include pictures of those who were early settlers and the location of their sites. This would be on a detailed map of roads, highways, and trails that we have enjoyed reading about recently. It would also accurately plot
the location of the homes of these tremendous family groups that gave us our collective heritage. As I think about it more, it could include all of Rolette County, and the part of Bottineau County that include former Dunseith people. It might take awhile, but I think there would be a mob of us scrambling to see just who and where we are from, and where it was in “The Hills”. Bill Hosmer ps. It should also show the graphic shape and locations of the major lakes, as well as the churches and cemeteries. Ok Guys, go for it.
Bill, this sounds like a great Idea. I’m hoping someone will be able to put this together. Gary
Reply from Dick Johnson (68):
Gary and Friends,
Thanks to Martha Lamb Schepp for the story. It brought back good Thanks Bill Grimme for the pictures of NYC. Gary mentioned the movement Thanks Gary for your tireless posting! Dick Reply from Bill Grimme (65):
Gary,
The “Go to North Dakota” song is credited to Lois Steele and Jack Fulton in 1958. I have had a lot of fun with this song over the years. In fact. I think we sang it at our reunion last year. Here is the complete song, although I think Diane had all the lyrics the other day:
Go Ta North DakotaYou Oughta Go Ta North Dakota “Ya oughta go ta, North Dakota “The sky is bluer than blue
You were pretty accurate on Irina. She has a Phd in Chemistry and she is the head of the biophysics lab at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She just earned her citizenship this year and she has been in the U.S. since 2000. Good girl. You were also correct in stating that our class and many other people on your mailing list helped me through a tough time. I will be forever grateful. Bill
Class of 58 Pictures posted by Ellen Graff Myrick (58): Gary,
Thought I’d share these pictures of the class of 58 from the 125th Reunion The word document has all the people, but one, identified. It took three pictures to show the 9 members of our class of 18 who attended the reunion in July 2007. You may not want to use the individual pictures. It’s up to you as the expert.
Ellen S. Myrick
CLASS OF 58 Back Row: Robert Lagerquist, Jerome Allard, Marlene (Schneider) Haverland Front Row: Ron Link, Joanne (Kester) Boucher, Mrs. Ron Link, Colleen (Conroy) Martel, Ellen (Graff) Myrick
CLASS OF 58 + Granddaughter
Allen Johnson’s granddaughter, Allen Johnson, Colleen (Conroy) Martel
125th Anniversary Opening Banquet Some of Class of 58 +
Left Side: Don Martel, Marlene Haverland, Ron Link, Jerome Allard
Right Side: Colleen (Conroy) Martel, Mary Ann (Gottbreth) Brennan, ???, Robert Lagerquist
Message/Picture from Evie Gottbreht Pilkington (65): Hi Gary, Happy New Year from Southern CA – we are experiencing a cold snap….must be 50 degrees…..LOL Today January 2 would have been my Dad’s 92nd Birthday…he died in 1961. My Mom and Dad were also married on this day in 1939. I found this picture in my “stuff” today and decided a few might enjoy this bit of history. It is a four generation picture – George Gottbreht, William Gottbreht, Dale Gottbreht and my brother George on Great Grandfather William’s lap. I found it interesting to once again see how tall my grandfather George was compared to my Dad, he was a shorty 5’6” I think…..Daddy’s mom, Evelyn was less than 4’10”. Evie Pilkington 949-246-6984
Peggy Peltier’s (84) picture posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe:
Here’s a good picture of Peggy Peltier. I don’t think I’ve sent it before as I don’t see it in my “courthouse” file.
May I send Peggy’s pictures to your address, Gailord, or do you have an address for Peggy? I’ve already sealed/taped your envelope, Gailord, but I would be happy to mail Peggy’s pictures to your address/address you provide. My husband will mail your envelope after I return to Minot.
Thanks.
Neola
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01/02/2009
From Martha Lamb Schepp (68):
Happy New Year everyone!
*It is blowing snow around the corner of our home as my husband and I watched the Tournament of Roses Parade in California. My thoughts went back probably about 40 years when my dear friend Jill Flynn was marching in that parade. My fond thoughts go back to the days of band and chorus in Dunseith, what a wonderful experience, I remember marching in the Minot State Homecoming and thought I had reached the top. We were so fortunate to be under the music direction of Mr. Johnson. I don’t know if we let him know how grateful we were.but I’m sure he hears our praises of him in heaven. Anyway Jill you made us proud and to think your music adventure was started under the direction of Mr. Johnson and of course your hard work.
*Another thought to the class of 1968. Do you remember the neat looking quill pens Mrs. Conroy gave us for Christmas in the 4th grade? When I was looking for a gift for the Title 1 students, I thought I haven’t seen a quill pen forever in the teacher catalogs. I would have loved to have given them to the Title 1 students this year.
* Can you tell the holiday rush is over? I have time to write now. I always tell my students about going with horses and a sleigh to my Grandparent Abrahamson’s for Thanksgiving if there was an early snowfall, and for Christmas every year. There was not a graded road by the Berdsley lake and no mail route or bus route for one mile between us and my Grandparent Abrahamson’s. This trail was never maintained. My parents worked so hard to make this a special day for us. The day started our milking the cows, feeding the animals, gathering the eggs, harnessing up the horses hitching up the sleigh, making sure there was fresh straw on enclosed sleigh or sometimes the stoneboat. Plus Mom had made our favorite dishes to take to Grandpa and Grandma’s, packed blankets and stoked the foot warmer. One time my Dad had to shovel in front of the horses by the Berdsley lake and the horses would lunge forward as he tried to make a narrow path for them. I remember my brother Dean and myself being scared that the sleigh might not make it through the snowbank or tip over, but Dad always pulled us through. Those horses knew just how to work for him. Once we got to Grandpa and Grandma’s, Dad would tie up the horses and give them hay and water, I assume some of Granpa’s hay and water. We always pulled our runner sleighs behind as we would spend the day sliding down Grandpa and Grandma’s hill by their house, we were lucky there wasn’t too much traffic as we went on the main road. We never had a accident. When it was getting dusk and after our last time of an evening feast Dad would get the horses out of Grandpa’s barn and we would start home. This is what I remember the most was the jingle of the harness on the horses after dark. I remember that like it was yesterday. We always pulled the runner sleighs and after dark the runner might hit a rock at different times , I remember the sparks would fly.
When we were home 2 miles later, Dad would unharness the horses, we would milk the cows, feed the calves , haul in drinking water and stoke the furnace. Thanks to our ancestors for making our life so easy today. This is when we learn the song to Over the River and Through the Woods to Grandma’s house We Go in my Kindergarten class. I’m sure it is the lesson when my heart yearns for the good old days.
* Another thing that sticks out in my mind is that Santa Claus always in real life to Grandma’s during Christmas day. Grandma saved the wrapping paper from the year before and ironed it for the next years Santa gifts.
* One more thought I remember is both Grandma Lamb and Grandma Abrahamson always wearing a apron. I happen to have one of my Grandmas aprons. I also have a book My Mother’s Apron by Dr. Edward Keller, The author is from Strausburg, North Dakota. Our grand daughters love to wear grandma’s apron as we read this book to them. Memories!!!
Love to all and Happy New Year!! Martha Lamb Schepp
Reply from Dick Johnson (68):
Gary and Friends,
To bring others up to speed on the messages between Larry Hackman and
Larry Millang and me, I need to fill in some blanks. We were discussing
where some of the farmsteads were along Highway 43 and who lived where,
long ago. Larry and I concur on several places and have things fairly
well worked out. The thing I mentioned about Larry being done dusting,
was an inside joke. I told him he blew the dust off some other memories
in the back of my mind. To this he said that we better not let our wives
know we are into dusting or we will find ourselves with another job!
To Diane Larson Sjol,
I may be mistaken totally, but I think when I was a very young kid
someone told me the words to your little North Dakota song were written
by Henry Sunderland from Dunseith. Can someone confirm or correct my
memory? I think Bob and Donna Leonard would know. As I stated, I may
have been mistaken or possibly told wrong. I remember most of the words,
but hadn’t heard them for years–cattle and the wheat, and the folks
that can’t be beat! True. Thanks Diane!
To Sharron Gottbreht Shen,
Thanks for sending the letter and picture from the WWII era. I assume
Roland Tennancour was a casualty of the war, judging by his young age
and death in 1942. Do you have information on his story that you would
be willing to share? Thanks !
Dick
Reply from Diane Larson Sjol (70):
To Sharon Gottbreht,
I so enjoyed the letter from Herman Boucher and the picture….you can
see the Gottbrehts in little EJ’s face in the photo. I have a
question….my grandmother was Johanna Boucher and married to Fred
Richard (my mother, Verdellis Larson’s parents). They lived on the
farm in Thorne…do you know how we were related to Hermann? Mom was
born in 1927…Fred and Johanna were married in 1918…born in 1897 I
think….
I so enjoyed the letter from Herman Boucher and the picture….you can
see the Gottbrehts in little EJ’s face in the photo. I have a
question….my grandmother was Johanna Boucher and married to Fred
Richard (my mother, Verdellis Larson’s parents). They lived on the
farm in Thorne…do you know how we were related to Hermann? Mom was
born in 1927…Fred and Johanna were married in 1918…born in 1897 I
think….
Diane Larson Sjol
Bill Grimme (65) in Times Square NYC 01/01/09:
Gary,
Here it is – 2009. Just got back to the room after watching the ball drop in Times Square. The attachment is a picture of Irena and me during our wait for the event. We stood for 5 hours on 7th Avenue. Temp was about 20. Breeze was stiff. Snowed for a little while. I think I just neared, but did not reach, my limit. Damn close, though. This is like Mardi Gras–great to do once, but once is enough.
We are staying in NY until Sunday. Then back to Alabama to say hi to my little dog and cat, then off to Arizona for a little while.
Happy New Year to all!
Bill
Folks, Bill Grimme lost his wife to cancer in about August 2006. Her death was extremely painful for him. It was several months later that I contacted Bill putting our class of 65 list together. Shortly there after I distributed our whole class list to all of our class members. Our class had not seen one another for nearly 42 years. The release of our class list was great timing for Bill to get reacquainted with all of us helping ease the pain of having lost his wife. Bill was in no means looking for sympathy, but just talking to folks eased the pain even if he didn’t mention the fact to those he talked to that he had lost his wife. Bill called each and every person on our initial class list. For our class folks, getting a phone call, out of the blue, from Bill Grimme was heart wrenching. Bill was a pretty popular guy, well know for his academic achievements, in our high school days.In the last while, Bill has been seeing and has become attached to Irena. She immigrated from Russia and has a PHD in I think Chemistry. Bill has told me several times and I keep having Physics on my mind of which is not correct. Irena is a department head in one of the state colleges, I think at the University of Alabama. Bill, please correct me one more time with the correct info. Thanks, Gary
Bill Grimme with his friend Irena at Times Square in NYC – 1/1/2009
Gary,
Still having fun.
Bill
Bill, I’ve been up there and it’s beautiful. On the top floor, where you guys are at, it feels like one can feel the resiliency movement of the building. It’s so high and that top floor is not very large. It kind of gives you the feeling of being in outer space. Gary
Bill Grimme & Irena – New Year’s Day (2009) at the Empire State Building
Jeff Skjelver’s (Glen & Annabel Shelver’s Grandson) reply to yesterday’s message:
“I and Ole Evans went to the Carnival last night & had a few drinks – don’t feel so good today but when you get about half drunk it gets your mind off of the Army for a little while – this Army will make more bums then soldiers.“
Wow! It’s just like the present with the Afghanistan and Iraq BS in which we currently find ourselves mired.
How prescient of Mr. Boucher.
Yet another truth-speaker: Wilfred Owen (
Dulce et Decorum Est).Semper Fidelis and Peace…
Randy Hiatt’s photo provided by Neola Kofoid Garbe:
Folks, Randy is Glen (Ikie) Hiatt’s son. Ikie is the younger brother of Leola Lagerquist & Netty (Jack deceased) Peterson. Their father was George Hiatt.
The following is a reply from Leola’s daughter, Evon Lagerquist. Gary
Yes Gary, This is our cousin Randy, Ikie’s 3rd son. He lives in Langdon,ND now. I believe he is around 44 yrs. old. I haven’t seen him in quite a few years, so really do not know his kids. Ikie lives in Rolla now.Evon
1/1/2009 (325)
Reply from Gary Metcalfe (57):
Wow, I guess I have another cousin!! I tried calling Randy Hiatt tonight to welcome him to the family, but did not get an answer.
It’s really something how one letter can tip you off to lots of things you would like to know. Herman mentioned Cote’s outfit, I thought Laureus Cote was somewhere over there, now I know for sure.
Does anyone remember Martin Belgarde? He was a fixture at Lamoureux Bros. Garage, about like Carroll Carlson was. Martin was a great storyteller. I think he actually was in Italy for awhile. He said he jumped off a ten foot bank hoping to break just one leg and all I broke was my gol dang gun. LOL
Janice and all of you in Seattle area, hope you are staying safe and dry through all of this unusual wet/snowy weather out there. Gary Metcalfe
Gary, I think you’ve got a pretty squared away cousin too with Randy. You mention Laureus Cote. I knew him well. He and Loretta included me as if I was one of the family when I went to Bremerton, WA in the fall of 1966. Laureus often mentioned his WWII service years in Europe. He passed away several years ago. I can get you connected to his children if you wish. Fern Cote Berube (Mrs. Lawrence) and Laureus are siblings. Gary Stokes
Request from Marge Langan Wilcox (Ron Longie’s (65) sister):
Good morning Gary,
You probably don’t remember me.
I am Ron Longie’s sister in Vancouver WA…. would like to be added to the Dunseith alumni
I left Dunseith in 1956….. after marrying Hollis Wilcox
I get all of the messages from my brother Ron longie.
Marge Langan Wilcox
Marge, I know a lot of folks will remember you. Ron and Willie are remembered well by many. You guys come from good stock. Welcome aboard. I have reposted your family photo below along with a more recent picture of your mother and Hannah Loab. You are a very pretty girl. Gary
Wilbur Longie Family:
Back row: left Wallace, Wilbur, Marge, Ronnie
Front row: left Willie, Patti, Ursula, Donnie
Hannah Higgins Loab & Ursula Longie – 7-13-07
Reply from David Slyter (70):
To Dick Johnson:
I too enjoy reading the War stories. It is so interesting to read the letters of the soldiers to their loved ones during a very tough time in their lifes. Not being a military person myself, I still have a respect for the ones that serve in any of our armed services. Our dad Fred Hiatt was commander of the American Legion in Dunsieth for many years and as you know we always played or sang at the memorial day programs at the old Duseith city hall or the High School. It takes people like my dad, or Jack Flynn, or Floyd Dion and the Hosmers and many more to keep things going in a small town like Dunseith. Those were the good ole days.
To Randy Hiatt:
Welcome to the Dunseith Alumni pages. Mom always spoke of the day that she delivered you into the world and it was a proud moment for her. In 98 we took Mom out to Washington on a summer trip with us. It was great seeing you and the rest of the Hiatt clan at the picnic that everyone thru for us. I had seen relatives that I hadn’t seen in 25 years. Mom passed the following year in 99 but had always talked about that previous summer. So again welcome to our world and enjoy.
Dave Slyter (70)
Reply from Sharron Gottbreht Shen (59):
It is so frustrating that I cannot send mail direct to Gary Metcalfe. Just wish to thank him for the keen insight he has into the 34th. I shall look for the book he recommends. Copies of the camp picture in the mail by Monday; I am sure Aunt Emily and/or Uncle Roland will know fellow soldier. I have no idea what camps behind the lines looked like but the tent structure looks collapsable and screened – good for buggy Louisiana but also important in Italy where fever born disease from mosquitoes was a problem in river areas. Sharron
Reply from Allen Richard (65):
To Wally Garbe– Yeah this is a weird winter by modern standards for sure. Saginaw Mi was a couple inches short of its annual snow fall last week– we are supposed to get another 3-4 inches tonight. Over the Christmas Holiday — in a 10 day period, we went form nearly no snow to two feet of snow to no snow. We have about 8 inches now. I hope you don’t get another “blizzard of ’66″ That was the nastiest in my memory. I have a few stories about that one– I’m sure a lot of you do too.
Hope everyone had a great holiday season — onward and upward for 2009—not sure if we can get much lower!
Allen
Willie/Maxine Hiatt picture posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe:
Folks, Willie and Maxine Radley (38) Hiatt lived in the Ackworth community until moving to Bottineau in about 1955. Norris Knutson purchased their farm and has lived there ever since. Willie was a plumber in Bottineau for many years. Maxine worked for Dr. Sveen, a Dentist in Bottineau, for a number years. Willie pasted away this last year. Maxine is currently living at the Oak Manor Apartments. Their children are Barbara Cote, Harvey, Lawrence & Doug. Doug has been working the Good Samaritan home in Bottineau for quite some time now. Gary
Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe:
JAMMIN’ TO THE OLDIES MINOT DAILY NEWS: DECEMBER 28, 2008
Frozen Fingers Music Association holds stage show, jam session
The Frozen Fingers Music Association held a stage show and jam session at the Sleep Inn in Minot Saturday. Members of the association entertained an audience with old-time and bluegrass music.
“This organization is for the education of people about old-time music, and it’s for fun. The whole purpose is to promote bluegrass and old-time music, to get a few more people interested in it,” said Dick Johnson, vice president of the Frozen Fingers Music Association.
Once individuals are interested in the music, it seems to be something that sticks with them. Johnson recalled how he started playing.
“I came down to the concerts three years ago. I went in a jam session with my guitar, and I didn’t leave my chair for 14 hours,” he said.
The Frozen Fingers Music Association is made up of old-time and bluegrass groups from around the region.
Frozen Fingers hopes to interest more young people in the music, and the association serves the purpose of teaching them how to play.
“The best way to learn how is to sit down with people, and do it. It’s something we need to keep doing, or it’s going to slowly dwindle away,” Johnson said.
Frozen Fingers’ next stage show and jam session will be held at the Sleep Inn in Minot Feb. 14-15. A dance will be held Feb. 13, and a guitar clinic will be going on during the stage show and jam session.
“It’s a full two days of music groups, old-time or bluegrass. Sunday morning we’ll have a polka mass, and during the day we’ll have old-time gospel music,” Johnson said.
Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe:
I know some of you know Claudia Harrison Trebas. Gary
Hi Everyone,
Claudia sent the info written in green. I had “run” the original email by her before I sent it. I’m including her latest info. Thanks, Claudia.
FYI: Claudia has acess to a computer in Bismarck/Bottineau, so you may visit her site/send emails any time, and she’ll receive them immediately. Neola
January 9: Good morning Neola, I am home now, as of last night. Really
glad Bottineau didn’t get the snow. I will be in Bismarck
for treatments, 6 chemo, 3 weeks apart and then 6 weeks
radiation. I will be home when I can be. I have to have
hercepin every week until I’m done with chemo, then
herceptin every 3 weeks for a year. Thank you for passing it
on, it is so nice to hear from people and have the support.
How are you? When do you start? Is radiation first? Let me
know how that goes and keep me posted. You are in our
prayers also. Thanks for all the laughs, you know laughter
is the best medicine. God Bless, Claudia
Hi Everyone,
Some of you know Claudia Harrison Trebas/her father and mother, Marvin and Muriel Bergeron/her grandparents, Leo and Claudia DuBois Bergeron (Page 76 in Centennial Book). Leo and Claudia lived 9 miles east of Bottineau (about half-way between Bottineau/Dunseith; Leonard Neubauer and family lived there later; Leonard’s son now lives on “the place”.
Claudia is married to Brad Trebas of Bottineau. Brad/Claudia live in Bottineau. I copied/pasted the following info I found in Claudia’s Caring Bridge site. I have had two surgeries to achieve clean margins and the lymph nodes were removed after cancer was found in the sentinel node. I will begin chemotherapy treatments January 16th and radiation will follow. Maybe we can’t see this as a blessing quite clearly yet, but we do know we are blessed with such loving and supportive family and friends.
It is with Claudia’s permission and blessing that I send this email to all of you. If you click on the link I’m including, it will take you directly to Claudia’s journal on Caring Bridges (Hi, Claudia!). Claudia would love to have you visit her journal/read the information/look at the pictures/sign her guestbook. Claudia is staying at her daughter’s (Chelsey) home in Bismarck. It’s not exactly the way you’d choose to spend more time with your grandson, but, if you have to stay somewhere, you can’t do better than seeing your grandson (other family members) every day. 
Neola
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/claudiatrebas
Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe:
IPG “Rainy Day” fund.
Gary,
As you can see, this is a little old. The Courant was lying on the table. I saw this article and decided to scan/send it. Now I can throw this part of the paper.
Neola
01/01/2009
Folks,
I just finished reading the book “The Birds Were Silver Then” written by Lowell Peterson, who is a very good friend of Bill Hosmers. Dr. Lowell Peterson was the flight surgeon for Bills Squadron and fighter wing from 1963 to 1966. Their mission was to fly bombing raids over Viet Nam. This book goes into great detail of some of the bombing raids these pilots made and the risks taken. The book gives a detailed report of several rescues of pilots shot down and also of some of the unsuccessful rescues. The book also gives a first hand report from several folks being POW’s and what they encountered. These pilots were some mighty brave soles to fly into these targeted areas with all the enemy fireworks pointed at them with a great degree of accuracy. Bill, For your group, you were the leader of the many bombing missions that you partook in over North Viet Nam. With all of the enemy fire power, the odds were not always in your favor for making it out of some of these missions. Many of your folks did not make it.
Folks, this is a great hard cover copy, 200 plus page book. I got my copy, compliments of Bill Hosmer. For those of you that would like a copy, the address on the inside cover of the book is Peterson House, 2627 Beechwood Court, Appleton, WI 54911 SRoseClear@aol.comI think Bill has a phone number too, that I don’t readily have at my finger tips. What ever the price, it’s well worth it.
Gary
Message/Letter/Picture from Sharron Gottbreht Shen (59):
Happy New Year Gary and Bernadette. Our white Christmas here in the Seattle area confinded Victor and I at home. Seattle was not prepared for the abundant snow fall, much of which is still with us. We adventured forth Christmas day but serious snow over ice on neighborhood streets resulted in brief mishap in a ditch. I spent some of this valuable time sorting old pictures and letters. Today I attach a letter from Herman Boucher [1914-1987] to his sister Alma from bootcamp, probably in Louisianna. The picture was taken during Herman’s goodby visit to his sisters and brothers-in-law spring 1941 at the Roland Mongeon farm in the hills of eastern Bottineau County. Thank you Greg for your request; there is another letter dated 1944 from Italy.Picture L-R: Roland G Tennancour [1920-1942]/Alma Boucher-Gottbreht/Roland Mongeon/Yvette Boucher-Tennancour/Herman Boucher holding EJ Gottbreht. Mom was expecting me May ’41 and Yvette was due in September.
God bless us everyone. Sharron
Herman Boucher’s [1914-1987] Letter to his sister, Mrs Dale (Alma) Gottbreht:Dear Sis [Alma Boucher-Gottbreht] July 3 1941
Well I’m still alive but I feel about as low as a snakes ass. A bunch of the boy’s got a weekend leave starting at noon the 2nd till 11 Sunday night & I couldn’t get one – got to go on KP. The 4th and 5th I’m going on camp alert for 24 hrs in place of one of the boy’s in my tent so he could get a leave – he’s a swell kid, he’s always doing something for me. He gave me some of the pictures he took of us – he’s not on the one I’m sending but the other boy’s are all in my tent. So you can imagine how low I feel – I was going to go to Alabama [Robertsville] & and visit uncle Gene [Casavant] – it’s about 350 miles from here; but that’s the Army & that’s why I like it – they tell you one thing then they change the next day. Was suppose to parade in Baton Rouge the 4th but instead we paraded in camp yesterday forenoon for the governor of Min. & that screwed up our 4th of July.
I and Ole Evans went to the Carnival last night & had a few drinks – don’t feel so good today but when you get about half drunk it gets your mind off of the Army for a little while – this Army will make more bums then soldiers.
Well I see Ted and Harvey got to go the 8th – too bad; hope they don’t have to come here – its hotter then hell & its just starting in the way they talk. It’s been hanging around 106’ in the shade so you can see about how hot it gets in the sun – just sweat standing. They say we might go back to Min. for maneuvers or Wash this fall but I wouldn’t believe it till it happens but I hope so – there’s too darn many snakes here. Every day we go out on maneuvers now we see some snakes – we kill every one we see but I sure wouldn’t like to lay on one – that’s why I would like to see them pull us out of here.
Well I suppose the crops look good there – sure wish I could see them but before I can get a furlough it’ll be Oct or Nov & maybe later – there’s only so many at a time that can leave camp & we got to go by turns – I sure hope I can get there before it snows.
Well you better write & Cora [Boucher-Mongeon] too – I heard from you just once so far – you better put APO 34 on the letters after this because we may not get our mail [USPS] – they’ll send it back – it stands for Army Post Office. I got a letter from Canton last night – sure was a surprise. I’ll have to write him Sat & I got a letter from uncle John [Boucher] – Aunt fell & hurt her arm pretty good – she was pretty surprised to hear from me, said that I done better than Ernest [Boucher]. Well it’s pretty near dinner time so I better close.
Love Herman
Picture posted by Sharon Gottbreht Shen:Picture L-R: Roland G Tennancour [1920-1942], Alma Boucher-Gottbreht, Roland Mongeon,Yvette Boucher-Tennancour, Herman Boucher holding EJ Gottbreht.Mom was expecting me May ’41 and Yvette was due in September.
Ellen Graff Myrick’s (58) reply to Gary for missing messages:Gary,Got all three of them. I should have remembered that it was already 2009 in the PI. I worked for Pacific Region AFCOMS (Commissary Service) at Norton AFB in California in 1981- 82. Time was always something to consider when contacting the stores in the Pacific. We provided support for commissaries at AF bases in Hawaii, Alaska, Japan, Korea, the PI, and Guam. Thanks again. It’s -10 outside according to my Desktop Weather Channel, but it’s 75 in my house.EllenEllen & all, It’s now noon here in the PI, New Years Day. We were on the edge of a storm that passed through yesterday, so it rained most of the day. We were lucky when it finely quit raining towards evening. The folks all celebrated in our compound with music, dance, etc until midnight. Then the fireworks began, everywhere. After having read Bill Hosmers friends book, it was as though we were being attack with one of their bombing raids over North Viet Nam. The noise was so loud that we couldn’t hear each other talk. When all the fireworks, noise and smoke subsided, about 12:30, Bernadette served a large dinner meal for everyone. With the storm that just pasted through and kind of still lingering, it’s cooled off some today. It’s currently 83F. Gary
From Gary Metcalfe (57):
Happy New Year Everyone!!
This error is just one of a few errors I have made that needs correction. The Class of ’57 does not hold the specific honor of “funnest”, but the class of ’56 should with the help of ’57! Thanks for bringing my attention to that Patti or I would never have picked up on it.
Last week I gave Bob and Barbara Rivard a call and sure enough her dad, Hector Boucher was in the 34th Division. Barbara had a scrapbook with some information about her dad. He did something very commendable…..we will find out more.
Also called Mike in Minot to let him know that his father-in-law, who was in the l09th medics attached to the 34th, was at the base of Hill 609 when the 34th made a real name for themselves. Ole was wounded the first time there. Those two men probably met.
Mike was in the military himself and asked me why but why wouldn’t the old man talk about the war? So I suggested if he acquired a copy of the book, “The Day of Battle” by Rick Atkinson, master storyteller. Six hundred pages of the battles in Italy. Just read 25 pages anywhere in the book, you’ll never wonder why they did not talk about the war ever again. You will be a changed person, a humble one at that.
I quote, “Italy would break their backs, their bones and nearly their spirits, but first it would break their hearts and that heartbreak began north of the Volturno, where the terrain steepened, the weather worsened and the enemy stiffened. Allied casualties in Italy totaled eighteen thousand between September 3 and October 20, yet that was only a down payment on the campaign to come.
North of the Volturno you could follow our battalions by the blood stained leggings, scattered equipment, and the bits of bodies where men had been blown up. Big tellar mines would blow up a truck. You can imagine what the castrators or nut crackers would do.
Major General Keyes stood up flor the men of the 34th, he said, “send them home, they’ve been worn out for way too long, to no avail”. No wonder they used the words VALOR and GALLANT to describe those soldiers, especially at Cassino.”
That may be enough about war coming from me.
By the way, in case anyone wants to know, the Thunderbirds will be here in Branson in May. Also the parachute team. See you at the Presidential Inauguration! Gary Metcalfe
Edward Berube’s Obituary/family picture posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe:
Edward Berube
Sept. 17, 1920-Dec. 28, 2008
Edward Joseph Berube, age 88, of Belcourt, ND, passed away on Sunday, December 28, 2008, in the Bottineau Good Samaritan Center, Bottineau, ND.
Edward was born on September 17, 1920, on the family farmstead in Maryville Township, ND, to Victorine Mongeon and Arthur Berube, where he was raised and lived until moving 2 miles south, establishing his own family farmstead.
He married Evelyn Marie Vandal on June 26, 1945, at St. Ann’s Parish in Belcourt, with Fr. Stan Maudlin officiating. They made their living on the family farm with their 7 children, Sharon, Eldon, Gary, Brenda, Brian, Perry and Timothy. Edward farmed more than 50 years and continued ranching until 2007 when he sold the last of his cattle.
Edward became a member and remained a member of the Knights of Columbus (4th degree) for the past 24 years. He also served as a member on the Shell Valley Township Board. He was a member of the Queen of Peace Oblates until the time of his passing. Edward enjoyed spending time with family and friends, bowling for the past 20 years, and telling his unforgettable stories. Edward and Evelyn have been active members of the Sacred Heart Parish in Rolette and the St. Ann’s Parish in Belcourt.
Those most honored to share in his life are: his wife of 63 years, Evelyn Berube of Belcourt; daughters, Sharon (Otto) Austel of Simi Valley, CA, and Brenda (Myron) Lennertz of Bismarck; sons, Gary (June) of Mandan, Brian of Bismarck, Perry (Kay) of Euclid, MN, and Timothy (Michelle) of Andover, MN; sisters, Annette Berube of CA and Evelyn Wilkie of MT; daughter-in-law, Glennis Berube of Minot, ND; and sister-in-law, Fern Lagasse of Golden Valley, MN. Edward was blessed with 20 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and many cousins.
Edward was preceded in death by his parents, a son, Eldon Berube, and his siblings, Lawrence, Fortune, Louie, Andre, Eva, Laura, Hermine, Helen, Angeline and Philip.
Visitation and rosary service: Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, January 2, 2009, in Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Rolette, ND, with a Rosary Service at 7 p.m.
Funeral Mass: Saturday, January 3, at 10 a.m. in the church with Fr. Philip Chacko presiding.
Burial: Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery, Rolette, ND, in the spring of 2009.
Memorials: In lieu of flowers the family would prefer memorials be sent to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718 in Edward’s honor.
Arrangements with Elick Funeral Home, Rolla, ND.
Folks, I think this corresepondance between Dick Johnson (68), Larry Hackman (66) & Larry Millang (66) may be of interest to some of you. Gary
Dick Johnson’s message to Larry Hackman:
Larry,I remember the white stucco house in the valley, north of 43. I even
walked over to it once in the mid 60s. I think the roof was quite steep
and the peak ran east and west. If I remember right there were two
windows on the south side. What ever happened to that house? Would that
be on the land Carmen Myer owns now? I know that northwest of Gus’s was
another white stucco house that Kelly’s lived in and east of Kelly’s was
another place where Ray Nerpel lived for a while—unless that was the
same place Gus had? We went in there one time too, by going through the
old Kelly yard and on east. Maybe it was the same place just getting there
a different way. This is really taxing the old mind! There were Model T
parts all over the yard where Nerpels had lived, I do remember that. I
think I was helping Larry Sime or Glen Millang look for cattle at the
time. Just thought I would email you to see if you were done with the
dusting????
walked over to it once in the mid 60s. I think the roof was quite steep
and the peak ran east and west. If I remember right there were two
windows on the south side. What ever happened to that house? Would that
be on the land Carmen Myer owns now? I know that northwest of Gus’s was
another white stucco house that Kelly’s lived in and east of Kelly’s was
another place where Ray Nerpel lived for a while—unless that was the
same place Gus had? We went in there one time too, by going through the
old Kelly yard and on east. Maybe it was the same place just getting there
a different way. This is really taxing the old mind! There were Model T
parts all over the yard where Nerpels had lived, I do remember that. I
think I was helping Larry Sime or Glen Millang look for cattle at the
time. Just thought I would email you to see if you were done with the
dusting????
Dick
Larry Hackman’s reply to Dick Johnson with Cc to Larry Millang and Gary:
Dick
You are doing a good job of confusing my mind on this one. My uncle Guss’s
place, was a white stucco house, located a 1/4 mile straight east of the of
the Lake Metigoshi and Highway #3 intersection. It was orignally known as
the Harold (Red) Kelly’s place. Gus moved off the place and in with his
mother when my grandpa Anton Hackman died in 1949. Uncle Guss never moved
back to the place and it remained deserted. He mostly used the place to
pasture horses. He alway complained about the deer hunters shooting his
horses. He said them Minnesotans didn,t know what a deer looked like? Loren
and Eleanor Dubois moved a house in on the trail just east of the
intersection and lived there in the mid sixties.
A 1/2 mile north of the Metigoshi and #3 intersection was another trail
going east. This trail went to another white stucco house where the Raymond
Nerpel family lived during the early 50’s. I remember being there once when
Harvey Nerpel decided to crawl into this steel barrel and roll down this
hill. There were a lot of rocks on that hillside. Harvey and that barrel
seemed to hit most of them on the way down that hill. When Harvey crawled
out of that barrel, after it stopped rolling at the bottom of the hill. You
could tell that Harvey wanted to go somewhere, but he couldn’t figure out
which direction to go, to get there. No, I don’t know how he stayed in that
barrel.
Anyway, Dick there was another road going east, 1 mile north of the
Metigoshi and #3 intersection. This was the section line road that ran one
mile east to Hilltop School. There was also a white stucco house located
just west, below the hill, of the school. The Raymond Nerpel family lived
in that house in the latter 50’s. Before them, a Millang family lived
there. They had two kids which were both older then I. Their names were
Ronald who was in the same grade as my older brother Henry (class of 65) and
Barbara who was older then her brother Ronald. Anybody know what happened
to these folks? Carmen Myer now has a farm at this location.
Now, we just have to figure out who stuccoed them houses with all that wood
around and why? Maybe Gary Metcalfe or someone else will dust off there
memory and let us know? Apparently somebody was in the business and in the
area at that time.
larry
You are doing a good job of confusing my mind on this one. My uncle Guss’s
place, was a white stucco house, located a 1/4 mile straight east of the of
the Lake Metigoshi and Highway #3 intersection. It was orignally known as
the Harold (Red) Kelly’s place. Gus moved off the place and in with his
mother when my grandpa Anton Hackman died in 1949. Uncle Guss never moved
back to the place and it remained deserted. He mostly used the place to
pasture horses. He alway complained about the deer hunters shooting his
horses. He said them Minnesotans didn,t know what a deer looked like? Loren
and Eleanor Dubois moved a house in on the trail just east of the
intersection and lived there in the mid sixties.
A 1/2 mile north of the Metigoshi and #3 intersection was another trail
going east. This trail went to another white stucco house where the Raymond
Nerpel family lived during the early 50’s. I remember being there once when
Harvey Nerpel decided to crawl into this steel barrel and roll down this
hill. There were a lot of rocks on that hillside. Harvey and that barrel
seemed to hit most of them on the way down that hill. When Harvey crawled
out of that barrel, after it stopped rolling at the bottom of the hill. You
could tell that Harvey wanted to go somewhere, but he couldn’t figure out
which direction to go, to get there. No, I don’t know how he stayed in that
barrel.
Anyway, Dick there was another road going east, 1 mile north of the
Metigoshi and #3 intersection. This was the section line road that ran one
mile east to Hilltop School. There was also a white stucco house located
just west, below the hill, of the school. The Raymond Nerpel family lived
in that house in the latter 50’s. Before them, a Millang family lived
there. They had two kids which were both older then I. Their names were
Ronald who was in the same grade as my older brother Henry (class of 65) and
Barbara who was older then her brother Ronald. Anybody know what happened
to these folks? Carmen Myer now has a farm at this location.
Now, we just have to figure out who stuccoed them houses with all that wood
around and why? Maybe Gary Metcalfe or someone else will dust off there
memory and let us know? Apparently somebody was in the business and in the
area at that time.
larry
Larry Millang’s reply to Larry Hackman:
Larry need to get to work but the Millang family would be Leonard and Dorothy along with kids Barbara, Ronnie, Jane and Wayde. They moved to Denver over 30 years ago Barbara,Jane and Wayde still live in the Denver area. Ronnie moved to Georgia last year. Leonard and Dorothy both have passed away.
Later Larry
Reply from Diane Larson Sjol (70):
Hi All,
The cute little ditty about ND in winter brought to mind a song we
used to sing in the car once we hit the ND border coming back home
after a stint at an army post where dad was stationed….we couldn’t
wait to go to Dunseith -past the “eyes, nose and mouth” house as
Dale’s came into view and soon the Morinvilles, the Hosmers, and
uptown to the bakery and KC Sime’s and the drug store…It didn’t get
any better than that!…The four of us girls would sing this at the
top of our lungs….You gotta go ta
North Dako-ta
See the cattle and the wheat
and the folks that can’t be beat.
You say hello ta
North Dako-ta and you just can’t say goodbye.
The cute little ditty about ND in winter brought to mind a song we
used to sing in the car once we hit the ND border coming back home
after a stint at an army post where dad was stationed….we couldn’t
wait to go to Dunseith -past the “eyes, nose and mouth” house as
Dale’s came into view and soon the Morinvilles, the Hosmers, and
uptown to the bakery and KC Sime’s and the drug store…It didn’t get
any better than that!…The four of us girls would sing this at the
top of our lungs….You gotta go ta
North Dako-ta
See the cattle and the wheat
and the folks that can’t be beat.
You say hello ta
North Dako-ta and you just can’t say goodbye.
The sky is bluer than blue
The sun is sunnier too
And if you don’t believe it
Then there’s only one thing to do….
You gotta go ta
North Dako-ta
See the cattle and the wheat
And the folks that can’t be beat
You say hello ta
North Dako-ta and you just can’t say goodbye!
Happy New Year everyone. We will go to the Birchwood for supper with
cousin Nancy Hosmer (Baldwin) and her significant other, Keith and two
other couples…one being my dad, Norman Larson and his girlfriend,
Fada Garby….both in their 80’s and going strong…will check out
what is going on up at the lake and then back to Nancy’s for a little
shuffleboard and pool and a toast to the New Year…..Hope all of you
have a wonderful New Year…full of all things
wonderful….remember…”Things will be fine in 0 – 9!”
Diane Sjol
Provided by Neola Kofoid Garbe:
Patricia Leonard Dinger, Your folks have gone south for the winter and have put these messages on hold until they return to ND. Can you or maybe you Janice too, relay this posting to them? Thanks, Gary
12/31/2008 (323)
Birthday party for Winifred Eurich and Dorothy Pritchard – Posted by Jean Eurich Roland (80):
Good morning and a belated Christmas greeting to you and your family! The Season this year is reminiscent of Christmas’ years ago…the snow fall that is! In Minot we received another 5 inches last night. I’m not sure what our season accumulation is so far but the snow banks along my driveway are higher than my car and I had snow banks as high removed earlier this month!
I thought I might use the Dunseith Alumni blog to make an announcement. My sisters (Eileen Nelson, Mary Knutson, Sharon Hanson and Dorothy Strietzel) and I are hosting a birthday party/card shower for our Mom, Winifired Eurich, and our aunt, Dorothy Pritchard, on Sunday, January 4, 2009. In January Mom will be 90 and Aunt Dorothy will be 96 – both are residents of St. Andrew’s Health Center Long Term Care in Bottineau. We’ll serve cake and coffee from 2-4; for those who can’t make it, cards may be sent to them at 316 Ohmer Street, Bottineau, ND 58318.
Thanks so much and Happy New Year!
Regards – Jean (Eurich) Roland
Jean, It’s so wonderful that you gals are having a birthday party for your mother and Dorothy. They are both great ladies and are well known in the Dunseith/Bottineau communities. I visited Dorothy when we were back in 2007 and I last saw your mother at my mother’s funeral in July of 2004. They are sharp ladies. Gary
Reply from Vickie Hiatt LaFontaine (73):
I loved the little poem about North Dakota, I remember the looks on my girls faces the first time I told them ” you know its really cold when your nose sticks together when you take a breath ” Its amazing they are all grown up and I still get that look when I say somethings go figure. I enjoy the stories of gamble store. I worked in the store when dad owned it and what a sales person I was, just ask David Fugure. He came one evening for a case of shells and I was going to sell him the box which he explained to me was 12 cases. Thank God he was honest our I’m sure Norman Hiatt would of had a heart attack. Another time I was left to do the weekly ordering and I orderes 100 of potting soil. Well guess what I ordered 1oo cases not 100 bags, Well I didnt get fired but I did make him laugh and swear at the same time. I hope all of you have a wonderful New Year Vickie Hiatt LaFontaine
From Sybil Johnson:
HAPPY NEW YEAR, to all you from North Dakota. This pictures were fabulous. For all those who lost loved ones this year, I send my condolences. I must
say, I don’t miss your winters. The winters down here in Wyoming are enough for me. Keep warm and safe.
Sybil Johnson
Reply from Bill Hosmer (48):
GARY, YOU BROKE THE CODE ON THE CONFUSION OF WHICH YEAR. IT WAS BOTH, OF COURSE. MAYBE THERE IS A WAY TO MAKE THAT CLEAR, ALTHOUGH THE INTEREST IN THE MATTER IS ALWAYS FLATTERING. THANKS FOR A BLOG WITH REAL INTEGRITY. BILL HOSMER
Reply from Gary Morgan (54):
Gary and All,
Dick Johnson was right when he said it really doesn’t matter what year The Thunderbirds buzzed Dunseith. It was a wonderful gesture and will forever be a part of Dunseith lore. I think they did appear in Minot in 1961 and that was probably Bill’s only point of reference. I figure anyone who has flown 240 combat flights is entitled.
According to Google, the Cuban Missle Crisis was in 1962 but later in the fall.
We hope to get out of here today to spend at least three months in Mesquite, NV but we got dumped on again last night and travel is questionable. For sure I’m going to have to blow out my driveway before I can go anywhere. That will be the ninth time this winter. Anyway, I think my internet goes down tomorrow so I’ll probably be out of touch for awhile but keep those emails coming, Gary.
Hoping you all have a prosperous and healthful 2009!
Gary Morgan
Follow up reply from Gary Morgan:
Gary & All,
One last side note while I’m snowbound on the banks of Lake Sakakawea…..when I was looking for that article on the Thunderbirds, I needed help to make a copy from the microfilm. The fellow from the State Library expressed surprise that there wasn’t more of a write up for such a momentous event. He wasn’t aware, of course, that at least at that time, if Dunseith was to get any recognition for anything, it certainly wasn’t going to be from the Rolla paper.
Gary Morgan
Gary, All three local papers gave us great support with our 2007 reunion, however, I have to agree with you for their lack of Dunseith coverage back in the 60′s. Something as significant as the famous Thunderbirds buzzing Dunseith should have been big front page head lines, with or without pictures. I’m sure some folks must have had a few pictures that could have been published. I’m surprised that the Minot daily didn’t pick it up either. In today’s environment, I’m sure this event would have been front page news in all of the papers. For the 40′s & 60′s to present ‘ Turtle Mountain Stars’ are published on the WEB. I was very surprised when I could not find anything at all in the achieved papers about this event other than what was mentioned in the Dunseith News section submitted by Marlene Armentrout. Gary
The following are replies to the Getzlaff Photo posted in Blog (286) on 11/18/08 by Neola Kofoid Garbe:
Identities for the Getzlaff photo from Marsha Getzlaff Bakken (74):
Hi,
Sorry it has taken me so long. Row 1 siting: left to right
Marilyn, Marlis, Cora Delvina, Row 2 (dad) Darrell, Grandma Lillian, Grandpa Walter, Alvin Row 3: Darwin, Myron, Gloria, Norman, Virgil
I will send more information later just wanted to get this to you.
Thanks Marsha (Getzlaff) Bakken
Reply from Ron Link (58):
Gary: If my memory serves me right I believe the 1st man in the middle row is Darrel Getzlaff. I can remember his face but sometimes the name is not quite as easy to recall. RON LINK-1958
Reply from Bobby Slyter (70):
| gary: i am thinking that the first guy in middle row of the getzloff picture is darrell getzloff, his kids are lester and marsha getzloff, they lived just south of dunseith when we lived there
JUST LITTLE OLE ME FROM KANSAS |
Reply from Dick Johnson (70): djcars@srt.com
Gary,
The guy on the left in the middle row is Darrel Getzlaff. He has been a
‘fixture’ at Dale’s since the 50s. He still drives the bulk truck and
delivers fuel. Of the gals, I only knew Gloria. One of the bearded guys
was in Dunseith for a while in the mid 60s and I only knew him by the
nickname, ‘Sonny’. I don’t know if he is Mike, who works for the
Bottineau Courant, or if it is the other guy with the beard. Someone has
to know–out of your 600+ readers! Thanks Gary!
Dick
Reply from LeaRae Parrill Espe (67):
Getzlaff family picture: I can identify some of them. Back row-Darwin, Mike (Turk), Gloria Hagen, Norman. Center Row-Darrell, Lillian, Walter. Front Row: I don’t believe I know any of these sisters.
Darrell worked at Dale’s Truck Stop for years. All of his kids attended DHS. Marsha, Lester, and Arlinda are three of his children and I believe I am missing some (Kevin?). (Sorry I can’t think of the others right off hand-someone help me out!) Arlinda is married to Allan Suchan and they live near Botno.
Darwin died of a sudden heart attack when he was very young. His wife Phyllis (Jenson )babysat for my oldest son Brady. Their son Curt was the Brady’s hockey coach for several years. Curt lives just a couple miles east of Bottineau on Hwy 5 and has his John Deere repair business there.
Turk or Mike was the editor of the Bottineau Courant for a number of years. He was also the main one to cover the sports. I think he retired for that job around five years ago.
Norman now lives on the town line North a Botno. He is married to Phyllis’ sister Margaret (Jenson). They were one of the first places on the right side at the crest of the first hill as one heads North. They have it lookin’ good with all the trees and the landscaping they have done.
I believe most of the hillbillies know Gloria (Mrs. Orville Hagen). She passed away from colon cancer about three years ago. Her daugher Kristie Brooks now teaches in Bottineau. I got to know Gloria when she was an aide at Bottineau School. She worked at San Haven for many years prior to that.
Someone else will have to identify the other sisters.
Identities provided by Marsha (Getzlaff) Bakken:
Row 3: Darwin, Myron, Gloria, Norman, Virgil
Row 2: (dad) Darrell, Grandma Lillian, Grandpa Walter, Alvin
Row 1: siting: Marilyn, Marlis, Cora, Delvina
12/29/2008 (322)
Thunderbirds buzz Dunseith in July 1962 – posted by Gary Morgan (54):
Gary & All,
Please note the first item in the attached copy of the July 26, 1962 issue of the Turtle Mountain Star.
Enough said.
Gary Morgan
From Dick Johnson (68):
Gary and Friends,
Last evening at a restaurant in Bottineau, I had a chance to visit with
Ann Carbonneau O’Connell and during our reminiscing I mentioned having a
couple school pictures of her mother, Carol Watkins Carbonneau. These
are from the early 40′s when she was a classmate of my mom, Bernice
Olson Johnson. I’m sending the originals to Ann but would like to post
them for others to see as well. She sure was a cutie! Thanks Gary!
Dick
Dick, Ann Caronneau O’Connell is on our distribution list and she shares these daily messages with her mother Carol.
Carol, this is a beautiful picture of you. You were a very pretty girl and are a beautiful lady today. I’ll bet Emery was the envy of the town courting you. With the several conversations I have had with you, you are equally beautiful on the inside. You are so friendly with such a sharp mind. You have excellent recall of the past too. Gary
Reply from Diane Larson Sjol (70):
To Bob Lykins and all,
Bob, I am very jealous that you are in Germany right now, especially
over Christmas….Some of my most wonderful Christmases were spent in
Deutschland when my dad was stationed there. It seems as if Germany
is transformed during the holidays or maybe it was just because I was
a kid…..but when I smell an evergreen tree, it takes me back to the
sleepy little village close to the post where we were stationed. I
spent a couple of Christmases there in my early twenties and even
though I was away from family, they were very majical. One of these
days, I would like to experience that again….so enjoy the snow and
to make you feel better, we are shoveling snow in ND too….it is
snowing again tonight and my husband just groaned when he saw it; took
three motrin and went upstairs with the heating pad…he is so sick of
shoveling…
Oh, when I was a kid in about the sixth grade, we used to play in the
old German bunkers (we were stationed in Wildflecken) and found all
kinds of things in there….old shells etc.
Reply from Dick Johnson (68):
Gary and Friends,
Thanks again for Bob Lykin’s personal insight from his travels to WWII
battle sights. This may not be as interesting to some of the readers as
it is to me, but it ranks high in my interest. The caves on Mt.
Suribachi, on the island of Iwo Jima were said to be linked throughout
the inside of the mountain by tunnels. My father-in-law, Trygve Knutson,
said the ships and planes bombed and shelled the Island until they
thought nothing could survive. The invasion forces said the sand was
actually hot from the continuous shelling. They tried to use shell holes
for cover but the sand was nearly too hot to lay against. After all
that, there were still thousands of Japanese soldiers unharmed in the
tunnels and caves. My old buddy, Carroll Carlson, believed the war could
have ended sooner but the Japanese would not surrender because we
demanded an ‘unconditional’ surrender. He said they thought the US may
make them slaves or worse. They supposedly indoctrinated the Japanese
people to believe the US was totally bloodthirsty and would reign over
them without pity. This may have made it plausible for the willingness
of the Kamikaze pilots to die without regret. At any rate, it certainly
gave them more reason to fight to the last man. History is full of half
truths and questions of political nature, but for the average man sent
into action it was real and vicious no matter what the government
said. That has been the nature of war since the beginning of time.
Politicians start it and then send other peoples sons to finish it—my
humble opinion. Thanks Gary!
Dick
Reply from Vickie Metcalfe (70):
Greetings Gary, from the last cold North Dakotan breath of 2008. I am
sharing my 2009 Years Resolution.
Thank You, Dick Johnson for sharing about your father-in-law’s WWII
service in the Pacific and Mr. Lykins for information regarding the
many battle fields,which sound quite familiar from listening to dad’s
and Carroll’s oral histories. My dad Cliff, spoke of many of the
same places while he was in the Pacific on the USS Hamlin. He
recalled Tokyo Rose, the Kamakazees, and men he served with. He too
watched the flag raising at Iwo Jima…… And, he put soldiers on
many of those places while piloting a PTO boat…….then, with a
grappling hook…..picked up many of those brave soldiers as…
bodies in the unforgiving sea…. memories… which he wrestled with
for years.
Dad also shared the same opinion as Carroll Carlson on General
MacArthur which was definitely not what I read about in any history
book.
Yesterday, I received a Christmas card from the man who served along
side my dad all those years ago. Dads friend, George, was closer to
him than a brother for the hellish experiences they shared. Our
family never went through Montana unless we stopped to visit George
and Betty Johnson. His children were honorary cousins for my
siblings and I. And, all 5 of us hold George in high esteem because
our dad did.
So, my 2009 New Years resolution will be to honor dad’s memory by
continuing to reach out to WWII veterans. God Bless cousin Gary
Metcalfe who’s never given up on honoring the memories of his
maternal uncles Bing and Ole Evans.
To each of you, Dunseith Alumni who listen and acknowledge the
voice of veterans, all the best of 2009!
Vickie
–
Vickie L. Metcalfe
Posted by Gary Stokes
USS Hamlin (AV-15)
Kenneth Whiting Class Seaplane Tender:
- Laid down, at Todd Pacific Shipyards, Inc., Tacoma, WA; Launched, 11 January 1944
- Commissioned USS Hamlin (AV-15), 26 June 1944, CAPT. G. A. McLean in command
- Decommissioned, 18 January 1947 at San Diego, CA
- Laid up in the Pacific Reserve Fleet, San Diego, CA.
- Custody transferred to the Maritime Administration, September 1962 for lay up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet, Suisun Bay, Benecia, CA.
- Stuck from the Naval Register, 1 July 1963
- Final Disposition, sold for scrapping, 8 March 1962, to National Minerals & Alloys Corp. <LI.Hamlin received three battle stars for service in World War II
Specifications:
Displacement 8,510 t.(lt) 12,610 t.(fl)
Length 492′
Beam 69′ 5″
Draft 22′
Speed 18.7 kts.
Complement 1,077
Armament
two single 5″/38 dual purpose gun mounts
two quad 40mm AA gun mounts
two dual 40mm AA gun mounts
sixteen single 20mm AA gun mounts
Propulsion steam turbine, two boilers, one shaft, 8,500hp.
History of the USS Hamlin (CVE-15)
http://www.historycentral.com/NAVY/MISC/hamlin.html
12/29/2008 (321)
Letaine Bolen Brandt (Former Teacher) info provided by Neola Kofoid Garbe:
LETAINE BOLEN BRANDT, 60, Bottineau, died Tuesday in a Bismarck hospital. Memorial service Wednesday, 2 p.m., Nero Funeral Home, Bottineau.
William/Letaine C. Brandt
815 Fifth St E
Bottineau, ND 58318-1463
(701) 228-5197
Message/Picture from Marge Landsverk Fish (57):
Merry Christmas from Marge Fish (57)
I was happy to have my kids home for Christmas and their families.
Brad lives in Odenton Md., Brian in Freeport Fl. and
Kim in Waupun Wi.
We have been having an old fashioned N.D. winter so I think they are glad to be back
On the picture Brad and Brian are in back and I am in front with my daughter Kim Bunkoske.
I live in Horicon Wi.
Thanks for all your hard work Gary and have a Happy New Year and a Great 2009!!
Marge Landsverk Fish Family:
Back: Sons – Brad & Brian
Front: Marge & Daughter Kim
Back: Lola Metcalfe, Patt Metcalfe, Joan La Croix
Bottom: Joann Houle, Corliss Allard, Randi Mongeon
Folks, This is a picture of DwightLang when he was visiting in Russia several years ago. Dwight has a home in Tucson and Lake Metigoshe. He spends his summers up at Lake Metigoshe. I know he’s a golfer. Not sure if he’s made pro status yet though. That’s something he may still be working on. I know one thing for sure though, and that is the fact that Dwight has developed excellent computer skills. Gary
Dwight Lang (61)
Dunseith News provided by Neola Kofoid Garbe:
12/27/2008 (319)
====================================
Blog (319) posted on December 28, 2008
Season’s greetings to each and everyone of you from our house to yours. Today marks one year of continuous distribution of our daily blog. You guys have done a wonderful job of keeping this going. It’s so nice coming from a smaller community where everyone knows or knows of most everyone from the distant past to the present. All of your contributions are greatly appreciated by most. I and I know a lot of you look forward, each day, to what will be sent in. It’s always so exciting hearing from new folks and folks we have not heard from in a while too. For general info, we currently have 641 folks on our Dunseith email list and growing.
Folks, turn up those speakers and enjoy.
Gary & Bernadette.
Carol Allard Buxbaum’s (65) reply to Gary:
Patty Boguslawski
Carol Allard 7/12/07
Gary, My computer is working now, I just don’t get on it enough. I’m on the communion picture, and my brother Larry is too. He is the second from the right, in the second row. Ginger had me right. Dark hair and bangs. I like getting these e-mails Gary. You’re doing a great job. Thanks for the cheery music. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to All!! Carol Allard
Carol, I have included that Cajun music with today’s message for everyone’s enjoyment while reading this message. Folks turn up your speakers and enjoy. Thank you Neola for providing.
The communion photo of Ginger’s that you referenced was posted with message (312) on 12/18.
I have known both you and Patty Boguslawski Gottbreht for many years, but I never knew you were first cousins until recently. I didn’t know you and Mel Kuhn were first cousins on the other side of your family either. Gary
Rita Anderson’s reply to everyone’s articles (Former owner of the Gamble store):
I enjoy the articles that you write, they are very interesting and informative. Just want to say that you were right about the Santa Clause. Walter Hiatt and Junior Mellhmer were the Santa Clauses. The suits that they wore belong to us at the Gamble Store, I had made it for our use. We always had a Santa Clause that would pass out candy to whoever was in the store at a certain time. We also used to play records outside over a loud speaker, I am sure you would remember that. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Rita Anderson
| From Erling Landsverk (44):
DEAR GARY AND BERNADETTE: MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO BOTH OF YOU FROM JO ANN AND I. AS I READ THE DAILY MESSAGES FROM THE ISLAND OF CEBU AND THE MANY FOLKS FROM DUNSEITHI AM STRUCK BY THE MANNER IN WHICH YOU HAVE MANAGED TO BRING OUT THE KINSHIP THAT EXISTS AMONG THE PEOPLE OF DUNSEITH AND THE HILS TO THE NORTH. I CAN FEEL THE LOVE AND AFFECTION IN THE WORDS OF EVERYONE THAT CONTRIBUTES TO YOUR DAILY MESSAGE. I REGRET THE TARDINESS OF THIS MESSAGE, BUT JO ANN AND I HAVE BEEN STRUGGLING WITH A VIRUS FOR THE PAST 3 WEEKS. WE ARE MUCH BETTER NOW. THANK YOOU GARY FOR YOUR DEDICATED AND DETAILED WORK. IT SPEAKS VOLUMES ABOUT A GREAT GUY. JO ANN AND ERLING LANDSVERK |
Reply from Sharon Longie Dana (73):
Reply to Gary
Dennis and Dallas LaVallie are brothers but not twins. I don’t know why Dennis isn’t listed. Can someone
tell us.
Sharon Longie Dana(73)
From Janice Leonard Workman (56):
Gary,
The thing I remember about Christmas in Dunseith is that Carols were playing over a loud speaker, I think at the Gamble Store but you could hear them all over Main Street. I loved them all but especially “Silver Bells.” That song always made me sing and I am a horrible singer. Here is the Auburn area we have about 8 – 10 inches of snow and the temp was at 30 degrees a couple of days. Lots of activities were canceled and school was closed a couple of days early for the Christmas vacation. I know those of you in ND and MN are probably laughing and I don’t blame you, because I know there is more snow and it is colder there than here. But we complain anyway.
So Merry Christmas and Happy of New Years to you all. Hope to see lots of you in July,
Janice
Janice, Having lived in the Bremerton/Seattle area for nearly 37 years, I am very familiar with the affects of the snow in that area when it snows. The snow in Seattle is very heavy and wet. It packs to ice very quickly causing very slippery roads. The icy roads combined with lots of hills and inexperienced winter drivers makes for some very dangerous driving conditions. The wet snow causes peoples cars to get high centered too. Then they are really stuck, even with 4WD, chains and studs. Bremerton currently has a foot of snow, but it’s suppose to melt soon. Gary
Folks, this is a picture of Bernadette with all her siblings that we took last night. Bernadette is the oldest (60), Jose (58), Berlinda (56) & Alot (54). They are all home for Christmas. I will say one thing and that is the fact that the relatives and folks in our compound, including our helpers, had an extra special Christmas with Bernadette’s sister, Alot, being here from Japan with all her generosity. She, like Bernadette, is very generous. Gary
Back: Bernadette & Berlinda (lives next door)
Front: Jose (from Mindanao, PI) & Alot (From Japan)
Picture from Wendy Strietzel (Dorothy Eurich’s (75) Daughter):
Gary,
I thought you might get a kick out of this.
Wendy Strietzel
Spring Break in ND
