Ryder News Jul 27, 2017

Ryder News for July 27, 2017

There will be an informational meeting about setting up an endowment fund for the Ryder Cemetery on Thursday, Aug. 3rd at 7 p.m. at the Ryder Gym/Community Club. Those volunteering to serve on the board are Kirby Mueller, Bruce Peterson, Brad Haugen, Stephanie Hagen and Terry Johansen.

St. John’s Lutheran Church of Ryder had a 7 p.m. Saturday evening church service. I loved it! This meant that I didn’t have to get up early on Sunday morning as I hate to get up early. I hope they have it again.

The Community Food Pantry, that serves Makoti, Ryder, Roseglen and Plaza had a very good turnout this Saturday helping 46 people...yes 46.  We appreciate all who came and helped out. Kathy Kimball’s grandson- Caleb who is 11 is helping Grandma and Grandpa this week, and Kathy’s sister-Laurene brought treats and helped with the pantry, she lives in Minot. And, of course PJ Ouellette also was helping out. The next date for the food pantry (which is located in the Ryder Community Gym) is August 12th and August 26th. (the second and fourth Saturday of every month). If you have donations to give or know someone who wants to check us out, or questions, please pass along these 2 numbers: Kathy Kimball: 701-578-5876 or Patty Ouellette: 701-758-2295

Happy 88th Birthday to Stan “Dewey” Hjelmstad. He is a 1948 Ryder Grad and the son of Olaf and Augusta Hjelmstad.

Class of 1957 reunion: Front Row: L-R: LaVonne Endreson, Betty Berg, Donna Sherven. Back Row: L-R: Boyd Roberts, Kermit Hansen, John Haugen, Ron Sherven.

The class of 1957 just celebrated their 60th class reunion.  It was held July 1st at the Badlands Cafe in Minot at 5 p.m. They were not sure how the turnout was going to be, but they did pretty good. They felt this might be their last one so they made the most of it.

Those who made it were John and Helene Haugen from Florida; Kermit and Marcy Hansen of Ryder; Boyd and Claudia Roberts of Minot; LaVonne and Duane Endresen, Ron Sherven and Donna Sherven, and Betty and Paul Berg. Bill and Lynette Liffrig did not make it as Bill had fallen and gotten hurt enough to be in the hospital. They were all sad that they missed seeing them. Then Marilyn and Warren Kletzien, also from Florida, did not make an appearance.

They had a little entertainment courtesy of Betty and LaVonne.

Many pictures were taken for future remembrance. They had a great class of 16, and are now down to 8.

The Les Hjelmstad family.

 

I received the following email from Les Hjelmstad:

Hi, Sue –

I want to let you know how much I enjoy your weekly update on Ryder’s happenings. It seems as if Ryder has more activity than when I lived there 1922-1944. Does anyone around there even remember who I am? I recognize many of the names but they are probably children/grandchildren of the people I knew. I especially enjoy the reruns of Mamie Olson’s Blue Hill News. I remember all the people she mentioned. The Hiddenwood Picnic was always exciting and the highlight of my summers.

I graduated from Ryder High in 1940. I was in the Navy 1944-1946. At the end of 1946 I came to Colorado to visit two of my brothers, Magnar and Harold. I met and married Lois here and never returned to Ryder except for short visits. We will be married sixty-nine years in September.

After working as a supervisor for Gates Corporation for thirty-seven years, I have been retired for thirty years. I spent much of my retirement years driving over 400,000 miles in all fifty United States while Lois gave more than 600 talks in response to the first book she wrote, Fine Black Lines: Reflecting on Cancer, Fear and Loneliness. She subsequently wrote The Last Violet: Mourning My Mother, and This Path We Share: Reflections on 60 Years of Marriage.  She is working on her fourth book.

On April 27 last I celebrated my ninety-fifth birthday. My four children and their spouses came home, surprised me, and celebrated with Lois and me at the Hilton Inverness Hotel here in the Denver area. This is a picture taken in front of the house in which we have lived for fifty-eight years. 

Since most of the family account I wrote for the Ryder, ND Centennial Book was inadvertently omitted, I’d like to update you on our children (from left to right):

Our oldest, Karen, recently retired from twenty years as Congregational Administrator of our church to go work for her brother Bob as office manager.

Behind her is our youngest son, Russ, who has been a pathologist at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City, Michigan, for twenty-five years since getting his PhD and MD from Duke University. Go, Blue Devils!

Keith is in front of me. After twenty-five years as a civil engineering professor at the University of Illinois, he moved to Arizona State University as University Vice-president and Dean. He is currently developing an innovative method of teaching engineering.

Behind Keith is our oldest son, Bob. As a CPA, he made partner at the accounting firm of Ernst and Young and then, about twenty years ago, moved on to his own firm, Christiansen, Tyng, and Hjelmstad.

We also have twelve grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

My health is quite acceptable for someone who is ninety-five. My doctor said I could live to be one hundred. Uff da!

Thanks again for the news, Sue. Keep it coming.

Les Hjelmstad.

Marion Paulson, Dwight Paulson and Chickie Knutson.

I received a picture from Chickie Knutson. She said that her parents had gone to adopt and bring Susan home and Albert Paulson’s were babysitting her. Marion Paulson is behind the wagon while Dwight Paulson and Chickie were in the wagon.

September ?, 1950        Blue Hill News by Mamie Olson

Enoch Hopkins, who lived at Missoula, Montana and Mrs. Allie Still of California preceded their parents in death. Minnie Denker and Pearl Johnson both of Garrison and Lena Graham of Sioux City, Iowa and May Tesdale of Washington are other children.

O.K. Hopkins family were Sunday guests of Kenneth Hopkins family of Garrison and visited William Truebloods. O.K., Ervin and Glen Hopkins families visited Jim Truebloods near Garrison and the former Clara Trueblood and her husband here from California.

Mr. and Mrs. Louie Peterson of Story City, Iowa arrived at the Ed and Harry Peterson home Saturday forenoon. Louie is a brother to Ed. They are on an extended trip. From here they went on to Montana and will spend several weeks in Oregon, Washington and California with relatives and friends. They also visited at the Paul Sorenson home and at Ed Olsons.  On Sunday Mr. and Mrs. Peterson, Ed and Ray Peterson visited at Minot and Sunday evening were supper guests at Paul Sorensen's. Mr. Peterson with his sons operates several theaters in Minn. and Iowa.  But, Mr. Peterson still thinks farming, cattle, and horses top the list and told of the day when he, too, used to farm near Hendricks and Lake Benton, Minn. having a herd of 100 purebred Hereford cattle.

To be continued next week!

Upcoming Events:

July 30: Services at Calvary Church of Ryder at 10:30 a.m.

July 30: All Parish Worship at Camp of the Cross at 10 a.m. with a meal afterwards.

Aug. 4: Bingo...Starting at 7 p.m.

Aug. 7: Sr. Citizens starting at 6 p.m. with a delicious meal followed by a short and interesting business meeting.

Aug. 12: Food Pantry open

Aug. 26: Food Pantry open

Everyone should believe in something. I believe I should be on a beach drinking margaritas.

Ryder News Jul 20, 2017

Ryder News for July 20, 2017

.70 of rain in the Bradley rain gauge Sunday evening-Monday morning, 1 inch in Wabek while there was only .30 south of Ryder.

St. John's Lutheran Church of Ryder will have Saturday night service at 7 p.m. July 22. All are welcome.

Ryder Food Pantry will be open July 22 from 10 a.m. til ?

Merle Dreher and Mike Haugen grilling the steaks for steak fry in Ryder Park.

 

Kenny managed to get home in time for the steak fry in the park Saturday afternoon so we went. We had a delicious meal of a 6 oz, grilled steak, baked beans, little potatoes, bun and a drink. Then we spent the evening just sitting and visiting with friends. It was a beautiful day for this event, not too hot, not too cold. We didn’t make it to the bull a rama so I have no pictures.

Jerome McFarlen------35, Minot, formerly of Coon Rapids, MN, died Sunday, July 9, 2017 in his home. Jerome  is a grandson to Ilene Mahoney McFarlen. Ilene was raised in Ryder. Bernard and Lila Mahoney would have been his great-grandparents.

Camden Ryder Bofenkamp, son of Ben and Melissa Bofenkamp and grandson of Stuart and Vicki Bofenkamp.

I received the following email from Stewart and Vicki Bofenkamp: “Sue our oldest son Ben and his wife Melissa had their first child May 19th. They named him Camden Ryder Bofenkamp. He is our third grandson and Barb Bofenkamp's 9th great grand child.”

The Ryder Museums were busy being investigated last week by grandchildren of

the former Carl and Maude Petersen family. They had traveled from the states of VI, FL, WA, AZ and Bismarck, ND.  Carl had been the manager of the Ryder Co-op Creamery during the years of the late 1920’s and into the 1930’s. They found proof that they were still in Ryder in 1932 as in the local Ryder News dated May 28 it stated how Mrs. Carl Petersen and daughter had motored to Minot to do business. They especially enjoyed the items on display from the former Ryder Creamery. They commented on how great the little town’s museums were recording the history of Ryder and hoped the local folks appreciated this.

They had lunch in the park even if it was a very hot day.  They visited the house in which their grandparents had lived.  The Albert-Irene Paulson family was the last to live it in.  And, they had to visit the site of the former creamery for more picture taking.

Tricia Byrnes and husband Jack Espinal visitors at Paulson house and Ryder museums.

The family descendants of Carl and Maude Petersen stopped in Ryder and had Kenny and I take them through the old Paulson house on Friday. Carl and Maude had 4 children who all graduated from Ryder High School: Loretta, Carl Jr, Blanche, and Robert. The ones visiting the old Paulson house were: Tricia Byrnes and husband Jack Espinal of Falls Church, VA; Tom Asbridge and daughter Debbie Otterberg of Bismarck, ND; Peter and Donna Dunn of Phoenix, AZ; Bob Bryne and son Marc and Tayna Clayton. This was their 2017 family reunion so they also took in the sights of the big town of Ryder, visiting the museums etc.

The Ryder Museums were opened during the Ryder Bull-a-Rama. The visitors enjoyed the new displays. Several spent time looking through the resource center and enjoyed recalling it created with the pictures and information. 

Lois Hjelmstad, Author and Speaker in all 50 United States has written several books: FINE BLACK LINES: REFLECTIONS ON FACING CANCER, FEAR AND LONELINESS.

THE LAST VIOLET: MOURNING MY MOTHER, MOVING BEYOND REGRET.

THIS PATH WE SHARE: REFLECTING ON 60 YEARS OF MARRIAGE.

I believe these books are free and can be downloaded on your kindle or computer. You may reach Lois at http://www.loishjelmstad.com [1] 303.781.8974

Twin girls Jeanette Skogen Johansen and Jeanice Skogen Peterson celebrate their 90th birthday.

 

I have a picture of two twin girls, Jeanice Skogen Peterson Officer and Jeanette Skogen Johansen. They will be celebrating their 90th birthdays on July 23rd.

They are planning on having a family party for Jeanette in Velva at the Souris Valley Care Center on Saturday July 22nd at 3:30. If you wish to send her

a card the address is 300 Main Street South Velva, ND 58790,

The party for friends and family of Jeanice will be on Sunday July 23rd from 2:00-4:00 p.m. at Somerset Court 1900 28th St. SW Minot ND 58701

If you are unable to attend and wish to send a card, her address is #108 Somerset Court.

Joyce and Pat McKenzie stopped in to visit Marie and Marv Felan and Wendel and Marlys Hanson at the Brentmoor Assisted Living in Minot last Monday afternoon. They were already in the dining room, waiting for the music to start. They also were served coffee and coffee cake with them so had a very enjoyable afternoon! Claudette Brandt was also there to do some visiting with Wendel and Marlys. Doris Landon also came over and visited with us, so we did see a few people that we knew that day. Joyce also visited with some people that she knew from the Granville and Towner area. The music was very good and some people got up and danced and made me feel like getting up and dancing also. It was accordion music, which we all love. Marie had fallen earlier this Spring and broke her hip but she is recovering very well now.

Shelsey and Stetson Brandvold spent a week with their Grandparents, Joyce and Pat McKinzie at the farm near Rolette and while there, they took them to the Pierce County Fair in Rugby! They loved playing the games and Stetson enjoyed the rides. It is a small Fair and Shelsey said, “We’re not going to get lost at this Fair.” 

 

Johnny McGrath on stage in Medora, ND helping out the magician.

Johnny McGrath with his balloon motorcycle.

John, Staci and Johnny attended the Medora Musical this past weekend. The Featured Variety Act at the Medora Musical that night was John Cassidy, a comedian, magician, and balloon artist. He picked a "good" kid and a "rotten" kid to go up on stage. He chose Johnny for the rotten kid. He had both kids taking turns picking things out of a bag. The good kid kept getting items like money and candy, but Johnny got toilet paper, broccoli, a bandaid, a stick, and a rock. He made the good kid a really amazing butterfly out of balloons, and she went back to her seat, while Johnny got to stay up on stage to be "tortured". The whole time we were rolling with laughter! He kept giving Johnny dollar bills for every time he was scared. (Don't worry. It was innocent tricks or balloons popping and nothing super scary.) He told Johnny he would give him $1 if he said his name was Barbara, then asked him his name, and Johnny said, "Barbara", so he got $1. Johnny was such a ham up there and had the audience rolling. He ended up with a really cool giant motorcycle made out of balloons and $7!! We were able to meet John Cassidy after the show and get a picture of them together. People were seeking Johnny out after the show to tell him how awesome he did and how funny he was. It's definitely a night Johnny won't ever forget!

It was awesome and it's all he can talk about. He's already planning on attending next year's musical!

Ron and Muriel Peterson have had a few busy weeks. They were at Randy Henne’s Saturday for an early Fourth of July get together, then they and Fay and Bud Karna spent a few days visiting the north east towns in ND. They went through a museum in Pembina. They had lunch with Rodger and Jeff Haugen in Devils Lake on the way to Pembina. Last Friday Ron and Muriel went to a baseball game in Steele, ND and Saturday and Monday a game in Edgely to watch Tate Mart (grandson) play with the La Moure team. Saturday afternoon they went to Wahpeton to watch Carson Deaver (grandson) play in the 10 year old Cal Ripkin State Tournament. Sunday morning they attended church in the Horace Lutheran Church where Patrick Loree is the pastor. Patrick is a former student of Muriel’s. They sat beside Chad Haugen, son of Roger and Kay Haugen. Roger was a Ryder resident while growing up. (Small world). They then went back to Wahpeton for more ballgames. On the way home, they stopped at the Vets Cemetery south of Mandan, ND for burial service of Gerald Johansen.

Rodger and Dan Haugen were brief visitors at Ron and Muriel Petersons Thursday evening. They were on their way back to Devils Lake after a week's vacation.

September ?, 1950         Blue Hill News by Mamie Olson

Yes, we have more wind to give away, but we did get a nice rain Wed. night, about .75. Thursday remained cool with it becoming just a little too cool for comfort Thursday evening, but our good radio man says warmer Friday.

Mr. and Mrs. Leo Linnertz of Minot spent Sunday afternoon and evening at the Nick Linnertz home.

This week we’ll talk a bit about the Hopkins family. The late J.C. Hopkins and Mrs. Hopkins were among some of the earliest pioneer settlers in Blue Hill Township, coming from Indiana and took up a homestead on the place where they lived until just a couple of years before their death. When they retired, they moved to Garrison. 

Mr. and Mrs. Hopkins have often shared stories of pioneer life and hardship when towns were far and few between. Nine children were born to this union.  Kay, Ervin and Glenn reside in Blue Hill vicinity.  All are married and have built up fine farm homes. O.K. lives on the old Hopkins farm, having built it up to a fine farm home with all modern conveniences. Kay is married to Mary Linnertz. They have three sons; Kenneth, Warren, and Wayne. Ervin is married to Lena Sletten also a former resident of this community. They have 2 adopted sons, Dale and Robert.  Glenn is married to Anita Hansen. They have bought and live on the former Fred Bussman farm.

To be continued next week!!

Upcoming Events:

July 22: Services at St. John’s in Ryder at 7 p.m.

July 22: Ryder Community Food Pantry will be open from 10 a.m. until ?

July 23: Services at Calvary Church of Ryder at 10:30 a.m.

July 23: Services at Hope Lutheran Church of Makoti at 9 a.m.

July 23: Services at Immanuel Lutheran Church of Roseglen at 10:30 a.m.

Man cannot live by bread alone; he must have peanut butter

Ryder News Jul 13, 2017

Ryder News for July 13

I locked myself out of the camper Saturday morning or rather the camper locked me out. I went outside to start the generator at 10:30 and as I stepped out I thought “wouldn't it be something if the door locked behind me”. Well as soon as I was out, the door slammed shut. I thought that was odd as it really wasn't windy. So I proceeded to fire up the generator and headed back to camper. That's when I discovered that the door was locked. I thought “no problem” and headed to the pickup as we always keep an extra set of keys in it. Guess what...yep, the pickup was locked. Thank God I was dressed as I knew I'd be outside for several hours. Lucky for me after about one and a half hours, Bruce Lampert gave me a ride into Ryder.

Other than that the weekend at the lake was pretty good ….until a small rain storm came up. Kenny and I were making a trip home when the wind and rain broke loose. When we finally got back to the lake we saw our boat and trailer part way in the water. Luckily we had nice camping neighbors with a powerful pickup and chains. With their help we managed to get the boat out of the water and back by our camper where it belonged. There were some really strong gusts of wind and that must be what moved our boat.

  

Notification Update: All donations/memorials to the Ryder Historical Society (museums) should be sent to Mrs. Janice Warner (726-5663) as she is now the Sec.-Treas. of that local organization. Her address is to be found in the Makoti section of the phone book; not Ryder’s.  If this does not help you, you are welcomed to contact the previous Sec.-Treas., Faye Karna (758-2527),

I received the following email: “Hi Sue:  Larry and Genevieve Johnson were my parents.  On behalf of the Johnson and the Knute Afdahl families, I would like to send a check for the upkeep and mowing of the Ryder Rosehill Cemetery.  I was wondering who to make the check out to.” I replied, “You can mail your donation to St. John's Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 57, Ryder, ND 58779 or Calvary Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 58, Ryder, ND 58779.”

The Ryder museums were busy once again last week on Wednesday.  A group of offspring from the Schjold and Sara Eide family planned their visit that day and some of the states they had traveled from were Florida, Michigan, and Alabama along with ND locations. They had a family reunion in Bismarck the previous day and then traveled to Ryder the next day to view the park, museum, St. John’s Lutheran Church and homes where their grandparents/great-grandparents had lived. Schjold and Sara had 9 children and only two are still living.  Lola is in Minot, ND while Sonja lives in WA. Orleen, Royce, Donald, and Vernon are all buried at Ryder Rosehill beside their parents. They truly loved the museum where they located and left family history information and took oodles of pictures.  They were impressed on how it had expanded and enjoyed the displays.

Kallie Jo DesRoches baptism

Kallie Jo DesRoches was baptized at Zion Lutheran Church in Minot wearing the baptismal gown that her great grandmother (Elna Harstad) wore 91 years ago. Kallie is the daughter of Alex and Kelsey Jo DesRoches and granddaughter of Jody and Peggy Reinisch and Lorn and Corinna DesRoches. Sponsors for Kallie were Josh Reinisch and Adam DesRoches, her uncles. Others that helped celebrate her SPECIAL DAY and enjoyed lunch together at Kelsey and Alex’s home were her Great Grandparents, Marlys Hanson, Mary Vaughan and Ron and Sharon DesRoches.  Jerome Harstad, Pam Olson, Penny Carlson, Mike, Denae and McKenna Vaughan, Kasey, Andrea, Kaylee and Kristian Lang and Tyler, Erin and Eloise Asendorf.

Ryder Paulson wearing his Ryp to Ryder shirt.

Dwight Paulson, Rodger Haugen, and Dan Haugen attending a Minnesota Twins game.

I received the following email from Dwight Paulson: “Sue, thought you might like a little news. The first picture is Ryder Paulson wearing his Ryp to Ryder shirt. He did not attend the event but his grandpa was there, and brought him home the shirt. He will get comments back in Chicago where him and his parents live. As of now it is his favorite shirt. The other picture is of Rodger and Dan Haugen along with Dwight Paulson attending the Minnesota Twins game in Minneapolis. Rodger and Dan left for Medora, back in North Dakota after taking in three Minnesota Twins games in three days.”

Daniel Starks is in concert several times this week. On Wednesday, July 12 is the town of Makoti’s birthday party. Daniel will be singing at 6 p.m. On Friday, July 14, 7 p.m. at Somerset in Minot, he will have a one hour concert. On Saturday, July 15 at Minot Dakota Square Mall from noon to 3 p.m. you can take a shopping break and enjoy Daniel’s entertainment. Following the Dakota Square Mall concert, he will be heading to Bismarck to perform at the July 15^th Lantern Festival at the State Capitol from 6:30-7:30 p.m. You are invited to stop by to enjoy some music whichever event works for you. He hopes to see you there!

June ?, 1950    Blue Hill News by Mamie Olson

 

Schold Eide, mail carrier on Rte. 1 is driving a new 1950 Ford.

Mr. and Mrs. William Witt of Glasgow, Montana spent the Memorial weekend at the Witt home. Bill, as we know him, is employed by the Ford Motor Company of Glasgow.

Mrs. Clifford Daleness and children and Mr. and Mrs. Ole Daleness motored to Minot early Wednesday morning to attend graduation at the STC of which Stella Daleness was a graduate from a two year course.

Mr. and Mrs. Edgar Graham of Sioux City, Iowa and William Graham of Omaha, Nebraska flew up to Ryder by plane on Memorial Day to visit the grave of the Grahams and also Mrs. Graham’s parents. Later in the evening they together with Mr. and Mrs. Ervin Hopkins , Mr. and Mrs. Glen Hopkins, Mr. and Mrs. Will Trueblood, Mrs. Minnie Denker, Mr. and Mrs. James Trueblood, Mrs. Pearl Johnson, Glen DeWitz and Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Hopkins were supper guests at the O.K. Hopkins home.

Mrs. Ed Olson and Mamie were supper guests of Mrs. Anna Jackson Monday evening.

Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Johnson and family and Mr. and Mrs. Orrin Johnson and family were at Garrison on Monday.

Mr. and Mrs. Bunch Kraft and daughter (Sharon?) were at Minot Thursday.

Mrs. Emelia Smidt called at Ed Olson’s Monday morning.   

G. B. Officer, the line man out of Ryder, really has a jigsaw puzzle to solve trying to get another ground line from Blue Hill south is not working at the present, but with his steady work we hope it won’t be long until it will hum good as ever again.

Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Broten and daughter of Jamestown and Mrs. Harold Wall of Parshall spent Memorial Day in Ryder and visited at the Landon home also.

More of Mamie’s news next week!

Upcoming Events:

July 14: Carl and Maude Peterson family gathering in Ryder. Museums will be open during their visit.

July 15: Bull a Rama.

July 16: Services at Calvary Church of Ryder at 10:30 a.m.

July 16: Services at Immanuel Lutheran Church of Roseglen at 9 a.m.

July 16: Services at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of Makoti at 10:30 a.m.

Paper cut: A tree's final moment of revenge.