James Harmon

James B. Harmon, 72, died Thursday, November 27, 2008 after a long illness.

Lois Stangeland

 

Lois Stangeland, 83, Fargo, N.D., died on Tuesday, December 9, 2008 at Innovis Health.

Lois Irene Schroeder was born on July 19, 1925 on a farm near Buffalo, N.D. to Edward and Lillie (Krueger) Schroeder.  She attended school at Casselton, Absaraka and Buffalo, N.D.  Lois married John Walton on June 24, 1944.  He worked on the Railroad so they spent many years in the Chaffee and Casselton area.  They moved to West Fargo in 1970.  

Lois worked at St. Luke’s Hospital for 15 years. Together they retired in 1982 and moved to Felton, Minn., spending some winters in Arizona.  John passed away in 1983.  In 1985, she married Wayne Lauritsen.  In 2000, Lois married Kristian Stangeland.

Lois enjoyed spending time crocheting, dancing, playing cards with family and friends.

She is survived by her husband Kristian, Fargo, N.D.; two sons, Eugene (Diane) Walton, Detroit Lakes, Minn., Kerry (Debra) Walton, Ulen, Minn.; two daughters, Sandra (Keith) Kapaun, Sparks, Nev., Vicky Ausk, Fargo; one sister, Joyce Beyer, Detroit Lakes, Minn.; 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

Lois was preceded in death by her husbands, John Walton and Wayne Lauritsen; her parents; one brother; two sisters; a granddaughter, Darcy; two grandsons Chris and Elliott; and a great-grandson, Zachary.

Funeral is (today) Wednesday, December 17, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. at Martin’s Lutheran Church, Casselton, N.D. with visitation one hour prior.

Burial is in Casselton Cemetery.

Memorials preferred to Roger Maris Cancer Center, Hospice of the RRV or charity of your choice.

Condolences can be sent online westfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements entrusted to West Funeral Home, West Fargo and Casselton.

Ashley Mundt

 

Ashley Dawn Mundt, 23, Buffalo, N.D. died Sunday, December 7, 2008 in Buffalo, N.D.

Ashley Dawn Holt was born December 18, 1984 in Wichita, Kan. While growing up she lived in the Wichita and the Oakes, N.D. areas. She married Beau Mundt February 23, 2002 in Valley City, N.D. They lived in Jamestown, N.D., Bismarck, N.D., Arkansas, Oklahoma and were currently residing in Buffalo.

Ashley loved music and was an avid NASCAR racing fan. She especially loved her boys, Weston and Peyton.

She is survived by her husband, Beau; sons, Weston and Peyton; father, David Holt, Jr., Wichita, Kan.; mother, Tracy (Steve) Nicholson, Stirum, N.D.; brothers, Steven and Mason Nicholson, Stirum, and Michael (Jacque) Holt, Wichita; grandparents, Ken and Hazel Eberle, Stirum, David and Joyce Holt, Sr., Wichita; father and mother-in-law, Randy and Cecelia Mundt, Buffalo; brother-in-law, Kris Mundt, Grand Forks, N.D. and several step-sisters and other extended family.

Funeral Service was Friday, December 12, 2008 in Epworth United Methodist Church, Valley City, N.D.

Burial is in Buffalo Cemetery, Buffalo, N.D.

Condolences can be sent online westfuneralhome.com or Ashley-Mundt.memory-of.com.

Arrangements entrusted to West Funeral Home, West Fargo and Casselton.

Area citizens donating food during holiday months

 

By Sarah Sorvaag

Throughout Cass County, several food drives have been underway and resulted in a community effort to help those less fortunate during the holiday season.

A few weeks ago, area students and schools collected 142,535 pounds of food and $58,000 for the Fill the Dome food drive. The Emergency Food Pantry in north Fargo was one of the pantries to receive a large part of the collected food from Fill the Dome. 

Ottertail Power Company hosts open house to discuss 115-kv transmission line

 

By Sarah Sorvaag

On the evening of Thursday, Dec. 11, the Ottertail Power Company hosted an open house at the Casselton City Auditorium. Approximately 35 property owners and others attended the interest meeting to learn more about the proposed 115-kilovolt transmission line between Buffalo and Casselton.

The benefits of the new transmission line would include improving the regional electric system and providing another path for reliability.

RRVF to upgrade two buildings

Red River Valley Fair to do upgrades on facilities

By Amanda Gades
Two buildings at the Red River Valley Speedway need attention.
“I think that we can get by this year with what we have,” said Schulz. “We will have to do some minor updates to it but I think that as soon as we get done in the fall if there is a way to find funding…we’ll want to move on it before the 2010 races.”
Schulz explained at the Dec. 9 Red River Valley Fair executive board meeting that the drains in front of the men’s bathrooms and concession stand have failed and the sewer system of the men’s bathroom will also need repairs.
Also, the over 35-year-old concession stand needs repairs to bring it up to today’s standards and effectively serve the speedway attendees.
“We don’t know what is going to happen with the health inspector,” Schulz said. “This year we passed every one of the health inspections, but we don’t know what could happen in the future.”
While the exact amount is unclear, Schulz estimates that the concession stand upgrades could cost anywhere from $100,000 to $300,000.
“It’s not going to be a cheap or easy project,” Schulz said.
Schulz then referred to a speedway in close proximity that has a successful layout.
“I believe Alexandria (Minnesota) has a great set-up,” Schulz said.
One idea that was suggested by Schulz was to tear down the current men’s bathroom and concession stand and put the bathrooms on the south side underneath the grandstand and the concession stand on the north side.
“We could go to Alex and look closer at that concession stand area,” Schulz said.
Board member Renee Atkinson stated that she has photos of the Alexandria, Minn. concession stand.
The importance of this discussion during the February strategic planning meeting was mentioned by board member Joanne Anderson.
“I think that we need to start looking at it and that’s what our whole planning is going to be,” Anderson said. “We need to know where those funds are coming from. We need to make it right for years to come and not just a quick fix.”
Schulz then directed the issue to go to the Building and Grounds Committee, who will be meeting and discuss plans for those buildings. The committee might also meet with design firms.
Other areas of the RRVF that will need work in the near future include the roofs of some of the buildings and areas of asphalt throughout the grounds.
Leasing the speedway
On Nov. 19, Schulz and RRVF board president David Strand met with the individual who had expressed interest in leasing the speedway.
Schulz believed that the meeting went well and the interested party had made an offer, which included a three year lease. In return, they wanted the men’s restrooms and café to be upgraded.
“We were very excited when we left,” Schulz said. “We thought that it might happen.”
Two days later, Strand received a call from one of the individual who made the offer. Strand then phoned Schulz about the conversation.
“(The individuals) had decided that with having Jodi on (the new assistant manager) and the things that we had planned and that we are excited about getting it going, they felt that we could make it happen,” Schulz said.
Thus, the offer has been withdrawn and plans for the RRVF staff to run it are underway.
“Jodi and I have started meeting with the beer companies and all of other sponsorship stuff,” Schulz said. “We are just going to take it and run with it.”
New state fair grandstand
A 17 million dollar new grandstand is the latest upgrade that the North Dakota state fair hopes to make.
To increase the likelihood that the governor will approve of funding the entire project with state money, the state fair board of directors is seeking letters of endorsement from North Dakota fairs.
Schulz told the state fair manager Bob Wagner that the board must agree with an endorsement first.
He added that he recently had a phone conversation with the manager of the Greater Grand Forks fair. While both that fair and the Fargo fair are large events, neither are given state money.
“What is their (the state fair board’s) financial situation that they can’t support some of it themselves?” said board member Gerald Melvin.
Strand added that he feels there is not enough information about it.
“We have not researched this project,” Strand said. “We don’t know how much need their is for it. We don’t know if it is money well spent or not. I think we are getting out of line as far as what we are supposed to do.”
The issue was unanimously tabled, with no further discussion.

Emma Bellin

 

Emma Caroline Bellin was born to Max and Sena Gotfredsen, December 23, 1915 in Hunter, N.D.  She was a teacher and farmer’s wife.  She married Walter Arno Bellin, June 4, 1940.  They farmed near Erie, N.D. until Walter died in 1980.  Emma then moved to Mesa, Arizona where she kept active playing Bridge and spending time with her family.

Emma is survived by her son, Curtis Bellin of Mesa, Ariz.; and two sisters: Maxine (Herman) Carpenter, of Mesa, Ariz. and Agnes Rosendahl, of Dallas, Texas.  She is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Max & Sena Gotfredsen; husband, Walter Bellin; and sister, Evelyn Power.

Memorial Service will be held on (today) Wednesday, December 3, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. at Meldrum Mortuary, 52 N. Macdonald in Mesa.  Burial to be in Erie, North Dakota in May.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower St. Phoenix, AZ 85014 or Hunter Park Fund, Hunter, N.D.

Joe Schroeder

 

Joe Dale Schroeder, 46, Casselton, N.D., died Monday, November 17, 2008 unexpectedly in his home.

Joe was born April 12, 1962 in Fargo, N.D. to Marian and Robert Schroeder. Joe grew up in Hunter, N.D and graduated from Dakota High School in 1980. On October 25, 1986, he married Angela Parkhouse. He became the proud father of Amanda Marie and was later blessed with another daughter, Alyssa Jo on July 6, 1989. They were blessed with a third daughter, Ashlea Anna on July 24, 1992. Joe and his family made their home in Casselton, where in 2002, Joe proudly built his family a new house.

Ruth Sharp

 

Ruth W. Sharp, 93, West Fargo, N.D. died on Tuesday, November 25, 2008 at the Arthur Good Samaritan Center.

Ruth Eleanor Winings was born on August 3, 1915 at Todd’s Point, Ill. She grew up near Findlay, Ill. and graduated from Findlay High School in 1933 at the top of her class with a great love of math and science. She wanted to go on to college however being the oldest daughter, she had to stay home and care for her seven siblings as her mother was bedridden.

In 1936 her family moved to North Dakota and settled near Arthur. Ruth went back to Ill. and married Louis D. “LD” Sharp on November 24, 1937. They farmed near Bethany, Ill. until 1948 when they moved to farm near Wheatland, N.D. with their three children. They had a diversified farm with dairy cattle, pigs and small grains. Then LD and Ruth moved into Wheatland in 1968 where they operated a small repair shop and she drove school bus.

Omer Mahlum

Omer Ralph Mahlum, 87, Valley City, died in St. Rose Care Center, LaMoure on October 28, 2008.

A memorial service was held November 28 in Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Valley City.