The Alamo Farmer

Check out this issue of the Alamo Farmer from 1916; it seems like the author might have slightly exaggerated the commercial prospects for the area. Or maybe he was just an optimist, a not uncommon attitude for a farmer.

Alamo School Update

The old school still stands, and things are happening in Alamo due to the oil boom. Homes have been sold and there's lots of talk about more people moving in or other development activity. One interesting change is that the present owner (I've forgotten their name) are converting the stage end of the gym into a two story home. Apparently they're remodeling the locker room area too. The picture shows a doorway cut into the gym wall above the locker/entryway, and a new 2nd floor window has also been cut into the opposite side. The roof above the locker room could then be used as a deck? Also are pictures of Shirley and I on the old school steps.

Lorraine (Jenny) Quie

During our visit to Williston in August, we were fortunate to catch Lorraine Quie at home and were able to spend some time with her. She was Shirley and my 1st and 2nd grade teacher, and made a positive and lasting impression on us, as I'm sure she did for all her students. It was a joy to visit with her!

I've reproduced a class picture from those years here, even though it was posted earlier in this blog.

RIP Hilton Scarr

Published in the Williston Hearld on Friday, April 9, 2010
http://www.willistonherald.com/articles/2010/04/10/obituaries1

Hilton J. Scarr, 80, a Williston and Alamo resident passed away on Wednesday evening, April 7, 2010, at the Bethel Lutheran Home, Williston.

His funeral services are at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 10, 2010, at the Bethel Lutheran Home Chapel. The Rev. Steve Anderson and Associate in Ministry Judi Scarr Martin are officiating. Interment is to follow in the Riverview Cemetery.

Hilton J. Scarr was born to Harold and Judythe (Bloom) Scarr on March 10, 1930, in Crosby. He was baptized at the Opdahl Lutheran Church and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Alamo.

He was raised in Alamo and attended school there, graduating with the class of 1948. After graduation, he attended Minot State College in Minot.

In 1950, Hilton joined the U.S. Air Force and was honorably discharged in 1954. On June 9, 1956, he was united in marriage to Beatrice Herland in Williston. To this union a son, Terry Jerome was born on Dec. 16, 1966. Hilton was a member of the First Lutheran Church in Williston.

Hilton farmed in Alamo, Saskatchewan, Canada and Thief River Falls, Minn.

Hilton is survived by his wife, Bea, Williston; his brother, L.E. (Betty) Scarr, Peoria, Ariz.; his sisters, Elaine (Archie) Kress, Minot, and Judi (Gary) Martin, Glasgow, Mont.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his son, Terry Jerome Scarr; his mother and father, Judythe and Harold Scarr; and his mother and father-in-law, Inga and Bert Herland.

Friends may visit www.eversonfh.com to share thoughts and remembrances of Hilton.

RIP Archie Kouba

This is reproduced from the web site for the Thomas Family Funeral Home of Minot, North Dakota: www.thomasfamilyfuneralhome.com

Archie J. Kouba, 89, Watford City, formerly of Alamo, Williston, and Minot, died on Saturday, April 3, 2010 in a Watford City nursing home.

Archie was born on July 30, 1920 in McLean County near Max, ND to Jim and Carrie (Sherbina) Kouba. After graduating from Minot High School, Archie entered military service in 1942 and served in the U.S. Navy until his discharge in 1945. He served in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters during World War II. He served a short time on a submarine and then was a Fire Controlman First Class on the USS Forrest DD-461, where he experienced kamikaze attacks and his ship being hit. Following his honorable discharge, Archie taught an electronics course at F. E. Warren Military Base in Wyoming before he returned to Minot. He attended Minot State Teachers College where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education.

Archie married Stella Knapstad, a 36 year depot agent for the Great Northern/Burlington Northern Railroad, on March 2, 1951 in Cheyenne, WY. They made their home at various places where she was the depot agent and he was an educator, principal or superintendant. He taught at McGregor and Trenton and was principal at Alamo prior to serving as superintendent at Alamo, Taylor and New District Eight near Williston. During the summer months he earned his master’s degree in school administration from the University of Northern Colorado at Greeley. Archie had majored and minored in a wide range of subjects so he taught math, science, English, woodworking and drafting. One of his favorite sayings was “coming to class without a pencil is like going to war without a gun.”

Archie was a member/former member of Williston Church of the Nazarene, American Legion, VFW and ND Association of School Administrators. He especially enjoyed woodworking, carpentry, reading, golfing (he was a scratch golfer) and cooking. He was an accomplished electrician and mechanical draftsman. In these days of contracts and legalities a handshake with Archie was binding. His word was his bond. His life’s lessons live on and he will be missed.

Archie’s loving family includes his children: Albert “Rusty” Kouba of Tucson AZ, Ronald (Sheila) Kouba of Minot, David (Julie) Kouba of West Fargo and Debbie (Bruce) Erickson of Watford City; grandchildren: Joseph (Carly) Kouba, Tucson, AZ, Jonothan Kouba, Tucson, AZ, Jeffrey (Rhonda) Kouba, Blaine, MN, Kristin (Bill) Pearson, Yorktown, VA, Brian (Nassim) Kouba, Southern Pines, NC, Michael (Joni) Kouba, Odessa, TX, Jennifer Kouba, Williston, Matthew Kouba, Fargo, Chad (Nicki) Mathiason, Fargo, Laurie (Jeff) Mills, Frederich, MD, Christopher (Javon) Wahus, Bismarck, and Jason Wahus, Watford City; great grandchildren: Jordan, Tatyana, Ramsey, John, Hanna, Lisanne, Nicholas, Alexander, Makenna, Jace, Tyler, Abby, Jordan, Kennadi, Ciera, and Gunner; sister-in-law: Josie Luchsinger of Helena MT and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Archie was preceded in death by his parents, wife, brother: James Kouba and son-in-law: Robert Wahus

In Memory of Diane Kay Voeller

Sioux Falls - Diane Kay Voeller, age 59, died on Tuesday, October 20, 2009 after a lengthy illness at Avera Dougherty Hospice House.
Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10:30 AM on Friday, October 23, 2009 at St. Therese Catholic Church in Sioux Falls. Visitation will begin at 2:00 PM on Thursday at George Boom Funeral Home, Sioux Falls with the family present to greet friends from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. A Liturgical Prayer service will be held at 7:00 PM.
Grateful for having shared her life are her husband of 35 years, Rod Voeller; two daughters, Jennifer (Ryan) Reuter and Angie (Tyson) Hilton; grandson, Karsten Reuter; two granddaughters, Kayla Reuter and Brianne Hilton all of Sioux Falls, SD; mother, Alma Monger, Williston, ND; two sisters, Marilyn (Ron) Woitzel, Gardner, ND, and Elaine (Merlyn) Esterby, Alamo, ND; many nieces and nephews. Diane is preceded in death by her father, Orvin Monger.
A complete obituary and online registry is available at www.georgeboom.com

Link to Diane's Obituary

School Fight Songs

During the 1991 Appam-Alamo-Corinth Diamond Jubilee Pageant/Talent show, former Alamo School Band members played the school fight songs (Our Director prior to 1970, and then Anchors Away) under the direction of Cliff Gronfur. Larry Johnson was the Master of Ceremonies. The video was made by Penny Johnson Slagle.