Former Nodak Reunion

What a joyous experience we had today! We had our “former Nodak” reunion beginning at 3:00 this afternoon, and it went until about 10:00 tonight. People came from far and near and stayed and visited and laughed. Our house was reverberating with fun visiting and chatting. It was so great to see everyone again, and to meet new people that share our common experiences.


People who came:

Our family - Lisa, Cody, Lee and Anna, Matthew, Kristin and Axton, (Cody and Kristin were both really good sports considering they didn’t know anyone except our family), and Sara. (I was stupid and didn't get a picture of any except Lisa and Cody and kids.) And, I was stupid and didn't get a picture of Matthew, Kristin, Axton, or Sara.


Keven and Cindy Prusak and their son Matthew (ND 2000-2002). Keven was Bishop before Bryce, and Cindy was my counselor in the stake Relief Society Presidency.


Carl, Lorie, Brandon and Shane Johnson (ND 1999-2003). They were good friends in the ward and came for one of Max’s birthday parties. Brandon was Lisa’s prom date in High School more than once.


Steve, Diane, Logan and Emily Dolatowski (ND 2002-2007). Steve was Elder’s quorum president and then one of Bryce’s counselors in the bishopric.

Dan and Brenda Dahlgren. (ND 1984-1994). He was district president and has the distinction of being the man that refused to sell the piece of property on which the temple now stands in spite of several requests from church headquarters. His name is legend now in the Bismarck temple district, but as is usual in a true leader, he kept reminding us tonight that he wasn’t the only one involved in that decision, he just got the credit.


David and Roxanne Salisbury (ND 1978-1990). David was also a district president and requested four times that the district be made a stake, but was turned down.


Larry and Stephanie Martin (ND 1994-2004). Larry was the first Bishop of our ward, after it became a ward. Steph worked with Bryce for a time, and they helped convince us to come to ND. Steph and Larry were in the state for an audiology conference and were able to add this reunion into their visit.


Frank and Carol Archer (ND 1997-1999). Their daughter Jennifer was Lisa’s close friend, and continues to be close. We found out just before they left that Frank and Bryce have common ancestry.

Jack and Lorie Rasmussen, and their daughter Lindsay (ND July 1996 - August 2002). Our family and the Rasmussen family became very close friends, as our children are similar ages. Lindsay and Sara were best buddies. Their son Derek, his wife Brooke and their family also lived in our ward where Derek did his family practice residency. Brooke served as Relief Society president when Bryce was Bishop. (Lindsay came late, and again, I didn't get her picture.)

We had calls and emails from the Cranes and the Neslens saying that they had planned to come, but were unable to because of sick kids and other problems. Sara especially was sad about missing the Neslens as she was Sara’s Young Women leader.

What a special time we had! People played ping pong in the big unfinished room in the basement and Wii (Lisa and Cody’s) in the guest room downstairs. I put a table in Bryce’s library with games, but we used that room more for sitting and visiting than playing games. Upstairs we had four pots of soup, a huge assortment of rolls and brownies and cookies and Texas cake. I had to occasionally force people to sit down as they would move from one group to another to chat. I made a North Dakota trivia game and people really had fun with that, discussing and answering the questions. I also took pictures of each family group as they arrived and plan to make up a booklet to share with them and the people back in ND. It is amazing how an experience like this bonds people. The Dahlgrens and Salisburys came even though they didn’t know anyone else, and we had such fun hearing their stories from the earlier days. They were the ones who laid the foundation for the Bismarck temple to be built. It was just a delightful time. I’m so glad that we put this together and hope that we can have another party like this some time.


President Dahlgren and President Salisbury - two former District Presidents.


The first three bishops left to right in order of latest to earliest, Fifield, Prusak and Martin.


Just chatting in the great room.