By Bill Anderson

Step, pause, step, pause, step, pause, the inexorable march on the down staircase from Summer into Winter is under way. A fast-moving front brought a change in the weather on Thursday, October 6, bringing with it a hard freeze on Friday, October 7. Afternoon highs got back up into the 60’s & low 70’s by Saturday afternoon, but the morning lows hovered near the 32-degree mark through Monday, October 10. Another fast-moving front warmed things up to near 80 on Tuesday the 11^th, but the temperature was predicted to plummet by Wednesday morning, with highs sliding into the 40’s & 50’s and lows below freezing for the rest of the week. No rain has accompanied these changes in the weather, and none is being predicted for the foreseeable future. Well, that just means that every day we are getting one day closer to a day that will bring rain to the area. Local farmers are now transitioning from harvesting 40 bushel $14.00 soybeans to 175-bushel $7.00 corn, with yields varying from field to field and prices varying from day to day. They would just as soon have the rain hold off until the crop is harvested and either the grain is in the bin or the check is in the bank. As the late Lou Sanderson once wrote in his Sanderson Sez column many years ago, “The frost is on the pumpkin, and the corn is in the shock; the wheat has all been threshed, and the cash is in the sock.”

Friends here were saddened on Tuesday, September 27, 2022, when it was learned that Terry Price, owner & operator of Price Funeral Chapel of Britton & Forman, successor to Franzen Funeral Home, had passed away in Milbank SD at the home of his daughter and under the care of hospice, at the age of 67 years, 9 months, and 9 days. He had been battling cancer for several years. Terrance J. Price was born December 18, 1954, in Milbank SD to John Francis and Marjorie Twilight (Anderson) Price. He attended his K-12 schooling in Milbank, graduating from Milbank High School in 1973. He soon found his passion for music, and expanded his talents by participating in chorus, playing the trombone in the Milbank School band, and performing roles in school plays. Terry had a natural gift for playing by ear, and later honed his skills with years of lessons. Following graduation, he took a year off before college and worked for Jim Emanuel at the Emanuel Funeral Home in Milbank. Working for the Emanuel family helped him realize his calling to the funeral business. He began the process of becoming a funeral director by first attending Northern State College in Aberdeen from 1973-1976 studying pre-mortuary science. From there he went to San Francisco College of Mortuary Science and earned his mortuary degree in June of 1977. He became a licensed funeral director/embalmer in August of that year. Terry always said that he acquired his greatest treasure when he met Pamella Puetz, the love of his life. They were married on September 19, 1981, at St Joseph’s Cathedral in Sioux Falls SD. Their first child, Katie, was born in September 1986. Katie passed away from SIDS at the age of 6 weeks. Two years later their twins, Robb and Betsy, were born. Their fourth child, Scott, arrived 18 months later. In 1993 Terry was offered a job with Franzen Funeral Chapel at Britton by the owner, John Scott. Terry’s lifelong dream of owning his own funeral home became a reality in January 1999. He operated Price Funeral Chapel for over 23 years, and will be remembered for his kind, compassionate services, and his generous nature by all the families who entrusted him with their loved one’s final services. Terry shared his musical talents by singing in choirs, playing organ for many churches, singing at funerals, and was always willing to share his musical gift with others in any way he was able. He was a member and director of a 42-man barbershop group for many years! Along with his musical talents, he was an overall creative person. He found comfort in working on Tunisian crochet afghans (taught to him by Grandma Emanuel), needlework, baking pies, word games, and handmade projects for loved ones. Terry loved to make others laugh and always had a funny story or a good joke ready to go. His willingness to serve others was evident in his community involvement and his service on many charitable & community boards. He had a naturally generous spirit and caring heart that will be missed by all who knew him. He is survived by his wife, Pamella, of Britton; their children and their spouses: Robb (Gabbie) of Harrisburg SD, Betsy (Andrew) VanLith of Milbank SD, and Scott (Ashley) of Castlewood SD; his grandchildren: Lincoln and Myah Price and Wyatt and Claire VanLith; his sister, Jamey Price of Columbus NE; and his brothers: Tom (Pat) Price of Sioux Falls SD and Todd Price of Minneapolis MN. He was preceded in death by his parents; his infant daughter, Katie; his brothers: John “Jackie” (Mary) Price and Tim Price; his in-laws George and Mavis Puetz; and, by his brother-in-law, Scott Puetz. The Mass of Christian Burial for Terry Price was at 10:30 am on Friday, October 7, 2022, at the Abbey of the Hills, 46561 147th St., Marvin SD. Rev.Fr. Mike Kelly officiated, and interment was in the Milbank City Cemetery in Milbank SD. Visitation was from 4-7:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 6, 2022, at the Price Funeral Chapel in Britton, and continued for one hour before the service at the Abbey of the Hills on Friday. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be given to one of the following charities: Special Olympics South Dakota, 800 E I, 90 Ln, Sioux Falls SD 57104, www.sosd.org; Marshall County Ambulance, PO Box 130, Britton SD 57430; Marching Medics Cancer Walk Team, 301 Flynn Dr., Milbank SD 57252; and, Marshall County Pantry Shelf, PO Box 734, Britton SD 57430. Condolences may be directed to the family in care of Pam Price, PO Box 216, Britton SD 57430. The Rutland community extends condolences to the family and friends of Terry Price, a loyal friend who served the community with kindness, compassion and grace. He always enjoyed Uff-Da Day in Rutland, and those Rutland scalloped potatoes were among his favorites.

Workers employed by Western Area Power were replacing power line poles along the Wild Rice River south of Rutland on Wednesday, October 5. The double pole setting adjacent to the River two miles south of town was in danger of being washed out and falling into the Wild Rice. The men made arrangements to join diners at the Rutland Seniors’ Center for Wednesday’s Noon meal: barbecued chicken breast, green beans, au gratin potatoes and a baked apple. A good time was had by all.

The 2022 North Dakota Pheasant season opened on Saturday, October 8, with less fanfare and hoopla than usually accompanies this event. Dry conditions made it difficult, even for normally effective hunting dogs, to find and flush birds. With a lot of corn still standing, those wily ringnecks still have an abundance of hiding places available to them, to. Despite those difficulties, some determined hunters did have some success. Nate Bergh reported that he managed to knock down 2 birds in thick cover, but he and his dog, an enthusiastic Labrador Retriever, only managed to find 1 of them. Well, those pheasants may be birdbrains, but they are plenty smart when it comes to hitting the ground running and holding tight in a good hidey hole.

Monday, October 10, was the day to celebrate October birthdays at the Rutland Seniors’ Center. Honored with a chorus of “Happy Birthday,” and a big cake prepared by Ione Pherson, were Jim Levery; Dianna (Preble) Anderson; Kathy (Harris) Wyum; and Joanne (Anderson) Harris. Happy Birthday to all!

Some local natives who were home for Uff-Da Day on Sunday, October 2, who escaped mention last week, included: Janelle Brakke of Fargo; Shirley (Olson) Mahrer of Hankinson; Bonnie (Nelson) Anderson and daughter, Nicole, of Brookings SD; Sid & Carol (Preble) Harrison of Fargo; and Harvey & Judy Preble of Burnsville MN. Welcome home, folks, and come back often. 

Another old friend and lifelong member of the Rutland community, Doris Hoistad, has departed this life. Doris passed away on Friday, October 7th at CHI Oakes Community Hospital in Oakes ND, at the age of 90years 3 months and 20 days, with her family at her side. Doris June Nundahl was born June 17, 1932, in Britton SD. She was the oldest of four children born to Harry and Hilda (Anderson) Nundahl. She grew up on the Nundahl family farm 4 miles north of Rutland, at the townsite of Perry, and she attended elementary school in the 1 room Ransom Township country school located 2 miles southeast of her home. She completed 2 years of classwork during 1 year in elementary school, allowing her to graduate from 8^th Grade 1 year early. She attended Forman High School and graduated as a member of the Class of 1949. After graduation, Doris attended Valley City State Teachers College, and went on to teach at many area schools, including Cayuga, Havana, and Rutland. On June 28, 1953, Doris was united in marriage with Quentin Hoistad. Doris & Quentin were both members of Nordland Lutheran Church in Rutland and had known each other since Sunday School days. They made their home on the farm 1½ mile west of Rutland, where they raised their family. In addition to her contributions on the farm, Doris also found time to serve her community. She was the Secretary for Nordland Lutheran Church; treasurer of the Sargent County Historical Society; Treasurer for the Nordland Lutheran Cemetery Board; and Auditor for the City of Rutland. She was an active member of the Rutland Community Club, and was known for her calm, quiet & strong leadership style. As chairperson of the Town Hall Kitchen Committee for Rutland’s annual Uff-Da Day Fall Festival, she was an island of calm in the midst of the storm. At one time, Doris and her sister-in-law, Lois Hoistad, ran a trapline during the winter months, trapping muskrats to control the population of those noxious rodents, and to provide extra income by selling the furs. Their trapping enterprise was even the subject of a feature article in the Sunday edition of The Fargo Forum. When not farming or delivering eggs, Doris liked to bake, quilt, and make lefse. Every member of her family received a quilt made by Doris. She was also named lefse camp queen at Harris and Carol’s annual lefse making event. She was also well known for being a crack shot from the kitchen window during deer hunting season. In October 2020, Doris became a resident of Four Seasons Healthcare Center in Forman and has made it her home since that time. Doris is survived by her three children: Cheryl (Mike) Zirnhelt of Forman; Harris (Carol) Hoistad of Estelline SD; and Wayne (Paula) Hoistad of Annandale MN; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; three siblings: Dean (Carol) Nundahl, Mankato MN; Harlan (Gloria) Nundahl, Fargo ND; Judy (Jim) Kleingarn, Milnor ND; many nieces, nephews & cousins; and, by a host of friends. Preceding her in death were her husband, Quentin, and her parents. The funeral for Doris Hoistad was at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, October 11, 2022, at Nordland Lutheran Church in Rutland. Rev. Julie Johnson, assisted by seminary student Rachel Hoistad, officiated at the service, and the burial was in the Nordland Cemetery of Rutland. The Price Funeral Chapel of Britton & Forman was in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be directed to the family in care of Cheryl Zirnhelt, 13309 89th Str SE, Forman ND 58032. The Rutland community extends its sympathy to the family and friends of Doris Hoistad, A loyal friend whose calm, quiet strength was a blessing to all who knew her.

The Rutland Community Club held its regular monthly meeting at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, October 10, in the Rutland Town Hall, with President Katie McLaen presiding. An Uff-Da Day review was the main topic discussed. The consensus was that the event had been another resounding success. Club Treasurer Hal Nelson reported that gross income in excess of $12,000.00 had been realized. The Auto Show organized by Dave & Pat Bladow, which featured 104 antique, classic, restored and modified autos, was recognized as one of the highlights of the day. The increased cost of groceries was a matter of concern. Planning for a bigger, better, new and improved Uff-Da Day in 2023 is now underway, according to Katie. In other business, Santa Claus Day in Rutland, the 77^th annual, was set for Saturday, December 17, and other upcoming events, including: the 2023 Pinochle Tournament on Saturday, February 4; Community Fun Night in March; and the Annual Easter Egg Hunt in April; were also discussed. The next meeting of the Rutland Community Club is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. on Monday, November 14, in the Rutland Town Hall.

There was a “Triple Whammy” at the Rutland Seniors’ Center on the morning of Wednesday, October 12, when the combined memory, intellect and humor of Dean Nundahl, Kim Rasmussen and Rick Bosse augmented the usual sage commentary of The Assembled Wise Men at the round table. This confluence of three such potent intellects is a cosmic event worthy of note, like witnessing the explosion of a star. Whether the discussion is of farming, fishing, hunting, politics or far eastern religions, the round table is the place to be.

Meanwhile, on the national scene, the spectacle playing out in the State of Georgia concerning the Republican candidate for the U. S. Senate, former pro football player Herschel Walker, is fascinating the nation, sort of like watching a multiple car crash in slow motion. Mr. Walker, the hand-picked candidate of Former President Donald Trump, is obviously out of his league, but the show goes on. In the latest debacle, candidate Walker tried to tell a risqué joke about a bull, a fence, and some cows, but only succeeded in creating an embarrassing incident for his campaign. It’s hard to tell which is most embarrassing: that Walker is so socially inept as to tell such a joke in public; or, that he is obviously intellectually incapable of grasping the point of the joke or remembering how to tell it. Well, the entire campaign really has very little to do with Mr. Walker’s qualifications and abilities, or lack thereof, anyway. His selection as a candidate for the Senate was intended to be a demonstration of the former President’s power to impose any candidate he wanted, regardless of ability, on the voters of Georgia and on the trump cult that controls the Georgia Republican Party. That’s really something, isn’t it? But that’s not all. At a public campaign event in Ohio this past week, the former President told the GOP candidate for U.S. Senate, J.D. Vance, that the only reason he, Vance, was on the ballot was because he had kissed Trump’s derriere, although Trump used a three-letter word to describe the part of his anatomy which Vance had kissed. Mr. Vance then spoke to the assembled believers and said, “Aren’t we having fun?” If being insulted, diminished, and ridiculed in public is Vance’s idea of fun, the voters of Ohio should be questioning his fitness for office, too. Well, in less than a month, the nation will know whether the Trump cult is still in its ascendency, or whether it is on its way down and out. We can only hope that the Almighty will protect America from its own worst instincts.

Well, that’s the news from Rutland for this week. For additional information about what’s going on in the little city that can, check out the community’s internet web site at www.rutlandnd.com, and take a look at the Rutland Facebook page, too. Don’t forget to patronize your local Post Office and remember to keep the pressure on the U. S. Postal Service and the North Dakota Congressional delegation to SAVE OUR POST OFFICE! Later.