By Bill Anderson

“Oh, it ain’t gonna rain no more, no more, it ain’t gonna rain no more; so, how in the h—l can the old folks tell that it ain’t gonna rain no more.” The old folks also used to tell us that, “…if it don’t rain, it will be a long dry spell.” Right on all counts! Historically, rain has always followed a dry spell, and most folks, both scientific and unscientific, are of the opinion that history will, one of these days, repeat itself. Until then, though, we reserve the right to do what we have always done when a spell of hot, dry weather has worn out its welcome…complain about it! Next week we’ll be singing “Rain, rain go away. Come back again some other day!”

Rutland native John T. Hoflen (RHS Class of ’62) was a visitor in his old hometown from Friday, July 21, to Monday, July 24. John was back in town to visit family and old friends. He stopped in at the Rutland Seniors’ Center on the morning of Monday, July 24, for coffee and conversation prior to heading back to his current home in Bismarck.

A group of first cousins, descendants of Rutland pioneers Ole C. & Julia C. (Peterson) Anderson, including Sonja Christensen of Wahpeton, Judie Seavert-Grohs of Rosholt SD, Joanne Harris of Rutland, Patty Kulzer of Condon MT, Marilyn Anderson of Wahpeton, Andy Harris of Rutland, and Bill Anderson of Rutland gathered in the back room of The Lariat Bar for lunch and reminiscing at Noon on Wednesday, July 26, escaping the 99 degree heat and excessive humidity of the day in the Lariat’s air-conditioned comfort. The reason for the gathering was the presence of Pat Kulzer, who was making her first appearance in the old hometown since 2021. Those attending the gathering found the company, the conversation, the cuisine and the service to be outstanding. The Lariat’s waitress who provided service to the group was Tyler Weatherby.

Rutland native Glen Larson (RHS Class of ’60) took an automobile tour of his old hometown on the afternoon of Sunday, July 23, after spending part of the day at the Sargent County Fair at Forman. Glen had also visited at the home of his sister, Patty (Dave) Jacobson in Forman. While in Rutland, Glen stopped in at the home of Bill Anderson, an old friend from the old days, where the group gathered on Bill’s front porch also included another of Glen’s old friends, Dave Kulzer, now of Condon Mt. A “good memory” session was enjoyed by all. Glen now makes his home at Watertown SD, but usually makes it back to Rutland a couple of times each year. Glen intends to be in Rutland for Uff-Da Day on Sunday, October 1, and states that he hopes to bring one of his restored automobiles for display in the Uff-Da Day Car Show this year.

Roger Brekke, a life-long Shuman Township farmer/rancher, who was a frequent caller in Rutland, passed away at Parkside Lutheran Home in Lisbon on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, having attained the age of 93 years, 11 months and 2 days. Although Roger was afflicted with Parkinson’s Disease for several years, he actively farmed and ranched until retiring at age 89. Roger Alden Brekke was born Saturday, August 24,1929 in Lidgerwood, ND, to Arthur and Ellen (Mathieson) Brekke. He attended rural school in Shuman and Hall townships and graduated from Milnor High School in 1948. Roger married Norma Friskop in 1956 and together they were the parents of a daughter, Karen Brekke Krause. He later married Sharon Naekel Mohberg in 1986 and made his home in Lisbon, ND. Roger established a Black Angus herd on the Brekke Ranch in the 1950’s. He also raised registered American Quarter Horses. Roger sold WW stock trailers for many years. Roger believed in working hard and in having some fun while doing so. His style can be described as “high, wide and handsome.” Roger enjoyed cattle marketing, horse trading and equipment jockeying sessions in the company of his good friend, the late Earl Wyum of this community, and their joint expeditions to sale barns, auction sales and other gatherings were often epic in scope and legendary in result. He was active in township, school, and area affairs in the Milnor and Sargent County communities. Roger served on the board of directors for the Red River Valley Centennial Wagon Train in 1989, one of the major events that celebrated North Dakota’s Centennial that year. He was a director of the Farmers Union Cooperative Oil Company, now CENEX, of Milnor and Forman for many years. Roger served as a director of the Milnor Fire District for 30 years, and also served as a North Dakota Brand Inspector for 50 years. Roger’s cattle brands, along with those of many other local cattlemen, are on display on “The Round Table” at which he often presided during sessions of The Assembled Wise Men at the Rutland General Store. The Round Table is now in the Back Room at The Lariat Bar in Rutland. In 2016 Roger was recognized for his efforts in the field of soil conservation and was honored with a Wild Rice Soil Conservation District Award. Roger also served as a council member for Immanuel and Concordia Lutheran churches in the Milnor/Delamere area. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran church in Lisbon, ND, for the past 30 years. He enjoyed livestock sales & auctions and will be remembered for his love of pro rodeo. He and Sharon attended many National Finals Rodeos in Las Vegas. They also traveled to Norway where they attended a reunion of 300 Brekke descendants who later visited them in ND. He will be remembered for his wit, humor, and kindness to all. Roger is survived by: his wife Sharon, Lisbon, ND; daughter Karen (Dan) Krause, Milnor, ND; granddaughter Anna Krause, Lisbon, ND; step-daughters Lane Mohberg, Mankato, MN, and Amy Mohberg, Apple Valley, MN; step-granddaughter Andrea (Travis) Rohrich, step great-granddaughter Arya Rohrich, all Mankato MN; in-laws Leo (Donna) Naekel, Bothell, WA; by many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews; and by a host of friends. Roger was preceded in death by parents Art and Ellen; brother Gerald; sister Sonia Gulleson, sister-in-law Rosemary Brekke; brother-in-law Grant Gulleson; parents-in-law Leo and Bernice Naekel. His Funeral Service was held at 11:00 AM on July 31, 2023, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Lisbon, ND with visitation one hour prior to the service. Burial was at Concordia Cemetery in Shuman Township, near Milnor. Roger’s service was live streamed on the Dahlstrom Funeral Home website www.dahlstromfuneralhome.com on his obituary page. Memorials are preferred to be given to the charity of your choice. Dahlstrom Funeral Home of Lisbon ND was in charge of arrangements. Condolences and memories may be shared on their website at www.dahlstromfuneralhome.com The Rutland community extends its sympathy and condolences to the family and friends of Roger Brekke, a good friend whose hard work, wisdom and humor were an example to all who knew him.

Norbert Kulzer celebrated his 83^rd birthday on Thursday, July 27. Norbert was the recipient of a rousing chorus of “Happy Birthday” sung by the diners at the Rutland Seniors’ Center at Noon. His spouse, Beverly, prepared a banana date nut cake with burnt sugar frosting made from the late Lois Nelson’s recipe. Lois & Ralph Nelson owned & operated the Rutland Café from 1962 to 1998 and served banana date nut cake with burnt sugar frosting every Saturday during that time.

Douglas Gately from Valley City ND stopped in Rutland on the afternoon of Thursday, July 27, and visited an old acquaintance, Bill Anderson of this community. Back in 1963, Doug & Bill had both worked for the North Dakota Highway Department on a paving job on ND Highway #1 from Oakes to the ND/SD State Line. They had not seen each other since that Summer, but Doug had heard Bill on the Joel Heitkamp News & Views radio show on KFGO AM790 this past Spring and decided to renew their acquaintance. During their visit they discussed happenings back in 1963, Doug’s souped up and tricked out ’55 Chevy 2 door hardtop, and where they had been and what they had done over the past 60 years. That’s a lot of ground to cover, and both Doug and Bill figure that future visits will be needed to fill in the blanks.

Andy Harris and Bill Anderson drove up to Binford ND, near Cooperstown, on Saturday, July 29, to take in the Professional Bull Riders competition. Bill’s niece, Andy’s cousin, Kelly Hawkinson of Dillon MT is secretary, record keeper and statistician for the PBR in the Montana, North Dakota & Minnesota region. Kelly reports that the rainfall pattern in Montana has been reversed this year, with western Montana experiencing dry conditions while the plains east of the Rocky Mountains has received plentiful rainfall throughout the Spring & Summer. Andy & Bill drove back to Rutland on Saturday evening. Kelly started west early on Sunday morning and drove the 833 miles from Cooperstown ND to Dillon MT in approximately 16 hours.

Bill & Pam Gulleson hosted Charles & Mary Beth Anderson; Mark & Kathy Wyum; Randy & Cheri Pearson; and Bill Anderson; at their Lake Elsie lake home on Sunday, July 30. A pork loin dinner and pontoon ride on the lake were enjoyed by all. Charles, Bill G. & Cheri all observed birthdays in July. 

Old friends here were saddened last weekend when it was learned that Rutland native Judith “Judy” Olson had passed away Sunday, July 30, 2023, at Sanford Hospital in Fargo, ND at the age of 79 years 11 months and 23 days. Judith Katherine Kulzer was born on Saturday, August 7, 1943, to Joseph and Mary (Murray) Kulzer in Breckenridge, MN. She grew up on the family’s farm one mile east and 2 miles north of Rutland and attended school in Ransom Township and in Rutland. Judy graduated from Rutland High School in 1961. Judy was the community’s first “Miss Rutland,” and was the First Runner-up in the Miss Sargent County Pageant later that year. On June 30, 1962, she married Darrell Olson at Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Cayuga ND. They lived in Fargo ND, where Darrell was employed at the Regional Office of the North Dakota State Highway Department, for a few years. After leaving Fargo they spent a short time with the ND Highway Dept. in Dickenson ND and in 1968 they moved to Shakopee, MN. They then moved to Brooklyn Center, MN where Judy worked as a telemarketer. In 1975 they moved to Veblen, where Judy and Darrell owned and operated Darrell’s Bar and Lounge for 22 years. After the sale of Darrell’s Bar and Lounge, they moved to Lake City in 1996. Judy worked again as a telemarketer in Sisseton for a few years. Darrell passed away in April 2004. In her later years Judy enjoyed working at Prairie Sky Ranch and the Veblen Library. Judy loved animals and was always willing to bring in any stray to her care. She was a meticulous baker and enjoyed baking for her family. Her grandchildren were important to her, and she looked forward to spending time with each of them and always loved attending their birthday parties. In her free time Judy would be on her tablet, reading or looking up recipes. And of course, she found much enjoyment in trips to the casino. She is survived by her children: Jeff (Renee) of Veblen SD; and Cindy (Chuck) Baus of Veblen SD; her 11 grandchildren; her 2 sisters: Betty Johnson of Gwinner ND; and, Mary Jo Armstrong of Chicago IL; by many nieces and nephews; and, by a host of friends. Judy was preceded in death by her husband, Darrell; her parents, Joe & Mary; and an infant granddaughter, Heather Serine Olson. Condolences may be directed to the family in care of Cindy Baus, PO Box 275, Veblen SD 57270. The memorial mass for Judith “Judy” Olson will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, August 8, 2023, at St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church at 322 South Oak Street, Veblen SD 57270. Fr. Greg Frankman will officiate the mass. The Price Funeral Chapel of Britton is assisting with arrangements. The Rutland community extends condolences to the family and friends of Judy Olson, a daughter, sister, wife, mother, and grandmother who brought calm and comfort to those she loved, and to those who loved her.

Two of Rutland’s native sons, Arthur “Art” Fust of Billings MT and James Fust of Park City MT were visitors in their old hometown on Tuesday & Wednesday, August 1 & 2. The Fust brothers, along with their brothers: Earl Fust of Milnor; and Norman Peter Fust of New Mexico; and their sisters: Kathleen Mehus of Fargo; and Linda Young; were on their way to a family reunion at Fish Trap Lake, near Staples MN. Both Art & Jim are now retired, but both stay active with part-time employment and hobbies. Art is a world class ping-pong player with a reputation as the best ping-pong player in Montana. Art is a member of RHS Class of ’63, and Jim is a member of SCHS Class of ’69. On the morning of Tuesday, August 1, Art & Jim joined Mark Wyum, Hal Nelson, Leroy “Turk” Nelson and Bill Anderson for breakfast at The Hole In One Café at the Forman golf course. As usual, breakfast at The Hole In One got the day off to a great start.

Some upcoming events in Rutland include Rutland Rib Fest on Saturday, August 5 on Main Street in Rutland; Rutland City Council meeting at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, August 7, in the Rutland Town Hall; Rutland Community Club meeting on Monday, August 14, at the Rutland Town Hall; Rutland Sportsmen’s Club Annual Youth Day commencing at Noon on Sunday, August 20, at The John Narum Memorial Trap & Rifle Range½ mile north of Silver Lake Park.

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 while you’re at it, 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.