Sally Hilleboe Adelson, the first woman in the Fargo-Moorhead area to have her own television show, discusses her involvement with television talk shows. Most of her shows were community based shows. She also did talk shows geared to women in the home and consumer problems.
James Baccus, retired journalist, has been involved with journalism since his high school days and discusses his writing career for various newspapers and organizations, as well as doing personal writing. He worked for the Forum for approximately 14 years, retiring in 1984 at the age of 70.
David Beauchamp served in the Minnesota State Legislature from 1974 to 1978. In his interview, he discusses his political experiences in local and state office, and the issues in Minnesota government during his career. Mr. Beauchamp also discusses his Peace Corps years in Thailand.
Dr. Werner Brand, a long time professor and administrator at Moorhead State University, discusses the Kiwanis service organization, and the history, development and leadership of the original Moorhead Kiwanis Club. He describes some of the purposes and projects of the club, its role in forming Golden Key and Circle K clubs at Moorhead High School and MSU.
Dr. Kenneth Covey started an independent family practice in Moorhead in 1966. He discusses small town medicine and the changes in orthopedics-prothesis, replacement joints, etc. He also describes the economic turmoil in medicine and the treat of socialized medicine.
Stan Cowan was involved in the communications field in Moorhead and Fargo from 1921 until 1967. He started the business section of the Forum in 1949, which he continued for 17 years. He held an interest in aviation and saw Hector Airport instituted. He was the first president of local PTA, active in Trinity Church and other civic organizations.
Kathy Coyle discusses her career as the anchor of a local television news broadcast, including details concerning the production of local news, the importance of ratings, relations with co-workers, and the advancement of women in television journalism.
June Dobervich describes her activities with both the Little Country Theatre at North Dakota State University and the Fargo-Moorhead Community Theatre. She discusses such factors as the costs of theater production, the types of productions, participants in the program, and the achievements of Alfred G. Arvold.
Donna Mathisen Dosland was raised in northeastern Minnesota. She moved to Moorhead when she married Mr. Dosland. She has been associated with the Clay County Public Health Nursing Service since its formation in March 1969 and tells of the purposes and functions of the Foundation. Donna Dosland describes the history, organization, and the obstacles that needed to be overcome.
William Dosland discusses his years as a lawyer, including his involvement with the Red River Valley Sugarbeet Growers Association and his work for them during the acquisition of the American Crystal Sugar Company. His involvement as a Minnesota state senator, with the city of Moorhead and on the Board of Regents for the University of Moorhead. Born in Chicago, Illinois in 1927, William Dosland moved to Moorhead after World War II.
Dr. Dovre reflects upon his career at Concordia College since joining the faculty in 1963, with emphasis upon his years as President of Concordia. He also remarks on the connections between Concordia College and the Fargo-Moorhead community.
Doris Eastman discusses her experience writing for the Forum of Fargo-Moorhead from 1934-1979. She became women's editor at the newspaper in 1959. She also tells about her days working for the Moorhead Daily News. Now retired, she is working at the Episcopal Church and Clay County Historical Society.
Paul Eidbo was born in Boden, North Dakota in 1927 and graduated from Concordia College (1946-1949). He gives the background of Eastgate Industries Inc., started in 1916, which he manages. A family corporation, he tells of the processes involved in the raising, extracting, and marketing of honey. Also, included is a background of his civic political activities.
A resident of Fargo and Moorhead since her birth in 1915, Miss Helen Euren was an employee of Moorhead Public Library from 1934 until her retirement in 1977. She discusses the new library services added during those years, the formation of the Lake Agassiz Regional Library and the bond issue for the new building in 1960.
Born 1911, Paul Euren has worked as a city salesman for Fairmon Foods Co. He also operated the Ben Franklin store and a lauderette-dry cleaning establishment in Moorhead. He was a city Alderman, a past exalted ruler at the Fargo Elks Club, and a past chairman on the Salvation Army Advisory Board. He also describes how his grandparents left Sweden and Germany to seek land in the U.S. in 1880.
Robert Feder, grandson of Max Goldberg, discusses his childhood growing up in Fargo, ND. Mr. Feder, presently a lawyer in Fargo. He discusses his Jewish religion, as well as Jewish involvement in the Fargo-Moorhead community.
Catherine Fossay was born and raised in Fergus Falls, MN. Mrs. Fossay describes her years as a student at Moorhead State, particularly her experiences as a student teacher at the Model School on campus, and as a teacher in the affiliated rural school at Oak Mound. Included in her reminiscences are student activities and productions.
Ken J. Frolund tells of his introduction to the Fargo-Moorhead Community Theatre and his involvement in set building and administration not only for the theatre but also for the Fargo-Moorhead Symphony.
Judge James Garrity, a life-long Moorhead resident, describes the practice of law in Moorhead from late 1940s through the late 1970s when he became a judge. He reflected on his father;s practice as well. He discusses the varied personalities of other lawyers, interesting cases, and his perceptions of how the law has changed.
Dr. Clarence Glasrud was born in North Dakota October 15, 1911. He attended Moorhead State and joined the faculty in 1947 as an instructor in the Division of Language and Literature. He received his MA and PhD from Harvard. He taught at MSU from 1952 to 1977 when he retired and was considered an excellent teacher. Interview 2 of 2.
Dr. Clarence Glasrud discusses his involvement with the Moorhead Rotary Club over the past several decaded. He provides background into the history and functions of the Moorhead Rotary Club. He taught at MSU from 1952 to 1977 when he retired and was considered an excellent teacher. This is interview 1 of 2.
Henry Grettum, a farmer near Detroit Lakes, recalls his early years of coming to Ulen, MN from Goodhue County in Minnesota. Mr. Grettum tells of his farm life at Ulen and Detroit Lakes and as farm manager north of Moorhead. He tells of his community activities. Mr. Grettum was 93 years old at the time of the interview. His ancestors are Norwegian.
Edward Gudmundson was born June 29, 1917 in Mountain, ND. He graduated from North Dakota State Universtiy (NDSU) in 1949. He joined the US Navy in 1942 and was discharged in 1945. Edward Gudmundson has worked as a pharmacist from 1945 to 1984. He describes his schooling, experiences, and compares drug stores of the 1940s with those of the 1980s.
Carl Haima was born December 1900 in Raymond, MN. Mr. Haima describes his life as a child. He discusses his father's general store and his small businesses in Moorhead. Mr. Haima served several terms on the city council, a charter member of the Lions Club, and vice-president of the Chamber of Commerce.
Roger Hamilton discusses his career in journalism as a local newspaper writer, and his activities as the director of public relations at Moorhead State College (later Moorhead State University) from 1962 to 1981. His reflections include much on the history of the college newspapers, the MiSTiC and the Advocate.
Dr. Delmar Hansen is director of the theatre program at Moorhead State University for 30 years, gives his assessment of a number of regional and local literary figures. He also describes some of the changes since he came to Moorhead State University in 1958 such as there was no real theatre program. He is the Chairman and a professor in the Department of Speech Communication and Theatre Arts.
Mrs. Rhoda Hansen teaches English at Fargo North High School. She discusses her involvement in the Moorhead State University theatre program which her husband directs, Dr. Delmar J. Hansen. She discusses how she became involved with the theatre programs, the role she sees theatre playing in the community, and some of the problems the students and program have encountered.
Life long Minnesota resident Dr. Clair Haugen has been the Director of the Concordia College theater program since 1960. He discusses the theaters history, growth and development, recollections of people and productions and the philosophy that governs the Concordia College theater program.
At age eighty-three, Mrs. Mildred Heifort discusses a variety of topics related to her home business as a seamstress, including needlework, spinning, natural dyes, needle weaving, wall hangings, lamp shapes, and the collecting, repairing and dressing of dolls. Mrs. Heifort is the creator of the Red River Historical Dolls, a major collection of dolls with historic and ethnic costumes, now a part of the Clay County Historical Society collection.
Robert Howe discusses the history and operation of the Fairmont Foods Company in Moorhead completed in 1924 where he was an engineer. The company received the Navy E. Award in December 1943. During WWII, dried eggs were sent overseas to our servicemen. They hired 300 women to candle and break eggs. The Fairmont Foods Company building is now Fairmont East � a retirement home.
John Ingersoll was born November 6, 1908 in Moorhead, Minnesota. Mr. Ingersoll begins the interview with a short description of his family history. He briefly describes his time in college graduating from Moorhead State Teacher's College in 1932 and his military service which began in 1942 at Fort Snelling. Mr. Ingersoll discusses business in Moorhead, his Black Hawk Cafe, and his involvement in local politics.
Wayne Ingersoll was born in 1945 in Texas. Mr. Ingersoll was elected mayor of Moorhead in 1978. He discusses his political background, duties as mayor, and issues with which he was confronted. Mr. Ingersoll has taught 7th, 8th, and 9th grade levels for eighteen years.
Marilla Jacobs was born on June 28, 1906 in Battle Lake, Minnesota and describes her childhood. Mrs. Jacobs attended Moorhead State Normal School, began teaching in 1927 and retired 1971. She discusses her early teacher training, experiences, and changes in teaching over the years.
Florence Jenkins (Mrs. John) was born in Juanita, ND in 1914. Mrs. Jenkins began volunteer work and fund raising for the Red Cross during World War II. After the war she became an office secretary of Clay County Red Cross. She describes her work as a Red Cross volunteer and how it has affected her life. She discusses the goals and work of the Clay County Red Cross Chapter.
Adele Johnson was born in Casselton, ND. She discusses her first teaching experiences, including private music lessons, after graduating from MSC. She later taught music at Concordia College and then Moorhead State. During this time period, her involvement in community affairs, politics, the Democratic Party, and also she worked for Congressman Bob Berglund. She is now retired.
William Jones' career was as an educator. He first taught in Thief River Falls. He conducted the band there. He had various jobs in other towns until they came to Moorhead in 1972. He is presently the Academic Vice-President of Moorhead State University and his wife is director of External Studies also at MSU. They both are planning to retire at the end of the 1984-1985 school year.
Helene Kaeding was born in St. Peter, MN. Mrs. Kaeding describes her ethnic background, her father's business, and attending school at Gustavas Adolphus. She began teaching in 1931 and married in 1940. She describes the difference in attitudes toward education in the various communities in which she taught, and how discipline and respect for teachers has changed.
William Kenney was born in Park River, North Dakota in 1911. He went into business in Moorhead in 1938. He went into the Navy in 1942 until 1945. Mr. Kenney tells of his experience in business and of his ownership of a cage and hotel in Moorhead from 1945 to 1974.
Jacob "Jake" Kiefer is a native of Moorhead and returned to the community after military service in World War I. He managed Kiefer Chevrolet. His oral history concentrates on his memories of Moorhead at the turn of the twentieth century. He discusses his involvement in community's service organizations such as the Legion club, the Rotary, and the Moorhead Chamber of Commerce.
Willis Kingsbury, 47 years old, was born and reared in Minneapolis. He graduated from North Dakota State University with a degree in architecture. Mr. Kingsbury has served as community development director of the city of Moorhead and director of the Red River Valley Interpretive Center. He describes his experiences as a city employee and outlines the changes in Moorhead resulting from urban renewal and economic development programs.
Dorothy Kippels gave a background of her childhood days as well about the Kippels family. The Kippels family, Bruno Kippels, Joe's father, were early Moorhead settlers. Mrs. Kippels, describes the Waterman's Store which she and her husband owned from 1944 to 1967. She told the merchandise they sold and talked about credit, competition in Moorhead, and fringe benefits.
Dr. Joseph L. Knutson was born February 14, 1906 in Grafton, ND, where his father was a Lutheran pastor. Dr. Knutson begins the interview with a short biographical sketch. Dr. Knutson was president of Concordia College from 1950 to 1974. He discusses the college's finances and its relationship to the American Lutheran Church. Concordia College's natural constituency for enrollment was from the Norwegian Lutherans of North Dakota and Minnesota.
Mrs. Hildergarde Kraus, a well-known local organist, describes her musical training at a boarding school in Bismarck, North Dakota, and at the Dakota Conservatory of Music in Fargo. She discusses playing for silent movies and vaudeville and traces the events in her twenty-eight year career as organist for WDAY.
Morris Lanning was born August 27, 1944 in Portland, Oregon. Mr. Lanning is vice president of Student Affairs at Concordia College. Mr. Lanning was elected mayor of Moorhead in 1980. Mr. Lanning discusses his background in politics, motivation for running, and what he hopes to accomplish as mayor. He is the first mayor to serve a four-year term.
Ted Larson, Assistant Professor of Speech/Director of Critical Film Studies, has been teaching at MSU since 1968. He is also the managing director for the Straw Hat Players. Mr. Larson discusses his family background and how this background influences his career. He also evaluates some major films.
Elsie Lee was born on a farm near Big Lake, MN on September 2, 1916. Mrs. Lee tells of her many years of experience as a homemaker and describes her life and activities in Moorhead. Elsie tells of her experience as one of the first homemakers to work fulltime while raising a family of 3 children.
Millie MacLeod grew up near Larimore, ND. Mrs. MacLeod has been Vice-President and President of the National Board of Directors within the Camp Fire Girls organization. She discusses its history, goals, and activities.
Carrol Malvey reflects on his childhood days, his parents, his days at Concordia and teaching before entering into partnership in Malvey Service Stations with his brother and Mom. He relates World War II problems. Mr. Malvey was very active in Moorhead Civic affairs such as Lions, Chamber of Commerce, Volunteer Fireman, Planning Commission, Concordia Board of Regents, and Trinity Lutheran Church.
Eric Martinson is 97 years old and was born in Moorhead. His Norwegian parents immigrated here between 1870 and 1871. Martinson discusses the coal and fuel oil business in the Fargo-Moorhead area from 1926 to his retirement in 1968.
Sara Nordlie McCormick was born in Minneapolis, MN on November 2, 1918. A member of the Moorhead Altrusa organization since 1962, McCormick describes the activities of Altrusa, including social service, fund raising and special projects. She was employed as a social worker by Lutheran Social Services of North Dakota, Cass County Children�s Center of Fargo, Lutheran Social Services of Minnesota and Independent School District #152 of Moorhead. She retired in 1981.
Matilda Moen's parents farmed near Northwood, North Dakota. Matilda Moen begins by talking about her experiences while a student in a rural school and of her parents and her family. She also discusses teaching in rural schools. She retired in 1965.
Wilbur Mortenson is a Moorhead native and a veteran of WW II. He has worked in the Moorhead Post Office and has been a member of the American Legion since 1946 and served in a variety of offices including Commander and Adjutant. Mr. Mortenson tells of the very beginnings of the Legion formed in 1919. He describes how the Legion clubs are organized into local posts, state departments, and on a national level. The goals and purposes of the Legion are also discussed.
Mrs. Ruth Munn describes nursing in the 1920s and early 1930s. Her discussion covers training at St. John's Hospital in Fargo, costs, living and working conditions, and early salaries.
Hazelle and George Nassif were prime movers in Fargo-Moorhead Community Theater. George discusses his early interest in acting, his support of the F-M Community Theater and how some of the financial difficulties were overcome. The construction of the new theater building in Island Park, with labor donated by the Labor Union, is discussed by Hazelle.
Beulah Olson was born August 12, 1912 in Ortley, South Dakota. Her family came to Hoffman, MN in 1921. Mrs. Olson relates her childhood, early education, and life as a homemaker. She discusses the changing roles of women as student, teacher, housewife, mother, and finally as grandmother.
James ORourke was born in Langdon, North Dakota in 1933. He went to Concordia College for history and art and spent 1957-1960 in Europe. Mr. O'Rourke opened the Rourke Gallery in 1960. It later merged with the Red River Arts Center to form the Plains Art Museum. He discusses community support for the gallery, participating artists, and the growing collection.
Helen Peterson was born in Kenmare, ND on April 24, 1904. Mrs. Peterson and her husband Wayne owned the Moorhead Daily News from 1930 to 1944. She discusses various features of the paper and how the business has changed over the years.
Alice Polikawsky was born in 1904 in Moland township. In 1951, she joined the Moorhead Daily News Staff as their first full-time alumni director. From 1957-58, she was instructor of Home Economics at Concordia and became chairman of that department until her retirement in Nov. 1974. Mrs. Polikowsky discusses her education and teaching experiences in home economics.
Daniel Preston was born in Bangor, Wisconsin and spent his childhood there. Preston gives some brief information on the early activities of the American Legion in the Fargo-Moorhead area.
Margaret Reed was born in Chicago in March 1916. Mrs. Reed speaks of her education and experience in social service administration. She also discusses her work for the establishment of a grant for a volunteer community service in Moorhead.
Katherine Richardson has lived in Moorhead since her birth in 1928. Mrs. Richardson discusses her long interest and involvement in the Republican party. She tells of her position as one of the first presidents of the local Federation of Republican Women.
Mrs. Donald G. Rusness was born July 4, 1913 in Moorhead, MN. Mrs. Rusness discusses her experiences in dance and her position as a secretary to the County Agent and Extension offices.
Gertrude Saxman lived on a farm near Georgetown, Minnesota. Dr. Saxman discusses her experiences in medicine and her medical practice in Ulen, MN from 1960-1983.
Laura Scherfenberg discusses her many years of activities with the Moorhead branch of Women's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU). She describes the organization's goals, finances, projects, and its role in the community.
Gustav L. Schoberg, on the Concordia College faculty from 1930 to 1970, was a professor of German and French and also head of the department. He was also an assistant to President J.N. Brown in public relations, publicity, fund raising, and student recruiting through the Depression of the thirties and World War II.
Leveta Bryson was born in Illinois about 1913. In 1920 her parents lived on farm near Sabin, MN. Leveta graduated from Moorhead State Teachers College and began her teaching career. In 1938, she had to quit teaching because she married. Mrs. Scott describes her life as a homemaker on a farm in Borup, Minnesota from 1938 to the 1960s.
Lois Selberg is a native of Rustad, Minnesota. She speaks first of her high school education and her early experiences at Moorhead State. She describes what entering college meant to her in the way of intellectual enlightenment. Mrs. Selberg discusses what the college was like during wartime.
William A. Smaby was born at Peterson, Fillmore County, Minnesota, in 1904. He reflects on his experiences as the Concordia College business office manager since 1952. Mr. Smaby discusses the importance of rural students attending college, interest of parents and teachers, and salary negotiations. He also describes the problems and successes of the greatest �growth period� in the history of the College.
Vilgard (Daehlin) Sorgen spent her early years in China as the daughter of missionaries. She came to Moorhead in 1927 to enroll at Concordia College and graduated in 1931. Mrs. Sorgen discusses her early life in China and the role she and her husband played in the establishment of the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Moorhead in 1952.
Mr. Ray Stordahl was born in Minnesota in 1926. Stordahl reflects on his years in Moorhead government, including his service on the City Charter Commission and Public Service Commission, and his years as mayor, 1964-1972.
Justin W. Swenson was born near Battle Lake, Minnesota. Mr. Swenson describes his career as a superintendent of public schools. He discusses attitudes toward education, special education, and changes in public schools over the years.
Richard Szeitz, born in Hungary, is professor and chair of the Art Department at Moorhead State University. He discusses his life in Hungary, his move to the United States, the Art Department at MSU, and art involvement locally.
Margaret (Fobes) Tabbut was born in Glyndon, Minnesota in 1918. She describes her early life on a farm. She taught in the Fargo Adult Education Program and did a television program on WDAY until 1958 at which time she joined the faculty at Concordia College. She retired in 1983. She discusses the changes in homemaking that are the result of technological development, working outside the home, and social and economic changes.
H.B. Teichmann was 89 years old at the time of this interview. He describes his love of theatre and his training at the Academy of Theatre Arts in New York. He is famous for his character bits and has been in 20-30 Fargo-Moorhead Community Theatre productions, working under a number of our resident directors.
Phyllis Thysell was born and raised in South Dakota. Mrs. Thysell was instrumental in the development of the Red River Arts Center, which later became the Plains Art Museum. She discusses her involvement in various community arts groups.
Dr. Duane Thysell was born in Hawley, Minnesota in 1908. Dr. Thysell reminiscences about his 48 year career in medicine in Hawley and Moorhead between 1934 and 1981. He focuses on the activities of a rural medical practice, and how these changed over time.
Reinhold Utke was born and raised in the Enderlin, ND area. Student life at Moorhead State during the depression of the 1930's is the main topic of this interview. Mr. Utke talks about his decision to attend Moorhead State, financing his education, and student living conditions. Social activities, chapel, and student organizations, such as Alpha Epsilon, are also covered.
Dr. Frederick Walsh discusses his years as a theatre teacher at North Dakota State University, Fargo. Dr. Walsh discusses his interests in outdoor drama, production at Medora, old and new theaters at NDSU, and his philosophy on the role of the theater in the lives of students.
Bill Weaver discusses his career as a local radio and television personality with WDAY in Fargo from 1953 to 1964. He describes the early days of television, and his activities as a sportscaster and talk show host. Mr. Weaver also discusses his political and business careers and his military service in the US Air Force during World War II.
Magnus Wefald was born in 1900 in Hawley, Minnesota and grew up there. Wefald discusses his law practice in Hawley, Minnesota, and his service in the Minnesota State Senate for 12 years. He describes the changes in the law that he has seen over the years. He talks about the community affairs in which he has been involved and his term as mayor.
Thornley F. Wells was born in Cando, North Dakota on July 20, 1901. He came to Moorhead in 1932 to set up a business of his own. Wells reflects upon his many years in Moorhead government, including service as an alderman and as mayor. He also discusses his terms of office as a member of Clay Country Board of Commissioners.
Gladys Westrum was born March 27, 1907 in Moorhead. Mrs. Westrum describes a typical homemaker' day in the age before modern conveniences and how the homemaker's tasks have changed as a result of technology. She discusses the Depression and WWII rationing. She also describes the changes in the attitudes of people toward women working outside of the home.
Mrs. Marilyn Murray White was born in Columbia, Missouri in 1926, and moved to Moorhead that same year. Mrs. White describes her more than 40 years of involvement with and membership in the First Congregation Church of Moorhead, where she served in many capacities including four years as Church Education Director.
Hanny Wright was born on the island Tjoeme on the west side of the Oslo Fjord on October 27, 1899. She came to the United States as an infant. Mrs. Wright describes her association with St. Ansgar Hospital Auxilliary, of which she was a president for many years. She has also helped organize the Moorhead Camp Fire Girls.
