DEVILS LAKE JOURNAL - Key Persons
Ardys LaVonne was born on Jan. 17, 1940, at the family home in Oberon, ND, to Orville "Jack" and Thea (Djoseland) Treon. She grew up and was educated in Oberon, graduating from Oberon High School with the class of 1959.
Glenn Lee Bakken was born to Rudolph and Esther Bakken of Oberon, ND on April 1, 1952, in Devils Lake ND. He was baptized at the hospital and was confirmed March 19, 1967, at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Minnewaukan.
After graduation from Oberon High School in 1971 he attended a trade school in Toledo, Ohio to become a meat cutter. For a short time he worked in his newly acquired trade in North Dakota and Oklahoma but he worked many years for BFI (Allied Waste) and Waste Management in Tulsa.
Glenn married (Donna) Pauline Creech Feb. 2, 1973, at St. Peter Lutheran Church. They had three children: Kaland, Brandi and Kendra. They were divorced. Glenn married Lori Patterson July 3, 1983 and they also divorced.
In 1999 Glenn purchased the Bakken farmstead in Aurora Township of Benson County from his brother Sidney. He lived there sporadically while renovating the house but after a canal that went through his property leaked and filled the house basement with water he had to abandon that endeavor and purchased a house near the water at Lakewood. He loved the outdoors and especially fishing and hunting. Glenn was a man who loved his family and spending time with them.
Glenn is survived by his three children, Kaland of Tulsa, Okla., Brandi (Chris) Zach of Millington, Tenn. and Kendra of Devils Lake; 10 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; brothers, Rodney of Devils Lake, Dennis of Mesa, Ariz. and Sidney of Larrabe, Iowa; and sisters Gwen Christensen of Bismarck and Corrine (Ron) Peterson of Devils Lake.
Helen Bachmeier was born Sep. 28, 1919, on the Bachmeier Farm south of Esmond, ND. Her parents were Daniel and Theresia Bachmeier. Helen was the sixth child in a family of 14 children. Today only one brother remains. Helen died on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, at the age of 104.
Helen was educated at the Rich Valley Country School and St. James Academy in New Rockford, ND. She graduated from the New York Hairdressing Academy in 1942.
For entertainment on weekends, Helen and friends would go to dances and amateur hour at the Grand Gardens. She was introduced to John Zarr who lived in Devils Lake. John played Semi-pro baseball and worked at the lumberyard.
On April 20, 1942, Helen and John were married at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Devils Lake. They were blessed with three daughters: Sharon, Linda, and Jackie. They have 10 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren, and 3 great great grandchildren.
Helen was active in Girl Scouts as a leader and camp director at Wood Lake. She was Secretary of the St. Joseph's Church Board for seven years where she was a faithful member and loved attending daily Mass. She also belonged to St. Gerard's Altar Society Circle.
Helen owned and operated Helen's Beauty Shop for over 50 years. It was first located above Kelly's Store and then moved to 5 th Avenue. She was Secretary-Treasurer for the Lake Region Hairdresser's Association for nearly 20 years. She was also a member of the State and National Cosmetology Association.
John and Helen enjoyed golfing and were members of the Town and Country Golf Club for many years. Helen was the Club Champion four times. She played golf with her daughter until she turned 90 and taught many of her grandchildren how to play the game.
Helen belonged to the Lake Region Women's Bowling Association and the National 600 Club. She traveled to many State and National Bowling Tournaments. She was also a member of the VFW Auxiliary and the Elks Lodge. Helen enjoyed walking every day and cheering on her Minnesota Twins baseball team.
After John died on July 15, 1987, Helen moved to Skyview Apartments where she lived for 15 years. She moved to Eventide Heartland Care in December of 2017 after falling and breaking her wrist.
Helen is survived by daughter Sharon Dosch, Linda Schwab, and Jackie (Dick) Johnson, many grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother Marvin (Diane) Bachmeier.
Helen was preceded in death by her husband, John, sons-in-law Ron Dosch and Duane Schwab, great granddaughter Ashley Johnson and twelve siblings.
Throughout her life Helen was a profound influence on all members of her family whom she loved deeply and will be missed by all. As Helen would always say "Have a good life!"
Lois Janet Harrison was born July 18, 1930, at Cando, ND, to Ed and Pauline Strand. Lois was baptized on Oct. 12, 1930. She grew up on her parents' farm near Cando with her two sisters, Mavis, and Lorraine. She graduated from Cando High School. Lois married Boyd Stevenson on July 23,1948, and moved to Leeds, ND. She gave birth to 5 boys and 1 girl. She married Gerald Harrison on Oct. 23, 1970, at Cando, ND. The couple made their home in Grand Forks, ND, and then moved to Harrison, Arkansas. Gerry passed away in November 1979 and Lois moved to Grand Forks. She later moved to Broomfield, Colorado to be close to her son, Scott. She then moved to Detroit Lakes, MN, where she lived for 28 years. She moved to Devils Lake in November of 2018 to be close to family. Lois moved to Eventide Memory Care in October 2019, where she received excellent care and wonderful support from her son, Steve, and daughter-in-law, Linda.
Lois loved spending time with her father farming and loved gardening with her mother. She loved her children and grandchildren. Lois loved to play her piano and organ and accompanied her children to sing hymns at Leeds Lutheran church. She had an independent spirit and loved to travel. She made many road trips to Tennessee to visit her daughter Sheila and granddaughter CJ. She made many beautiful scrapbooks of her travels. Lois was a classy dresser and had a special love for wearing hats.
Surviving her are her children: Steve (Linda) Stevenson of Devils Lake; Scott (Becky) Stevenson of Henderson, NV; Sid (Paulette) Stevenson of Maple Grove, MN; Sandy (Cathy) Stevenson of Dakota Dunes, SD; Sheila Stevenson Bailey of Knoxville, TN; 12 grandchildren and 35 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gerry; her parents; her son, Spencer; and her 2 sisters, Mavis and Lorraine.
Job Titles:
- Members of the Greater Dakota Classics Club
Marlyn Fay (Stone) Flanders was born on Jan. 6, 1944, in Langdon, to Albert and Marie (Rossenborg) Stone. Her family made their home in Vang, ND, before moving to Calvin. Marlyn graduated from Calvin High School in 1962 and St. Andrew's School of Nursing (Bottineau, ND) in 1965.
Marlyn married Richard Flanders on Nov. 6, 1965. They lived in Devils Lake, and she began her career as a registered nurse at Mercy Hospital. A few years later they moved to their farm by Calvin, and Marlyn began working at Cavalier County Memorial Hospital (Langdon, ND). In addition to nursing, Marlyn worked on the farm and was the clerk for Grey Township.
She worked as a nurse in Langdon for 30+ years. After Marlyn retired from the hospital, she served on the hospital board for three years and did physicals for insurance companies. She enjoyed going to people's homes and continuing to work as a nurse. She was heartbroken that her work as a nurse had to stop when she began treatments for breast cancer in 2011.
Richard and Marlyn had one daughter, Kari, on Aug. 27, 1975. As a family, they enjoyed going on downhill skiing vacations, camping, and fishing. Marlyn loved music. She attended many concerts and theatre productions with family and friends. She also enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles, and sudoku.
In later years, Richard and Marlyn became members of the Greater Dakota Classics Club in Devils Lake. She enjoyed traveling to car shows around the state and visiting with other car enthusiasts.
Marlyn was a well-respected nurse and often received phone calls from family and friends for her medical opinion. She was a considerate, kind woman who was always willing to listen and help whenever possible. Marlyn will be remembered for many things. She was a loving wife and mother, and not afraid to speak her mind about what she felt was important. Marlyn's infectious smile and laugh will remain in the hearts of the many people she touched over the years.
Marlyn was preceded in death by her parents Albert and Marie (Rossenborg) Stone; sisters, Myrna Stone and Betty Murphy; brothers, Floyd Stone and Marvin Stone; and brother-in-law Duaine Flanders.
She is survived by her husband, Richard Flanders; daughter Kari (David) Hill of Overly, ND; brothers, Merlyn (Arlys) Stone and Arvid (Joan) Stone; Sister-in-law Annalee Stone; Brother-in-law and Sister-in-law Mack and Janice (Flanders) Evans; Sister-in-law Peggy Flanders; and many nieces and nephews.