Sandra “Sandi” Perdaems (born 1948), visits about growing up in a large Stockwell family, moving from a farm to town and memories of her parents—her father’s quiet kindness and her mother’s warmth, work ethic, music, dancing, and hosting. Sandi recalls school experiences and influential teachers, close sibling relationships, Glenice's polio and a traumatic car accident, simple holidays, and the hardship surrounding her father’s illness and death, including her mother supporting the family. She describes working and babysitting in Medora, meeting and marrying Jerry young, raising three children, teaching English and PE for 32 years, and how faith and daily Mass shaped their marriage and family. The conversation highlights family traditions, the impact of community helpers like Dr. Bush, cherished travel memories, and Sandi’s account of being with her mother at her passing.

Support the show

In this heartfelt interview, Irene Wolf, 87, shares her journey of growing up on a small farm west of Killdeer, North Dakota, in a large family without electricity, running water, affection, or holiday traditions. Irene left after eighth grade, worked in a Dickinson restaurant, and married George, a cowboy and brand inspector, at 17; they moved often, ranched for 38 years, and were married 69 years. She reflects on losing their infant daughter Jodie to a severe heart defect and their son Rodney at 23 to cardiomyopathy, and on George’s recent death after complications from a ruptured colon, including his final words of love. Irene credits faith, kindness, and contentment, describes “pretend kids” they helped raise, recalls trips like Kodiak Island, Alaska, and shares cherished memories such as George gifting her a large rock.

Support the show

Bobby Olstad, 78, visits about her family history and life in and around Medora, North Dakota. She recalls one-room schooling, boarding out in Beach for high school, and early work babysitting, waitressing, and at the Medora amphitheater. Bobby reflects on her time managing the Medora bank before leaving to buy and build an insurance agency for 27 years. She discusses marrying Howard Olstad, raising two children, caregiving for her mother, travel earned through work, loving Elvis and history tours, and valuing commitment, independence, and family.

Support the show

Don Hardy reflects on growing up on a multigenerational family farm near Beach, North Dakota, surrounded by family and hard work. He shares stories of his Irish-rooted heritage, a large extended family, childhood chores and responsibilities, and his education in Beach, including a year at New England St Mary's and later NDSU. Don discusses his time with John Deere, purchasing a Chevy-Buick dealership at age 24, and returning to farming in 1987, where he embraced no-till practices and diversified crops. He also shares how his insurance career grew into Agri Insurances. Along the way, he reflects on agricultural leadership, his lifelong love of flying, meeting and marrying Jean, and the values of faith, integrity, and family that have guided his life.

Support the show

Sally Abernethy, 88, shares stories from her life from being born in Aberdeen, South Dakota, and raised near Ellendale, North Dakota, to moving to Beach after her father passed away unexpectedly at 32 and her mother became ill. Sally recounts a childhood story of being briefly taken from a car by a carnival “gypsy,” living in the old nursing home by the hospital where her mother worked for Dr. Bush, and working to afford Seventh-day Adventist academy and nursing school. She describes marrying Bob Abernethy, his championship rodeo career, a severe neck injury, and their decades-long stock-contracting business that took them to the National Finals Rodeo for 28 years and into rodeo history. Sally also discusses raising three children, her 22-year real estate career, love of community and friends in Beach, faith in God, and lessons she has learned about loving family and caring for others.

Support the show

Jean Hardy reflects on her upbringing in a large faith-filled family that moved often before settling in Valley City, North Dakota, so several of her siblings could receive special education support. She shares memories of childhood routines, caregiving, holidays, and the lessons she learned through hardship, loss, and family responsibility. Jean also talks about her 32 years as a speech pathologist and teacher, life on a family farm with her husband Don, motherhood after the loss of their first child, and the faith and resilience that carried her through life's joys and sorrows.

Support the show

Jan Wales shares memories about growing up on a South Dakota farm in a large family with strict gender roles, few modern conveniences, and a one-room schoolhouse, where chores, homemade food, and simple fun shaped daily life. She reflects on supportive grandparents, the heartbreaking loss of her father in a farm accident and meeting her husband Rick in college. Jan also shares stories from Rick's years in the Army band in Chicago and at West Point. Together, they raised four daughters in Mobridge while balancing work, sports, and family life. She reflects on Rick's sudden death on Christmas Eve and her eventual move to Dickinson to be closer to family.

Support the show

In part 2 of my interview with John, we talk about enlisting at 18 and serving in Vietnam, where he experienced guard duty, patrols, and the realities of war - including the loss of his best friend, John Quam. He shares what it was like returning home and, years later, facing a diagnosis linked to Agent Orange. John reflects on what it's been like to walk through both - war and illness - and what's carried him through.

Support the show