The News from January & February 2018 Volume 101, issue 1

Minnesota

Odd Fellow Published Bi-monthly

Available For All Odd Fellows and Rebekahs Promoting Odd Fellowship through Positive Communication

IN THIS ISSUE: PG

Coming In March & April

Month Day Event March 10th Executive Board Meeting @ Hutchinson

(No Committee meetings that day) March 23rd Schuyler Colfax Day April 1st Easter Sunday April 14th Executive Board Meeting @ Aitkin

(No committee meetings that day) April 16th IRS Taxes Due April 21st Make a Difference Day April 26th Founder’s Day – 199th anniversary of Odd

Fellows in the United States

Grand Master & Grand Secretary’s Reports 2 Sovereign Grand Masters Message 3 President I.A.R.A.’s Message 4

Unity Rebekah’s Christmas Party 5

Pilgrimage to the Tomb of the Unknowns-Cover 6

Pilgrimage to the Tomb of the Unknowns-Hotel 7

Pilgrimage to the Tomb of the Unknowns-Register 8

Pilgrimage to the Tomb of the Unknowns-Wreath 9 Educational Foundation Proclamation 10

Sovereign Grand Lodge Proclamations 11 Camp FA-HO-CHA Winter Meeting Report 12 Mapleton Lodge #101’s Building Progress 13

January Executive Board Meeting at Hopkins, MN 14

February Executive Board Meeting at Windom, MN 15 Mark Anderson – CEO, Three Links Message 16

Meet Deanna Pierzina – New Addition at 3 Links 17 Broken Links – Blanch Olson–Detroit Lakes #105 18

Broken Links - Harvey Skorheim– Hassan Valley 19 BIRTHDAYS / Sick & Distressed 20

MESSAGE FROM YOUR GRAND MASTER

In FL&T,

Wayne Rosengren, Grand Master

MESSAGE FROM YOUR GRAND SECRETARY

Good day to ALL members of our beloved Order!! Well, another year has come and gone, sure funny how time flies when you’re having fun!! Just a reminder that your Annual Report and Per Capita Dues are due. If you already have sent these items in Thank You, if not, I need these to be sent in as soon as possible. For those of you that have not heard, Frank Mott has moved to Florida to be closer to his son and grandkids. Frank left last Saturday, February 3rd, and will be back to sell his house later this spring. We will all miss Frank as he was a knowledgeable person to go to and a great supporter of the Odd Fellows and Rebekah’s. If you want to send Frank a card or letter, you can send to the following address:

Frank Mott 300 NW Lake Ave. #110

Largo, FL 37711

I would also like to mention that the Mapleton Lodge #101 has initiated 4 new members on January 15th and 1 new member on January 29th, with 2 more signed up. WAY TO GO MAPLETON LODGE!!!!! When you initiate a new member, be sure to send in the New Member form to the Grand Lodge. Do NOT send to David Adams anymore. This is a new change per the Membership Committee.

Again, please get your Annual Report in if you already haven’t. In FL&T, Alex Saloum, Grand Secretary

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Lisa Rasmussen, Santa, and Brett Rasmussen visiting with Santa after he had passed out bags of goodies that he had brought for those that were naughty or nice, imagine that!!

UNITY REBEKAH’S ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARTY Unity #129 Rebekah’s of Paynesville’s annual Christmas party was held on December 20, 2017 at Ron & Judy’s Restaurant in Paynesville, MN. A big THANK-YOU to Katy Hubred for making all the arrangements with the help of Allen Hubred and Kristin Abrahams.

Back row (standing): Jan Sebesta, Frank Mott, Wayne Rosengren, Dave Sebesta, Santa, Brett Rasmussen, Allen Hubred, Connie Saloum, Kristin Abrahams, Alex Saloum, John Reynolds. Seated: Bob Amiot, Lisa Rasmussen, Jennifer Rosengren, Katy Hubred, Margaret Reamer, Jeanne Reynolds.

Those present were from lower left to right: Connie Saloum, Bob Amiot, Frank Mott, Jeanne Reynolds, John Reynolds, Jennifer Rosengren, Wayne Rosengren-GM, Dave Sebesta, Jan Sebesta, Lisa Rasmussen, Brett Rasmussen, with backs to camera; Margaret Reamer, Katy Hubred, Allen Hubred, and Kristin Abraham. Alex Saloum taking pictures. Food served was either off the menu or a selection from their $5.00 Wednesday hamburger specials. Several had hamburgers, others barbeque ribs, or shrimp. Whatever you had, it was delicious. Sixteen members and guests were present for this fun Christmas party.

On the left is one of the Ornaments, of several,

that decorated the tables and were

furnished by Katy. The reindeer and

penguin scene on the right was displayed by

Ron & Judy’s restaurant.

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PILGRIMAGE TO THE TOMB OF THE UNKNOWNS

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PILGRIMAGE TO THE TOMB OF THE UNKNOWNS

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PILGRIMAGE TO THE TOMB OF THE UNKNOWNS

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PILGRIMAGE TO THE TOMB OF THE UNKNOWNS

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CAMP FA-HO-CHA WINTER REPORT

Time to Mark Your Calendars!!

Grand Lodge Sessions are June 14 – 16, 2018 (Thur. – Sat.) at the Best Western Plus in New Ulm, MN. Registration form will be going out the first part of April 2018, so let’s all get pumped up for another great Annual Grand Lodge Sessions!! Chairpersons this year are Anna Eells and Dave Sebesta. Hosts are Brett Rasmussen and Donna Perryman.

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This is the main living room. Ceilings are sheet rocked, but need taping and texturing. All the work done has been by members of Mapleton Lodge.

Kitchen cabinets being installed over the hardwood floors that were installed by John Sonnek, a member of Mapleton Lodge.

Stained doors are looking good. Nice big window for light to come in. Floor ready for flooring material.

Another bedroom getting ready for flooring and doors. Fixtures to go in as soon as taping and texturing are done.

Stanley Whitney standing by the miter saw used to cut the flooring. This is the living area in Apartment 1. Several individuals are interested in renting.

The main living area in Apartment 2. Ceilings all sheet rocked and ready for texturing. Doors and flooring still needed, but coming soon.

MAPLETON LODGE #101’s BUILDING PROGRESS

Thank you to Linda Whitney for the photos.

Mapleton Lodge has been in the process of renovating the upstairs of their new Lodge building. They are making two new apartments upstairs and have done some renovation in the downstairs lodge itself. Plans to start renting are for some time in May or June of 2018.

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EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING AT HOPKINS - 1/13/2018

The Executive Board/Finance meetings were held in the basement of the Hopkins American Legion located in Hopkins, MN on January 13, 2018. Hopkins Lodge #17 hosted the Executive meetings for the month of January. After the meetings, Hopkins Lodge provided those present with hot homemade chicken noodle soup and sandwiches for those that wanted some.

The Membership Committee that was scheduled for this Saturday was cancelled due to cold weather and other member commitments.

WHO REALLY IS AN ODD FELLOW??

“Organizations don’t serve people, individuals serve people. In the customers’ eyes the institution is only as good as the person they are interacting with at that moment. In other words, the individual is the organization.” - John G. Miller, QBQ! The Question Behind the Question: Practicing Personal Accountability in Work and in Life.

Pictured to the left are members of Hopkins Lodge that were present for the meetings, they are from left to right; Wayne R. Johnson, lodge Secretary, Russell Barnes, lodge Treasurer, and Marlow Peterson. Wayne provided the homemade chicken noodle soup for those present.

Those present at the Executive Board/Finance meetings were from left to right; Rick Benesh, Marlow Peterson, Russell Barnes, Robert Arthur, Jr.-DGM, Wayne Rosengren-GM, and Alex Saloum-GS taking picture.

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EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING AT WINDOM - 2/10/2018

Those present for the Executive / Finance committee meeting are from left to right: Lewis F. McFerran – Grand Treasurer, David “Ace” Adams – Grand Rep., Robert Arthur, Jr. – Deputy Grand Master, Wayne Rosengren – Grand Master, Brett Rasmussen – Immed. Past Grand Master. Taking pictures was Alex Saloum, Grand Secretary. The person behind Wayne Rosengren is Kevin Heggeseth, a member of Windom Lodge #108. Several members of Windom Lodge sat in on the Executive meetings.

Those present for the Membership meeting were from bottom left to right: LuAnn Lanz – Chairperson, Donna Steele – Membership Secretary, Robert Arthur, Jr. – DGM, Donna Perryman, Eva Steele, Kevin Heggeseth, David Adams, Ray Elston & Norman Kuehl of Windom Lodge, Joan Adams, Brett Rasmussen, and Lewis F. McFerran. Youth Committee and Visual Services committees were scheduled to meet also, but no members from those committees were present, so they were cancelled.

Members from Windom Lodge #108 are, l to r: Ray Elston, Dave Elston, Norman Kuehl, Kevin Heggeseth, not pictured Jim Glidden.

A meal was served by Windom Lodge which consisted of potato salad and sandwiches. Donuts and coffee were served when we arrived.

A “BIG” Thank You to the members of Windom Lodge for hosting the

Grand Lodge and their

committees.

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THREE LINKS CEO - MARK ANDERSON’S REPORT

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BROKEN LINKS In Loving Memory

BROTHER: HARVEY SKORHEIM DATE OF BIRTH: December 23, 1916 DATE OF DEATH: January 2, 2018 MEMBER OF HASSAN VALLEY LODGE # 109 – Hutchinson, MN DATE OF MEMBERSHIP: 1951 Harvey LeRoy Skorheim was born on December 23, 1916, in Dwight, North Dakota. He was the son of Henry and Tilda (Johnson) Skorheim. Harvey was baptized as an infant and was later confirmed in his faith as a youth. He received his education in Dwight, North Dakota, and was a graduate of the Dwight High School Class of 1934.

Harvey entered active military service in the United States Army on February 28, 1942, at Fort Snelling in Minnesota and served his country during World War II. He received a Good Conduct medal and an Asiatic Pacific service medal for his service in Pearl Harbor. He received an Honorable Discharge on October 6, 1945, at Fort Lewis in Washington and received the rank of Sergeant.

On November 2, 1941, Harvey was united in marriage to Helen Hanson in Adams, North Dakota. This marriage was blessed with four children, Betty, Dianne, Duane, and Linda. Harvey and Helen resided in Adams, Grafton, and Devils Lake, North Dakota, and later moved to Hutchinson in 1956. They shared 57 years of marriage until Helen passed away on October 9, 1998.

Harvey was best known as “Mr. Dairy Queen” where he was the owner/operator of Dairy Queen from 1956 until he retired in 1982. Harvey also had several business interests. He co-owned Buster’s Café, sold Farmers Insurance, and worked part time at Alrick’s Clothing. Harvey was a long time member of Faith Lutheran Church and the Crow River Country Club in Hutchinson. He was a very active community member of the Hutchinson Legion Post 96, the Hutchinson Elks Lodge #2427, the Hutchinson VFW Post 206, the Hutchinson Oddfellows Lodge #109, the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) #37 in Hutchinson, and the Hutchinson 40 & 8.

Harvey enjoyed golfing and wintering in Mesa, Arizona. He especially enjoyed spending time with his family, grandchildren and friends.

When Harvey needed assistance with his daily care, he became a resident at The Pines in Hutchinson in 2007 until he became a resident at Harmony River Living Center on February 6, 2017. He passed away there on Tuesday, January 2, 2018, at the age of 101 years. Blessed be his memory.

Harvey is survived by his: Children, Dianne Herendeen and her husband, Frank of Cohasset, MN, Duane Skorheim of Hutchinson, MN, Linda Lalim and her husband, Brad of Hershey, PA; Grandchildren, Steven Olson and Opal Shepherd-Say; 5 Step Grandchildren; 5 Great Grandchildren; 9 Step Great Grandchildren; 2 Step Great-Great Grandchildren; Son-In-Law, Don Olson of Grand Rapids, MN; Brother, Donald Skorheim of Grafton, ND; Sisters-In-Law, Arnola Skorheim of Park River, ND, Vi Skorheim of Minot, ND; Nieces, Nephews, and many other relatives and friends.

Harvey is preceded in death by his Parents, Henry and Tilda Skorheim; Wife, Helen Skorheim; Daughter, Betty Olson; Brothers, Kenneth Skorheim and his wife, Doris, Raymond Skorheim, Dennis Skorheim, and Henry “Bud” Skorheim and his wife, VernaDelle; Sister In-Law, Thelma Skorheim.

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BROKEN LINKS In Loving Memory

SISTER: BLANCH A. OLSON DATE OF BIRTH: February 21, 1922 DATE OF DEATH: December 13, 2017 MEMBER OF: LAKESIDE #105 – Detroit Lakes, MN DATE OF MEMBERSHIP: 1998 Blanch A. Olson age 95 of Detroit Lakes, MN died on December 13, 2017 at the Sanford Centennial Hospice Cottage in Sioux Falls, SD. Blanch Alvira Olson was born on February 21, 1922 in Sebeka, MN, the daughter of Carl and Mary (Hemphill) Peterson. She attended school in Sebeka, later moving to Evergreen Township in rural Frazee, MN, where she graduated from Frazee High School. As the valedictorian of her class, she received a half-year scholarship for college, but in the midst of the Great Depression her family couldn’t pay the remaining tuition and she was unable to attend. Later, while working for Cargill in Minneapolis, Blanch attended some classes at the University of Minnesota. These experiences left her with a deep appreciation for both the importance of a high-quality education as well as the value of every hard-earned dollar. She impressed these values on her family and always encouraged and supported those she loved in their educational pursuits. She worked as a bookkeeper for the Wolf Lake Creamery and later for the Cass Clay Creamery in Moorhead, MN. In January of 1955, she was united in marriage to Forrest Olson in Reno, Nevada. They made their home in Sacramento, CA, Oakland, CA, and Brainerd, MN. In 1965, they moved to Detroit Lakes, MN where she worked as the business manager at Multi County Nursing Service for fourteen years. There, she also became an advocate for patients in the Medicare system. Later, Blanch spent 12 years working for DL TV and Appliance. Forrest assed away in 1990. Blanch married Dick Hein in 1998, and they made their home in Detroit Lakes until Dick passed away in 2013. As an avid sports fan, Blanch closely followed the Minnesota Vikings and Twins, and loved listening to Bert Blyleven and Dick Bremer. She had an uncanny ability to win sweepstakes, and freely shared much of what she won with friends and family. This included tickets to both the1991 World Series and The Masters golf tournament. She was an active member of the congregation at Trinity Lutheran Church, and enjoyed participating in fellowship, including her Circle Bible Study. Blanch was known for her warm smile, and was a constant source of conversation, emotional support, and thoughtful advice when a friend or family member was facing a challenge. Most of all, she found great joy in spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She is survived by her two sons, Bert (Cindy) Olson, and Gary (fiance’ Connie Breakey) Olson; two stepsons, Bruce (Jean) Hein, and Dr. Gary (Wanda) Hein; and eleven grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. In addition to her two husbands, she was preceded in death by her two brothers, Dale Peterson and Bert Peterson; infant sister, Phyllis Peterson; one stepson, Lynn Hein; and her parents.

Thanks to Lakeside Lodge #105 for program.

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The Grand Lodge of Minnesota Grand Secretary/Editor: Alex Saloum PO Box 7415 Hutchinson, MN 55350-7415 Office Phone 320-234-0101 E-mail: glofminn@hutchtel.net

Grand Lodge of Minnesota Instituted May 5th, 1853

The Minnesota Odd Fellows Web Site is at mnoddfellows.org

Happy Valentine’s Day to Everyone!!

Minnesota’s Odd Fellow/Rebekah Birthday Club MARCH BIRTHDAYS: APRIL BIRTHDAYS:

Date Name Lodge Date Name Lodge 2nd Bernard Leach # 102 & 026r 1st Janice Erwin # 161r 3rd Vernette Warling # 105 1st Elaine Kienitz # 151r 3rd Albert Alitz # 134r 1st Thomas Millering # 084 5th Beth Albertson # 026r 1st Michael Vogt # 118 6th Robin Bohland # 002 4th Bob Hoover # 105

8th Mavis Corneliussen # 105 4th Harold Lanz Jr. # 101 & 011r 8th Mike Maiers # 109 6th Kevin Pattison # 230 11th Richard Erwin # 084 7th William Alitz # 050 & 134r 11th Dr. Larry Rapp # 230 8th David Elston # 108 11th Allan Denny # 084 9th Bobby Rasmussen # 109 11th Lynn Glamm # 084 13th Wayne R. Johnson # 017 13th Adeline Sherbrooke # 105 14th Michael Richards # 230 14th Hank Reitan # 105 16th Herb Kloos # 230 16th Alex Saloum # 109 & 129r 16th Dale Johnson # 230 19th Norman Rustand # 230 16th Melody Bruns # 230 19th Larry Carlson # 050 17th Gay Ekberg # 230 20th John Ekberg # 230 18th Kathleen Glidden # 140r 20th Gene Lewis # 101 18th Betty Gural # 109a 23rd Nathon Steele # 030 19th Frank Ricci # 002 23rd Gary Whitney # 101 19th Donald Weis # 084 23rd Mark Whitney # 101 20th David Kramer Sr. # 109 26th Lisa Rasmussen # 109 24th Christine Johnson # 230 26th Herb O’Neil # 109 26th Earl Johnson # 154 27th Jerald Otto Jr. # 002 27th Richard Stroncek # 118 30th James Stelflug Sr. # 002 30th Merlene Keeler # 026r 30th William Schwind # 102

Sick and Distressed

Those that are sick and in distress are listed below. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Name Lodge Sickness or Distress Wayne Rosengren Minnetonka #102 Undergoing chemotherapy again. Everett Hantge Hassan Valley #109 Back issues. Barney Leach Minnetonka #102 Recuperating at home. Art Benjamin Hassan Valley #109 Fell and fractured his leg. Janet Hanson Humboldt #24 Recuperating at nursing facility.

Doreita Reynolds Happy Home #161 Sister-in-law passed away.

Please send any information that could be used in the newsletter or the Web Site to me (Editor:) at the address listed below. If you think someone may have sent it, send it anyway, better that I get 5 copies than none at all. Anytime you send me information please enclose your name and lodge number. If you have any questions, suggestions, ideas call me anytime at 320-234-0101.

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