Connie was having some fun making a video of some of our excursions. Check it out!

What a beautiful morning for a train ride through the mtns. The views one sees from the rail are so different from what you see driving Hwy 2. I decided to take a quick trip back to ND to celebrate my Uncle’s 90th birthday with him. My grandson Jalen also had a birthday earlier in the week that he is celebrating tomorrow, so fortunately I get to join in his festivities also.

Spring of 1981 with Arden and Pete

Way back in 1981 my Uncle Arden made me an offer to come to ND and work for him and learn the farm game. A great big Norwegian bachelor that was well respected in the community and known for his easy going temperament. It was my good fortune that he was also long on patience. When a green kid shows up on the farm things don’t always go as planned. Many times that first spring he could be seen shaking his head in disbelief at the predicament his new hired hand had gotten into. Under his guidance though I was able to learn machinery operation, maintenance, and repair. He taught me so many valuable lessons in growing crops, livestock, and family. Arden provided the first home that Connie and I had when we moved to the Churchs Ferry area.Surveying his hired mans handy-work

Arden had told me at the beginning of my employment that if I was able to learn the operation and stick with him that he would get me started with the business and perhaps I could take over when he retired. Back in those days farming and raising cattle were not very lucrative, but I still considered this a tremendous opportunity. These were fun times. These were days when you worked hard, but also had a lot of fellowship. Coffee time was 10 and 4, and without fail we would always break for 15 minutes to just sit back, relax and visit. I have so many fond memories of days working beside this man. Very seldom did we have words of disagreement and when we did my respect for him dictated that he was right, so do it his way.

In 1987 he did finally marry, to a widowed neighbor lady that he fell in love with. Sylvia brought a new vibrance to Arden’s life. This was a man who knew nothing but work. Now he had a partner with whom to experience other aspects of life. They enjoyed traveling and had a wonderful life up until her passing in 2013.

Arden did retire from farming in 2001. He continued to raise his beloved feeder cattle until 2010 when the flood waters of Devils Lake finally forced his decision to quit. Although retired from active farming, he was still out helping us combine in the fall into his 80’s. When he wasn’t helping with harvest he was still present to help with moving machinery or sometimes he and Sylvia would just come out with coffee.Arden Picking up wheat swaths

I owe this man so much for the opportunity he gave me as a young inexperienced whelp. It is because of him that my own farming venture had some success and I was able to work with my son to bring him into the business. Last fall he and I took an afternoon drive just to tour the farmland and reminisce. So often we tend to be so busy with our lives that we forget to take time for special people that helped create what we have become. I really enjoyed this afternoon together.

At the age of 90 now, Arden has had some health concerns, but still lives at his home with the assistance of my cousins Louise and Connie. Hopefully we will get to take another crop tour this spring during planting time, but for now we celebrate this milestone with a little more coffee, cake, and fellowship.

Happy Birthday Arden!