7/22/2009 – News
Volume 126, Number
Plummers to join Minnewaukan Hall of Fame
The late Garvin and Pearl Plummer will be inducted into Minnewaukan’s Hall of Fame during Minnewaukan’s Summerfest on Saturday, July 25. Mayor Curtis Yri will preside at the ceremony at 5 p.m. Garvin Plummer was a member of a pioneer family which traces its Minnewaukan roots back to the town’s beginning in 1884. Pearl Plummer’s family came to Minnewaukan in 1901. Garvin and Pearl lived their entire lives in Minnewaukan. She died Aug. 11, 2005 at the age of 84 and he died May 31, 2006 at the age of 84.
Garvin was a community booster all his life and after they were married in 1978 she also put forth great efforts in promoting the community.
Their obituaries follow:
Pearl Plummer
Pearl Vivian Huffman was born October 3, 1920 on the family farm near Minnewaukan. She was the first born of seven children of De-Witt and Hazel Watson Huffman. As a young girl she worked for several families for $2 a week. She graduated from Minnewaukan High School as valedictorian in 1938. She married George "Bud" Dickinson Aug. 9, 1942 in Minnewaukan. They farmed north of town for several years before moving into Minnewaukan. He died Aug. 9, 1977. She became a loan typist at the ASCS office in Minnewaukan and later loan clerk and administrative clerk. She retired Jan. 4, 1984 as county executive director after 36 years of service. She married Garvin Plummer Aug. 31, 1978 on the lawn of the Presbyterian Church in Minnewaukan.
She was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Minnewaukan. She enjoyed crocheting, traveling, caring for house plants and working in her garden. She and Garvin spent many hours beautifying the Minnewaukan Cemetery with flowers and other projects. She also helped with community suppers.
Survivors include her husband; a son, Gordon Dickinson and his companion, Donna, of Whidbey Island, Wash.; two grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; two great-great-granddaughters; three sisters, Doreen Nord of Red Lake Falls, Minn., Joyce Nord of Devils Lake and Ruth Larson of Wahpeton; two brothers, Earl Huffman and Lyle (Mavis) Huffman of Minnewaukan; and a brother-in-law, Douglas Dickinson of Midland, Mich.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband; a brother, Duane Huffman; a sister-in-law, Claris Huffman; three brothers-in-law, Sidney Nord, Ronald Dickinson and Chester Larson; and a cousin, Evelyn Sheets, who lived with her family from the age of two.
Garvin Plummer
Garvin Kent Plummer was born Aug. 31, 1921 in Minnewaukan to Clarence F. and Laura (Nelson) Plummer. He graduated from Minnewaukan High School in 1940. Later he attended the Dunwoody Institute in Minneapolis, Minn., learning the electrician’s trade. He served in the US Navy from Sept. 3, 1942 until Dec. 30, 1945 in the Pacific Theatre during World War II and was recalled for service during the Korean Conflict, serving in 1950 and 1951. He married Pearl Huffman Dickinson Aug. 31, 1978 on the lawn at the First Presbyterian Church in Minnewaukan. He was a master electrician. He also was janitor of the Benson County Social Services office building for several years. She died Aug. 11, 2005.
He was a lifelong member of the First Presbyterian Church and a 60-year member of the Gunnerud-Dietrich American Legion Post 86 of Minnewaukan. He was a member of the Minnewaukan Fire Department and served 13 years as its chief. He was the guiding force behind the establishment of the Minnewaukan Historical Society and was instrumental in obtaining the stone church as its museum. He served as the museum’s curator. He was the principal founder of the Minnewaukan Ambulance Service. He was a member of the Minnewaukan Commercial Club and served as its secretary-treasurer several years. He was sexton and secretary-treasurer of the Minnewaukan Cemetery Association for 49 years until retiring in 2005. He enjoyed making plaques which were given to those honored by the organizations he served. He was an accomplished chef who provided many meals for community activities. In recognition of his volunteer activities the community of Minnewaukan honored him at an appreciation dinner in September of 1976.
Survivors include a stepson, Gordon (Donna) Dickinson of Oak Harbor, Wash.; two step-grandchildren; three sisters-in-law, Doreen Nord of Red Lake Falls, Minn., Joyce Nord of Devils Lake and Ruth Larson of Wahpeton; and two brothers-in-law, Earl Huffman and Lyle (Mavis) Huffman of Minnewaukan.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; three sisters, Mildred S. Wertenberger, Lois D. Frey and Eunice D. Rognlie; two brothers, Carroll and Burton; an uncle who lived with the family, Bertram Plummer; and a brother-in-law, Duane Huffman.
Outlet running at capacity
The Devils Lake Outlet is running at its maximum capacity of 100 cubic feet per second. This photo shows the final structure of the outlet before water runs into the Peterson Coulee and then into the Sheyenne River. Water runs over the 100-foot concrete holding pond before hitting the rocks below. It is expected the outlet will run 24 hours a day, seven days a week until freeze-up.
Legion gets $500
The Citizens Community Credit Union of Devils Lake recently gave a $500 donation to American Legion Post 86 of Minnewaukan to help with repairs to its building. Mark Motis, a member of the Legion, is shown accepting the check from Darwin Brokke, president of Citizens Community Credit Union. The Legion had unexpected expenses of more than $9,000 when its furnace failed last fall and a new heating system had to be installed.
Caught in the act
Richard Peterson, owner and editor of the Benson County Farmers Press, was caught on the job during the Maddock Fourth of July parade by Carol Thompson of Harlow, a parade participant. After 45 years, Peterson still enjoys quietly standing on the sidelines capturing memories for future generations.
Win fishing tournament
The Angler and Youth Angler tournament was held July 11 out of Lakewood Park on Devils Lake. Left to right are the team of Karl Kenner of Maddock, Jason Feldner of Minnewaukan and Trey Benson of Maddock, which took first place with a weight of 22.49 lbs. They won a fishing boat, motor and trailer for their first place win and will advance to the international finals at Lake of the Woods in Ontario, Canada. Doyle Schwanke and Sara and Jack Schwanke of Maddock brought in 6.66 lbs. to take 20th place. Chris Koth of Minnewaukan fished with Mikel and Blake Buckmier of Maddock and took 23rd place with 6.10 lbs. Keith Pierson of Minnewaukan fished with Hannah Pierson and Jared Glynn and came in with 5.19 lbs. Trey Benson caught the biggest fish in the tournament, 6.12 lbs. This tournament pairs an experienced fisherman with two youth fishers.
