Ice jumpers raise $3,000 for breast cancer research

1, 2, 3! — Plungers featured above and below jump off wood pallets, only to discover firsthand just how frigid the waters of Beaver Lake are during the month of February. (Star Eagle photos by Rachel Rietsema)

By RACHEL RIETSEMA

Staff Writer

With the wind howling hushed and a full dose of sunshine, 38 daredevils set foot on Beaver Lake last Sunday afternoon.

Staring at the large drilled-out hole, they knew the fate that lay before them. The dreaded countdown began, and before their shivering bodies knew it, they plunged into the deep down under with one goal in mind.

“We decided that all of our proceeds would go to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Research Foundation,” said 2nd annual Polar Plunge organizer Cindi Bartness. “So many of us either know of someone who has dealt with breast cancer or been affected by it in some way.”

All jumpers were required to be 18 years of age or older, and make at least a $50 donation to the cause. Two of this year’s participants, Brandon Bartness and Pat Kruger, gladly claim the founder title for this well-attended event.

George, Faye Dettman still appreciate one another

SECOND TIME WAS THE CHARM — In what was a second marriage for both, Faye and George Dettman have enjoyed 50 years of wedded bliss. (Star Eagle photo by Kathy Paulsen)

By KATHY PAULSEN

Staff Writer

They say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.

And while that may not be the case with George and Faye Dettman, there are some indications this might figure into their chance meeting and subsequent marriage.

It was some 50 years ago that George ordered a steak, done rare, in a restaurant in Cando, North Dakota where Faye was working. When she saw the order she immediately came out of the kitchen to see who ordered their steak rare. Evidently she liked what she saw and he liked how she prepared his steak because they were later married in Havre, Montana back on September 12, 1960.

It was a second marriage for both of them. George’s first wife died when she was 26 from kidney cancer. They were the parents of three boys, Robert, Randy and Ronnie. Faye had two children, Dennis and Becky. Their family of yours, mine and ours included two children together, Roger and Roberta — one big, busy family that kept Faye home and busy as a full-time mother. They took family vacations "out west" and even slipped away for a vacation "without the kids" one time by letting them visit and stay with relatives along the way.

George is a man of many interests and experiences and though he recently celebrated his 82nd birthday, he still keeps busy working at Gopher Stop North in Ellendale. It was something he started doing some years ago when he and Faye occupied the house just behind the food and fuel complex owned by Lyle Wayne.