In memory of Helen and Lester Drege: (Helen’s service was
this past Saturday in Rugby, ND. She was 97 years young!)
Helen and Lester Drege were such good friends of my parents, Olga and
Merwyn Ostrem. Yes, they were relatives but much more. Mom would wait for
Helen’s Christmas greeting and if it was delayed for some reason she would call
to check in with Helen and Lester. That’s what family does.
When Aunt Della Ostrem’s funeral service was held the winter
temps in Rugby had dropped to -50 below zero without the wind chill. If you know North
Dakota there is always a wind. They were reporting -90 degree wind chill at the Minot Airforce Base an hour away from Rugby. Our family was staying at the local motel and my
truck was frozen solid. Lester came to the rescue and helped us get to the funeral
service plus arrange for the truck to be thawed out. What gracious folks we
were blessed to have as relatives.
When my Mother, Bonita and I traveled
together to Rugby, it would be one of the last times Mom visited Helen in her
home. Helen was gracious as ever.
When I think of Rugby and my Grandmother Gemina (Drege, Ostrem,
Fossum) I always remember our visits to Ada and Sievert Drege’s home. Sievert
and Gemina were brother and sister. I never had the opportunity to know my
grandfather Anton Ostrem. I came to know a little about my grandfather as I listened
to Sievert and Grandma reminisce about Anton.
Helen and Sievert’s son Allen Drege
(Lester’s brother) was a folk hero in the Ostrem household. He was known for such
beautiful music he provided for so many.
Life has a way of pulling us apart from family. I wish we
would have had more days and memories as kids to share as families. Maybe our
memories are yet to come in the years ahead. Only God knows.
May God give us a perfect joy in knowing that our parents
gave us faith, hope and love!
