I am presently an elementary counselor for the Tacoma Public Schools in Washington. I have been in education since my graduation from Concordia College in 1958.
A highlight in my life since leaving Hannaford has been the three years I spent teaching and traveling in Africa. I have had the unique opportunity of visiting many countries and experiencing various cultures around the world.
My oldest daughter, Christen, is teaching at the American International School, Lagos, Nigeria, Africa. This is the same school she attended and the same school I worked for in 1972-75.
My youngest daughter, Wendy, married Grant Riva in Tacoma, Washington, and they are presenting living in Vail, Colorado.
The Rich name goes far back in American history. They were early immigrants from the British Isles. The Rich's came to America before the Revolutionary War and followed the "Westward Movement" as new land opened on the frontier.
Grandpa Samuel Rich was born in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. He moved to New Rockford, North Dakota, and worked on the Great Northern Railroad. Samuel met and married Anna Johnson. They had six children of which Lyle Emerson was the oldest son. Lyle was working on the B & B Department on the Great Northern Railroad in Luverne, North Dakota, where he met and married Bergetta Midstokke.
Bergetta's father, Andrew Midstokke was a sailor in the Norwegian Merchant Marines. He came to America with his two brothers from the city of Stavanger, Norway.
Andrew was working as a mason and farmhand near Sharon, North Dakota, where he met and married Inga Peterson. Inga came to the "New World" after an early death of her father, Peter. She was accompanied by her aunt who raised her near Fosston, Minnesota.
Andrew worked on the Great Northern Railroad for 37 years. He was section foreman at Sharon, Page and Hannaford. Andrew and Inga moved to the section house in Hannaford and they were soon followed by Lyle, Bergetta and family.
The children were Lyle, age eight; Gene, age six; Joan, age four; and Donald, age two; when we moved to our home in Hannaford from Luverne.
We have been a railroad family. Both grandparents, Lyle E. and Don, followed that tradition.
Every July 4, we meet at our house which we have lived in for 41 years. We offer an open invitation to our friends to come and visit us!
Source: Hannaford Area History North Dakota Centennial 1889 - 1989 Page 225