The Buffalo Mound
The Buffalo Mound contains more of the exciting Norwegian Pioneer family, the Stadems, and their journey through life in the early teens of the once brand-new 20th Century and on to the brand-new 21st Century. To begin with, we descendants of Alfred and Bergit Stadem will feature Estelle's tribute to her mother. Next: Reunions on the old Homestead! Then: "Bergit's Quotables," gleaned by her youngest daughter Ruth from all the golden bits of wisdom, wit, and charm still very much alive in a 97 yr. old Norwegian matriarch of South Dakota. Please go now to the first page for Daughter Estelle's loving tribute to the parents God gave.
ANNOUNCING THE PLAIN VIEW FARM HERITAGE CENTER PROJECT:
"To God be the Glory!" We are entering upon a most exciting new era for Plain View Farm with the establishing of this Center. We want to raise all monies and begin construction before Christmas of this year. If you would want to preserve the godly heritage of Christian pioneer farm life, as evidenced in the Alfred and Bergit Stadems and their nine children, this is the best way to do it: contribute to the funding! We will make sure your name and the name of the loved one you name (in memory of, or in honor of) will be entered on a special wall plaque in the Center for permanent display. We are offering this to all on the Internet, as well as the Stadem families, as this is something our nation needs most desperately, a godly Christian heritage and example of the Bible-based values that made our country so great and free and beautiful, truly a unique people and land. Eminent foreigners such as de Toqueville and Creveceur came and testified after observing our entire country and its institutions and manner of life that the exceeding greatness of this country was due to the preaching of righteousness in a thousand churches across the land--that is confirmation by those who came to find out the reason for our nation's rise to greatness so swiftly as we did, that we were on the right track and God was blessing us in an extraordinary way. Note that it was not due to our technology or industry or our hard work or our smarts! Glory was given instead, not to Americans, but to God for our nation's greatness, as we let our individual and national life be guided by Him according to His everlasting Word in the Bible! That known way of righteousness has been forsaken, as we know, by our society and its leaders. We are consequently bearing the tremendous cost today in the chaos, sin, and attacks of enemies, as well as the breakdown of the family.
Thank you for your contributions! We are counting on $100,000 to be raised before spring. If you want to contribute the entire amount, you are welcome! It will be added to the amount raised thus far, so as put us over the top, and make it possible to fund and equip the various parts of the interior as well. These interior parts are the caretaker apartment, the wheelchair access bathroom, the sound and light system, the stage, farm artifact display cases,
and other items that will make this barn-like Center
a wonderful place for all sorts of groups and church retreats to use, as well as serve as venues for the reunions. To contribute, contact: Eloise Hefty, 2820 S. St. Charles Lane, Sioux Falls, SD 57105. You may also contact us at:
A Certificate of Appreciation to each donor has been completed! It is signed by Pearl Stadem Ginther (Eldest of the Alfred and Bergit Stadem family), and the Secretary of the Heritage Center Project, Eloise Spilde Hefty. It will be sent to each donor if we have your address. It has been made to be attractive when framed.
ANNOUNCING STADEM GRANDSON STEPHEN STADEM'S PICTURE OF PLAIN VIEW FARM!
The Stadem family has an genuine artist in the family quiver! Stephen Stadem's much anticipated watercolor picture of Plain View Farm has just come out for ordering. This is a reprint from his original, and the copy shown here is just a dim shadow of it, as we have no other pictures available yet to equal the beauty of it. But this will give you all an idea of what it will look like. Framed in beautiful, weathered barn wood, set in a white border, it is a grassy scene of the most restful beauty that will grace any home and bring back fond memories as well as stimulate thoughts of God's grace and love for us all. Grandson Stephen has done this as a work of love, and it also provide a tangible means to raise funds for the rebuilding of Grandpa Alfred Stadem's barn, which fell down in a storm in recent years--a loss we all deeply felt. Stephen writes to us: "With a new barn outfitted for a retreat type setting the use of the farm will be expanded greatly and families will be able to plan their own get togethers there. There will be all kinds of possibilities. I think about how Gipa and Gima [Grandma Bergit and Grandpa Alfred] had ten revival type meetings, and how we can minister to the wider community. It's our heritage!"
Aunt Alida Stadem would certainly approve this wonderful project, and all of Stephen's words and vision for Plain View Farm and the rebuilt barn-meeting center! Please contact Stephen for the details on the cost of the picture and the framing and glass (with or without it). He can send it to you boxed (or in a roll) with Shipping and Handling added to the price of the picture and the framing (you can order just the print if you prefer)." The basic print is only $25 (but without reimbursement to Stephen for his fine work), but the whole purpose of this project is to raise donations for the barn meeting project, which is a way not only to share our wonderful Christian Scandinavian pioneer farm family heritage, but to share what Our Beautiful Savior Jesus Christ means to his children as well with the wider community. Would you not want to be a part of this exciting and meaningful endeavor, and help all you can to make it a living reality? The world desperately needs the message of Jesus Christ, and the values and meaningfulness that are so abundant and overflowing in this golden heritage of Plain View Farm.
You can write to Steve Stadem at: 48002 Woodsong Place, Sioux Falls, SD 57108. For contributions to the Heritage Center, please contact Eloise Hefty, Plain View Farm Secretary, 2820 S. St. Charles Lane, Sioux Falls, SD 57103. She can give you the details about it, or write for a Stadem Samtaleren, the Stadem Family newsletter she publishes, and it contains all the information you will need. Contributions can be given without any mention of the donor, or "In Memory of," or "In Honor Of." Certificates of Appreciation are available for all those who have contributed to the Fund. They are made to be framed. Thank you!
REUNION 2009 AT PLAIN VIEW FARM WAS A RESOUNDING SUCCESS! PLEASE GO TO THE UPDATE ON THE EVENTS THERE TO BE FOUND ON PLAIN VIEW FARM HOME PAGE. YOU CAN ACCESS THE HOME PAGE FOR THE UPDATE ON OARING IN THE RIVER.COM OR ON PLAIN VIEW FARM HERITAGE, OUR NEW DOMAIN.
Estelle's "Tribute to Mother Bergit Stadem"
At last, beginning a long-planned-to-do new series, the Stadem Family annual reunions!
Stadem Reunion--1991, Theme: "Sing a New Song to the Lord"
Stadem Reunion--1994, Theme: "Moments of Reflection"
Stadem Family Reunion 2002, Theme: Remembrance of Bernice Schaefer, Passed to Glory, Year 2000
Mama Bergit's Quotables
A Christmas Letter from Mama Bergit, Ruth quoting Mama, with Ruth's comments too, written to Cora and Carl in Brazil, dated 11-28-82, the year before Mama Bergit Stadem's passing to her heavenly reward at age 98:
"Christmas Letter from Mama Bergit and Ruth to Cora and Carl and Family, Missionaries in Brazil
Jesus came to heal the sin-sick lost souls of this world, as he said, which we all are, or were; As he said, he did not come to those who are well or think themselves well.
Note to Stadem Families: Does anyone know what happened to the daisy-embroidered table cloth that Bernice Stadem-Schaefer sent to Mama Bergit Stadem in 1982 to embroider the daisies on?--please let us know at the Stadem Family Reunion, if possible. This tablecloth is mentioned in the above letter. To think that Grandmother Bergit was working on this tablecloth, embroidering it, only months before her passing to heaven! She did beautiful work in embroidery, of which we have a sample in the sample that follows--Ed.
Please link to a Tribute to Daughter Bernice Stadem Schaefer, Second Eldest of the Seven Stadem Sisters:
"Would You Recognize a Queen?" A Tribute to Bernice Stadem Schaefer by Nephew Ronald Ginther
Also link to Daughter Bernice Schaefer's Memories Page:
"Memories of Papa and Mama"
This picture, painted by the late Athena Smith, a very dear friend of the Ginthers who had MS (a full body paralysis, which came on after a boating accident) and could not move her body yet painted with a brush in her mouth, is dedicated to Ruth Stadem-Harrington. My Aunt Ruth loved Jesus more than anyone, even her beloved Mama and Papa and her sweetheart husband Tom Harrington--which love she showed by her constant mention of Jesus to one and all, loved ones and strangers she met in the stores or in restaurants or airports, wherever she happened to be. Ruth was a light shining for Jesus all her days, and she was generous far, far beyond the average--giving to all sorts of people in need, and did not forget missions and missionaries, as her sister Cora Stadem-Taylor can testify! Her generosity was a hallmark of her beloved parents Alfred and Bergit Stadem, to be sure--and she most wanted to be like them and Jesus whom they loved and served all their days! We need to more people like Aunt Ruth!--Ruth's nephew, Ronald Ginther
A Tribute by Nephew Ron Ginther to his late aunt, Ruth Stadem-Harrington:
"Two Sisters in Soul," A Tribute to Aunt Ruth by Nephew Ron Ginther
And a Visit here wouldn't be Complete without the story of the Buffalo Mound itself. Link to Ron's Writings One for the Tale:
Ron's Writings One, containing Tales for a Tupin and Tuta, including "The Buffalo Mound," by Ronald Ginther
Pearl's Stories About Horses, Skunks in the Henhouse, and Papa's Jigging are a Special Treat--so use the link to them!
Latest story is about how ice cream was made on PVF! This story may also become a video film soon in the Plain View Farm Video Library!
"Pearl and her Mama Made Ice Cream," by Pearl Stadem Ginther (age 99)
Pearl's Stories
"Complete in Christ," A Tribute to Aunt Estelle Stadem-Rangen, by Nephew Ron Ginther
Before this much beloved lady's recent passing, she provided us with many pages of the Plain View Farm internet site that are priceless and irreplaceable. Her legacy is a great one, and extends to the PLAINVIEWFARM and THEBUFFALOMOUND websites and to the whole Internet as people from all over the world visit these pages. In the meantime, please go to her pages on Prairefarm, which in her own words tell about her experiences and remiscences of Papa, Mama, and Plain View Farm as a girl and young woman.
"Passing the Torch," A Tribute to Stadem Aunts & Uncles by a Grateful Nephew
A Tribute to Hans Spilde:
"The Marathon Runner," A Tribute to Uncle Hans Spilde by Nephew Ron Ginther
A Tribute to Uncle Joseph Rangen:
"From Tractor to His Destiny," a Tribute to Uncle Joseph Rangen, by Nephew Ron Ginther
"Rescue at Sea," The Divine Deliverance of Uncle Leroy Stadem, A Tribute by Nephew Ron Ginther
Estelle Rangen-Stadem's Reminiscences
We also offer a stereoscopic tour of Old Norway, with the below link to our Plainviewfarm pages on Angelfire! Remember the stereoscope of olden days? Maybe not, if you are third or fourth generation since the "Old Folks" got off the boat! Well, we have many original stereoscopic pictures (scenes all come doubled) in Stadem Eldest Daughter Pearl A. Ginther's possession, that only need to be paged by some kind person in some other quieter, more leisurely-paced world than the present one we are living in! I have tried to pitch in, not being assured that "someone" will take up the reins of this website for me.
If you can arrange to look at the ten or so we already have on-line with a stereoscope, that would be wonderful! We have one for use at Pearl's, but it won't do you any good where it is. Though the scenes are lacking the use of the old-fashioned farm parlor's stereoscope, they will still bring back a sense of oldentimes, if you ever viewed scenes of distant parts in this fascinating way.
STEREOSCOPIC TOUR OF OLD NORWAY
Continuing a new series of tributes to beloved Cousins with a long-overdue tribute to Luther Svanoe, who passed to glory in a courageous, totally uncomplaining way that typified his spirit and life. Please go to the tribute to Cousin Paul Rangen on Stadems_Saga. He died from cancer, which came on him after he was exposed to Agent Orange during his tour of duty in Viet Nam in the war--but he never blamed the military for it, nor tried to get compensation of any kind. In the Stadem Reunion picture above, Luther Svanoe and his sister Mim are standing straight to the left of their Grandmother Bergit Stadem, seated by Grandfather Alfred Stadem in the center.
"Luther's Here I Stand," A Tribute to Luther Svanoe, by Cousin Ron Ginther
Another tribute, to Luther's elder sister, Mim Svanoe-Rinderknecht, who in her great love for the needy, the cast-off and homeless people of our society has shown the heart of Jesus more than anyone we know:
"It Must Be," A Tribute to Mim Svanoe-Rinderknecht, by Cousin Ron Ginther
A New Feature is the collection of Pearl's Laces, of which there are more than fifty samples to show you. Please visit the first page of this series that we offer on Plainviewfarm (Tripod website).
Four Views of Alfred Stadem and Bergit Holbeck-Stadem's Marriage Document:
"Pearl's Lacery," Part I
Two New Fish Stories by Pearl Ginther-Stadem are now on-line!
"Fishing with a Sack," by Pearl Stadem-Ginther
"Driving on the Lake," by Pearl Stadem-Ginther
After touring The Buffalo Mound, Site and Story, Please don't forget our Guestbook, with Some Special Links attached! Your comments will really encourage us to bring forth more treasures from the Stadem Heritage! Be blessed in God, as we are blessed! We love you!
Plain View Farm's Guestbook
Corn Cob Illustration is from a hand-made birthday card, created with this original art by a friend of Pearl Stadem-Ginther, for her 97th Birthday, September 13, 2006. The special new film video, with a "Talking Corn Cob," will tell about the Heritage Center Project. It is now finished, so please go see it soon when it come on-line and have yourself a treat!
NOW GOD BLESS YOU AS YOU GO ON YOUR WAY THROUGH LIFE AS A CHRISTIAN PILGRIM, BUT PLEASE RETURN, DEAR GUESTS, FOR MORE OF THE BUFFALO MOUND SAGA AS IT CONTINUES TO GROW! MAY GOD PRESERVE AND PROTECT YOU WHILE WE ARE ABSENT ONE FROM THE OTHER (THE MIZPEH BLESSING OF LABAN AND JACOB)!
Our New Master Directory of Ten Sites and the Plain View Farm Video Library
WWW.OARINGINTHERIVER.COM Master Directory
This verse from Psalm 119 and beautiful butterfly illustration was sent to Ronald D. Ginther, grandson of Alfred and Bergit Stadem in 1947 at Christmas, when he was five years old and had just lost his dad January of that year. It was found in a Christmas card from them (featured above) this December 2007!--A gift from the Grandparents returned to him after sixty years?
© 2008, Butterfly Productions, All Rights Reserved
Please do no use the old email address, but use this new address to contact us:
ronald.ginther@oaringintheriver.com
OUR PLAIN VIEW FARM AND BUFFALO MOUND GUESTBOOK! PLEASE SIGN IN
GUESTBOOK