FAMILY
It was a beautiful fall day. The autumn leaves had turned to gorgeous, vibrant combinations of gold and red, accented by the green of the conifers. The grounds of Tianna Country Club were immaculate as usual and one could see a few golfers off in the distance on neighboring holes. Our family was there to privately dedicate a bench committed to past members of our family who were active in the club for the past three-quarters of a century.
Dad was an old-time country doctor, who thought nothing of getting up in the middle of the night, plowing his old ’32 Ford through a foot of snow to deliver a baby in the middle of a snowstorm during the oftentimes vicious winters of Northern Minnesota. Mom and Dad came to Walker in 1930, when Dad replaced Dr. Wilcox, the only doctor in town who had unexpectedly passed away. A year later, Dad built a new hospital and a new home, while Mom had me! Five years later, my sister Suzie was born and the two of us were raised and went to school in the ambiance of a small-town environment. In addition to a high school diploma from Walker High School, I received a Bachelor of Science Degree from Carleton College and a Doctor of Dental Surgery Degree from the University of Minnesota.
Mom passed away when I was thirteen and Suzie was eight. Dad married again and he and his new wife, Josie had Johnny. Suzie and her family live in California and Johnny and his family live in Bemidji, but our entire family still lives in Walker. Our family consists of our four kids and our eight grandkids. Mara and her husband Mitch own and operate Shores of Leech Campground & Marina and have two children – Vaughn & Ellise. Franz and his brother Theo own and operate Benson’s Eating & Drinking Establishment. Franz has a wonderful friend in Maggie Mellby, while Theo and Brandy have four children – Benson, Eiluj, Clara and Thea. Sudena is my right hand in the dental office. She and her husband Jamie also manage the family rental business that we appropriately call, "Ringle Rental" and together they have two children - Keane and Breah. Since my wife, Joyce passed away, having the rest of family all together in our little town is a rewarding and gratifying experience.
