North Dakota

Tombstone of North Dakota toddler who fell into a well in 1903 finally finds home with her family

Published

2 years ago

August 9, 2024

Tombstone of North Dakota toddler who fell into a well in 1903 finally finds home with her family

WALCOTT, N.D. — Just outside Walcott, North Dakota, on Tuesday, Aug. 6, was the beginning of what will soon be a family reunion 120 years in the making.

A headstone for toddler Ella Paulhus, who died in a well back in 1903, is finally headed west.

It was a perfect summer day for the historic morning at the Walcott Cemetery in Richland County.

“It is really emotional to see that this is still here, in such good shape, after 120 years,” said Brett Tangedal, whose grandmother was Ella’s sister.

On Tuesday, the relatives of Ella arrived from North Carolina.

“Ella was my grandmother’s younger sister,” Tangedal said.

They came to move the toddler’s cemetery marker to the Oslo Cemetery near Fortuna, North Dakota.

“That Norwegian line means ‘An early death means holy peace,’” Tangedal said, translating the Norwegian writing on the gravestone.

It was 120 years ago and Paulhus was with her mother at a church picnic at a neighbor’s farm. That is when she fell into a well and died. She was about to turn 2.

“Poor little Ella. She was left here buried by herself and the family never came back,” Tangedal said.

After her tragic death in 1903, her parents and siblings headed west. Since then, her stone and her remains have been kept at Walcott.

“Everybody else is buried in Fortuna, and she has been here all these years, forgotten,” Tangedal said.

But Tuesday, cemetery caretakers helped the family of Ella Paulhus load the stone for the trip to Fortuna, near the Canadian border, to be with her family at a cemetery there.

“It is just amazing, it makes me feel so warm, my heart is pounding,” said Cheryl Anderson, Walcott Cemetery sexton.

Even the people of Walcott who care for this cemetery were so moved by the gesture to have this reunion of sorts. Even Darlan Fatland, who retired after acting as sexton at the cemetery for 45 years, helped load the monument.

“Granting a long-standing wish of 120 years. Amazing,” Anderson said.

Because she was likely buried in a wooden box in 1903, Paulhus’ remains stay in Walcott. As a way to stay connected, her family collected soil in Walcott to bring to the new spot in western North Dakota.

It was an emotion-filled morning for all. The little girl who fell in a well 120 years ago, loved so much by family, that today, no one can forget her.

Kevin Wallevand has been a reporter at WDAY-TV since 1983. He is a native of Vining, Minnesota in Otter Tail County. His series and documentary work have brought him to Africa, Vietnam, Haiti, Kosovo, South America, Mongolia, Juarez,Mexico and the Middle East. He is an multiple Emmy and national Edward R. Murrow award recipient.

Reach Kevin at kwallevand@wday.com or 701-241-5317

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North Dakota

PHOTOS: Long Beach State vs. North Dakota State, Softball

Published

5 hours ago

March 11, 2026

Press Room

PHOTOS: Long Beach State vs. North Dakota State, Softball

The562’s coverage of Long Beach State athletics for the 2025-26 season is sponsored by Marilyn Bohl.

Long Beach State hosted North Dakota State on March 10 where they suffered a 5-2 loss. Freshman Nina Sepulveda had two hits in the loss. Long Beach State will resume Big West play this weekend when they travel to UC Riverside for a three-game series starting Friday, March 13.

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North Dakota

Four area players land on North Dakota Division A all-state team

Published

17 hours ago

March 10, 2026

Press Room

Four area players land on North Dakota Division A all-state team

GRAND FORKS — Four area athletes were selected to the North Dakota Division A all-state girls basketball team, which was released by the North Dakota High School Coaches Association on Tuesday.

The North Dakota Associated Press Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association will release all-state teams later this month.

Thompson’s Addison Sage led the way as a first team all-state pick, as well as receiving the division’s Outstanding Senior Athlete honor. Her coach, Jason Brend, was the Coach of the Year.

All-state second team choices from the area are Devils Lake junior Tylie Brodina, Four Winds-Minnewaukan sophomore Suri Gourd and Thompson senior Kya Hurst.

Sage, a 5-foot-6 guard, averaged 22.3 points per game, 3.2 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 3.2 steals per game. Sage has more than 1,900 career points and holds the Tommies’ all-time scoring record.

Brodina, a 5-8 guard, averaged 18.8 points and 2.6 steals per game. She shot 82 percent from the foul line and 32 percent from 3-point range.

Hurst, a 5-6 forward, averaged 16.3 points and 9.6 rebounds per game. She added 3.7 steals and 3.5 assists per game while shooting 39.5 percent from 3-point range. Hurst has scored more than 1,600 points and grabbed more than 840 rebounds in her career.

Gourd, a 5-8 guard, averaged 26.1 points, 7.1 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 4.4 steals per game. Gourd has more than 1,600 career points in her career with two more seasons to play.

Gourd led Four Winds-Minnewaukan from a 5-17 record last season to a 16-8 mark this year.

Miller has covered sports at the Grand Forks Herald since 2004 and was the state sportswriter of the year in 2019 (NSMA, NDAPSSA), 2022 (NSMA, NDAPSSA), 2024 (NDAPSSA) and 2025 (NDAPSSA).

His primary beat is UND football but also reports on a variety of UND sports and local preps.

He can be reached at (701) 780-1121, tmiller@gfherald.com or on Twitter at @tommillergf.

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North Dakota

Annabelle Weber

Published

1 day ago

March 10, 2026

Press Room

Funeral Mass for Annabelle Weber, 95, of Dickinson will be 10:00 AM, Thursday, March 12, 2026 at Queen of Peace Church with Msgr. Thomas Richter celebrating. Burial will follow at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Dickinson. Visitation will be from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM, Wednesday, March 11, 2026 at Stevenson Funeral Home, Dickinson, with Rosary and Vigil service taking place at 6:00 PM. Annabelle passed away Friday, March 6, 2026 at St. Benedict’s Health Center, Dickinson. Annabelle S. Weber was born on December 8, 1930, in Killdeer, North Dakota, to Frank and Eva (Kowis) Schmalz. She grew up in Killdeer and graduated from Killdeer High School in 1947. At the age of 17, Annabelle began working at Zimbrich’s Department Store in Killdeer. She later moved to Dickinson, where she worked at S&L in retail sales and spent many years at Kessel’s Bridal Shop. While working at the Esquire Steak House, she met Gerald Weber, the love of her life. The couple was united in marriage on November 1, 1954, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Dickinson, where they made their home and built their life together. Annabelle was a woman who loved staying busy and caring for her family and home. She enjoyed hunting and fishing, along with hobbies such as crafts, sewing, and gardening. She was well known for keeping an immaculate home and took great pride in caring for those around her. Faith was an important part of her life. She joined the Catholic Daughters in 1957 and was active in church circles, often helping with funeral dinners and parish gatherings. Annabelle’s greatest joy was her family. Annabelle is survived by her sons, Greg (Barbara) Weber of Grand Forks, Russ (Rhonda) Weber of Dickinson; daughter, Sharon (Tony) Allen of Andover, MN; nine grandchildren, Christi (Ryan), Tiffani (Tim), Shane (Kayla), Tonya (Adam), Samantha (Scott), Kevin, Tracey (Analisa), Stacie, Tyler; 15 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild. She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Eva Schmalz; husband, Gerald Weber; siblings, William (Evelyn) Schmalz, Elaine (John) Buresh, and Vernon (Dolores) Schmalz; and daughter-in-law, Coleen Weber (Krance). Remembrances and condolences can be shared at www.stevensonfuneralhome.com.

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