Magnus Hans Midstokke was the oldest son of Norwegian immigrants Andrew & Inga Midstokke. He had one sister, Bergetta & one brother Arnold. They grew up in North Dakota along the Rail Road Tracks, his father was a Section Foreman for the Great Northern Rail Road. They lived in Rail Road housing in various area's of North Dakota. When the Rail Road first came to North Dakota the Section Foreman were responsible for 5 miles of track, later with progress it increased to 10 miles of track and so fourth. I know he lived in Anita, McVille, Sharron & Hannaford North Dakota during his youth. He met his furture wife, Gertie Stenson in McVille North Dakota. They married and had two sons my father Magnus Duane & Merlyn Curtis Midstokke. They moved to California in the 30's in search of a better life. Growing up Magnus used the nickname of Mugs and later he went by Mike. To me he was Grandpa Mike. During WWII my Grandparents moved to Henderson NV. He was a police officer for Las Vegas during the war. After the war he moved his family back to California and went back to the plumbing trade. When I became a Police Officer my father gave me my Grandfather's badge. I carried it every night on Patrol in my uniform pocket.
Grandpa Mike was the kind of guy that loved everyone. He had his own plumbing shop & did very well. But if he had been left to his own my Grandmother said he would have been broke. My Grandfather never liked collecting past due bills his customers owed. He would always say they will pay when they can. My Grandmother took over the billing part of the business so they would not lose the business. My Grandfather would always find ways around this to help people who were really needed it by not telling my Grandmother about certain jobs. When those jobs would end up paying later she would get upset with him for not telling her about them.
Grandpa was one of those fun Grandpa's he was always taking us places the Zoo, circus, fishing, horseback riding. He loved to play cards and penny poker was his favorite. He could talk to anyone. I remember going to the Ringling Brother's Circus & he talked the workers in allowing me to ride some of the circus horses & pet a lion, I was in heaven. He loved spending time with his Grandkid's. When I was about 10 he decided he wanted to learn to play the guitar, after his lessons he would call me on the phone. He would then lay the phone down and play for me what he had done in class that day. Sometimes the call would go on & on. I would yell into the phone that I had to hang up but he could not hear me & would just keep playing. He always talked about taking me back to Norway with him. But that was not to be. He lost a great deal of weight and started feeling poorly. He was diagnosed with stomach cancer in June of 1974. The cancer was to far advance for treatment to help. My Grandmother took him home & cared for him until he joined God in September.
Grandpa was a member of the Sons of Norway & a Mason. He was Christian and active in the Lutheran Church. I will miss & always carry his memories with me. My daughter is now in college & plans on becoming a Police Officer when she graduates. I plan on giving her my Grandfather's badge when she does so that he can watch over her as he has done for me all these years.
Grandpa Mike was the kind of guy that loved everyone. He had his own plumbing shop & did very well. But if he had been left to his own my Grandmother said he would have been broke. My Grandfather never liked collecting past due bills his customers owed. He would always say they will pay when they can. My Grandmother took over the billing part of the business so they would not lose the business. My Grandfather would always find ways around this to help people who were really needed it by not telling my Grandmother about certain jobs. When those jobs would end up paying later she would get upset with him for not telling her about them.
Grandpa was one of those fun Grandpa's he was always taking us places the Zoo, circus, fishing, horseback riding. He loved to play cards and penny poker was his favorite. He could talk to anyone. I remember going to the Ringling Brother's Circus & he talked the workers in allowing me to ride some of the circus horses & pet a lion, I was in heaven. He loved spending time with his Grandkid's. When I was about 10 he decided he wanted to learn to play the guitar, after his lessons he would call me on the phone. He would then lay the phone down and play for me what he had done in class that day. Sometimes the call would go on & on. I would yell into the phone that I had to hang up but he could not hear me & would just keep playing. He always talked about taking me back to Norway with him. But that was not to be. He lost a great deal of weight and started feeling poorly. He was diagnosed with stomach cancer in June of 1974. The cancer was to far advance for treatment to help. My Grandmother took him home & cared for him until he joined God in September.
Grandpa was a member of the Sons of Norway & a Mason. He was Christian and active in the Lutheran Church. I will miss & always carry his memories with me. My daughter is now in college & plans on becoming a Police Officer when she graduates. I plan on giving her my Grandfather's badge when she does so that he can watch over her as he has done for me all these years.
Magnus Hans Midstokke was the oldest son of Norwegian immigrants Andrew & Inga Midstokke. He had one sister, Bergetta & one brother Arnold. They grew up in North Dakota along the Rail Road Tracks, his father was a Section Foreman for the Great Northern Rail Road. They lived in Rail Road housing in various area's of North Dakota. When the Rail Road first came to North Dakota the Section Foreman were responsible for 5 miles of track, later with progress it increased to 10 miles of track and so fourth. I know he lived in Anita, McVille, Sharron & Hannaford North Dakota during his youth. He met his furture wife, Gertie Stenson in McVille North Dakota. They married and had two sons my father Magnus Duane & Merlyn Curtis Midstokke. They moved to California in the 30's in search of a better life. Growing up Magnus used the nickname of Mugs and later he went by Mike. To me he was Grandpa Mike. During WWII my Grandparents moved to Henderson NV. He was a police officer for Las Vegas during the war. After the war he moved his family back to California and went back to the plumbing trade. When I became a Police Officer my father gave me my Grandfather's badge. I carried it every night on Patrol in my uniform pocket.
Grandpa Mike was the kind of guy that loved everyone. He had his own plumbing shop & did very well. But if he had been left to his own my Grandmother said he would have been broke. My Grandfather never liked collecting past due bills his customers owed. He would always say they will pay when they can. My Grandmother took over the billing part of the business so they would not lose the business. My Grandfather would always find ways around this to help people who were really needed it by not telling my Grandmother about certain jobs. When those jobs would end up paying later she would get upset with him for not telling her about them.
Grandpa was one of those fun Grandpa's he was always taking us places the Zoo, circus, fishing, horseback riding. He loved to play cards and penny poker was his favorite. He could talk to anyone. I remember going to the Ringling Brother's Circus & he talked the workers in allowing me to ride some of the circus horses & pet a lion, I was in heaven. He loved spending time with his Grandkid's. When I was about 10 he decided he wanted to learn to play the guitar, after his lessons he would call me on the phone. He would then lay the phone down and play for me what he had done in class that day. Sometimes the call would go on & on. I would yell into the phone that I had to hang up but he could not hear me & would just keep playing. He always talked about taking me back to Norway with him. But that was not to be. He lost a great deal of weight and started feeling poorly. He was diagnosed with stomach cancer in June of 1974. The cancer was to far advance for treatment to help. My Grandmother took him home & cared for him until he joined God in September.
Grandpa was a member of the Sons of Norway & a Mason. He was Christian and active in the Lutheran Church. I will miss & always carry his memories with me. My daughter is now in college & plans on becoming a Police Officer when she graduates. I plan on giving her my Grandfather's badge when she does so that he can watch over her as he has done for me all these years.
Grandpa Mike was the kind of guy that loved everyone. He had his own plumbing shop & did very well. But if he had been left to his own my Grandmother said he would have been broke. My Grandfather never liked collecting past due bills his customers owed. He would always say they will pay when they can. My Grandmother took over the billing part of the business so they would not lose the business. My Grandfather would always find ways around this to help people who were really needed it by not telling my Grandmother about certain jobs. When those jobs would end up paying later she would get upset with him for not telling her about them.
Grandpa was one of those fun Grandpa's he was always taking us places the Zoo, circus, fishing, horseback riding. He loved to play cards and penny poker was his favorite. He could talk to anyone. I remember going to the Ringling Brother's Circus & he talked the workers in allowing me to ride some of the circus horses & pet a lion, I was in heaven. He loved spending time with his Grandkid's. When I was about 10 he decided he wanted to learn to play the guitar, after his lessons he would call me on the phone. He would then lay the phone down and play for me what he had done in class that day. Sometimes the call would go on & on. I would yell into the phone that I had to hang up but he could not hear me & would just keep playing. He always talked about taking me back to Norway with him. But that was not to be. He lost a great deal of weight and started feeling poorly. He was diagnosed with stomach cancer in June of 1974. The cancer was to far advance for treatment to help. My Grandmother took him home & cared for him until he joined God in September.
Grandpa was a member of the Sons of Norway & a Mason. He was Christian and active in the Lutheran Church. I will miss & always carry his memories with me. My daughter is now in college & plans on becoming a Police Officer when she graduates. I plan on giving her my Grandfather's badge when she does so that he can watch over her as he has done for me all these years.
