Living Legends of North Central Montana

Talk about living legends and I think this area has more than it's share. I'd like to share five of those characters with you today on my Puffman blog.

Retired veterinarian Rib Gustafson in Conrad is not only good with animals, he's the author of numerous books about animal and human life in Smalltown, USA.

Rib has more stories to tell than His Honor, our mayor, Larry J. Bonderud. Our local eye physician attended college in Moorhead, Minnesota, the University of Montana at Missoula, and the Southern California College of Optometry.

While at the College of Optometry, Larry was president of the American Optometric Student Association. Besides practicing optometry here in Shelby, Conrad, and Browning, Larry is in his fifth term as mayor of our town!

He began his political career years back with his serving on Shelby City Council. If this isn't enough, the man's on the radio here at KSEN every Monday morning at 9. I believe radio is in Mayor Larry's blood because when he was born over in Havre, his mom gave him the name "Larry", naming him after a Havre radio personality. I'm not sure where she came up with "Bonderud" for a last name but it has served him well.

Speaking of broadcasting, another living legend would have to be former KSEN/K 96 owner/operator Jerry Black. Jerry has done it all from owning an eatery, publishing an oil magazine, and even serving as a Montana state senator.

As a broadcaster, I have all the respect in the world for Jerry for making this station not only what it is today but also having the vision and foresight in establishing a broadcasting facility in this rural northern Montana area. It wasn't all easy and Jerry not only faced up to the challenges of running a successful radio station in this rural, sparsely populated area, but also overcoming many obstacles along the way. No wonder that Jerry was inducted into our Montana Broadcasters' Hall of fame several years ago.

Jerry was the "old school" broadcaster with a "hands-on" management style and an understanding of everything from the technical to the business aspect to the "on the air" presentation. It was my pleasure to work for and with Jerry and learn even more about our business.

Speaking of learning, I suspect that many of you "learned" from Pearl Kauk down in Conrad. Pearl taught for years in Brady and is still alive and lively today at the young age of 103.

As for learning, I think we could all learn a great deal from retired Shelby attorney Jim Nelson. Nelson practiced law in Shelby for many years and was a partner with the late Rae Kalbfleisch. This barrister is sharp as ever and is enjoying his retirement from the courtroom at the Marias Heritage Center here in Shelby. All in all, an animal doctor, a broadcaster and state senator, an eye doctor/mayor/radio guest, a school teacher, and an attorney are only five of the living legends in these parts.

I would like to include myself in this lineup but there are too many ahead of me!