Sorstokkes retired but still handy with crafts

Posted 6/10/09 (Wed)

Melvin Sorstokke picked 1936 to take over the family farm. The country was deep into the Great Depression. North Dakota experienced its coldest temperature of 60 degrees below in February and the hottest of 121 degrees in July.

"And it was probably the driest year North Dakota ever saw," Melvin said.

Nevertheless, his persistence and good, old-fashioned Dakota toughness got him started on a farming career that lasted his whole life.