Ollie Mae Burgum (1899-1999)

Ollie Mae Burgum was born on a farm, three miles west of Arthur, North Dakota on October 14th 1899. Her father was Tom Owen Burgum, son of A.T. Burgum. Her mother was Marie Gillis, a Liverpool girl who came to Arthur in 1894 and worked on A.T's farm. She married Tom in 1896, after the death of his first wife (Margaret Ranard Burgum). Ollie travelled by train to attend school, receiving her diploma from Hunter High School in 1916. She graduated from Valley City State Teachers College in 1918.

For five years she taught primary grades in Arthur. I believe I am right in saying she counted Dorothy Williams (Mrs Alton Burgum) amongst her pupils. Ollie also taught for one year at the State School for the Deaf at Devils Lake, North Dakota. For a time during the winter months, she was employed at the ASC office in Fargo.

Between 1926 and 1935, Ollie was Postmaster at Arthur. She also worked as bookkeeper for the Arthur Creamery and the Arthur Mercantile, which she retired from in 1984 after 33 years. In 1965 she married Raymond D. Waxler, who died in 1972. Joe and Norma Peltier (FF 036) were Ollie's neighbours for many years. (I had the privilege of meeting Ollie Waxler at Arthur, during our visit in July 1990). Later that year Ollie moved to the Villa Maria Healthcare Center at Fargo, where she lived until passing away on January 15th, 1999. Ollie wrote news for the Cassleton Reporter, was active in the Royal Neighbors organization and was a Sunday School teacher for many years at the Arthur Methodist Church.

Ollie Waxler is survived by 2 nephews, a niece, 9 great nephews and nieces; and 7 great-great nephews and nieces. She will live long in their hearts and in the memories of her friends.