A Collection of Unique and Memorable Nicknames
The following list highlights some of the interesting and unique nicknames that people in the community have been known by. These nicknames often carry personal stories or cultural references, adding a sense of character and connection within the community.
Commonly Recognized Nicknames
- “Ace” – Ronald Amundson
- “Auggie” – August Carstens
- “Babydoll” – Larry Connors
- “Bizzer” – Fred Hyppa
- “Bobbo” – Robert Lappi and his twin brother “Red Cloud”
- “Brownie” – Bill Mollard
- “Bubba” – Lauren Sawatsky
- “Buck” – Lester Ohotto, Richard Buckingham
- “Bud” – Albert Holm, Lewis Bystrom, Melvin Ranta, Olin Ofstad, William Heiam Jr., Walter Kennedy
- “Bumps” – Donald Baumgartner
- “Bunky” – Ernest Drift
- “Butch” – David Teska, Gary Boutto, James Cottrell, John Gustafson, David Erickson, Martin Zallar
- “Buzz” – Frank Pliml
- “Cork” – William Connor
- “Corny” – Lorin Eldien, Loren Lind
- “Dewey” – Dwayne Katzenberger
- “Ding Ding” – Eldon Drevland
- “Digger” – Ken Leding (worked in the funeral home business)
- “Doc” – Larry Leding (helped Dr. Heiam)
- “Donuts” – Don Nylund
- “Dunner” – John Nylund
- “Diesel” – David Leding
- “Duke” – David Leding
- “Dudley” – Tim Reign
- “Dupo” – Ronald Hakkila
Fun and Quirky Nicknames
- “Friday” – Ken Gustason (Gooseball’s younger brother)
- “Froggy” – Dennis Yourczek
- “Gismo” – Cletus Shoen
- “Goober” – Darrell Esterbrook
- “Gooseball” – Don Gustason
- “Gust” – Peter Lindgren
- “Gustie” – Lawrence Gustafson
- “Humpo Ducky” – Walfred Kehus
- “Ike” – Clarence Olson
- “Ingaborg” – Andy Grebenc
- “Jack” – Richard Michael Seopa, Slippery Namchek, John Whiteside
- “Jim” – Donald James Ohotto
- “Jim Bob” – James Koskovich
- “Jed” – Jedson Hejda
- “Jigger” – Ronald Waataja
- “Junior” – Erwin Keister
- “Kit” – Richard William Olson
- “Lars” – Alan Larson
- “Lucky” – Leon Jerry Schultz
Lesser-Known But Still Noteworthy Nicknames
- “Nicotine” – Nicolas Nevitt
- “Odis” – Brian Wardas
- “Ole” – Donald Abrahamson, Irvin Donald Swanson, Ronald Newman
- “Pee Wee” – Byron Bystrom, Donald Johnson
- “Peck” – Greg Olson
- “Pete” – Arnie Peter Johnson, Harold Newman
- “Poopslop” – Charles Sorvari
- “Porky” – Ralph Stordal
- “Pretzel” – Dennis Petrell
- “Punky” – Larry Baumgartner, Stanley Martinson
- “Rag” – Rodney Johnson
- “Ray” – James Anderson
- “Red” – Martin Schelde
- “Red Cloud” – Roger Lappi and his twin brother Robert “Bobbo” Lappi
- “Richie” – Albert Richard Holm
- “Rock” – Rodney Gillson
- “Rod” – Ross Huismann
- “Rusty” – Russell MacDonald
- “Sam” – Wesley Hill, Selmer Iverson
- “Scooby” – Neil Cheney
Creative and Unique Choices
- “Sherlock” – Taylor Midthun
- “Shim” – Jim Amundson
- “Skip” – Charles McCormick
- “Squeak” – Virgil McCue
- “Shorty” – Raymond W. Anderson, Terry Newman
- “Slippery” – James Allen Namchek
- “Smoke” – Karl Weatherton
- “Sonny” – Morris Flack
- “Sparkie” – Ronald Johnson
- “Speeukkle” – Robin Anderson
- “Splot” or “Splottle” – Darrel Lindgren
- “Stub” – Clare Stromlund, Orville John Schultz
- “Swede” – John Leding
- “Tadpole” – Tad Nelson
- “Teetababe” – Eddie Isham
- “TicTac” – Tommy Novak
- “Tinky” – Anton Weisner
- “Tobie” – Walter Tobias Lund
- “Undie” – Donald Alfred Anderson
- “Wally” – Arthur Waldermar Refsdal
Female Nicknames in the Community
- “Bobbie Lynn” – Rebecca Koskovich Leinonen
- “Betty Boop” – Sharon Takkunen Marinucc
- “Charlie” – Sharon Dahlin
- “Cookie” – Romona Doroff
- “Cricket” – Lynette Hakkila
- “Dede” – Denise Twite
- “Ernie” – Erin Melissa Nurmi
- “Dolly” – Caroled Ofstad Bellerud, Lynn Hakkila
- “Jen Jen” – Jennifer Haney of Orr
- “Kit” – Kirsten Larson Sayeh
- “Lippy Lor” – Lori Mae Nurmi
- “Lulu” – Mary Lou Vukelich Fry
- “Mimi” – Irene Fisher Udovich, Michelle Peterson Rautiola
- “Ms Beep” – Becky Simonson Trip
- “Poopsie” – Nancy Edblom Reing
- “Watson” – Summer Taylor
Community Nicknames for Specific Roles
- “Driller” – Dale Olson
- “Buzzard” – Dennis Carlson
- “Rusty Spike” – John Marconett
- “Bomber” – Greg Burckhardt
- “Animal” – Rick Appleby
- “Bull” – Kit Olson
- “Comet” – Joel Lawson
- “Drifter” – Sam Campagna
- “Scoundrel” – Jess Scofield
- “Foggy” – Steve Fogelberg
Letters regarding Nicknames
Several letters have been received from individuals sharing interesting stories and memories related to nicknames. Below are a few noteworthy anecdotes:
Nickname Stories from the Community
- Tadpole – Dan T. shared a story about a classmate named Tad Nelson, whose nickname was “Tadpole.” This nickname became widely known in their community.
- Slippery or Jack – Loretta Bogren wrote about her father, James Allen Namchek, who was known by two different nicknames: “Slippery” and “Jack,” depending on the area. These nicknames were often used interchangeably, though few still remember them today.
- Jen Jen – A submission from Jennifer Haney of Orr, fondly known as “Jen Jen” by her friends and family.
- Cookie – Valencia shared that her sister, Romona Doroff, was affectionately called “Cookie” by those close to her, and this nickname stuck over the years.
- Tinky – Tom Savage recalled that Anton Weiser, who graduated in 1943, was known as “Tinky.” Though the origin of this nickname was unclear, it was part of his legacy.
- Betty Boop – Mary Lindgren mentioned that Sharon Takkunen Marinucc was known as “Betty Boop” among friends, possibly due to her resemblance to the iconic cartoon character.
- Humpo Ducky – Kathy Ikola described Walfred Kehus as a family friend with the unusual nickname “Humpo Ducky,” though the origin and meaning of this name remain a mystery.
- Pretzel—Jim Petrell reminisced about his brother Dennis, who earned the nickname “Pretzel” while playing basketball in high school. It was a playful reference that continued throughout his life.
- “Splawdle” – Michael Sarazine mentioned a community member known as “Splawdle.” While the full name or origin was forgotten, this quirky nickname left an impression.
- “Lucky” and “Tiny” – Jutta Karin Schultz shared the nickname “Lucky” for her husband Leon Jerry Schultz and the story behind her children’s nicknames, including “Missy” for Ericka and “Tinkerbelle” for Elizabeth, showcasing the lasting tradition of unique family names.
- “Wee Wee” – Don Erickson humorously shared how his brother Warren’s nickname, “Wee Wee,” originated from a hunting trip when he wrote his initials on his cap, becoming a lasting and playful moniker.
- “Cud” – Dot Saari provided insight into how Jim Saari, known as “Cud” in the community, earned his nickname. It was commonly used among the residents of Cook.
Additional Stories and Reflections
- “Poopslop” – Jim Pohl shared a memory of the nickname “Poopslop” for Charles Sorvari. It was a nickname that amused many and remains a distinctive part of his legacy.
- “Digger” – Dave Leding recalled the nickname “Digger” for his uncle, who worked in the funeral home business. It was a fitting name for someone involved in that profession, as it humorously referenced the act of digging graves.
- “Bucko” – Kathy Zallar shared the story of the nickname “Bucko” for Tony Vukelich, which has been a long-standing moniker in the community.