Detroit Lakes couple chosen as Becker County's Outstanding Senior Citizens for 2022

DETROIT LAKES — She's Norwegian, he isn't, but both Robert and Dorothy Hoover have been active in the Sons of Norway since 1973.

That was four years before the couple moved to Detroit Lakes to take the reins at Long Bridge Resort — now Long Bridge Bar, Grill and Marina.

"It was still a resort then," said Bob Hoover. "We ran it for almost 20 years, and sold it in 1996."

Since 1977, the Hoovers have also risen in the ranks to become "the backbone of their local (Sons of Norway) lodge." That's how the anonymous person who nominated them as Becker County's 2022 Outstanding Senior Citizens described Bob and Dorothy, who were officially awarded the Outstanding Seniors title at a Thursday, July 27 ceremony held as part of the Becker County Fair.

Bob Hoover, 82, says, "a day spent volunteering is a day well spent," and though he has recently slowed down due to health issues, he continues to serve as a member of the local Sons of Norway lodge board.

"I don't have a bit of Norwegian in me," he says, "but I've been a district (Sons of Norway) president."

Sons of Norway District 1 "stretches from the Canadian border all the way down to Texas," he added.

Bob has also served as international vice president of the Sons of Norway, and is instrumental in awarding scholarships to graduates through Dollars for Scholars in all county high schools — Detroit Lakes, Lake Park-Audubon, Frazee and Waubun, through the International Order of Odd Fellows, in which he and his wife are both active as well.

"I'm a full-hearted Norwegian, but I don't care for lutefisk," says Dorothy Hoover with a smile.

Dorothy, 81, has served as the social director for the Sons of Norway, Vikingland Lodge 1-495 in Detroit Lakes for more than 20 years, scheduling the programs that form the centerpiece of their monthly meetings.

She also teaches rosemaling classes and rides the Sons of Norway float in summer parades, and according to her anonymous nominator, "she is forever volunteering, always smiling and willing to help others."

At Trinity Lutheran Church, where she and Bob are both active members, Dorothy also serves as a member of the church choir and circle, quilting group and church WELCA (Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America) chapter. She and her husband are also both active in the local chapter of the International Order of Oddfellows.

The Hoovers join a long list of Becker County Outstanding Senior Citizens, who have been chosen annually since 1973. A full list of past winners follows.

• 1973: Georgianna Selkirk, White Earth, and John Dahl, Detroit Lakes.
• 1974: Hazel Farnam, Detroit Lakes and Pastor George Dirks, Osage.
• 1975: Mrs. D.W. Daggett of Frazee and Pastor Rueben Rock, Ponsford.
• 1976: Irene Vizenor, Ogema, and Carl Jacobson, Audubon.
• 1977: Myrtle Johnson, Detroit Lakes, and Lew Kent, Ogema.
• 1978: Idela Rindy and Conrad Ohman, both of Detroit Lakes.
• 1979: Pearl Sexton of Osage and Pastor Elmer Johnson, Detroit Lakes.
• 1980: Rose Cummings and Herman Hulin, both of Detroit Lakes.
• 1981: Edna Dallum and Sheldon Solheim, both of Detroit Lakes.
• 1982: Evelyn McCanna and Byron Allen, both of Detroit Lakes.
• 1983: Dorothy Carlson of Ogema and Clarence Illg, Frazee.
• 1984: Alice Nordstrom and George Simpson, both of Detroit Lakes.
• 1985: Doris Moe of Audubon and Orris Christensen, Lake Park.
• 1986: Rae Klomstad, Detroit Lakes, and Arnold Haukebo, Frazee.
• 1987: Helen Benshoff and Henry Gjersvig, both of Detroit Lakes.
• 1988: Mildred Elton, Audubon, and Harley Schooler, Detroit Lakes.
• 1989: Eleanor Trieglaff and Vernon Daggett, both of Frazee.
• 1990: Delores Belz and Charles Askegaard, both of Detroit Lakes.
• 1991: Mildred Otway, Detroit Lakes, and Harald Hendrichsen, Lake Park.
• 1992: Gladys Holt and Norman Erickson, both of Detroit Lakes.
• 1993: Ruth Helgerson and Robert Irvine, both of Detroit Lakes.
• 1994: Dorothy Bratlie and Roger Roy, both of Detroit Lakes.
• 1995: Marie Lundberg and Herb Flatt, both of Detroit Lakes.
• 1996: Marge Bergquist of Detroit Lakes and Amer Froysland, Audubon.
• 1997: Harriet Davis and John Jacoby, both of Detroit Lakes.
• 1998: Millie Berg, Lake Park, and James Dorrance, Detroit Lakes.
• 1999: Clara Lysaker and Jim Love, both of Detroit Lakes.
• 2000: Ellen Johnson, Audubon, and Charles Rew, Frazee.
• 2001: Anna Schlauderaff, Detroit Lakes, and Albert Fischer, Frazee.
• 2002: Arlene Veronen, Detroit Lakes, and Earl Johnson, Aujdubon.
• 2003: Gloria Buhaug, Lake Park, and Rome Villiard, Detroit Lakes.
• 2004: Marion Jacobson, Lake Park, and Erling Kolke, Audubon.
• 2005: Marion Schattschneider and Hal O’Connor, both of Detroit Lakes.
• 2006: Sally Hausken and Arlie Shodean, both of Detroit Lakes.
• 2007: Dorothy Harsh, Lake Park, and Howard Westlie, Detroit Lakes.
• 2008: Catherine Davis, Lake Park, and John Downs, Detroit Lakes.
• 2009: Solveig Nordsletten and Leonard Thielen, both of Detroit Lakes.
• 2010: Luetta Dankert Shodean, Detroit Lakes, and Jim Lamont, Frazee.
• 2011: Cecilia Ziegler, Frazee, and Mike Wammer, Audubon.
• 2012: Vivian Lee and Charles Korinta, both of Detroit Lakes.
• 2013: Donna Zimmerman and Bob Sonnenberg, both of Detroit Lakes.
• 2014: Wilma Hansen and Walter Welle, both of Detroit Lakes.
• 2015: Janice Ness, David Birchem and Gertrude Krogstad, all of Detroit Lake s
• 2016: Don Olson, Moorhead, formerly Audubon, and Ray Vlasic, Detroit Lakes
• 2017: Jack Berenz and Bunny O’Connor, both of Detroit Lakes.
• 2018: Fran Mattson, Ogema and Rick Julian, Cormorant Lakes area.
• 2019: Richard and Joyce Duffney, both of Detroit Lakes.
• 2020: No Becker County Fair held, therefore no Outstanding Senior competition.
• 2021: Sally Hausken and Arthur Bakker, both of Detroit Lakes.