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Dakota Datebook
April 26, 2008
"Grand Prize "

 

 


 

In 1954, the grand prize of the raffle for the St. Leo School's carnival in Minot was really grand, and tempting, too: a cream and green-colored, 1954 Dodge.


One very lucky person was drawn and announced, and on this day, the car was scheduled to be delivered to her—a five-year-old Menoken girl named Kathleen Richter.


Money was tight for the family, but when the raffle came around, Mrs. Richter bought a ticket for each of the members of the family—each of the ten children—saying that it was for a good cause and the Lord would provide.


Her parents put on over 100,000 miles before she reached an age to drive, even though she tried once at age eight and a half.


It was the only thing Kathleen ever won. But it was her father who got to drive it home.


By Sarah Walker


Sources:
Minot Daily News, Monday, April 26, 1954
Information provided by Ms. Elvira Rogstad, sister to Kathleen Richter

 

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Dakota Datebook is a project of North Dakota Public Radio, in partnership with the State Historical Society of North Dakota, with funding from the North Dakota Humanities Council. Hosted by Merrill Piepkorn, written by Merry Helm, and produced by Bill Thomas.

North Dakota Public Radio is a service of Prairie Public Broadcasting in association with North Dakota State University and the University of North Dakota.

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