Dust Yourself Off: The Gravel Road to a Good Life - Paperback

by Tricia Velure (Author), Tom Sandhei (Author)

Dust Yourself Off chronicles the life of Muriel, a quintessential Norwegian American farm girl in Fort Ransom, North Dakota, and the mother of co-author Tom Sandhei. Forced to leave home at the age of 19, Muriel was continuously faced with death and tragedy as she time and again challenged the traditional norms of wht it meant to be a farm woman in her day. Quiet yet bold, Muriel's courage helped create this touching family story, rich in historical details and local color. Co-author Tricial Velure never met Muriel, who died at age 82 in 2004, but she calls Muriel a "bonus grandmother" and believes readers will feel the same affinity. "This book will appeal to readers who enjoy farm and small-town stories, Norwegian American history, and inspiring stories of everyday women."

Author Biography

Tricia Velure is a personal historian who helps elders share their life stories with their families. She grew up on her family's cattle and small grains farm near Kathryn, North Dakota, and earned degrees in English and History from Valley City State University and a Master's degree in History from North Dakota State University. Tom Sandhei is a retired school administrator who grew up on his parents' and grandparents' farms near Fort Ransom, North Dakota. He graduated from Valley City State College, began teaching, then earned a Master's degree in elementary school administration from North Dakota State University. His career in education spanned almost forty years. Velure and Sandhei have lived in suburban Minneapolis/St. Paul since the 1990s.