Born in Rochester, MN, Olie’s family lived in a former school house, close to where his grandparents built the Fugle’s Mill, a state historic sight still in existence. His parents and 8 children moved to ND when Olie was 12 and he attended school in Powers Lake until they bought the creamery at Watford City ND.

Olie worked on farms, elevators, the creamery and going on rigging jobs with his Dad. In his late teens, his summer job at Quarter Circle C Ranch, Bozeman, MT grew the inspiration which one day would transform Buffalo Gap ranch for visitors.

Olie also saw 48 states behind the windshield as a big-rig driver, and has now completed his bucket list with Alaska and Hawaii – travelling to the state capital of all 50 states.

Much of Buffalo Gap’s buildings contain remnants of factories which he disassembled and moved during his rigging years as the owner of Olie’s Rigging. He came to Medora when his parents bought the Red Trail Campground, 38 years ago. His 10 years as Mayor of Medora were served as he was building the AmericInn Motel, the Old Dacotah Territories Mall, and the Medora Convenience store. Before this he owned and operated the Trout Pond next to the river in Medora.

Olie also worked in the oilfield during the boom of the ’70s, and as a bartender in Bozeman at the Crystal Bar – in case you think you may have met him there. Those were his dance-contest winning days of many trophies and cash prizes. Olie is now happiest when he is hunting and fishing.

Born in Dickinson, ND and raised on a farm/ranch at Amidon, ND, the daughter of Nick and Myrtle Schaeffer, she was the 7th of 11 children. Her Dad was born in Argentina and came through Ellis Island in the year 1915. Her Mom was born was born in a sod house which is still standing, built by her father who homesteaded in Billings County about 15 miles east of Buffalo Gap. Her Obrigewitch grandparents came from the Black Sea region of Russia in 1898. She has over 100 first cousins.

Her schooling was at a little white country school in Peaceful Valley township west of Hwy 85, then to St. Mary’s High School in New England,ND, Mary College in Bismarck, Carroll College in Helena MT, and University of Wyoming.

Her work career included the Colorado State Highway Department in Denver, the American Gas Association in Washington, owner of a travel agency in Virginia, administration at Digital Equipment in Boston, Administrative Assistant to D.W. Grainger at Grainger Inc. in Chicago, travelling abroad as a tour guide for the original banking travel club in Santa Barbara, Ca., operating the Medora Day Care, and managing the Medora AmericInn for 15 years.

She was the first president of Make-A-Wish in ND, board member of the Golden Valley Manor in Beach for 17 years, trustee for Medora Catholic church, EMT on Medora ambulance, Billings County Historic Society board, Blood Drive Coordinator and many more charitable groups especially United Way.

Cecilia was taught to sew on her mother’s treadle sewing machine which her Dad bought for 25 cents that he made in one day of working for the WPA during the depression, driving his 1936 John Deere “D” tractor building highway 85 south of Belfield. Her sewing won her a won trip to the ND State 4-H championship. She auditioned for and sang with every college music group she could, and has an old record album from college days singing classical music. Also, always ready to dance, she met Olie at a wedding dance in Medora and they were married 5 years later, having their 25th anniversary this year.

Born in Dickinson ND, attended grade school by walking to school in Medora, driving to high school in Beach, ND, and attending college at Bismarck State University. While in grade school he earned a trip to the ND state spelling bee as well as the National History Day competition in Washington DC. A dedicated athlete once he got to beach high school, he reached the state football playoffs 3 straight years, as well as making it to the regional semi final game 4 straight years in basketball. He now coaches football and basketball in beach, where in the 2015 school year alone he coached 95 separate games between the two sports. Growing up in medora he spent his summers alternating work between cooking and ranch work at buffalo gap, and housekeeping and yard work at the AmericInn. Once he graduated high school he attended Bismarck State for heating and cooling, and spent the next five summers working in noxious weed control for Billings County. Now working back at the ranch, He arranges a softball tournament, which in its first year raised over $20,000 for a local youth with leukemia, and the annual Real American Jam concert series at the ranch, which is a benefit concert for the fallen soldiers of North Dakota. He also handles much of the bartending and media relations, including a radio show twice a week on 93.9 dickinson.