Where Peggy Stadum found her home — ninety miles north of the place she never left.
Bottineau entered the Stadum family story in February 2025 when Peggy Stadum was transferred to Good Samaritan Society here after a period of hospitalization in Minot. Bottineau is the county seat of Bottineau County, situated in the northern tier of North Dakota about ninety miles from Minot and close to the Turtle Mountains — one of the few elevated features on the otherwise flat northern plains. The town is small; Good Samaritan is part of a larger national network of faith-based care communities.
Peggy had spent her entire adult life in Rugby, about sixty miles to the southeast. She walked to school every day, knew nearly everyone in town, and was known by everyone who had children pass through Ely Elementary over four decades. The move to Bottineau represented a significant transition — the first time in her life she lived outside Rugby.
Rod Stadum described Good Samaritan in his February 2025 report: "A nice place, about 90 miles from Minot. Friendly folks." By August 2025 his assessment was fuller: Peggy was cheerful and communicative, receiving cards and letters, keeping a guest book, and talking at length about family history. She had shown steady improvement since arriving. Beverly Stadum calls from Norway; staff at Good Samaritan put the calls on the calendar so Peggy is brought to the phone. Rod and Chris visit. Scott writes letters. The family maintains contact across considerable distances — Norway, Ohio, South Carolina — all converging on a small care facility in northern North Dakota.