In miniature

Dalton resident recreates smaller versions of originals

By Tom Hintgen (Contact) | The Daily Journal

Published Saturday, August 11, 2007

Ordean Synstelien, 70, never forgot his roots in Dalton. While many Dalton natives cherish memories and old photographs, Synstelien has something even more special pertaining to his growing up years.

During the past nine years Synstelien built — on a scale of 1/2-inch to a foot — the School District 4 one-room school which he attended, Ten Mile Lake Lutheran Church where Synstelien worshipped, the original family homestead near Dalton and the newer home built at the farm in 1949.

Constructing replicas showing what the outside of the structures looked like would be a lot of work in itself. The ambitious Synstelien took that a step further by providing intricate inside details, furniture and the like.

“Here’s where I used to sit in our one-room school,” Synstelien said.

That one room school and the other buildings were a real hit when Synstelien, now a resident of Tennessee, came to this area to attend a July 22 Clauson family reunion in Fergus Falls and also attend his brother’s 50th wedding anniversary in Hawley. He was happy to share his labor of love with family members and friends.

“People like Glen Melby (Dalton native and former county sheriff) really were happy to see that the buildings are preserved — in miniature — inside and out,” Ordean said while displaying his creations at the lake cabin owned by his nephew, Stan Synstelien, where he and his wife, Carol, were staying. “It’s especially emotional for all of us since the school building and church no longer are standing.”

Synstelien lived at Shevlin west of Bemidji for 28 years. He served as director of human services for Clearwater County in nearby Bagley. In 1999, after his retirement, he and Carol moved to Knoxville, Tenn., to be closer to three of their four children — Donna, LeAnn and Andrea and their families. A fourth daughter, Denise, lives in the Minneapolis suburb of Chaska.

He always was adept at woodworking, and found the miniature projects similar to larger projects when it comes to planning and the like. He always enjoyed woodworking but, prior to his retirement, he worked mainly with knicknacks, key chains and various novelty items which he gave to family members and friends.

Once he did start making miniature buildings, many became replicas of their farm place at Shevlin in northern Minnesota.

“As for the family farm house where we grew up, we didn’t have any pictures from the inside,” he said. “Five of us children got together, shared memories, and then I constructed designs for the inside. We’re all pleased with the final touches on the inside of the miniature log house.”

Daughter LeAnn told her father that while the model buildings might be a hobby for her dad, they also are a great gift to the family. He’s contemplating future displays for Dalton area residents when he returns to Minneosta in future years.

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