Home On The Range

Home On The Range, a therapeutic working ranch for troubled teens in western North Dakota, is celebrating its 75th anniversary of helping children and families. 
 
Over the more than seven decades, there is a rich history of significant events and people. One such individual who earned the titled “cowboy priest” had an important impact on children and built the foundation of Home On The Range to make it what it is today. His name is Father William J. Fahnlander.
 
It all started in 1955 wherein Bishop Hoch assigned Father Fahnlander to become the parish priest of St. Michael’s, the now closed parish in the small town of Sentinel Butte, and assistant to Father Cassedy of Home On The Range (HOTR). In 1958, Father Cassedy suffered a heart attack and Father Fahnlander was assigned the position of acting superintendent. Sadly, Father Cassedy died from a second heart attack in 1959, and Father Fahnlander was named as full-time superintendent of Home On The Range.
 
Father Fahnlander had to quickly learn how to “fundraise” to keep the fledging organization operational. He was uncomfortable “begging” for donations. He learned fast that once he started talking about how many children were at Home On The Range and things they needed, people and organizations responded with “how can we help?”
 
In 1960 and 1961, Father Fahnlander oversaw the construction of a new boys’ dormitory, named Eagle Hall. The capital campaign was spearheaded by Eagles Club members in their “buck for a brick.” This new building would provide housing, a chapel, full gymnasium, library and recreation rooms. By 1964, Eagle Hall was completed, and it housed 48 boys.
 
Over the next several decades, donations came in and major milestones developed. The support always seemed to come at a time when it was needed most. Father was known for saying, “Somehow the Lord took care of us.” The Eagles auxiliaries presented Home On The Range with a brand-new school bus; a dairy barn and chicken coop provided milk and eggs for the boys, as well as income to the ranch; a trade shop was completed to teach the boys various trades; and an addition was put on Eagle Hall for a new kitchen, dining room and laundry area in the basement.
 
Father Fahnlander often traveled across the county and wrote hundreds of letters acknowledging donations, raising money and updating friends and organizations on HOTR’s progress and successes.
 
Rodeo events

One of his travels even took him to the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas. In the rodeo world, some of the cowboys called Father Fahnlander the “cowboy priest.” Father would wear his cowboy hat, be found behind the chutes or visiting with contractors and cowboys or sometimes presenting the awards at the rodeo. In 1996, the employees got together to give him tickets to the finals, and the Binion’s Horseshoe Casino and Hotel donated a room. The “cowboy priest” thoroughly enjoyed the trip and being with the notable cowboys and personnel of the era. 

For more than six decades, HOTR has been hosting the Champions Ride Saddle Bronc Match, a premier competition. This event has a history of promoting the top-rated cowboys and broncs. Past champions are among the “who’s who” in saddle bronc riding. The Champions Ride not only has a rich history of cowboys, but also as a major fundraiser for HOTR. The match will be celebrating its 11th year as a sanctioned “extreme bronc riding” event by the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association (PRCA). It will be the 69th anniversary of the event commemorated at this year’s champions ride on Aug. 2.

In 2000, HOTR applied to the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame for the Champions Ride Match to be considered as an inductee. The event was given the special achievement award. Father Fahnlander attended the ceremonies and proudly accepted the award with Duane Howard, Tom Tescher, Jim Tescher and Alvin Nelson.
 
Father figure

Father Fahnlander wore several other hats during his years of service at Home On The Range. Many of the boys admired him as a father figure. He arrived at the ranch to help and succeeded at the role of “dad” to the boys for the next 32 years. Although his own father had died when he was seven, the good-hearted Father Fahnlander kept the vision of HOTR alive.
 
A former resident recalled this, “I remember Father Fahnlander as an average-size man who commanded instant respect as he walked into a room. He wasn’t loud. He was very straight forward, and his voice was always steady. And if Father asked you to do something, he expected you to do it. Like ‘get a haircut’ or ‘do your homework' or ‘be nice’. He would usually check back with you for an answer. There was praise if you completed the task. And a silent gaze that reached inside you if you did not. He was very ‘reverent’ in my opinion. You knew he served God first. He always took time to interact with the residents. Especially in the dining room.”
 
In addition to his work at HOTR, Father was also pastor at the parishes of St. John in Beach and St. Michael in Sentinel Butte. In 1979, the HOTR Board of Directors went ahead and hired someone to specifically be the director of HOTR with Father Fahnlander staying on as the chaplain. He officially retired from being the parishes’ pastor in 1991.
 
There are reminders of Father Fahnlander’s legacy all over the campus of HOTR. His portrait hangs in Eagle Hall near the chapel and looks fondly over the staff and boys; his Mass vestments are on display in a glass case in the kitchen; a trophy case of some of his plaques, special awards and letters are on display in the girls’ dormitory; and the girls’ dormitory itself proudly bears the name “Fahnlander Hall.”
 
Father Fahnlander passed away March 26, 2001, at the age of 80. A vigil and funeral were held at the Church of Christ the King in Mandan, with Most Reverend Bishop Paul A. Zipfel presiding. Father Fahnlander was buried at HOTR on Cassedy Hill, next to Father Elwood Cassedy. Both priests now watch over HOTR from atop the hill. Guests, staff and children hike the trail to the top, stopping at the Stations of the Cross along the way. Many people hike to pay their respects, meditate and have a quiet, spiritual moment, or have a private memorial service in the presence of the cross and entombments of the priests instrumental in the legacy of HOTR.
 
After his death, Father Fahnlander’s life was documented in a book entitled “An Ordinary Disciple of Christ” written by Rev. David G. Morman and Jeri L. Dobrowski. Copies of the book are still available from HOTR. All the proceeds from the book sales are given to the HOTR Foundation.
 
As Home On The Range celebrates all year round their 75^th anniversary, purchase of the books or financial contributions to the foundation in honor of Father Fahnlander’s legacy, memory and dedication to youth will enable HOTR to continue his vision and work.
 
Home On The Range is licensed to care for 36 boys and girls, ages 12-17. It is in western North Dakota near the small town of Sentinel Butte. The facility is under the auspices of the Bismarck Diocese and the Most Reverend Bishop David D. Kagan serves as the President of the Board of Directors. To learn more about Home On The Range and the children they care for, visit www.hotrnd.com.