Thinking of you / Rhonda Pfingsten (friend)Read >>
Thinking of you / Rhonda Pfingsten (friend)
Well Tracy I hit this sight as I wanted to make sure I spelled your name right. I am getting a plaque in your name from Optimist so needed to make sure if you had an "e" or not in your first name. Well you have been on my mind alot lately. We just got through summerfest and we missed you at the dunking booth. Marlin said it was not the same. Boy we made the people in the booth freeze, not hot/humid like last yr. I felt sorry for them so I got them a gift card to Red Baron and I bought a beer to anyone at the dance I could find. Like I promised we did a rock, paper, scissors tourney. Rachel and the boys did as I was busy with the dunking booth. We had a tough time finding a young person who would get a scholarship in your name. I then thought of Erik Lindstrom....we had just talked about him a few days before you left us. It was nice to do it in your honor/memory. Your family has had a long few months but I think they are doing well. The boys are always smiling and saying hi to me. Rachel got a new hair cut and looks great. I try and keep her busy with Optimist. She took on the 5k run again and did awesome. Well I needed you this yr. Tom M says no way to President so then you would of been in line. Looks like I will do it again, which I really do love doing. Our club is getting noticed and that is great. I keep aiming for those points we get for doing things.......do not roll your eyes at me . I also got asked to be Lt Govenor which is an honor ?? I just think they could not find anyone else. So I will have my hands full. Well I suppose it was nice talking to you again. I must tell you we have not said the Optimsit creed all yr.......you were right it is long. Your neighbor just joined you the other day, Ken T, you two I am sure will have lots to talk about. You are missed and never forgotten.........
Pearls and Rubies / Ryan Mayer (FH Brother )Read >>
Pearls and Rubies / Ryan Mayer (FH Brother )
Tracy Lee Sayler, 40, BA ’89, was an agricultural communications specialist and columnist. He lived in Casselton, N.D., at the time of his death. The Hebron, ND Native was a member of Farmhouse Fraternity at NDSU. His first job was as a columnist for Farm and Ranch Guide. He moved to Red Lake Falls, Minn., where he was employed by the Minnesota Wheat Growers. 1988, he and his family moved to Fargo where Sayler was employed by the Prairie Agricultural Communications. In 2006, he started his own agricultural communications company, Thistle Patch Creative Group. He also was the author of “Ramblings”, a syndicated column written for agricultural publications throughout the Midwest.
Hi honey!. We really miss you. Tomorrow is Mother's Day and so far the weekend has been very, very difficult. Dave & Mary are here from Michigan and Troy & Tanja sent me flowers. They are just beautiful. Your headstone is up and I went to see it late last night. We will be going back today or tomorrow to put some flowers in the vase. We will put in some flowers from the garden that you planted last fall before you went "home". Adam's voice has changed. He was also in track and we noticed alot of improvement throughout the season. Troy has been giving him some tips and Adam really enjoys talking to him about it. They have a special bond which I am truly grateful for. Eric had his play & band concert this week. He did really well. Our friends and neighbors have been really good to us as have my fellow employees. I could not have made it this far without them. I know that you are with us as I sense you in the house every once in awhile. And we laugh at the little things you do like putting a bowl in with the glasses in the kitchen. We laughed at that and knew it was you. Hospice came out to the school from Fargo and did a 6-week counseling session with the kids that had lost a family member. It was really good for the boys. I will now get them back into individual counseling. I miss you terribly and look forward to the day when we are once again re-united.
We sent three photos of Tracy in Trat(Two Rivers Area Theatre) in Red Lake Falls to this web site.
If you look close at the snap of three people wrestling, you'll see John Thibert(my husband,now), Bruce Arvidson and Tracy. This was a scene from "Sing On". A play about actors putting on a play. At this point in the show, John realizing that his pregnant wife(also in the play) has gone into labor off stage. Tracy and Bruce are trying to keep him on stage so he can finish the scene.
Tracy was perhaps one of the funniest actors I've ever worked with. He was good. Racheal and Tracy made TRAT the awesome group it was. In fact, Tracy served as President before they moved to Fargo.
The other snaps are of Oliver. Tracy played one of the supporting leads, Fagen. The leader of the street pickpockets in old London.
He also played the Wolf in "Into the Woods" and numerous other shows.
Sincere sympathy to family / Pat Henderson (Colleague)Read >>
Sincere sympathy to family / Pat Henderson (Colleague)
Greetings to Rachel and Tracy's Family:
Tracy covered ag issues when I was on the staff at the Minneapolis Grain Exchange. I always appreciated his sense of humor and his ability to quickly grasp an idea. Tracy respected the land and those who farm the land. His voice and his presence with us will be sadly missed.
I first met Tracy and Rachel when they moved to our neighborhood in Red Lake Falls. First they lived in the apartment ... to which we wanted to invite them to our neighborhood picnic. I can remember my mom delivered the invitation and the story she had afterward. I won't comment on the story because I don't remember all the specifics, but I am sure Rachel remembers this. The next year Tracy and Rachel had moved, but we found them in their new neighborhood and invited them to come back and join us.
A few years later their son Adam was born. Through the grapevine Tracy and Rachel got my name and asked if I would be interested in baby-sitting for them. Of course I was, I love babies, and was young and looking for a way to make money. This was going to be perfect!! I babysat Adam on a number of occasions. Back in those days Tracy and Rachel were known for coming in late -- 1:00am-2:00am.
One night Tracy arrived home shortly before Rachel ... only for Rachel to find Tracy and I in the entry of their home ... and Tracy attempting to PAY me with COUPONS. Yes ... Tracy wanted to pay the babysitter with COUPONS ... not coupons to go buy groceries or other healthcare items but COUPONS to buy DIAPERS, WIPES, and anything else he had in his wallet related to baby expenses. Of course being 14 or 15 I had no idea how to repond.
After Rachel watched this oh for about 3 minutes she put her hand on her hip and tilted slightly to the right and said "Honey, just take out the cash and pay her!" Five minutes later I finally had my money -- CASH -- and Rachel and I were on our merrily way out the door - so she could bring me home.
There were many other occasions that I babysat Adam and Eric where Tracy tried to pay me with the coupons in his wallet. As I got older and wiser I realized it was all a part of Tracy's humor ... but that is not what I thought that first night.
Those who knew Tracy well knew he was a saver and an avid Coupon user.
And yes ... I continued to babysit for Rachel and Tracy. I was even fortunate to be reunited with them when I moved to Moorhead to attend college and Tracy and Rachel were living in Fargo. And once again I babysat for them ... both Adam and Eric.
May the memory of Tracy be blessed.
To Rachel, Adam, and Eric ... You are in my thoughts and prayers. Continue to find your strength in God.
From a "Tracy" Reader: Our Sorrow to Hear of Mr. Sayler's Passing... / Nick Deramo (None)Read >>
From a "Tracy" Reader: Our Sorrow to Hear of Mr. Sayler's Passing... / Nick Deramo (None)
As a regular reader of Mr. Tracy Sayler's "Prairie Perspectives" in the quarterly "North Star Port" publication of the Duluth Seaway Port Authority, I was shocked to read of his passing after reading his article in the Fall-2007 issue.
Although neither someone even faintly knowledgeable about the argicultural industry nor a resident of the northern plains, I did attend (the former) Wisc. State Univ. at Superior back in '68-69, and was immediately attracted to the Twin Ports and the hustle and bustle of port commerce - from the ships to the trains to the trucks running wheat and other commodities back and forth, to the point where my career has been in maritime sales back home here in the NYC area.
Mr. Sayler has a wonderful talent to write about such a complex issue that was easy to understand for someone such as myself, and his words reflected enthusiasm and genuine interest in the subject matter. The small photo of him that accompanied each article always seems to 'jump-out' at you, giving someone who never met him the feeling he had a great personality as a warm and friendly person...funny how that always attracted me in each issue.
To Mr. Sayler's family, our warmest thoughts and prayers - from the tall canyons of Manhattan to the great prairies of the magnificent upper plains - that you treasure Tracy's gift to make others, complete stangers such as ourselves, feel welcome, like a long-distant friend you can't wait to write-to and stay in-touch. Memories last a lifetime and magnificently light-up our lives when we often need them the most to inspire and encourage...may your home be overflowing with his love for all of you!
Songs remember when... / Pam Scarborough (college friend )
I have a vivid memory of my 16th birthday (Tracy would have been 19). It was 100 degrees in western ND, Tracy was working for my uncle George Saxowsky, and we were in the shade underneath the swather, trying to fix the old piece of junk. "Nasty" by Janet Jackson came on the radio, and Tracy couldn't resist singing along. You can imagine his rendition...
Tracy was graduated and living in Fargo when I attended NDSU, where we had periodic contact and reminisced about days at my uncle's farm. The second song that I associate with him is "Paradise by the Dashboard Lights" by Meatloaf, as I was dancing with him the first time I ever heard the song. He laughed histerically at the song's sense of humor and play on words.
I had only chanced to see Tracy once since college, but my husband and I faithfully read his Prairie Ramblings column. I felt very fortunate to be in the minority of his readers who could imagine his voice and facial expressions as I read the column.
Condolences/ George Flaskerud (Colleague)
To Tracy's Family,
I really enjoyed working with Tracy on marketing articles for the Prairie Grains and other publications. He knew what needed to be covered and asked many, many questions until he was satisfied that the story could be covered completely. What was really amazing is that he could take all the information and turn it into a very informative as well as interesting article, all in a short time. He did this not only on marketing but on every topic and issue in agriculture. He was the best Ag writer I have ever known.
Perhaps most important, Tracy was a good person and cared deeply about what happened in agriculture. I will miss visiting with him. My deepest sympathy to Rachel and family.
George Flaskerud NDSU Extension Crops Marketing Economist North Dakota State University Close
Tracy a friend and a great VP / Rhonda Pfingsten (friend)
Tracy and Rachel were both good friends of mine. They both joined the Optimist club and were charter members. Tracy was my VP. Tracy joined as he wanted to get to know others in the community. At our October meeting, Tracy called and thought we should cancel it as there was a band concert at the school that night. I told him if we cancel it for every little thing going on in town we would never have a meeting. I am so glad I did not cancel it as he died two days later. We probably should of canceled it as Tracy was right attendance was low but it gave me and a few others to sit around and just chat. I am so glad I had that time with Tracy!! The one thing we did decide to do that nights was have the Junior Optimist money go into a scholarship. After Tracy died I decided to put it in his name. Tracy also made me smile as I was working on ways to get our club to be a distinguished club and get honors for our club. He looked at me and his expression was like good grief we are doing great you do not have to have prizes etc to let that be known. I just got back from the District conference and Tracy~ we got those honors. Casselton is a distinguished club and I was honored to get our awards. I thought about you that day as I knew you were smiling down at me going ~whatever........Thanks for the time Tracy you will be missed and your spot as VP will not be replaced! Rhonda Close
It is with great sadness / Avis Dolan (Child of Christ )Read >>
It is with great sadness / Avis Dolan (Child of Christ )
I write this as a member of Atonement Lutheran Church and friend of Rachel's. I didn't know Tracy well at all. But as I watched him with his family I knew how much he loved them. I ache for them as they have been left with only memories at Tracy's quick passing. My prayers are for Tracy's family and friends. I wish I would have known him better but through here and the words at the funeral I learned much more about this amazing man. All of us who believe will look forward to seeing Tracy again. And I will get to know him then. Lord, please be with Rachel and the boys as they struggle thru these difficult days. Let them have healing hearts and know that we are here for them. Close
Tracy, A Very Good Man and a Wonderful Neighbor / Peter Silbernagel (neighbor)
You may or may not know that Tracy was a "whistler". He loved to work outdoors in his yard and garden and while doing so he would be whistling all the time. I always felt he was happy because he knew he was blessed. It was somewhat soothing to hear him on the otherside of our hedge row whistling. I couldn't see him, but I could hear him, and you could tell he was a happy man that understood his many blessings and their source. I will truly miss Tracy. He was a wonderful man, father and neighbor. I look forward to seeing him again one day. My guess is he will be whistling.
Condolences/ Steve Edwardson (Professional Colleague )Read >>
Condolences/ Steve Edwardson (Professional Colleague )
To Tracy's Family,
On behalf of the North Dakota Barley Council, please accept our deepest sympathy and condolences on the untimely passing of Tracy.
Tracy will be long remembered for his classic humor and his creative ability to bring a unique perspective to agricultural events and issues. His professional ability to communicate complex issues into understandable terms was greatly appreciated by all who knew him. Tracy will be greatly missed.
Please know that all of you are in our thoughts and prayers.
With deepest sympathies,
Steve Edwardson Executive Administrator North Dakota Barley Council Fargo, ND
My tribute to Tracy / Bryan Shinn (Best Friend )
It was a warm summer day the day I met Tracy. Actually I don’t remember what day it was. What I do remember is his sense of humor. I think that’s why we got along so well. He could talk about any subject and make it interesting. We could be in the middle of a serious discussion one minute and saying something completely silly the next. And it didn’t matter what the subject was from religion to politics to which time of year we liked the best we always had something to talk about. We emailed each other consistently whether it was sending jokes to bizarre stories. Tracy was like my ‘fact’ checker. I’d send him an email and he’d take a few minutes and research it and let me know if it was true or some urban legend. He liked to deal in the ‘facts’.
We went to quite a few concerts together from the Blues Fest to Moondance Jam (which he was barred from ever going to with us again after I had to drop him by the hospital on the way home). What always made it fun about going to events with Tracy were his people watching skills. He loved to play ‘celebrity look a like’. He would point to someone and ask me which celebrity I thought they most resembled. I think he pegged me as Kurt Russell and Tom Hanks although he often referred to me as the ‘Riverboat Gambler’ that could somehow talk his way into anything. That’s one of the reasons when it came to concert tickets Tracy was always on my ‘A’ list. He was a great friend. And no matter what concert we were at he would always say in a British accent ‘Thank you Fargo, We love you, Goodnight.’ The funny thing is he always said ‘Fargo’ even if we the show we were at wasn’t in Fargo.
Tracy loved his family more than anything and although he wasn’t the mushy type to share his feelings you knew how much Rachel and the boys meant to him and how the family trips where the memories he’d cherish forever. I know that his recent trips to Yellowstone and Itasca State Park were the highlights of his summer. He loved spending time with Adam and Eric and we were in the process of making plans to watch the NDSU game this Saturday somewhere in Fargo. I can tell you right now he will be looking down from heaven cheering on his beloved Bison this weekend.
We went to lunch on occasion. Tracy shared my love for trying out the exotic when it came to food. We liked going to someplace we’d never been before and try out different food whether it was a new oriental restaurant to a place that served Buffalo Shrimp. We loved our hot sauce and anything interesting and weird. We would spend an hour shopping in the Vietnamese market here in Fargo buying stuff that we had no idea what it was.
I always looked forward to Tracy’s going out of town because throughout Tracy’s travels he always brought me back some little gift whether it was a small bottle of some hot sauce I’d never heard of to a T-shirt to a boomerang from Australia.
Losing Tracy has reminded me to make time for your family and friends. He wanted to go see the band Rush in the cities last month but I was busy with a project I was working on and couldn’t go. I thought there’d always be time for another concert. Well, there wasn’t. In closing I like to say, “Thank-you Tracy, We love you! Goodnight!” Close
All is Well With My Soul / Mary Theoret (Sister-in-law)
This is a link to the song: All is Well With My Soul. We sang this at Tracy's Memorial Service. Not only do you hear the song with this link, you find out how the song originated. It is very beautiful and worth checking out. Just copy and paste this link.
Tracy's legacy / Rachel Sayler (Wife)
This web site has been created so that others may see what a wonderful person Tracy was. His caring, sense of humor, love of family & friends were apparant to all. I look around our home now and see evidence of him everywhere. It has been very comforting and at the same time, sad.
One of my favorite stories is when we lived in Fargo and we were having a "disagreement". He went to leave the room and walked right into the corner of the door. He did have to go get stitches. Right in the middle of his forehead. That is one thing that I would never let him forget. And, those that know us well, remember our wedding night? Kent Heinle? I believe that you were one of the masterminds behind that one.
Please take a moment to share some of your stories and/or pictures that you have. Remembering the good times we shared has been very comforting to me. Christ's strength is what is carrying me through these difficult days. I'm looking forward to the day when we can once again be re-united.
Tributes and Condolences
. I also got asked to be Lt Govenor which is an honor ?? I just think they could not find anyone else. So I will have my hands full. Well I suppose it was nice talking to you again. I must tell you we have not said the Optimsit creed all yr.......you were right it is long. 
Your neighbor just joined you the other day, Ken T, you two I am sure will have lots to talk about. You are missed and never forgotten.........
Casselton is a distinguished club and I was honored to get our awards. I thought about you that day as I knew you were smiling down at me going ~whatever........Thanks for the time Tracy you will be missed and your spot as VP will not be replaced!
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