Of all the qualities we love about our members, the sense of community we feel ties us to our membership, but in the case of Bonnie Locken, it brought her to work for Dakota West.
Nearly thirty years ago, after losing her husband, the credit union reached out to her knowing she and her small children needed a financial boost to her part-time job. It was more than keeping her safe and secure, she recalls, "They wanted the kids to stay." The humor she uses to describe her first job at Dakota West continues to be a part of her welcoming smile and personality as the Regional Operations Manager at our Mohall location.
Born and raised in North Dakota, she always wanted to study interior design, but went to school to be a dental assistant. In the end, her creative touches can be felt in the branch and in the community that welcomed her. She sews, she restores furniture, and she designs and sells her own creations of purses and handbags.
Helping those who helped her brings her joy in the ways she can help our members. Bonnie recalls helping someone in her community who came to the branch in tears, worried about the family's debt, whom she helped get a small personal loan. "It made me feel amazing, watching the weight of the world lifted off their shoulders."
Bonnie celebrates her birthday this month among the friends and community that opened its arms to her, and calls her one of their own even today. If you stop into our Mohall branch this month, be sure to wish her best wishes - it's what she wishes for all of the people in Mohall who opened their arms to her and kept her close to their town and their hearts.
CU Care Campaign Cares For North Dakota
Each April the Credit Union Foundation of the Dakotas leads the effort in supporting children’s charities in North and South Dakota with its annual CU Care Campaign and regardless of the unusual turn of events, Dakota West continues to stand with CUFD to support children in our region.
When you drive through at one of our branches, consider donating a $1.00 to the CU Care Campaign and help be a CU Hero as we support financial education, scholarships, and other community needs. Last year two of our members received scholarships from CUFD! Students may apply through
Feeling especially generous and able to give a little more? Consider making children a priority every day this April by contributing $30 – one dollar for every day of the month. It’s not possible for everyone to give right now, but we definitely all can care a whole lot right now. Thanks for helping us make a difference here in North Dakota.
Family traditions are often the heart and soul of our holidays. We wanted to share Christmas traditions from our staff with you as you prepare for your holiday traditions.
Toni, a Member Service Representative in our Watford City branch, enjoys a variety of traditions with her family including La Escoba, a group dance that includes one individual without a partner dancing with a broom. When the broom is dropped by its partner, everyone scurries around to find a new partner. The last person without a partner picks up the broom and start dancing with it and the merriment continues. With an extended family numbering in the dozens, there are plenty of dance partners in her grandmother’s home (and plenty of tamales)!
Aria, a Member Service Representative serving Washburn, remembers as far back as she can recall, her mother would create a paper chain representing the gifts of the twelve days of Christmas and hang it in the archway of their home. Her mother also made paper pouches to hold small pairs of scissors so she and her brother could cut off one link of the chain each day as Christmas approached. She continues the tradition with her children each year, too. “I still have my little pair of pink Fiskars scissors and the paper pouch my mother drew for me.”
Nathan, our Member Service Manager in Watford City, enjoys a twist on the tradition of opening one present on Christmas Eve. “It’s always pajamas.” Every year since he was young, every member of the family gets new pajamas, all of which are worn that night so they spend Christmas morning in their new duds. “We still do it now. I hope my parents are getting me pajamas this year, too.”
Denise, also a Member Service Representative in our Turtle Lake branch, brought a tradition from her husband’s family into her home. The Danish celebration involves pulling the Christmas tree into the middle of the room and everyone holds hands and dances around it before opening presents. While they let the kids pick the songs (and now the grandkids) the final song is always, “Nu Er Det Jul Igen,” which means, “Now it’s Christmas again.”
Whatever traditions you are enjoying with your family, thank you for being a part of our Dakota West family. Merry Christmas!