Title: Harold and Helen (Holtan) Rivinius
Dates: ca. 1930s-2005
Collection Number: 11129
Quantity: 4.25 feet
Abstract: Papers consist of correspondence, Harold Rivinius’ Naval papers, photographs, and scrapbook, genealogical information, certificates and diplomas, a promotional pamphlet about the Garrison Dam, and family photographs. Harold J. Rivinius was from Elgin, ND and served on the USS Pennsylvania and the Destroyer Escort, and was the past president of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association. He married Helen (Holtan) and the couple made their home in Grand Forks, and then in Bismarck, ND.
Provenance: Helen Rivinius donated the Harold and Helen (Holtan) Rivinius Papers to the State Historical Society of North Dakota on July 23, 2012. Emily Schultz prepared the inventory to the collection in July 2012.
Property Rights: The State Historical Society of North Dakota owns the property rights to this collection.
Copyrights: Copyrights to this collection remain with the donor, publisher, author, or author's heirs. Researchers should consult the 1976 Copyright Act, Public Law 94-553, Title 17, U.S. Code or an archivist at this repository if clarification of copyright requirements is needed.
Access: This collection is open under the rules and regulations of the State Historical Society of North Dakota.
Citation: Researchers are requested to cite the collection title, collection number, and the State Historical Society of North Dakota in all footnote and bibliographic references.
Related Collections:
10999 Pearl Harbor Survivors Association North Dakota Chapter. Records
11130 Horace A. Holtan Papers
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
From Rivinius’ obituary in the Bismarck Tribune December 1993, p. 9A
Harold J. Rivinius, 71, Bismarck, died December 13, 1993 in a Bismarck hospital... Harold Rivinius was born December 30, 1921 at Elgin, ND, the son of Jacob and Paulina (Heim) Rivinius. He graduated from Elgin High School in 1939. Following high school he enlisted in the US Navy and served on the USS Pennsylvania at Pearl Harbor, and later on the USS Bostwick (DE #103). He achieved the rank of chief petty officer. He was discharged on November 24, 1947, and returned to Bismarck where he attended Bismarck Junior College.
On January 2, 1950, he married Helen Holtan at Washburn. Following their marriage they lived in Grand Forks, where Harold attended the University Of North Dakota and graduated in 1952 with a bachelor of science degree in business administration. They returned to Bismarck and Harold was employed with Job Service of North Dakota as an accountant for 28 years, retiring on June 30, 1980.
He was a charter member and past president of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association. He was also a member of the USS Bostwick Association, American Legion, Bismarck Elks #1199, and he served on the board of directors for Sunset Memorial Gardens in Bismarck. He is survived by his wife, Helen; one daughter and son-in-law, Carol and Mike Wilma, Bismarck; one son, Paul, Denver, CO; two grandchildren, Alicia and Jonathan Wilma, both of Bismarck; two sisters, Anna Wutzke, Elgin and Bertha Rivinius, Bismarck; and three brothers, Albert L., Edwin, and Walter, all of Elgin.
BOX / FOLDER INVENTORY
Box 1:
1 Harold John Rivinius honorable discharge certificate from the US Navy, January 21, 1946
News clipping, program and information about Harold Rivinius’ 1950 graduation from Bismarck Junior College, 1950
Correspondence from Helen’s father, Horace A. Holtan, 1951
Certificate of completion of the New York University Graduate School of Public Administration, November 19, 1965
Obituaries of family members, 2000-2001
Correspondence, 2000
Genealogical information about Harold Rivinius’ parents and siblings, compiled 2005
Promotional pamphlet “Garrison Dam on the Missouri,” US Army Corps of Engineers
North Dakota State Capitol, Bismarck, pamphlet
2 Scrapbook: reunions and conventions, 1990s (USS Bostwick convention/reunion, Destroyer – Escort Sailors Association)
Box 2:
Family photographs and agricultural scenes (mostly unidentified), ca. 1930s-1950s
Post cards of Rivinius in uniform, the USS Pennsylvania, places that Harold visited while in the Navy, and the Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church (Bismarck, ND), ca. 1940s-1950s
Box 3:
High School graduation portrait of Harold J. Rivinius, ca. 1939
Box 4:
Scrapbook of Harold Rivinius’ Navy years, ca. 1940-1944
Solemn Mysteries of the Ancient Order of the Deep certificate, 1940
Photographs and post cards (mostly identified) from Naval Service, ca. 1940-1944
Navy Training Course certificate, December 5, 1940
Other Naval documents, personal correspondence, news clippings
Box 5:
Black and white portrait of Harold Rivinius in uniform, ca. 1940
Black and white graduation portrait of Helen C. Holtan, class of 1942
High School graduation portrait of Harold J. Rivinius (hand colored), ca. 1939
Group portrait, probably aboard the USS Pennsylvania
Photograph of the USS Pennsylvania
Elgin High School Class of 1939 composite
Oversized post card of Waikiki, Honolulu HI
Oversize (map case folder)
Solemn Mysteries of the Ancient Order of the Deep certificate, July 24, 1940
Digital scan Color portrait of Harold J. Rivinius in uniform
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