MAKOTI – There’s a man from Martin who can make nearly any century-old machine run like it’s new again. His name is Dean Lemer, and he volunteers his time at threshing bees all around North Dakota.

Lemer’s passion has, without a doubt, helped save a dying art in the communities he volunteers in.

“I like doing it,” Lemer said in 2023. “My wife (Shonella) and I love going around to all the shows and helping wherever we can.”

Whether it be at Drake, Makoti, New Rockford or Crosby, Lemer is a vital asset to each and every threshers’ association he’s a member of. His knowledge on the old gas-type tractors and engines, and his ability to quickly tune them up, is immeasurable.

“We couldn’t do it without him,” Darin Vangsness, vice president and former president of the Makoti Thresher’s Association (MTA), said. “Dean’s been coming for quite a few years now, and not only can he make a tractor that’s been sitting idle for 10 or 20 years run like it’s new again, he is fun to be around.”

Vangsness said what he and the MTA appreciate the most is how Lemer teaches others what he knows.

“Dean jumps from tractor to tractor a lot of times, and I’ve watched him do it – helping others he doesn’t even know get their rare tractors running,” Vangsness said. “I don’t know how we’d keep it all running without him and his on the spot repairs and advice.”

Operating the early gas tractors the North Dakota homesteaders used during the turn of the century isn’t an easy feat. A tractor built in 1908 is much different and much less user-friendly than a tractor built in 1948.

“Dean’s knowledge and passion for teaching other people is second to none,” Chris Huus, the MTA’s newly elected president, said. “His character and work ethic is enjoyable to be around, and people in Makoti have learned so much from him over the last few years. The relationship we’ve been able to create between him and all the other threshing shows Dean’s involved with has helped North Dakotans remain passionate about antique farm machinery.”

For those in the Minot area, Lemer can be seen in action on July 13-14 at the Makoti Threshing Show. He also can be seen at the Drake Threshing Show, his home show, in September.