Seventy-seven years ago, John and Minnie Oetken had a family picnic before their youngest son went off to the war. On July 21, 2019, the descendants of John and Minnie met at Great Bend Best Western Courtyard for the 77th family reunion. The Ida Mausolf family hosted the reunion.

The descendants from Great Bend were Lavern Oetken, Nancy Lang, John and Kristi Oetken, Maureen Hundergart, and Amy, Desiree, Jacob and Jean Workman; from Albert, Rita Gagelman; from Larned, Vallene Immenschuh; from Santanta, Henry and Gloria Pence; from Sublette, Dayton and Aiden Pence; from Pierceville, Taylor Pence, from Hutchinson, Bill and Lori Rountree; from Newton, Wanda Unruh; from Wichita, David and Heath Oetken; from Winfield, Betty and Heidi Hundergart; from Warrensburg, Mo. Rose Ann Steitz.

The day was spend with a carry-in noon meal and visiting. 

The 2020 reunion will be hosted by the Louis Oetken family.