The Engel family reunion was held on May 29, at the Central Baptist Church in Great Bend. Guest of honor was Verlin “Butch” Engel’s of California, who returned to Kansas for his Ellis County class reunion. Verlin is the last surviving son of Florian and Clara (Rohleder) Engel.
Host for the event were Verlins’ three sisters, Norma Sander, Millie Karlin and Elgerine Gross.
The afternoon was spent going down memory lane, playing Trivia which included reminiscing over events, sharing photos and genealogy information, and playing “Where’s Elaine.”
A memorial table for those gone but not forgotten was displayed by Nicole Lofland which included memorabilia for Hays family, Florian and Clara Engel, Marvin Gross, Marvin Karlin, Clayton and Carrie Engel and Phyllis Stuart; Great Bend family Wimpy Sander and Jamey Lofland; and Hutchinson family Darrell and Anita Engel.
Attendees included: Millie Karlin, Elgerine Gross, Lori Hertel, Dale and Lois Stramel and Bradley, Lee and Bev Gross, Clifford Engel, Terry and Crystal Quint, of Hays; Norma Sander, Kathy and Jason Levingston, Karen and Nicole Lofland, Todd and Tambra Pfeifer. of Great Bend; Kim Donovan, Larisa Eggers of Hoisington; Butch and Debi Engel, Brenda Munds, of the Wichita area; Mike and Christy LeBlanc, Zach and Aimee, of McPherson; and Verlin “Butch” Engel and Dana of California. Special guests were Sandy Basgall, Cora Jennings, Mary Allen, Chris and Rose Leiker and Leona McIntosh, of Great Bend.