Sixty-nine members of the George Sr. and Mary Reichel family gathered on July 9 and 10, for a family reunion. The larger group met on Sunday at the Community Building in Rush Center. They joined in the Lord’s Prayer and a delicious meal prepared by descendants of Mary and Ferdinand Foos was served. Don Simmons furnished a large decorated carrot cake honoring the July 10 birthday of Martie Dial.
A smaller gathering at the Front Door in Great Bend on Saturday evening featured conversation and snacks.
Following the Sunday meal, brief minutes of the 2009 reunion were read and approved. It was noted that Levi Reichel had gotten married a couple of weeks prior to the reunion, and that Caitlin Carolyn Simmons, born Oct. 25, 2008, needed to be added to the genealogy. LaVergne Parr also mentioned the addition of a granddaughter and great-grandchildren of Ron Parr should be noted. It was suggested that any other additons and changes might be given to the secretary for inclusion in this year’s record.
It was determined that current expenses had been covered and there is $365 available for future reunion use. The group voted to meet in 2013 at the Community Building in Rush Center. Neal Reichel will organize the 2013 gathering. Members commented on the clever table decorations which were given as prizes, and expressed appreciation for the unique seating arrangement which encouraged attendees to get better acquainted with extended families they hadn’t yet come to know well. It was suggested that family/wedding pictures be brought to a future reunion to help everyone better understand family connections.
“Fun” prizes were awarded in various categories: for example, who drove the oldest car to the gathering?, who wore the largest shoe to the reunion?, how many small pieces of candy were in the gallon jar?, who had traveled the farthest distance that day to attend the reunion?, etc.
Those in attendance: Franklin and Jeanette Foos, Evelyn Beltz, Deanna Michaelis, all of Bazine; Gary and Linda Foos, Craig
and Tammy Foos and Colbey, Bryan and Jennifer Foos, Alysson, Ashley and Amy Foos, all of Ness City; Rod and Brenda Schuler, of Lyons, Russell Lohrey and Pat Highfill, of LaCrosse; Bill and Barbara Baus, of McCracken; Myron and Debi Schuckman, Florentine Schuckman, all of Wichita; Mark and Ann Baus, Leah and Olivia, and Dwight and Janet Williams, all of Alexander; ; Charlotte Brening, of Keller, Texas; Jody Reichel, of San Francisco, Calif.; Joel and Terry Reichel and Travis, of Loretto; Heather and Raelin Whisnant and Brianna Henderson, all of Topeka; Larry and Cheri Belford, of Hoisington; Tyler Marvin and Amy Melton, Jeremiah Melton, Wm. Melton, Brianna Melton, Madison Marvin and Dietrich Marvin, and Neal and Opal Reichel, all of Great Bend; Len and Donita Goosen, of Ellinwood; Kyle Zoellner, of Kansas City; Kirk and Sandra Zoellner, of Mokena, Ill.; LaVergne and Wayne Parr, of Franklin, Tenn.; Martie Dial, of Prescott, Ariz.; Marcia Simmons, of Denver, Colo.; Don and Carolyn Simmons, of Englewood, Colo.; Wally and Darlyne Fratt, of Missouri City, Texas; Richard and Delores Roehrman, Dana Bohannan and Blake, all of Wichita; Norman and Dyanna Herman and Denae Herrman, all of Derby.