The Rziha/Koester family reunion was held on Aug. 9, at the Claflin Parish Center. Members of the reunion committee were Linda Bahr, Marlene Lohmann, Kristia Zeretzke, Chuck and Janice Moore, and Jim and Jolene Rziha. The day started with registration. A meal was catered by the Wheatland Cafe of Hudson. After the meal a memorial service was held for the family members who have passed away since the last reunion three years ago. A candle was lit for each of the following: Dave Govert, Jeanette Holopirek, Andy Anderson and Gilbert Penka. Pictures were taken, visiting/card playing followed. A silent auction was also held. Father Pascal Klein offered Mass for the families.
Traveling the farthest distance was Karen Hipp from Hawaii. Others attending were: Joe and Marge Olsen Marcus, St. Louis, Mo.; Larry Ryan, Wayne Ryan, Milynda Ryan and Kaycee Tait, Florida; Michael and Mary Zorn, Round Rock, Texas; Tom and Alice Zorn, Herndon, Va.; Daniel Koester and Terry Boyd, Fort Collins, Colo.; John and Laura Murphy Von Etten, Centennial, Colo.; Marty Murphy, Kathy Pakkebier, Paige Pakkebier, Caden Murphy and Jacob Schneider, Denver, Colo.; Kristi Jensen, Kansas City, Mo.; Mary Haberman, Mike and Rose Murphy, Jim and Jolene Rziha, Larry Rziha, Valerie Rziha Ruiz, Shaylee Ruiz, Jordan Vsetecka, Marlene Lohmann, Kristia Zeretzke, Richard and Karen Schraeder, Jim and Loretta Murphy, Dalton Murphy, Kevin Murphy, Roxanne Mayers, Adam Murphy, Shelly Amberger, Wendy Lockwood, all of Great Bend; Leonard and Joan Rziha, Scott and Robin Rziha, Norbert and Terry Schneider, Dave and Lois McLeland, Joyce Koester, all of Hoisington; Ron and Mary Anne Hammerschmidt, Steve and Linda Koester Vogelsang, Sherrie Gross, all of Topeka; John and Judy Marstall, Michael Marstall, Alan Hipp, Ken and  Peggy Hipp, all of Wichita; Linda Bahr, Lisa Starr, Marcus and Brett Starr, Chuck and Janice
Moore, Scott and Kim Higgason, Sam, Nick, Luke Higgason, Janet Pechanec, all of Otis; Helen Zorn, Steve and Susan Cates, Melanie Cates, Molly Harter, Layla Harter, Daniel and Amanda Cates and Sonia Cates, Donnie Cates, all of Emporia; Ron and Susan Jensen, Father Pascal Klein, all of Clalfin; Bob and Kathy Schneider, Ben Schneider, Daniel and Stephanie and Natalie Schneider, all of Olmitz; Kathy Beard, Joplin McCue, of Phillipsburg; Gina Cregg of Lawrence; Jonathan Lohmann of Overland Park; Rita Anderson, Tyler Keith, of Hill City; Marvin and Bernice Kaiser, of Hays; Gerald and Jeanne Rziha, Tampa; Dustin and Amanda Smith, Grace, Allie and Macy, of Russell; Wayne and Norma Schon, of Newton; Darrel and Leisa Schon, of Andover; Mark and Chelsea Pechanec, Marissa, Kaitlyn, LaCrosse, Tristan Pechanec, of Ellis; Larry McLeland, Satanta, Kyle Jensen, of Salina; Natalie Tenbrink of Spearville
The next reunion will be held in Aug. 2017.