Treasure the memories. Acknowledge the gifts and legacy of our ancestors.
These were thoughts the Rev. Duane Pribula was planning to share as he celebrated Mass for the Vanyo family reunion Saturday evening at Tabor, Minn. He is a member of the family.
This is the season -- the time of year when families too large to fit around a dining room table hold reunions. Among reunions this weekend was the gathering of the Vanyo family Saturday in Tabor. And the 46th annual picnic for the Gowan family is Sunday at Oslo, Minn.
The Vanyos were expecting more than 200. There could be 300. The Gowans have been drawing 170 to 200 family members at their annual picnic. This is the 46th year.
There were eight children in the family of Andrew and Anna Vanyo, who were married Jan. 17, 1917. Their graves are in the cemetery near Holy Trinity Catholic Church at Tabor. Of their eight children, there are four still living -- Elvern Vanyo, Mildred Novak, Mary Anne Tupa and Andrew Vanyo.
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Elvern, who started playing the organ at age 16, was planning to play for the family Mass.
While some were coming from long distances, many of the Vanyo extended family live in the nearby Minnesota towns of Brooks, Plummer, Thief River Falls and Warren. Their meal in the parish hall was to be catered with plans for music in the afternoon and a cold lunch in the evening. The time together was to be spent visiting, playing cards, pitching horse shoes and dancing.
Like the Gowans, members of the Vanyo families wore shirts the same color to distinguish each family unit at the gathering.
Still growing
Since they get together every year, the Gowans designate one family to be in charge of arrangements. This year the planning was done by Lola Gowan, who is also the historian for the family. The picnic starts at noon. Then the Gowans will intermingle and visit. There are games for the children.
"The family keeps growing," said Lola Gowan of Oslo who was married to the late Charles Gowan. "We keep adding. In the last year, we gained 13 and we are now 403."
Those who get together Sunday are remembering the late Roy and Lily Gowan who were married July 26, 1916. For years, Roy was a farmer. Lily always wanted to have Thanksgiving at their house. Then when the family outgrew the house, the Gowans started having summer picnics.
The picnic Sunday is potluck and in the Oslo Community Center.
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"It is so good to get together," says Lola Gowan. "Sometimes we only see each other once a year. It's important to keep up the traditions."
At Tabor, Father Pribula was hoping to engage children and adults in remembering and giving thanks for their families. He was seeking an expression of thanksgiving for those who have gone before.
Families now are so far flung, he reasons, that we need to engage each other in remembrances.
Reach Marilyn Hagerty at mhagerty@gra.midco.net or by telephone at (701) 772-1055.
