Handorf Family Reunion took place on June 11 this year, attendees included front (l-r) Stefi and June Clark, Afton and Witt Myers, Ella and Lincoln Myers; second row (l-r) Karen Handorf, Alice Sienknecht, Sue Koster, Marilyn Butler, Nancie Handorf, Vana Halverson; back row (l-r) Susan and Randy Beichley, Bob Sienknecht, Stan Koster, Kelly and Cherie Crandall, Lynn and Claire Handorf, Vari Nelson, Austin Nelson. PHOTO COURTESY OF SUE KOSTER

The 88th annual reunion of the descendants of Frederick and Bertha Handorf was held on Sunday, June 11, at the Gladbrook Memorial Building at 11:30 am with 24 members present. We were glad to meet in person as virtual meetings were held in 2020 and 2021, and we skipped 2022 due to a family member’s death.

President Vari Nelson opened the business meeting at 12:55 p.m. and thanked everyone for coming and sharing the wonderful food prepared by all. She mentioned that Frederick and Bertha Handorf came to central Iowa in 1834 and are buried in the Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in Dillon, Iowa. Correspondence was read.

The oldest member present was Marilyn Handorf Butler, age 87, Cedar Rapids. The youngest member present was June Wilder Clark, 2 years old, daughter of Stefi and Dan Clark, Cedar Falls.

All family members shared updates on their families, and we were treated to a Talent Show by 2.5-year-old Witt Myers, who played his ukulele and sang “You Are My Sunshine!” and 11-year-old Lincoln Nelson, who showed his flexibility by putting his legs behind his head!

Officers for 2024 are:

President: Vari Nelson

Vice-President: Kelly Crandall

Secretary/Treasurer: Bryn Hayes

The 2024 reunion will be held on Sunday, June 9, 2024.