More than 100 attend Abplanalp-Lynch reunion years ago
Burns Community Center was the scene Sept. 4 of much activity as five generations of descendants of Herman and Nettie (Lynch) Abplanalp and Ted and Mabel (Goodrich) Lynch gathered for a covered dish dinner.
They enjoyed a day of reminiscing, sorting through family pictures and memorabilia, finding their place on the family tree, and, for many, finding out just how their roots were connected.
Herman and Nettie were married in 1890, and raised their family of 11 children on the family homestead southwest of Burns, the present home of Roland Koehn.
Of the 11 children, seven married and six had children. All six branches were represented as well as four of the six branches of Nettie's brother, Ted Lynch and his wife Mabel.
John Abplanalp and his son Jeff of Seattle, Wash. represented the Will Abplanalp branch and not only traveled the farthest, but discovered that Jeff has the distinction of being the first son of a first son for as far back as there are records — seven generations.
Walter's branch was represented by three of his children, one grandchild, two great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren. Lois Ingram of Tampa, Fla., came the farthest of their branch.
Madeline Parson's branch was the host this year and well represented by four children, eight grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and 10 great-great-grandchildren. Gary and Donna (Gfeller) Rodvelt of Hurricane, W.V., traveled the farthest of that group.
Nettie Graham conducted the business meeting. Roll call was answered by the grandchildren of Herman and Nettie and by Nettie's nieces and nephews in order of their birth date. Each one gave a short report on their families.
Frank's branch had four children, two grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren. Ruby and Perry Moore came from Aurora, Colo.
Harold's branch had three children, two grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren, all of Wichita. They graciously consented to be the host family next year.
Tom's branch was represented by each of his three children. Joan Abplanalp Gilmore gave a talk on family history and shared her collection of family pictures, memorabilia, and records.
The Lynch family had three children, four grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren present. Wanda Lynch Cain shared a picture of her family tree.
A special thanks to Duane Graham for designing the family trees which were unique with pictures of three generations back. Also for the poster of "smiles only" which he enlarged from snapshots taken at earlier reunions. Everyone enjoyed trying to guess who belonged to each smile.
With spouses, friends, and guests, a grand total of 112 people were in attendance.
