LUDWIG FAMILY HOLDS FAMILY REUNION

The Henry W. Ludwig family reunion was held at St. John's Parish Hall in Pocahontas on Aug. 6.

David Ludwig gave a brief welcome and George Thurm gave the invocation. The meal was catered by Mac's Airport Restaurant. Forty-two family members were in attendance.

David thanked everyone for coming to the reunion and remarked that this was a great way to start the new millennium, with close relatives. He asked everyone to check current address sheet to determine if correct addresses were listed and if additional relatives needed to be added.

David recognized The 2000 Ludwig Reunion Committee members as Marvin and Dorothy Ludwig, Doris Ford, Karen Keifer, and himself. These individuals helped organized this event.

David declared that some general questions are asked if your last name is Ludwig?

*How do you spell that name?

*Are you related to the guys that make the drums?

*Are you any relation to the famous King Ludwig of Germany the one that built all those castles?

In the 1970s, billionaire Daniel K. Ludwig was in the news as a very rich person. So people would ask if he was a relative? And I would say, "Yes," but a distant cousin.

The Ludwig Coat of Arms was introduced and David explained the history of it. He distributed information sheets explaining the Coat of Arms to the family members that were present.

Certificates were given to the following family members in the categories listed:

*Who traveled the Greatest Distance? Nancy Dale, and David and Linda Pompel.

*Who is the Eldest person in attendance? Evelyn Ludwig Sohn.

*Who is the Youngest person in attendance? Dale Ludwig's daughter Claire, who was 20 months old.

*Who has the Most Children? Marie and Keith Ruesler with four children.

*Who has the Most Grandchildren? Marvin and Dorothy Ludwig with nine grandchildren

*Who has the Most Great Grandchildren? Bonnie and Vernon Ludwig with five great children

*Who has been Married the Longest? Bonnie and Vernon Ludwig with 52 years of marriage.

*Who is the Most Recent Married? Carol Bochne

George and Verna Thurm gave an update of the local history of our family. Doris Ford contributed to the family history information, as well as Linda Pompel. Other family members joined the conversation with some favorite family stories that they wish to share with the group

Marvin and Dorothy Ludwig, David Ludwig, Dotty Palisch, Linda Brotherton and Karen Kiefer were selected to organize the next Ludwig reunion in August 2002. The reunion will be the first Sunday in August 2002 at St. John's Parish Hall in Pocahontas. The meal will again be catered.

David said local information, handouts and brochures on the community were on the table for those who wished additional information about the community.

A group picture was taken and the reunion was adjourned.