Mark your calendars folks!
Check out "Reunion Information" for more information and to RSVP!
Saturday, October 20, 2018
Albert and Nina Schuster Family Reunion 2019
Check out "Reunion Information" for more information and to RSVP!
Monday, October 1, 2018
Tribute to Janice
Tribute to Janice
Reunion 2017
Submitted by Rob, Chris, and Sarah
Reunion 2017
Submitted by Rob, Chris, and Sarah
~~Our Mother Janice~~
There is a quote by S.D. Gordon that says:
"The influence exerted by the mother is great beyond the power of our minds to think or of our words to tell. The making of the children's character is in the mother's hands to a degree that is nothing short of startling."
As the three of us talked about what to write about our Mother we all agreed that she is one of the most giving and self-sacrificing people we know. Our Mother always has and continues to be there for each one of us in very personal and individual ways no matter what time of day it is, what resources are available and if she is feelings well or not. Anything she has she will give while going without herself.
Our Mother is an encouragement and biggest supporter in all areas of our lives. She encourages our individual and personal talents and hidden traits and brings them to the surface. She has always delighted in her children from the earliest memories of childhood to our present seasons of adulthood. This quality that she has of delighting in her children has poured over into her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She relates to them with tender and warm affection, taking the time and energy to get down on their level.
The Mother is the irreplaceable foundation of the home. We are all so thankful to have been given the mother we have. She TRULY is irreplaceable!
We love you, Mom!
Love,
Rob, Chris, and Sarah
Tribute to Margie and Frank Nelson
Tribute to Margie and Frank Nelson
Reunion 2017
Author by Ron Tranmer
Submitted by the children of Margie and Frank
Reunion 2017
Author by Ron Tranmer
Submitted by the children of Margie and Frank
The Greatest Parents on Earth
I will never take for granted
How greatly I've been blessed;
For when it comes to parents,
Mom and Dad, you are the best!
You nurtured and protected me
And taught me with great care.
And every time I've needed you,
You were always there.
If you could look into my heart,
How quickly you would see,
The special place you hold there
And how much you mean to me.
May you receive the blessings
You are so deserving of
For your caring, and your sharing,
And each sacrifice of love.
And may you carry in your hearts
These words forever true...
No parents anywhere on earth
Could be more loved than you.
Tribute to Virginia and Vincent
Tribute to Virginia and Vincent
Reunion 2017
By John Ritter
Virginia and Vincent were married March 26, 1951, and farmed first south of Chokio and a few years later moved to their current home north of Chokio where they still live. They raised seven children who have given them 17 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren. Family is always first for them.
They are pillars of their community, leaders in politics, activists in rural and health issues, and devoted members of St Mary's Church, where Vincent was an usher and Virginia sang in the choir, led services as the lector and taught Sunday School. Following in the footsteps of Albert Schuster, Virginia and Vincent were active of for many years in the Minnesota DFL Party and the Minnesota Farmers Union. They served a variety of offices at the county level, frequently hosting action meetings at their home and organizing conventions. Their hope---their deep passion---was to make a better life for their children and others in rural communities.
Vincent, who was a veteran of the US Navy, was elected vice president of the Minnesota Farmers Union in the early 1980s. In that role, he traveled frequently around the country to help organize other farmers and to Washington DC to lobby elected representatives. Vincent also served on the state Farmers Union Marketing and Processing Assn. board. This activity was in addition to running a 640 acre grain and dairy farm.
Virginia graduated from the Kahler School of Nursing in Rochester in 1950 and served her community for more than half a century as a Registered Nurse, working most of her career at Graceville Hospital, both on the floor and as a home health nurse. She also served on the Stevens County Hospital Board and worked on organizing other regional and county health issues and volunteered at Bloodmobiles. She served on the county FHA Advisory Board and served for many years as a local and county 4-H leader.
While keeping busy with outside activities, she has worked tirelessly on the business end of the farm, always kept a big garden and yard, and cooked for a house full of friends and relatives every day and every holiday where a dozen or more people sit around her dining room table. She still finds time to make a pie to take to some family in town or church event. In more recent years, she took a break from the farm and attended clown college for a few days to learn a new entertainment skill.
In 1970, Vincent and Virginia and family were named Stevens County Farm Family of the Year and honored at the county fair. The winnings were used for a family vacation to Nebraska. They always encouraged their children to dream and to be the best they could be.
Virginia and Vincent lead by example, working hard on the farm and home and then making time for fun, such as square dancing, family vacations to exotic locations like Paul Bunyan Land and even Chicago in later years, and weekend visits to the relatives' homes to share a meal and play games. Vincent and Virginia are admired and widely respected in their community and they are an inspiration to their children. We learned that we didn't need a lot of "stuff" to be happy as long as we had each other. We learned how to make something from almost nothing. From them, we learned to share and put the needs of others ahead of our own. We love you, Mom and Dad!
Reunion 2017
By John Ritter
Virginia and Vincent were married March 26, 1951, and farmed first south of Chokio and a few years later moved to their current home north of Chokio where they still live. They raised seven children who have given them 17 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren. Family is always first for them.
They are pillars of their community, leaders in politics, activists in rural and health issues, and devoted members of St Mary's Church, where Vincent was an usher and Virginia sang in the choir, led services as the lector and taught Sunday School. Following in the footsteps of Albert Schuster, Virginia and Vincent were active of for many years in the Minnesota DFL Party and the Minnesota Farmers Union. They served a variety of offices at the county level, frequently hosting action meetings at their home and organizing conventions. Their hope---their deep passion---was to make a better life for their children and others in rural communities.
Vincent, who was a veteran of the US Navy, was elected vice president of the Minnesota Farmers Union in the early 1980s. In that role, he traveled frequently around the country to help organize other farmers and to Washington DC to lobby elected representatives. Vincent also served on the state Farmers Union Marketing and Processing Assn. board. This activity was in addition to running a 640 acre grain and dairy farm.
Virginia graduated from the Kahler School of Nursing in Rochester in 1950 and served her community for more than half a century as a Registered Nurse, working most of her career at Graceville Hospital, both on the floor and as a home health nurse. She also served on the Stevens County Hospital Board and worked on organizing other regional and county health issues and volunteered at Bloodmobiles. She served on the county FHA Advisory Board and served for many years as a local and county 4-H leader.
While keeping busy with outside activities, she has worked tirelessly on the business end of the farm, always kept a big garden and yard, and cooked for a house full of friends and relatives every day and every holiday where a dozen or more people sit around her dining room table. She still finds time to make a pie to take to some family in town or church event. In more recent years, she took a break from the farm and attended clown college for a few days to learn a new entertainment skill.
In 1970, Vincent and Virginia and family were named Stevens County Farm Family of the Year and honored at the county fair. The winnings were used for a family vacation to Nebraska. They always encouraged their children to dream and to be the best they could be.
Virginia and Vincent lead by example, working hard on the farm and home and then making time for fun, such as square dancing, family vacations to exotic locations like Paul Bunyan Land and even Chicago in later years, and weekend visits to the relatives' homes to share a meal and play games. Vincent and Virginia are admired and widely respected in their community and they are an inspiration to their children. We learned that we didn't need a lot of "stuff" to be happy as long as we had each other. We learned how to make something from almost nothing. From them, we learned to share and put the needs of others ahead of our own. We love you, Mom and Dad!
Tribute to Dean and Rita Schuster
Tribute to Dean and Rita Schuster
Reunion 2017
By their eldest, Deanna Evenson
When I think of mom and dad together, I think of Corinthians 13:4-7. In their lives they have accomplished pages of wonderful things, through friendships, acquaintances, the insurance business together, life lessons taught to their family on the farm, and sharing their wisdom by the way they love and care for each other. There are so many stories to be shared about all of this.
But the heart of it all comes back to Corinthians, a reading often used at the beginning of our marriages. It is a wonderful blessing for us to have a long time together to see that they have made this prayer their life. When one is weary, the other is strong, and so "together" they lean on each other and beautifully complete this prayer.
LOVE IS PATIENT; Boy did they have to be, raising us!
LOVE IS KIND; There wasn't a 4-H project, school assignment, Easter outfit to be sewn, birthday cake to be decorated, baptism to be celebrated, or all the other "hallelujahs" in our lives, as well as the tears, that weren't made special by Mom and Dad.
IT DOES NOT ENVY; I can honestly say I never felt I was "without." We knew we had everything important.
IT DOES NOT BOAST; Mom and Dad taught us not to speak beginning with "I," but instead with "How are you?"
IT IS NOT PROUD; They didn't show pride in themselves, but they were ever grateful, with "buttons busting" over family, when they showed their integrity and could restrain their pride.
IT IS NOT RUDE; One of Mom's favorites, "Better to remain silent and thought ignorant, than to open your mouth and prove it." Don't be rude.
IT IS NOT SELF-SEEKING; They taught us to put God 1st, Others 2nd, Selves 3rd.
IT IS NOT 'EASILY' ANGERED; Not that we didn't know when they were disappointed, but...
LOVE KEEPS NO RECORD OF WRONGS; They always forgave us.
LOVE DOES NOT DELIGHT IN EVIL; I never see gladness in their heart at the expense of someone else.
BUT LOVE REJOICES WITH THE TRUTH; They firmly taught us to believe that right will overcome evil, that truth sets you free, and you don't have to worry that good overcomes evil in the end (although... I can think of an election or two that gave them a good challenge.)
IT ALWAYS PROTECTS; We are safe at home. We are safe and loved when we walk through their door.
LOVE ALWAYS TRUSTS; They just "know and believe" you will do the right thing in the end.
LOVE ALWAYS HOPES; Prayers, rosaries, novenas, and now Dad bringing communion to Mom and watching the mass with her on TV, saying the prayers, singing the hymns -- full of HOPE.
LOVE ALWAYS PERSEVERES; They taught us all things don't go as we think is right, but keep praying to understand God's will BECAUSE:
LOVE NEVER FAILS.
Reunion 2017
By their eldest, Deanna Evenson
When I think of mom and dad together, I think of Corinthians 13:4-7. In their lives they have accomplished pages of wonderful things, through friendships, acquaintances, the insurance business together, life lessons taught to their family on the farm, and sharing their wisdom by the way they love and care for each other. There are so many stories to be shared about all of this.
But the heart of it all comes back to Corinthians, a reading often used at the beginning of our marriages. It is a wonderful blessing for us to have a long time together to see that they have made this prayer their life. When one is weary, the other is strong, and so "together" they lean on each other and beautifully complete this prayer.
LOVE IS PATIENT; Boy did they have to be, raising us!
LOVE IS KIND; There wasn't a 4-H project, school assignment, Easter outfit to be sewn, birthday cake to be decorated, baptism to be celebrated, or all the other "hallelujahs" in our lives, as well as the tears, that weren't made special by Mom and Dad.
IT DOES NOT ENVY; I can honestly say I never felt I was "without." We knew we had everything important.
IT DOES NOT BOAST; Mom and Dad taught us not to speak beginning with "I," but instead with "How are you?"
IT IS NOT PROUD; They didn't show pride in themselves, but they were ever grateful, with "buttons busting" over family, when they showed their integrity and could restrain their pride.
IT IS NOT RUDE; One of Mom's favorites, "Better to remain silent and thought ignorant, than to open your mouth and prove it." Don't be rude.
IT IS NOT SELF-SEEKING; They taught us to put God 1st, Others 2nd, Selves 3rd.
IT IS NOT 'EASILY' ANGERED; Not that we didn't know when they were disappointed, but...
LOVE KEEPS NO RECORD OF WRONGS; They always forgave us.
LOVE DOES NOT DELIGHT IN EVIL; I never see gladness in their heart at the expense of someone else.
BUT LOVE REJOICES WITH THE TRUTH; They firmly taught us to believe that right will overcome evil, that truth sets you free, and you don't have to worry that good overcomes evil in the end (although... I can think of an election or two that gave them a good challenge.)
IT ALWAYS PROTECTS; We are safe at home. We are safe and loved when we walk through their door.
LOVE ALWAYS TRUSTS; They just "know and believe" you will do the right thing in the end.
LOVE ALWAYS HOPES; Prayers, rosaries, novenas, and now Dad bringing communion to Mom and watching the mass with her on TV, saying the prayers, singing the hymns -- full of HOPE.
LOVE ALWAYS PERSEVERES; They taught us all things don't go as we think is right, but keep praying to understand God's will BECAUSE:
LOVE NEVER FAILS.
Tribute to Alberta and Edward
Tribute to Alberta and Edward
Reunion 2017
Author Unknown
Submitted by Bev
Reunion 2017
Author Unknown
Submitted by Bev
"My Mother's Garden"
~ ~My Mother kept a garden,
a garden of the heart,
She planted all the good things
That gave my life its start.
~~She turned me to the sunshine
and encouraged me to dream,
Fostering and nurturing
The seeds of self-esteem...
~~And when the winds and rain came
she protected me enough-
But not too much because she knew
I'd need to stand up strong and tough.
~~Her constant good example
always taught me right from wrong-
Markers for my pathway
that will last a lifetime long.
~~I am my Mother's garden.
I am her legacy-
And I hope today she feels the love
Reflected back from me.