The 50th annual Hildebrand Reunion will begin with a basket dinner Sunday, July 25, at noon in the fellowship hall at Calvary Baptist Church, three miles north of Stafford.
It is appropriate that the reunion be held at the church as Franz and Marie, as well as several of their children, were charter members of what was known as the German Baptist Church when it began in 1909. Today Franz has great-great-great-grandchildren attending Calvary Baptist.
Prior to Franz’s death in 1931 his children and grandchildren gathered to celebrate his birthday each summer. In 1960 the descendants began holding a yearly reunion on the 4th Sunday of July. The first reunion was held at Camp Carlile, south of Stafford. Other locations through the years have included the old American Legion Bldg in Stafford and the IOOF lodge in St. John.
There will be a display of pictures, stories and mementoes of the Hildebrand family and will feature 50 years of Hildebrand Reunions. Relatives are invited to bring their additions. A photo scanner will be available to preserve digital files. Other special activities are being planned for this 50th Hildebrand Reunion Celebration.
Following the reunion a photograph will be taken replicating the 1921 photo of the Hildebrands taken in front of William (and his son, August) Hildebrand's home one mile north of Stafford. Later this year the house will be demolished so please join us for this historical photo!
For further information contact Shari Hildebrand Morford, 316-258-8758 or morford@ourtownusa.net
