Mount Ayr Record-News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
Thursday, August 14, 2014

The family of Owen and Madge Schlapia met at the Diagonal Community Building on Sunday, August 3, 2014, for a noon potluck meal and gathering with 91 in attendance. The group enjoyed a delicious meal after having a human scavenger hunt icebreaker.

After the meal each family was recognized and memorable prizes awarded to several. The two oldest couples were Dean and Mary Jo Schlapia of Algona, IA, and Larry and Mary Lee Schlapia of Creston, and the youngest members present were Adrian Schlapia and Ashtyn Schlapia. Longest married were Larry and Mary Lee Schlapia and two couples newly married this year were Jesse and Abbee Shelley of Leno, and Cameron and Brandi Finley of Milan, IL, with Alvin and Mary Ann Schlapia of Creston, recognized for celebrating their 50th on August 2.

Meagan Finley's friend Matthew Bonen was the only graduate present, with three present in preschool, Adrian Schlapia of Clearfield, Wyatt Schlapia of Mount Ayr, Joey Novak of Diagonal and starting Kindergarten will be Abby Burg of Des Moines.

Those coming the longest distance and having the most people in a car (seven) were Roger and Tracy Finley from Illinois. Flying the longest distance was Jeanie Schlapia from AZ. The largest group of family present from Owen and Madge's children was from the Hugh Schlapia family with 49 members present.

The group also enjoyed some entertainment from the grandchildren of Owen and Madge and special entertainer sining and playing the guitar for the group was Jarrett Finley.

The rest of the afternoon was spent visiting, picture taking, looking at family history and getting to know everyone.

Those present were Lora Jean Rezner of Peoria, AZ; Tracy and Roger Finley, Jarret Finley, Meagan Finley, Matthew Bonen of Winnebago, IL; Cameron and Brandi Finley of Milan, IL; Dean and Mary Jo Schlapia of Algona, IA; Jim and Janis Schuberth of Blue Springs, MO; Larry and Susanne Stamper of Turnig, MO; Chad and Brittany Schlapia and Ashtyn of Maryville, MO; Jason and Amanda Heck, Ethan, Samuel, Kyle and Kayla of Chelsea, IA; Linda Speck of Ames, IA; Richard and Tresha Millslagle, Colby, Seth and Jacob of Kanawha, IA; Debra Jensen, Nathan, Nicholas and Grace Hoepker; Renea and Abby Burg; Dorothy Davenport, Ellie Davenport, Ellie Davenport and Chris Burlingame, all of Des Moines area; Ron and Toni Schlapia; Tim and Jennifer Schaefer; Katelyn, Tyler, and Colton of Adel; Dick and Elinor Kay Rose, Mitch and Cindy Price of Winterset, IA; Larry and Mary Lee Schlapia, Aaron Schlapia; Carlon and LaVon Schlapia; Alvin and Mary Ann Schlapia; Pat Schlapia; John Schlapia; Mary Lynn Baker; David and Heen Jessen; Vonnie Kinkade; Chris Jessen; Kari Nielsen and Joan Woods, all of Creston; Dorean Kessler and Gavin Kessler, Jesse and Abbee Shelley of Lenox, IA; Darin and Ann Schlpia; Adrian and Andrew of Clearfield, IA; Jim and Rosemary Hullinger; Travis and Judy Shaha, Bryce and Brock; Adam and Ronnel Schlapia and Wyatt, all of Mount Ayr, IA; Mark and Ruth Schlapia; Jeremy and Amy Novak, Jacob, Joseph and Justin and Robert and Cindy Schlapia, all of Diagonal, IA.

The next Schlapia Reunion will be Sunday, August 2, 2015 in Diagonal.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, September of 2014