Benzel family celebrates centennial

The Benzel family reunion was held in the Ritzville City Park on Saturday, July 7, beginning with a large family photo, potluck, and time for reminiscing and storytelling. Jeanne Benzel Englund coordinated the event with help from her sister Gwen Benzel Schaefer, cousin Anita Benzel Walli and many other cousins.

Over 100 family members and guests attended the Benzel Centennial that was held to honor former Ritzville residents, Henry and Anna Benzel. Henry, who immigrated from Kolb, Russia, as a “German From Russia,” 100 years ago in 1912. His wife, Anna, and their one-year-old son, Fred H., arrived in Ritzville in 1913.

Henry and Anna had 10 children: Fred, Victor, Art, Esther (McRae), Larry, Ilene (Ellsworth), Melvin, Dorothy (Eckhardt), Everett, and Shirley Benzel Klein. Eight have passed away, leaving Dorothy Eckhardt and Shirley Klein, who both live in Ritzville.

Relatives attending the reunion arrived from North and South Carolina, Massachusetts, Texas, Colorado and Idaho, along with those living in Washington.

Several generations were represented at the reunion. The oldest member in attendance was Ritzville resident Allie Benzel, at the age 90, to the youngest being Mae McRae, the one-week daughter of Luke and Trish McRae also from Ritzville.

Several family members also attended the church service at the Zion Philadelphia United Church of Christ on Sunday, July 8. Anna’s granddaughters, Anita Benzel Walli and Sue Benzel Westergard, provided special piano and organ music. Anna’s daughter, Dorothy Benzel Eckhardt, was Pastor Judith Reinhart-Nelson’s worship assistant.

Special recognition was given to former Pastor Ernest Sprenger who had married several of the Benzel cousins that were in attendance at the reunion. Families gathered in the church social room afterward for lunch, more reminiscing, and enjoying a family photo collection.

Another reunion is being planned for 2014.