Bourne reunion brings family from across the nation

On June 14 approximately 55 descendants of Harry and Myrne Bourne met at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Sprague on a day that would have been Harry and Myrne’s 86th wedding anniversary.

Family members gathered from all over Eastern Washington and Idaho as well as traveling from as far as Florida.

The event started with a service for Llyod Bourne who passed away in November 2013. At the Church members displayed pictures of the family, going back to Harry and Myrne’s grandparents. Attendees also brought heirlooms of the family to share.

Harry and Myrne left Nebraska in 1937 with their two oldest sons Dick and Harold. They arrived near Orofino, Idaho, where their third son Lloyd was born.

The Bournes moved around Eastern Washington for several years, during this time their daughter Betty and youngest son Howard were born.

Harry and Myrne moved to Ritzville in 1956. After a brief move to Colville the Bournes returned to Ritzville where Harry worked for the Chevrolet dealership, and the Shell Service Station until he and Myrne began traveling together and selling photos for Color Classics.

Harry passed away in July 1973 and Myrne went to live with Lloyd and his wife Maureen until she died in December 1994.

Harry and Myrne’s oldest son Dick and his wife Dorothy from Spokane attended the reunion with their families.

Second son Harold traveled with his wife Anne from Wisconsin and was joined by son Steve and his wife Darla from Florida.

Lloyd’s wife Maureen, his son Terry and his daughter, Larae Rodriguez along with her two daughters represented Lloyd’s family at the reunion.

Her daughters Roxy, Robin, and Stacee, joined Betty along with Stacee’s children, Seth and Ethan.

Howard and his wife Donnette traveled from Post Falls with their son Bo and his wife Audrey.