The Sienknecht Family Reunion was held Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, at the American Legion Hall in Clutier.

The annual potluck is a gathering of the descendants of Henry and Freda (Krambeck) Sienknecht, who immigrated from Germany in 1883, settling first in Rock Island County, Illinois, before making their home in Tama County in 1893.

Host for this year was Jason Staker of Toledo, who presented information on the Sienknecht and Krambeck families in Germany, as well as letters received from distant cousins still living there. The group also marked the passing of several family members in the last few years, including Ralph Sienknecht and Leslie Sienknecht of Clutier and David Burt of Conrad.

Staker was selected to remain host and organizer for the next reunion, which will be held Sunday, September 10, 2017, in Clutier.

Those in attendance this year included: Pauline M. Sienknecht, Pauline D. Sienknecht, Nick and Kathy Sienknecht, Mark Sienknecht, and Marilyn Popelka, Clutier; Jeanie Burt, Conrad; Doug Sienknecht, Trudi Scott, Sue Hamann and great-granddaughters, Gladbrook; David and Peg Dvorak, Elberon; Rosemarie Welton and John Welton, Cedar Rapids; Judy Hupfeld, Vinton; Terry and Joan Haverly, Anamosa; Jason Staker, Toledo; Terry and Judy Fink, Tama; Randy and Diane Staker, Reinbeck; Lloyd and Yvonne Krutzfeldt family, Dysart; Jim and Jan Zwyers, St. Peters, Mo.; Tempest Nelson, Waterloo; Shawn and Trisha Kreman, Swisher.