The descendants of Joseph and Anna (Pokorny) Dostal met at the Fraternal Order of Eagles Club in Tama on August 6 for their 53nd reunion. Hosts for the event were Mary Ann Gray Bemidji, MN, Rita Dostal Toledo, Regina Lebeda Humboldt, South Dakota, Marilyn Kelley Edina, MN, and Bonita Neff, Munster, Indiana.

Lillian Dostal, our family historian, updated our family tree, which included the birth of Lucille Rae on June 30, 2017 to Anthony and Carolyn Lamorte (daughter of James and Marcella (Dostal) Amspaugh).

There were three deaths since the last reunion: Agnes A. Kalina, 97, of Elberon, passed away January 4, 2017, daughter of Charles & Mary (Dostal); Ludwig James Dostal, 94, of Toledo, passed away on October 25, 2016, son of Lewis & Mary (Soytn) Dostal; Nicole “Nikki” Kluck of Marshalltown, passed away October 22, 2016, daughter-in-law of Janice (Dostal) and Terry Kluck.

Approximately sixty family members attending included: Jeff & Nancy Dostal, Brent and Kelli Dostal and daughters, Olivia and Kiya from Tama; Mike & Pam Dostal, Rita Dostal, Reva Dostal, Becky & Bill Faircloth, Rex Nekola, and Kevin Dostal from Toledo, Al Dostal from Texas; Merele & Marlene Dostal from Clutier; Kim & Judy Dostal from Albion; Monica Lihs from Waukee; Jackie & Josh Haag from Des Moines; Myrna Dostal from Traer; Lillian Dostal from Clutier; Jan & Terry Kluck from Marshalltown; Leonard & Collette Seda from Victor; Keith Wills from Grundy Center; Jacob & Vader Towley and son, Vader, from Cedar Rapids; Pauline Randall from Springville and her cousin, Margret Kolash; Maria Burkle from Brooklyn; LeRoy Thoms from Garwin; Darin & Alica Krupp and children, Dylan & Ava, from Santa Clara, CA; Al & DeAnna Krupp from Goodyear, Arizona; David & Aurora Krupp from Buckeye, Arizona; Jermi, Jacque, Kaden & Ella Kopsa from Tama; Mary Ann & Tom Gray from Bemidji, MN; Marilyn & Mike Kelley from Edina, MN; Regina & Chuck Lebeda and daughter, Katie, from Humboldt, SD; and Bonita & Greg Neff from Munster, Indiana.

The family enjoyed an afternoon of musical entertainment by Jan Kluck on her accordion and visiting. Pauline Randall donated one of her beautiful paintings for a door prize, which was won by Mike Dostal. Regina Lebeda donated a table runner that was won by Jan Kluck.

Czech food was featured at this year’s reunion with such a variety of great ethnic foods. A special thanks goes out to those that found their favorite Czech recipes or researched for a new recipe, and very special thanks goes out to the great bakers that made kolaches, zeliniki, roliniki, and bismarks. All the recipes brought back fond, delicious memories.

The 2017 reunion will be hosted by Becky Faircloth and Al Dostal on Sunday, August 5, 2018.