The annual Monson family reunion was Aug. 14 at McElroy Park in Jamestown. Eighty-six people attended from Minnesota and many places in North Dakota.
The musical program consisted of Dale Monson, master of ceremonies, and grandsons, Jared and Zech Sherman singing "Hold On To God" with Jared playing the guitar and Zech on the banjo. Group songs "I'll Fly Away" and "Precious Memories" were accompanied by Margaret Elm on the fiddle, Sharon Coleman on the accordion and Richard Kerber playing the piano and the accordion and Jared and Zech with their instruments. Mavis (Monson) Renfro sang one of the poems out of her newly published book. The book is a tribute to her mother, Billie Monson, whose writings are contained in the book.
Family who died in the last year were read by Wayne Monson. Announcement was made of the three babies born this past year -- the newest babies of the seventh generation of Monsons. Their great-great-great great grandparents, Ole and Berthe Monson were the first generation of Monsons to come to America from Stavanger, Norway, in 1882. They settled on a farm north of Kathryn, N.D.
A bridal shower was also held at the reunion for Elke Burkhardt who will marry Kyle Bangerter on Oct. 1 in Walker, Minn. She is the daughter of Jim Burkhardt, Plymouth, Minn., and granddaughter of Marilyn and Bob Burkhardt, Jamestown.
The afternoon before the reunion an 85th birthday party was held at the James River Senior Center for Wayne Monson.
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Attending the reunion from Jamestown were: Rod and Barb Monson, Wayne Monson, Neldae Frank, Arlyce and Leonard Chadwick, Marilyn and Bob Burkhardt, Ron Monson, Lisa and Bryan Hoffer, Bryanna, Baxter, and LeAnna; Paul and Janel Monson, Luke and Katelyn; Keith Chadwick, June Benett, Kristi Chadwick, Mason Krumwiede and Kadence; Brandon Chadwick, Kayla Schnibele, Sarah Chadwick, Scott Monson, Reid Monson, Kelly Monson, Marilyn and Richard Kerber, Colleen and Ray Sigurdson and Norman and DeLette Winkelman.
Family members from other North Dakota cities attending were:
Mandan: Dale and Virginia Monson, Vicki Sherman and Jared Sherman.
Valley City: Elaine Meidema; Joanne Skramstad, Brenda Skamstad, Tom Monson, Mavis and Louis Renfro, Sr., Lewis, Jr. and Tiffany Renfro, Louis III, Miracle, and James Lowell, Margaret Elm, Sharon Coleman, and Shirley Nelson.
Fargo: Lorne Monson, Zech Sherman, Brooke and Brian Erstad and Blake, Rory Skamstad, Norman Gust.
West Fargo: Lois Hofmann.
Litchville: Lowell and Billie Monson, Marlowe Monson, Donna Monson, Joel and Laura Miedema.
Glenfield: Mike and Rowena Monson and Austin.
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Ray: Kristen Meckle and Lilly.
Marion: Cindy and Todd Vogel, Ivan and Irene Gjerding and Willie Noot.
Rogers: Whitney Haux and Justin Vogel.
Luverne: Carmen Svenningson.
Minnesota families attending the reunion were: Ed and Jean Monson, Lakefield; Bill Monson, Ogilvie; Jim Burkhardt, Plymouth; Elke Burkhardt and Kyle Bangerter, Lino Lakes; Dorothy (Ronngren) and Dennis Dunham, Ulen; and Donald Ronngren, Elaine (Ronngren) and Gerald Grefsrud, Pelican Rapids.
The next annual Monson reunion will be Aug. 12, 2012, in Jamestown.
