Mount Ayr Record-News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
Thursday, July 10, 2008

The 56th annual reunion of the family of William and Maria GRIFFITH ROUDYBUSH was held on Sunday, June 22, 2008, at the home of Jim and Sally BROWN near Lenox. Jim and Sally had fun activities set up (the trampoline, horses and yard games) for the children present to enjoy while the adults visited, go reacquainted and updated on family news. It was a beautiful day with blue skies, a gentle breeze and pleasant temperature. All enjoyed the potluck dinner and sharing time.

Because of flooding and a very wet spring, illnesses and other commitments, some regularly attending family members were unable to attend. They missed Lee and Mary ROUDYBUSH and Spencer LUMBARD who had to be in the fields to try to catch up on planting and baling hay. Pauline CRUSSELL has been taking Clem to Omaha,NE frequently lately for medical treatments and could not make it. Duane DOLECHECK has had recent surgery, so he and Eula were unable to be present. Dorothy BURNS was absent to stay home with Jack who had just undergone a corneal transplant on Thursday prior to the reunion. Gary and Kristen ROUDYBUSH had Masonic activity responsibilities. These dear ones and many others were missed and will, hopefully, be back with them next year for the 57th annual ROUDYBUSH reunion.

The business meeting following dinner was called to order by president Joann BALLENGER. The minutes of last year's reunion were read by Laura WALTON subbing for Dorothy BURNS. A passing of the plate holder enabled everyone to give Jim and Sally a gift for their kind hospitality. Officers for next year will remain almost the same with Joann as president, Dorothy as secretary/treasurer and Diana O'RILEY as historian. The only change is that Ryan BROWN will serve as vice-president.

Jim and Sally graciously agreed to host again next year at their wonderful park-like yard with all its amenities. The reunion will be held on June 28, 2009.

Attending the reunion this year were: Burl ROUDYBUSH and Joann BALLENGER of Muscatine; Laura WALTON of Iowa City; Carol KELLETT of Aldeo, IL; Don and Maralyn BARKER of Ames; Bob and Kathyn BROWN, Jim and Sally BROWN and their children, D.J., Mitchell and Megan, Ryan BROWN and his daughter, Kristen, Richard and Stephanie BROWN and their children, Samantha, Leevi, Duncan and Dawson and Gary and Kathy BROWN, all of Lenox; Deanna and Mike RIEKE of Des Moines; Jenny ROBINSON and her daughter, Dayna Ray, of Gravity; Roy and Nancy LUMBARD of Creston; Mary Beth and Robert (Ernie) HOWER of Earlham and Hope and Willie HALL and their children, Grant and Grace, and Grace's friend, Elizabeth HARDY, of Afton.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, August of 2012