Rapson Family Celebrates A 100th Anniversary

The 2009 Rapson Reunion was held on Sunday, July 12th at Wilcox Park in Bad Axe, Michigan with 108 in attendance from Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Oklahoma, Canada, as well as from throughout Michigan, Wilcox Park is just a short distance from the late George A. Rapson farm where in “1909” one hundred eleven members of the Rapson Clan gathered to enjoy a picnic and have a their picture taken; that photo is now in the Rapson archives. To mark this 100 year photo anniversary, a group photo of the one hundred eight people present at the 2009 Rapson Reunion was taken by a professional photographer, arranged by President Darrel Rapson, Pigeon. The 2009 photo is available in two sizes for a small fee; contact Diane Rapson Gabil, Card Chairperson/ Correspondence Secretary, for more information.

After the invocation by Janet Rapson, Bad Axe, the group enjoyed a potluck dinner at 1 PM. Vice-President, Ernie Buchholz, Elkton, then conducted the meeting by welcoming everyone and having the head of each family introduce themselves/ family and tell how they fit into the family tree.

Sharon Rapson Buchholz, Secretary, noted during the past year the following births: Olive Wren Norten (granddaughter of Ted Rapson, Saginaw), Riley Osterhoudt (great grandson of Gerald Rapson, Tulsa, Oklahoma), Anna Marie Rapson (daughter of Thomas and Renee Rapson, Port Austin), and twins William John Sinclair Carmichael and Emma Bonnie Jane Carmichael (son and daughter of Colin and Arminta Rapson Carmichael, Cambridge, Ontario).

One marriage was noted: Sandra Matuseski to David Eyl (son of Mike and Connie Rapson Eyl, Clarkson).

There were five known deaths: Patricia Rapson, Carol Rapson, Lawrence Rapson, Lorraine Kerr (daughter of the late Allen and Helen Rapson Kerr) and LaVonne Mangold (husband of Brenda Rapson Mangold).

Betty Rapson, Pigeon, Adult Prizes and BINGO Prizes Chairperson, presented gifts to the following:

•Oldest Woman Present: Marion Blair, Battle Creek (mother of Barbara Jean Rapson), 94 years old

•Oldest Man Present: Lloyd Rapson, Komoka, Ontario, Canada, 91 years old

•Youngest Child Present: Lily Mangold, Harbor Beach (granddaughter of Brenda Rapson Mangold) 18 months old

•Person With The Most Buttons: Maxine Smiley, Beverly Hills, Michigan, daughter-in-law of the late Flora Rapson Smiley) 14 buttons

•Person With The Oldest Vehicle Present: Ernie Buchholz, Elkton (husband of Sharon Rapson Buchholz) 1983 Dodge Rampage Pick Up

•Person With The Most Rings: Fonda Rapson Walsh, Chatham, Ontario, Canada, 8 rings

After Treasurer, Tom Rapson “passed the hat” to collect moneys to pay bills for the year; he gave the treasurer’s report. It was noted that Tom had personally presented the group with a check to cover the 2010 cost of the park’s community center. It was voted to keep the same site and the same slate of officers for 2010.

The Set Up and Take Down Committee was THANKED by a big round of applause by all present.

Those helping were: Ernie Buchholz, Andy Murdock, Dan Rapson, EdWard Burnett, Kami Buchholz, Kim Kerr, Michael Gabil, Diane Rapson Gabil, Darrel Rapson, Betty Rapson, and Sharon Rapson Buchholz.

The afternoon was spent looking at old family photos, chatting with relatives, updating family information, and exchanging e-mail addresses. Also it was suggested that everyone try bring a “white elephant” item for the 2010 Rapson Reunion next year to use as prizes/gifts for games/events.

The Rapson Reunion is always held the second Sunday after the 4th of July, therefore the 2010 Rapson Reunion will be held on Sunday, July 18, 2010, at Wilcox Park, Bad Axe, Michigan starting with a potluck dinner at 1 PM.