By Rosie Skiles

Longmont Resident

The descendents of Henry and Anna Raaf held their 10th quinquennial family reunion in Barn A at the Boulder County Fairgrounds July 3,4, and 5, 2015. They came from nine states and Saskatoon, Canada, expecting to have the good times like the past, and they did!

In addition to the usual visiting, games, picture taking and lots of food, they got to enjoy the Farmer's Market, the gun show and the horse show plus the fantastic fireworks display. Some even ventured over to the Humane Society.

The theme was "western" so all decorations were of cowboy items the hosts, Steve and Carrie Skiles, provided. Steve came resplendent in full cowboy regalia including a ten­gallon hat and chaps.

Family groups wore name tags of paper boots in various colors. The king, Otto Folkers, age 80, from North Dakota, and queen, Doris Borgen, age 87 from Washington, nominated in 2010, were gifted with cowboy neckerchiefs instead of another crown. Genuine Colorado "cow pyes" were served one evening for dessert and cupcakes topped with edible cowboy hats were served another evening.

As in the past, a silent auction was held with handmade gifts such as quilts, tea towels, aprons, pottery and other treasures the participants provided including a very old hymnal owned by grandfather Henry Raaf. This is the big event to raise funds for the next reunion that is already in the planning stages for 2020 in northern Minnesota.

A huge picture board of reunions held since 1970 was displayed along with genealogical information of the Raaf ancestry. Information about a recurring heart problem (HCM) in three generations was outlined and shared and tests were encouraged to determine their prognosis.

A memorial service was held the last day to honor the memory of those who had passed away during the previous five years. A candle was lit for each deceased after Audrey Dufur from Idaho gave a short eulogy. Hymns were sung and prayers offered for those family members, as well as for a safe trip home for the sixty­two relatives who had journeyed so far.

Following a hug and "happy trails" was said, many spent the following days sight seeing before returning home. Brochures were made available to help plan their vacation in colorful Colorado.

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