Last weekend the Kruschke reunion was held in Moorhead, MN. The descendants of Otto and Ellen Jane Kruschke came together. Most attendees were grandchildren of Otto and Ellen. Your Mom is one of the Grandchildren.
I have heard stories from Nana and Grandpa George about farm life. Towns like Wahpeton, New Ulm and Fairfax get mentioned. Forget all that. The Kruschke clan grew up as farmers around Breckenridge, MN. Breckenridge is 45 miles south of Moorhead MN. The reunion included a Cruiser bus tour by 40 family members to the Breckenridge area on Saturday. Early farms were visited. “Later” Farms were visited. Schools were visited. Children of Otto and Ellen slowly moved to city living with Breckenridge being the popular choice. Homes in Breckenridge were visited. The Kruschke cemetery in Breckenridge was the final bus stop.
Nana lived on a Breckenridge, MN farm with many siblings. Across the nearby Red River, there was a farm occupied by the Steger family. Yep, Grandpa George (and his booze producing family during Prohibition) lived across a small river from Nana. The rest is history. George and Lyla (Nana) got married. It took about 6-7 years for them to say “I do”. Things happen slowly on the farm.
I guess there are two important things to remember about the Kruschke family history. First, Breckenridge, MN is where it all began. Second, farms played a predominant role in early family history.
I still have “juicy” personal stories about the Krusckes to retell.
Love,
Dad