40th Biennial Zoch Family Reunion Held
The 40th Biennial Zoch Family Reunion was held July 11. The descendants of George and Hanna Zoch’s sons Johann and Christian came together for a full weekend of events.
The activities started around 10 a.m. at the St Michael’s Park and Picnic Grounds in Winchester. The hall was decorated with articles and pictures of family memories dating from the mid-1800’s when the families came to America from Germany to current events. Scrapbooks and family tree projects were shared. Tonya Hettler, VP of Membership and a dedicated researcher was on hand to answer questions and help everyone learn more about their heritage.
Rev. Nate Hill led a beautiful worship service which honored family and remembered those who had passed since the last reunion. The worship service was followed by a barbecue meal with all the trimmings and a huge spread of desserts.
Erwin J. Zoch held a business meeting that included updates on the Zoch Endowment Fund held at Concordia University for students going into church work. New officers were elected for the 2023 reunion and recognition and appreciation of our volunteers were announced.
Approximately 160 people were in attendance. Gift bags were given to those at certain milestones. The youngest person in attendance was Koleson Tonn, son of Caleb and Kyndall Tonn at 4 months of age. Hildegard Krause was recognized for celebrating the most birthdays with 88. The family traveling the farthest to attend the reunion was David and Susan Zoch along with their daughter Lisa who came from Clarksville, Maryland.
Marriage milestones were recognized, too. Setting expectations for all couples there were many celebrating more than 50 years together more than 15 couples present were married over 50 years. Ted and Liz Zoch of Houston were married the longest with 61 years. Our newest married certainly have a long way to go. Still in the honeymoon phase of marriage is Daniel and Katie Samples with three years.
Family is important and sharing those stories of how and why our ancestors came to America is a part of who we are. As we grow we start to realize how much wisdom our grandparents and great grandparents had to share with us. But like most of us when they were around to share we were not really interested in listening to all the stories of the “good ol’ days.” Once we are ready to learn more they are gone and so is the knowledge and wisdom they wanted to pass on. A drawing for grandparents to pass on this information in a Legacy Book along with a wall hanging reminding us “Today is a good day to change the world” was awarded to Sandi Zoch of Fort Worth. She is a grandmother of four and expecting her second great grandchild this summer.
The Zoch family reunion is held the second Sunday of July in the odd numbered years. Some of the descendants of Johann have smaller reunions in the even years. You can learn more about the Zoch lineage by visiting the Texas Wendish Heritage Society.