The first reunion of Souhrada cousins took place in the home of George & Leota Campbell in Bloomington, Minnesota. At that time there were 16 first cousins, grandchildren of Vaclav and Katherine Souhrada. Some of these cousins didn't know each other even though some had perhaps seen each other at Souhrada weddings or funerals.

 

It was at our Aunt Anna Souhrada Rassman's funeral in late May of 1981 that my cousin, Donna Souhrada Urman approached me saying her brother; Dalyn would like to meet me. (We didn't know each other!) The conversation with Dalyn resulted in his inviting all the Souhrada cousins present at our Aunt Anna's funeral to come to his farm the next day.

 

This is where we started, these wonderful Souhrada reunions that have taken place every year since 1981. It was at Dalyn's farm (the original homestead of Vaclav & Katherine Souhrada) that it was decided a reunion should be held for the sixteen grandchildren of Vaclav and Katherine so they could come to know each other.

 

One month later the reunion was held with 28 people attending. Eight of these were first cousins - the others were their children and a very special guest - Libby Souhrada Prochaska, our aunt and only living child of Vaclav & Katherine. This gathering of Souhrada’s was the start of our Souhrada annual reunions.

 

Our reunions have spread into the land of our beginnings. Jiri and Vera Souhrada of Pisek hosted the first Souhrada family reunion in the Czech Republic in September 2000

 

Those who attended from this country were:

• Velma Vanicek Flynn
• Anton & John Vanicek
• Dave & Janel Souhrada Stephens
• Viola Souhrada Noska
• LaVonne Souhrada Noska

 

The Lord has blessed and multiplied our Souhrada family and we are thankful that He continues to bring and hold us together with His special 'Love Glue'.

Attending the first Cousin "Reunion:

• Marvin & Marlys Souhrada – (they brought) our Aunt Libby Souhrada Prochaska
• Viola Souhrada Leslie
• Delbert & Anna Souhrada Merrill
• Harry & Viola Souhrada Noska & their daughter, Renee Noska
• Lester & LaVonne Souhrada Noska
• Dalyn & Phyllis Souhrada & their sons, Aaron, Eric, Todd & their daughter, Rachel
• Jane Souhrada - daughter of Emil & Ardis Souhrada
• Johnny & Donna Souhrada Urman & their sons, Mark & Paul & their daughter & husband, Cindy & Keith Dun
• Hosts: George & Leota Campbell
• Viola Souhrada Noska and LaVonne Souhrada Noska attended not only the 1^st Souhrada reunion in the USA but also the 1^st held in the Czech Republic.