×
×
homepage logo

Reunion

By Staff | Oct 11, 2000

The descendants of John Bernard and Caroline Emilie Altenbernd Torneden gathered July 16 at the Eudora Community Center for the 56th annual Torneden reunion. Hosts were Howard and Lorene Reetz Cox, Marvin and Myrtle Torneden Jones, and Greg, Laura and Sonya Torneden. Kevin Reetz assisted in setting up tables and chairs.

John and Caroline Torneden came to the United States from Lippe Detmold, Germany on the steamship City of Baltimore, arriving June 14, 1869, at the Port of Baltimore, with their seven sons and two daughters who ranged in age from 19 years to 18 months. They settled in Johnson County, Lexington Township, east of Eudora, on land which is now part of the Sunflower Ordnance Works. In fact, the Torneden home, which was built by a son, Herman, for his family in about 1910, was used as the superintendent’s home for that facility and still stands at the northwest corner of the grounds.

John and Caroline lived their lives on this place and finished raising their family there. Their children all married and settled primarily in Reno Township, near Fall Leaf and in the Villa Eden community west of Linwood.

At this year’s reunion, Earl Torneden, whose father Herman built the home east of Eudora, was recognized as the oldest family member present at age 95 (will be 96 in September).

Family members who had passed on during the year were also remembered: Arnold George Torneden, age 95; Karl Emil Gantz, age 66; Wilma Hill Ashley, age 79; and Orval Woodling, age 92.

After a basket dinner, Patty Neis Johnston read a history of Caroline Altenbernd Torneden that she and Lorene Reetz Cox had compiled. A brief business meeting was held to boost the group’s funds and to solicit volunteer hosts/hostesses for the 2001 reunion. Sharon and Bill Garner, Tonganoxie, Fran and John Wulfkuhle, Baldwin, and Erica Wulfkuhle and John Ross of Fairway volunteered. Pictures and memory books were shared among those gathered.

Those present included Michael Wulfkuhle, Lawrence; Mary Wulfkuhle, Prairie Village; Earl A. Torneden, Baldwin; Erich Torneden, Kansas City, Mo.; Christal Torneden, Lenexa; Greg, Laura and Sonya Torneden, Overbrook; Del and Nadine Torneden Garrison, Oskaloosa.

Kevin D. Reetz, Eudora; Marvin and Myrtle Torneden Jones, Tonganoxie; Patty Neis Johnston, Lawrence; Carl and Stanett Torneden, Baldwin, Darren and Christine Torneden and children, Overbrook; Scott, Jeanne, Joey and Josh Waisner, Lawrence; Donna, Crystal and Aaron Landis, Lawrence; Mary VanCleave, Kansas City, Kan.; Marie Wickey Milleret, Lawrence; John and Fran Wickey Wulfkuhle, Baldwin; Floyd and Jeanne Torneden, Lawrence; Frank and Selma Torneden Henak, Kansas City, Kan.; Larry Henak, Kansas City, Kan.; Bill and Sharon Wickey Garner, Tonganoxie; Montana Walters and Zack Garner, Tonganoxie; Janet Milleret VanCleave , Kansas City, Kan.; Erica Wulfkuhle, John Ross and Charlet, Fairway; David, Jodi, Mary, Jacob and Alex Cox, Linwood; Ken and Joyce Henak Ranes, Roeland Park; Lawrence, Connie and James Torneden, Linwood; Fern Kahn Burkle, Kansas City, Kan.; John and Angie Tillisch and Nellie Ryan, McLouth; Marvin and Marvel Torneden, Linwood; Lola Mae Torneden, Linwood; and Terri Torneden, Eudora.