Kenneth and Ruby Neal had fourteen grandchildren. Twelve of us are still living, most of us in Iowa. Several have been school teachers, a couple of insurance men, only three farmed. Mostly retired now. Four of us were born during WWII.
Presbyterian Church, Dexter, Iowa. At least seven of these youngsters are Neal cousins. Where is Susan? (She said she never would have worn a bow in her hair, so she’s not the girl next to me.)
All five families lived on farms. Until1958, we all were bused to the Dexter school, and the Neals attended the same church. Grandpa Neal used to like to count how many grandchildren were in the choir each Sunday. Eight of us are in the above photo. Aunt Nadine (Neal) Shepherd, choir director, is in the back on the right end.
The town of Dexter, tucked into the corner where four counties come together, became too small to maintain an independent school so we cousins were split into three different schools, depending on which counties our farms were in.
A cousin reunion, Dallas Center, Iowa, August 13, 2016. The only one missing was Ben Beaman.
Front: Joy Neal Kidney, Vince Wells, Judy Neal Johannesen, Susan Shepherd Isenhart (the four oldest). Middle: Jane Neal McClinton, Gloria Neal (turn 80 in 2026), Ken Shepherd, Patty Wells McKee (2027). Back: Jacque Beaman Johnson, Bill Beaman, Dawn Beaman Durham.
Johannesens and Shepherds had just celebrated their 45th wedding anniversaries a week earlier. Kidneys had celebrated their 50th in May.
We didn’t need nametags to recognize each other, but some from the next generation were there, and it was the first time they had met some of us.
2025: None of our parents are still living, two cousins live in Texas, and a handful of us are dealing with health challenges, so it’s much harder to get together. We’re thankful and blessed that there’s this many of us left, and for the memories and legacy of being the grandchildren of Kenneth and Ruby Neal.
Eleven days after that last photo, one cousin experienced a close call, but she’s still here, still the oldest!
I love this. How nice you are able to get together. I have 33 first cousins (31 on my mom’s side and 2 on my dad’s) We all keep in touch and occasionally get together but never all at once. I am the oldest cousin on both sides!
Darlene, I’m the oldest on both sides now, after an older cousin on Mom’s side died a year ago (leaving only 3 of us out of 9). Does that make us matriarchs? About 1/4 of us won’t make it to another reunion, so we relish this last one.
It’s so much fun to look back and have these treasured photos. I noticed quite a few of the cousins have the last name Beaman. I’m not sure if you already know her, but I’m blogging friends with a lady named Marian Beaman. She is married to Cliff Beaman. I’ve read both of Marian’s books, but especially liked Mennonite Daughter because I wanted to learn more about that culture. https://marianbeaman.com/
Thanks, Pete. I’ve noticed “your” Marian Beaman before, memorable because the mother of my Beaman cousins was Aunt Marian Beaman (Dad’s youngest sister).
There are four of our family’s cousins still with us. I’m the second youngest. My sister is the oldest at 90. We call her the matriarch.
I’m still too young to be a matriarch, aren’t I, John?
This is so awesome. Our last cousin reunion (on my dad’s side) was 2011.
Thank you, Annette. The cousins on Mom’s side were coming from CA and CO and NC to Iowa to see their uncles on the Dallas County Freedom Rock, then COVID happened. Bummer.
I got a kick out of these comparison pictures. Bill Beaman hasn’t changed much, and I love all the smiles in both pics. 🙂
Thank you, Nancy. We are so blessed to have this many still living. There are only 3 of Grandma Leora’s 9 grandchildren still living.
Oh my! Time does have a habit of marching on.
It certainly does.
I remember the cousins! I love the first photo. The varied expressions on the children’s faces are priceless.
Thank you, Liz. You can probably pick out who’s who!
I think I can!
The pictures and the information are nice, Joy. Losing family members is sad.
We all lived with their shadows, but especially Mom, Aunt Darlene, and their little mother, Leora. Thank you, Tim.
I love such reunions!
Amen, Dennis!
Awesome photos! 🙂
Thanks, Linda!