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Reunion 1992
Monticello, MN

The third Leraas Family Reunion was held on July 4 and 5, 1992 at the Riverwood Conference Center outside Monticello, MN. Here are some pictures from the Reunion. Click on any thumbnail to scroll through larger images.

The following account was printed in the Grant County Herald:

Approximately 40 descendants of Anton Michael Leraas (1889-1953) and Clara Hesjedal Leraas (1890-1980) met at the Riverwood Conference Center in Monticello July 4 and 5 for Reunion III. Attending  from Barrett were Reuben Leraas, the oldest at 80; Martha Leraas Block, Byron Bartz, Karen Block, Gordon J. Leraas, Bonnie and Jenny Leraas, and Kevin and Lynette Haack.

Representing Carl Leraas clan were Mary Leraas of Gibbon and daughters Joyce Winkelman and family of Foley and Jan Hellendrung and son Tim of New Ulm.

Adeline Leraas, Tom and LouAnn Leraas Benham and family, and Alan and Cheryl Leraas Nelson and their daughters all journeyed from the Minneapolis area. Debbie Block Alberg and children traveled from rural Henning. Amanda Alberg, age 6, was the youngest of the clan in attendance. Steve and Linda Leraas Ray and sons, of Monticello, were also present. Jesse Leraas came the farthest distance, traveling from Fort Lewis, WA. 

The family enjoyed swimming, visiting, viewing heirloom photographs and old home videos. Scandinavian food and folk music were enjoyed, while Adeline Leraas shared experiences of her recent trip to Norway. Old fashioned games such as the sack race and three-legged race, as well as water balloon toss, etc., were enjoyed by all age groups.

Lunch was enjoyed at Timothy’s of Riverwood where prizes for the oldest and youngest in attendance, as well as farthest traveler, etc. were awarded. Alyssa Winkelman was honored with cake for her 10th birthday. Six other members of the family were also honored with cakes for decade birthdays. Later the family enjoyed the fireworks display in Elk River and returned to Riverwood for s’mores and lodging.

A family service of songs and devotions was held Sunday morning. Later a picnic was enjoyed at the nearby home of Steve and Linda Ray. Bud and Thres Smith of Richfield and granddaughter Molly also joined the picnic. Mrs. Smith is a niece of Anton.

Anton and Clara Leraas were both born in Grant County and were married in 1910. They homesteaded in Divide County, North Dakota during the ‘20s and ‘30s where their five children, Reuben, Martha, Carl, Gordon, and Adeline were born. They returned to Grant County in 1936 and rented a farm in Lien Township. In 1952, Anton and Reuben bought the original Ole Leraas farm on Cormorant Lake. Ole was Anton’s father who emigrated from Norway in 1866. Anton never lived on the farm, however, since he died in 1953. Clara lived there with Reuben for many years until she became a resident of the Barrett Care Center and died in 1980. Reuben still lives on the home place that is now a Century Farm, having been owned continuously by Leraas family members since 1878.

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