Heugatter family holds reunion in Rosebud
Thirty descendants of George Steven and Johanna Vetter Heugatter traveled from all across Texas and Oklahoma to honor their ancestors. Cousins from the third, fourth, and fifth generations gathered on Saturday, July 27, at the D. Brown Library Community Room.
George (1845-1918) and Johanna (1852-1936) Heugatter were both born in Germany and lived in the Burlington area before settling in Fruitland near Bowie, Texas. They had twelve children with eight living to adulthood. Several of the adults returned to the Burlington area to establish their homes.
Descendants of five of those children were present.
From Charles H. Heugatter (1873-1957) : Ken Hensel; From George Konrad Heugatter (1875-1955) : The children of Nora McClain (1903-1993) : Velma Throckmorton, Gladys White, Irene Thornton, Martha Cook, Kelly Jackson, and Jerry Jackson;
From Otto Ernest Heugatter (1885-1964) : Emil “Sonny” Heugatter, Karen Heugatter, and Allison Heugatter Cryer; From Adolph Henry Heugatter (1891-1973): Les Heugatter, Jan Heugatter Hobbs, Fran Heugatter Harrison, David Strickler, Craig Strickler, and Ronnie Gamble; From Fred Vancent Heugatter (1892-1976): R. L. Heugatter, Allen Ray Heugatter, Irene Heugatter Bryant, and Ann Heugatter Sanders.
R.L. Heugatter of Bowie, Texas, was the only third generation descendant present at the reunion. Fourth generation descendant Martha McClain Cook of Temple, was the wisest woman of the family. Emil “Sonny” Heugatter of Waco was the wisest man and his niece Allison Heugatter Cryer was the youngest descendant.
Irene Bryant, from Ada, Oklahoma, was the cousin who traveled the farthest. Others came from Pearland, Tomball, Spring, Woodway, Wimberly, Magnolia, Ft. Worth, Arlington, Temple, Belton, Waco, Chapel Hill, Bowie, and Chappell Hill, as well as Rosebud and Burlington.
The massive oak table was filled with a variety of homemade dishes including hash brown potato casserole, pinto beans, potato salad, deviled eggs, dressing, vegetables, and chilled salads. No Heugatter meal is complete without plenty of sausage from Green’s Sausage House. Many favorite desserts like zucchini bread and pecan pie were enjoyed with coffee.
Allen Ray Heugatter of Bowie, Texas, offered the prayer before the meal. Les Heugatter began the meeting held after lunch with a welcome to everyone and family updates. Les then turned the meeting over to R. L. Heugatter for his always humorous remarks. R. L. recognized Martha Cook who will celebrate a landmark birthday later this year. Ken Hensel presented the financial report. It was agreed to pass the hat to ensure reserving the library for July 26, 2025, the fourth Saturday in July.
The unseasonably low temperatures in the 80’s made for a very pleasant day. Special thanks to Ken Hensel and Les Heugatter for opening the library and setting up the meeting room. All their preparations were much appreciated. It was a special time spent visiting with the Heugatter cousins.
Submitted by Fran Heugatter