The 82nd annual Ioerger reunion was held Sunday, August 12, 2007, at the Roanoke Park Building. 91 family members enjoyed a potluck dinner and fellowship. Before the meal, Alda Kleen of Minonk led those gathered in prayer.
Annie Nelson, of Mission Viejo, California, Duane Woltzen of Port Washington, Wisconsin and Alyce Woltzen of West Union, Iowa traveled the farthest to attend the reunion. Other Ioerger relatives in attendance came from fourteen Illinois communities including; Batavia, Bay View Gardens, Chillicothe, East Peoria, Elgin, El Paso, Germantown Hills, Metamora, Minonk, Morton, Naperville, Spring Bay, Washburn and Washington.
The senior matriarch in attendance was 93-year-old Hazel Woltzen of Minonk. The senior patriarch in attendance was 81-year-old Garmer “Baldy” Kleen of Minonk. Representing the youngest generation in attendance were 1 ½ year old Zoey Ioerger and 4 ½ year old Andrew Ioerger, both the children of Andrew Ioerger of Spring Bay.
During the meeting, President Bill Ioerger, of Metamora, initiated recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. In honor of deceased family members, Sharon Gentry, of rural Metamora, led the group in praying the Lord’s Prayer.
Those elected to host the 83rd reunion are Ed Ioerger of Metamora, president; Sandi Toepke, also of Metamora, vice president, Karen (Ioerger) Oljace of Washington, secretary—treasurer; and Marvin Ioerger of rural Metamora will continue as family historian.
The Ioerger relatives enjoyed listening to some “old time” music played by the following family members; Joe Ioerger, of Spring Bay, Dan Ioerger of East Peoria, Bill Ioerger of rural Metamora, Marv Ioerger of rural Metamora, and Sharon Gentry of rural Metamora. Baldy Kleen sang.
For 82 consecutive years, the Ioerger family has held its annual gatherings in Woodford County. The first Ioerger to settle in the area was Michael Ioerger. He settled in a northwest section of Woodford County in 1839, which was part of Tazewell County at the time.