Over 250 descendants of Heinrich Hett were greeted by welcome flags on Marion’s Main St. and a sign at Elm St. on the second weekend in August as they arrived to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the first official reunion.

The first gathering was held at the Aquatic Center on Saturday. Family trees were posted and took up nearly all of the bleachers along the west wall.

Cousins were met by family greeters Mandy Hett, Donna Hett Hoberecht, Marcia Sebree, and Susan Moller, and received tee shirts, a schedule of the weekend’s activities, and a map detailing some of the home places and other locations of interest.

Items of interest were displayed and a sloppy Joe meal served at noon was made from a recipe found in the Hett cookbook.

A stop was made at Marion Historical Museum to see a picture of Heinrich Hett and those of family members who graduated from Marion High School. Iva Hett graduated from MHS in 1930. There have been only 21 classes since without a Hett graduate. This does not include Hett descendants with different last names.

Saturday evening was spent at Williams schoolhouse where Iva Hett Unruh first taught in 1930. There were yard games, a scavenger hunt, fishing with real cane poles, and a water slide. A wiener roast ended with watermelon and s’mores followed by the lighting of memorial candles.

Jess Whiteman led a church service at the Lake hall Sunday morning. Music was provided by Bob and Anita Brookens and Markel Porter.

Heinrich Hett look-alike beards were compared and a family photo was taken prior to the potluck meal.

The following 2019 officers were elected: Rob Hett, president; Eldon Hett, vice president; Wendy Hett, secretary; Evelyn Hett, treasurer.

A small group drove out to the Nick Hett place, site of the first reunion. A photo was taken to recreate the 1919 reunion.

Those attending included the following:

Jack and Donna Hett, Colby, Jackson, and Charlie Hett, Bob and Anita Brookens, Justin and Brea Hett, Wanda Williams.

Torey Hett, Amber Lock, Max, Dexter, and Stella, Frankie Turner, Chris and Kathy Meierhoff, Brandon Meierhoff, Erin and Keenan Meierhoff.

Jerod and Natalie Hett, Easton, Nina, and Ian, Dwight and Julie Nelson, Dave and Michelle Hett and Bella, Lori and Doug Heerey, Gary and Jo Hett, Eldon and Rhonda Hett.

Bill and Debbie Darrow, Jeremy and Tammy Ensey, Peyton, Paige, and Abree, Jim and Carol Hett, Neil and Christina Hett, Albert and Shawna Johnson, Caileigh and Carlynn.

Troy and Eileen Schmidt, Noah and Ruby, Don and Dawn Hett, Quinton, Jeremy, and Alli, Jenny Gottstein, Kassidy Bliss, Alan and Susan Hett, Kelly and Travis Schafers, Emily and Trevor.

Ann Hett, Caleb Hett, Travis and Shelia Hett, Tyler, Destiny, and Colton Boudreaux, Jackie Hett, Lindsay Hett, Aaron and Lanell Hett, Louise and Gail Whiteman, Rob and Mandy Hett.

Melanie and Larry Ensey, Janie and Thad Meierhoff, Jess and Kim Whiteman, Aubrey, Kip, Ivan, and Titus, Jim and Kaye Darrow, Caine Darrow.

Traci and Gene Lanning, Luke, Seth, and Jack, Jarvis Whiteman, Rocky and Shirley Jo Hett, Wendy Hett, Jeff and Laura Ensey, Ezekiel and Elizabeth.

Teresa and Bill Higgins, Justin and Erin Whiteman, Kiersten and Ellie, Tim Hett, all of Marion.

Alvin and Arlene Hett, Christine Hett, Hillsboro; Robert Sellers, Florence; Emma Hett, Jennings Daniel Brassfield, Galva; Bruce and Sandra Hett, Courtney and Levi Gerhardt, Amy and Jay Pavlik, McPherson.

Those from Wichita included Robert and Ann Hett, James, Christina, and Jacquie Bestvater, Melinda Helmer, Stanley and Denise Hett, Tim and Lauren Hartland, Adalyn, Avery, and Mora, Keith and Betty Unruh, Forrest and Stephanie Hett, Kelsey, Kamryn, and Landon, Ed and Jean Hett.

Others from the area were Denise and Todd Carter, El Dorado; Kevin and Krissy Moler, Annabelle, Ester, and Nellie, Valley Center; Amanda and Jerod Tippy, Jude and Lucy, and Shelley and Tom Stafford, Hays.

Thomas Hett, Abilene, Eli Collins, Waverly; Winston and Abby Amick, Lauren, Maddy, and Dalton, Alma; Stan Amick, Minneapolis; Morgan and Shonna Rexroat Hett, and Chris and Kim Hett and Gracie, Andover; Phyllis Amick, Independence.

Markel Porter, Cherokee; Rachel Lambotte, Alice Nellans, and Clifford and Evelyn Hett, Peabody; Erna David, Lyons; Jayme Mishler, Garden City, Marcie and Bruce Sebree, Joshua and Cathy, Newton; Daniel Hinton and Taylor Looney, Hutchinson, Warren Hett, Lindsborg.

Travelers from longer distances were Clint and Donna Unruh Hoberecht, Woodinville, Washington; Dennis Hett, Audrey Schneider, and Ben Hett, Lincoln, Nebraska; Pam Jett, Nadine Duffy, and Melvin and Damaris Hett, Kansas City, Missouri.

Samantha Hett, Travis Doyle, and Glen and Pam Hett, Everett, Washington; Neal Amick, Port Orchard, Washington; Diane Lies and David Lies, Roselle, Illinois; Brenda Marano, Wayne, Illinois; Renay Tranchitella, Bartlett, Illinois; Jon and Janelle Claborn, Drew and Anne, Siloam Springs, Arkansas.

Luke Rothman and Jared Fronk, Washington, District of Columbia; Dale and Phyllis Unruh, Peoria, Illinois; LaVonda and Lew Rothman, Morristown, New Jersey; Chris Sieker, Amarillo, Texas; Bill and Tammy Bestvater, Lincoln, Arkansas.

Harland Schultz and wife, Richland, Washington; Charles Duffy, Osceola, Missouri, Susan Hett Moller, Lamar, Iowa; Gabe and Lucia Higgins, Winston-Salem, North Carolina; and Casen and Campbell Darrow, Lee’s Summit, Missouri.