Eastern Adams County's Only Independent Voice Since 1887
Eastern Adams County's Only Independent Voice Since 1887
Reunion attracts 114 family members
Family gathers for Tompkins-Kissler wedding celebration at the Ritzville City Park.
First-generation grandchildren of Harry and Mary Tompkins. Front row, left to right: Verna Ireland and Doug Tompkins. Second row, left to right: Ione Wright, Cheryl Eng, Shane Tompkins, Vernita Coffey, Wade Tompkins, Scott Peterson, Matthew Tompkins. Back row, left to right: David Ragsdale, Kenny Miller, Mark Miller, Steve Lightbody.
First-generation granddaughter Christal White attended.
RITZVILLE – The family of Harry M. and Mary (Kissler) Tompkins gathered Sunday, Aug. 6, at the city park to celebrate the couple's 100th wedding anniversary.
Although the couple passed away more than three decades ago, their children and grandchildren keep their memory alive by routinely celebrating their wedding anniversary.
According to granddaughter Vernita Coffey, 114 people attended the family reunion and wedding anniversary; some met each other for the first time. Altogether, 14 of 23 first-generation grandchildren attended.
As part of the celebration, Peggy and Steve Lightbody brought a wedding cake from their home in Walla Walla.
"God blessed us with a perfect day," Coffey said. "It wasn't too hot or too windy, and it stopped raining early in the morning.
"Boy was I glad it wasn't 104 degrees outside; that cake would've been soup!"
The event lasted from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and featured posters, photo albums and jars displaying photos of the Tompkins couple.
Before the noon whistle blew and the family sat down to eat, Coffey read a prayer her grandmother had written.
"When I finished, there wasn't a dry eye in the park," Coffey said.
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