The Frank (Frantisec) Doubrava Sr. and J.J. Barta family reunion gathered Sunday, Aug. 18, 2019 at the Ellsworth Senior Center.

Joe Doubrava led the group in prayer before a potluck dinner with some ethnic food that was enjoyed by all. A short meeting following. Hosts for the event were: Ralph Doubrava, Gary Barta and Marsha Ericson.

The Doubrava family consists of descendants of John, Frank, Joseph, Wenslow, Tobias, Anna, Ralph, and Emma Doubrava, whose parents were Frank and Anna Sokol Doubrava. The family homesteaded on a farm south of the Holyrood Lake in Palacky Township, Ellsworth County in 1910.

The J.J. Barta family consists of descendants of Fred, Emma, Albina, George, James, Steve, Edward, Emil, Victor, Frank and Mathilda, whose parents were James J. and Kathryn Jiricek Barta. The family homesteaded on a farm in Noble Township, Ellsworth County in 1892.

Several Doubrava descendents and Barta descendents were married to each other, which makes one big family.

Guests representing the Frank Doubrava Sr. family: Bob and Rose Small, Keith Small of Lyons; Jim Small of California; Gene and Alice Malir, John and DeAnne Hoch and Haylee and Katelin of Wilson; Terry and Darlene Lank of Claflin; Toni Pflughoeft, Jim and Marilyn Homolka of Ellsworth; and Mychel Dolezal, Mykena and Lakyn of Kanopolis.

Representing the Doubrava and Barta family: Gary Barta of Topeka; Michael and Millie Bickford of Holton; Marsha Ericson and Robert and Marisa McCreight of Jewell; Fred and Vivian Peppiatt, and Kay Dees of Ellsworth.

Representing the Ralph Doubrava family: Ralph and Venicia Doubrava, McKolle, McKenay and Bradley Doubrava, and Rose Doubrava of Ellsworth; McKayla Doubrava and Vaun Stivers of Abilene; Brandon and Amanda Doubrava and Jillian of Salina.

Representing the Tobias Doubrava family: Richard Doubrava, Kathleen Aguilera, Kay Doubrava all of Wichita; Joe Doubrava and Ashley from Derby.

Representing the Fred and Helen Doubrava Barta family: Marianne Gawith and Craig Nichols of Salina.

Guests representing the Wenslow Doubrava Family: Linda Doubrava and Julie Pitts of Wichita.

Representing the Victor Barta Family: Bob and Linda Barta of Ellsworth and Jim Barta of Hutchinson.

The Grand Drawing prize was won by Linda Doubrava of Wichita, which was a quilt made by Marsha Ericson. Other prizes donated by Marsha Ericson, Marisa McCreight, Gary Barta and Terry Lank were won by many other relatives. The guessing games were won by DeAnne Hoch and Jillian Doubrava.

Joe Doubrava spoke about his great-grandfather’s Daily Diary from 1927, which was very interesting and informative.

The next reunion will be at 12:30 p.m. Aug. 16, 2020 at the Ellsworth Senior Center Hosts will be Ralph Doubrava, Gary Barta and Richard Doubrava.