Article submitted by Robin Gehl As America observed its 250th birthday this year, the extended Hans and Emma Gehl family of rural Kinbrae (Graham Lakes Township, Nobles County) celebrated its 100th Independence Day picnic and family reunion.
The Gehl Picnic was established by Hans (1868-1949) and his wife Emma Gehl (18701956) on July 4, 1926. Hans was very patriotic and appreciative of America, having arrived from Germany as a young man in the late 1880s. Hans first spent time in the Fulda area and in northern Iowa during his early years in America. He and Emma married in 1892. They returned to Fulda, and in 1901 purchased a farm several miles west of Kinbrae. That farm continues to be in the Gehl family.
As Hans and Emma’s extended family grew, and shortly after his daughter Elsie and husband Anton (Tony) Prigge moved to a farm on the north side of West Graham Lake, a family picnic took place on Independence Day, 1926, next to Elsie and Tony’s farmhouse. That year was also a celebratory milestone, the 150th birthday of America. By the 1930s, the picnic moved behind the farmyard to the cow pasture near the lake and the site would be enjoyed by the family as “Gehl” Park.
Hans and Emma had eleven children who lived to adulthood: Anna Gehl Schwarz, Martha Gehl Behr, Elsie Gehl Prigge, Clara Gehl Kuehl, Adele Gehl Jones, William H. Gehl, Esther Gehl Gisclon, Herbert Gehl, Frederick (Fred) Gehl, Ruth Gehl Schumacher, and Zita Gehl Raedeke. The Gehls had forty-two grandchildren.
Grandson Duane Gehl and wife Shari live across the road from the picnic site on West Graham Lake, and along with a committee, organized this year’s celebration. Duane is one of fourteen grandchildren still living. His father was William H. Gehl who retired near the lake, as well. Duane and Shari have kept some of the family history and photos of Hans and Emma’s extended family and have been in contact with Duane’s cousins over the years. Planning for this event began about two years ago, gathering email addresses and contact information. Emailed updates with historic photos and information on each of Hans and Emma’s eleven children began about a year ago reminding family members of the special event.
On Saturday July 4, 2026, about 140 people attended the anniversary picnic. Guests ranged in age from several months old, to 95 years old, and traveled from across the country. Seven of the eleven children of Hans and Emma were represented with attendees from the families of Martha Behr, Elsie Prigge, Clara Kuehl, Bill Gehl Sr., Esther Gisclon, Fred Gehl, and Zita Raedeke.
Six grandchildren of Hans and Emma were in attendance: Duane Gehl, Gary Kuehl, Jack Gisclon, Elizabeth (Beth) Gehl Knaack, Mary (Gehl) Tennessen, and Marlys (Raedeke) Schiefer; and two spouses of grandchildren, Elaine (wife of Elden Gehl), and Loretta (wife of Bill Gehl Jr.).
With four generations of Gehls present, the day included much visiting, reminiscing, and picture taking, and a thankfulness for the Christian influence of Hans and Emma Gehl.
