102nd Livingston Watson Family Reunion

November 15th , 2025

Via Zoom

Participants:

Sandy Wilke, Elizabeth Hill, Laurie Lazorko, Martha Tunall, Karen Berke, Maureen Peckham, Kathy Babiuk, Shawna Lindsay, Jane Washburn, Tom Howdle, Susie Jankowski, Don Gribble, Michelle Gribble, Sue Roskopf, Pelle Rudstam, and Hannah Rudstam

Pelle Rudstam welcomed everyone and led introductions. Attendees stated their names and where they were calling from. Attendees locations included Wisconsin, Florida, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Minnesota, and Oregon. We welcomed many of Sam Livingston’s descendants from Canada this year who attended their first reunion.

The agenda was discussed:

Information was given regarding joining the Facebook group and using the website: www.livingstonwatson.org. The website contains valuable resources including a presentation on Sam and Jane Livingston from the 2023 reunion.

Update on Rock Church

Jane Washburn provided updates on her work with Rock Church. Jane is now on the board of the Rock Church Cemetery and the planning committee for the upcoming 175th anniversary in September of 2026. 

The 175th anniversary of the Rock Church is planned for September 12th , 2026 with a rain date on September 13th , 2026. The event will be inside the church as well as outside in tents. Activities will be from 10 am until about 3 pm.

Jane shared her work on cleaning headstones in the cemetery. Jane has cleaned roughly 200 headstones, many requiring multiple cleanings. The work is much easier when the stones are cleaned about every 3 years which could be accomplished using shoulder sprayers. The family has a long history of contributing to the upkeep of Rock Church including the donation of the large entryway lintel stone in 1951. Jane is seeking donations for two shoulder sprayers to assist with cleaning the graves. A cleanup event is also being planned for May 16th , 2026. 

Jane plans to send an email to the association with more details.

Planning for Next Year’s Reunion

Karen Berke has volunteered to lead the planning for next year’s Livingston-Watson reunion. It was agreed to have the next reunion as an in-person event on the same weekend as the 175th anniversary of Rock Church. This would be a smaller event, possibly in the evening after the Rock Church celebration at a local restaurant. Jane Washburn, Hannah Rudstam and Pelle Rudstam volunteered to assist Karen Berke with planning, communications, etc.

Reservations will be needed for hotels, dinner and a program/presentation. Jane Washburn suggested reserving multiple rooms in a local hotel in Dodgeville or Platteville but noted that the association only has $200 in funding at this time.

Karen Berke will discuss planning for the next reunion and hopes to have invitations sent in January, 2026.

Jane suggests sending out zoom link invitations to everyone on the email list for future zoom reunions instead of having a registration list.

Martha Tunall would like more information on Mabel Livingston at next year’s reunion. She plans to send an email to the association email address.

Presentation on Sites in Livingston, WI

Hannah Rudstam gave a presentation on interesting family sites in and around Livingston, WI. These include the site of the first family settlement at Crow Branch; Rock Church and cemetery, where many family members are buried; John Hill and Mary Ann Watson Hill’s homestead site; and seven foot, where many family gatherings were held. Highlights included a picture of the first Livingston Watson reunion and photos of Livingston, WI near the turn of the century. Jane Washburn mentioned she has a complementary document about things to do in Grant County that will also be available. Family members can view the presentation on the website or email for more information or for information on Alta Hill’s diaries.

Memorials

Pelle shared memorials for four deceased family members:

Full obituaries will be posted on the Livingston Watson web page under the “Reunions” tab for 2025.