Gust family reunion and anniversary celebration includes footrace in Ranier
Drivers on Highway 11 East near Ranier Tuesday may have thought one of the community’s footraces was underway.
However, it was just one family’s way of remembering a lost loved one while spending time together and enjoying a beautiful summer day.
The pedestrian traffic along the highway’s bike and walking path became thick for the “Grandpa Crotty Fun Run & Walk.” The exercise was part of the Gust family reunion and anniversary celebration, and provided an unusual spectacle in Ranier.
Runners took a two-mile course, while walkers finished half of that distance. The race started and ended at the Ranier park, where prizes were awarded to top finishers in each age category. But the spirit was lighthearted, fun and family-oriented.
An estimated 100 people — locals and visitors of all ages — participated in the memorial race, held in honor of the late Jim Crotty who died in 2007. Crotty’s wife Amelia (Gust) Crotty and their 10 children, 29 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and many extended family members wanted to find a way to remember “Grandpa Crotty” during the reunion.
Each day, the family had different activities planned and themed meals.
The event was also planned around a 50th wedding anniversary celebration for Joe and MaryNell Gust of International Falls. The couple had a Sunday mass said in their honor followed by a dinner, which nearly 200 people attended. Their five children planned the event.
Some of the out-of-town family returned home, but many stayed for the week of activities.
Joe Gust and Amelia Crotty are two of five siblings that were raised in International Falls and graduated from Falls High School. Several generations of children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren later, the large extended family has had several reunions. Because of the anniversary party and the ties to International Falls, the family chose to come to Borderland for this celebration.
Ranier, Joe Gust said, was a convenient meeting point for the race because it was between the International Falls and Rainy Lake lodging where the family was staying for the week. The light motor traffic and park area were advantageous for the race as well.
