Ruth and Leo Zanger, with Jaxton, their 100th grandchild. | Source: Facebook/TV Anouvelles
More is better! The birth of their 100th grandchild was a joy for the couple who have been together for 59+ years.
Leo Zanger of Western Illinois is a loving grandfather to over 100 grandchildren. Their 46th great-grandson Jaxton, the son Austin and Ashleigh Zanger’s grandson, was born. This marked a historic moment.
The Zangers, despite the large size of their families, are very family-oriented and close to each other. They often meet up for special occasions and live together in Quincy, Illinois.
Each family member must rent a hall to accommodate everyone when they get together. This usually means ordering approximately ten turkeys or fifty pounds worth of ham.
The number of events they host each year means that the Zangers have established a system for who supplies what at which gatherings. Everybody takes it in turns to provide their food, often attempting to beat each other’s culinary skills.
If he was asked his opinion on the number of grandkids he’s had, “the good Lord just kept sending them,” Happy grandpa .
Since Ruth and Leo wed, they’ve welcomed many children and grandchildren. Nearly 60 years later, they celebrated the birth their 100th great-grandchild. “start our own town!” They joked.
Ruth, Leo’s wife, is unsure if they will have any more grandchildren. Not noted This “there’s always room for one more.”
They have 12 children and were married for 59+ years. Linda Zanger, the eldest of their daughters is now age 58. Joe is only 31. Joe had already been an uncle ten times before he was even born.
Joe’s elder For nieceJeannine was the daughter of Linda Hardin and Kenny Hardin. She was born in 1975. Her Uncle Joe is nine years older than her, so she and nine of her cousins can get along well because they are all the same age.
Greg, Debbie (Donna), David, Donna and Chuck are the siblings of Joe and Linda. Leo Zanger and Associates, his business, is thriving because of them.
Many of Ruth’s grandchildren work in their family businesses, but Austin’s father, Daniel Zanger and Jaxton’s grandfather share that business. “there’s a Zanger in just about every field.”
One of Leo’s and Ruth’s children was born to keep them in touch with their expanding family. Donna was willing to serve as their family’s official historian. Donna keeps track of every important date and information, including phone numbers, birthdays, anniversaries and weddings.
Donna views being an unofficial historian more than anything else as a labor-of-love. While it is a daunting task, Donna continues to be the unofficial historian for their families. Donna makes sure everyone knows when the family gets together. She enjoys talking about the topic. shared:
“[Other family members] always say ‘Since you already have all of the phone numbers, can you just text or call them and let them know about whatever the event is?'”
It can be difficult for those married into the family to meet everyone and remember their names. Although it may take some time, the process is usually a pleasurable one that both spouses can adjust to.
Ashleigh admitted that Jaxton was her 100th grandchild. She married into this family but did not realize it. It feels good “a little extra special.” This was not until Donna’s mother Kelly, Austin’s wife, figured it all out at three months of her pregnancy.
For someone who is not a part of the family, such a significant milestone can be hard to remember. Austin prides himself on how close his whole family is. The family enjoys spending a lot together, and will gladly assist each other when they have a problem.
Ruth and Leo have many children who work in their family businesses, but Austin and Jaxton are both father and grandfather to Daniel Zanger. Stocks This “there’s a Zanger in just about every field.” Although they are a busy family, it does not stop them being close.
Daniel remembers having never had a dull moment growing up with his large extended family. Leo and Ruth have grandchildren and great-grandchildren now and want to continue that sense of family.
The Families are just like many others. Clans of large size Gets together on Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter. But they make it a point to also celebrate milestones such as birthdays and anniversaries.
Even with the addition of their 100th grandchild, the Zanger family bond is still strong. This can be attributed to Leo and Ruth’s tireless efforts to maintain the family unit with the help of their children.
Marguerite Koller of Pennsylvania was also a widow and celebrated her 100th great grandchild’s birth this year. Koller once dreamed to become a nun, so this was quite an achievement!