As Karla enters her late 70s, planning has begun for the 20th reunion in 2028. Her grandchildren are already designing a documentary and a cookbook. The hope is that long after Karla is gone, the will continue—not as a museum piece, but as a living, breathing celebration of a woman who simply refused to let her family become strangers.
By Friday evening, the lawn is dotted with cousins re-meeting after too long. The kids—a new generation of Nelsons—chase fireflies and trade secrets like they’ve known each other forever. The older ones sit in creaking chairs, flipping through photo albums Karla has kept since the 1970s: faded pictures of her late husband, Frank, grilling in bell-bottoms; her sister, Tanya, holding up a freshly caught fish; and the unforgettable year Uncle Joe fell into the potato salad.
The tradition, which she began at age 25, recently celebrated its 25th anniversary in September 2023. Nelson, the founder and CEO of Nelson Enterprises and president of the Nelson Foundation
Every great family tree has a strong root system. For the Nelsons, that root is Karla Nelson. Now 78 years old, Karla is a retired schoolteacher from rural Iowa who, over the last four decades, has transformed a simple family picnic into a sprawling, three-day institution.
We spoke with several attendees during the 2023 reunion:
The is more than a date on a calendar. It is a defiant act against the loneliness of modern life. It is a living, breathing archive of shared history. And it is proof that one person—with a big heart, a hot plate of sloppy joes, and an even bigger family—can change the world, one reunion at a time.
As she stepped out of the car, Karla's cousin, Alex, rushed over to give her a warm hug. "Karla! It's so great to see you!" Alex exclaimed. Karla's eyes scanned the area, taking in the familiar faces and the vibrant atmosphere. There were children running around, playing games and laughing, while adults chatted and enjoyed the food.