In my book, I wrote about Albert Ravenholt, a poor Wisconsin farm boy who started out life with nothing until he said “yes” to opportunity.  As we learned, Albert and his wife Marjorie lived what only can be described as an interesting and fulfilling life just by embracing the opportunities that came their way.

As Albert was aging and found himself a widower, he began to reflect on his large extended Wisconsin farm family and how distant they had all become.  He and Marjorie had no children of their own and Albert cared deeply for his 25 nieces and nephews scattered about the country. However, Albert realized that his large family rarely got together anymore and many of them were virtual strangers to one another.  This is when Albert decided that it was time for his family to say “yes” to opportunity in the same way that he had so many years ago.

Upon Albert’s death in 2010, his family learned that his trust contained a very unusual codicil.  He had indeed left money for all of his nieces and nephews provided they meet for a family reunion once every two years.  That’s right, Albert gave his family a two-fold opportunity.  The opportunity to inherit a part of his estate (remember, Albert was a Surprise Millionaire) and the opportunity to get to know or become re-acquainted with extended family.

Since Albert’s passing, the extended Ravenholt clan has gotten together back in little Luck Wisconsin, the site of the family’s most unluckiest event to celebrate the life and times of Uncle Albert Ravenholt; the loving and generous man who cared enough to give them the chance to say “yes” to a great opportunity.

The family and their story