Raile Family History

Kase Knephla - Cheese Buttons

 

When my father talked about his mother's kase knephlas, he always got a smile on his face.  (Pronounced kay-za nep-fla, aka cheese buttons.)  This German ravioli is basically made of egg dough filled with cheese, boiled and then fried in butter or better yet, in bacon grease.

Below is a recipe for those of you who would like to give it a try.  If you have any "Cheese Button" stories, please send them in.

Kase Knephla (Cheese Buttons)

Dough:
3 cups flour
2 eggs
1 tsp. salt
Water

Filling:
1/2 tsp. salt
2 eggs
Black pepper, to taste
1 small onion, finely diced
1 1/2 lbs. dry curd cottage cheese
4 tablespoons minced parsley

For Frying:
Cubed stale bread
Butter or cream

Bring several quarts of water to a boil and salt to taste. Mix flour, 1 tsp. salt, 2 eggs and water to make a firm dough. Divide into 3 parts. Roll very thin; cut into squares, about 3 inches. Mix remaining ingredients together and spoon onto squares. Wet edges of dough and fold over to form triangles. Seal edges with a fork.

Add buttons to water and boil gently for 7-8 minutes or until dough is tender. Melt a few tablespoons butter in large skillet or wok on medium heat. Increase heat to medium high heat and fry buttons for several minutes or until browned in spots, adding bread cubes toward the end of cooking.

Gottlieb and Regina Raile Homestead Photo

This picture was taken by a traveling photographer of the Gottlieb and Regina Raile homestead.  Gottlieb was not home at the time.  I believe the shortest woman is Regina and she is probably holding one of her children.  All the others I can not identify for certain.

The second building from the right still stands.  It was Gottlieb's blacksmithing shop.  He was a master blacksmither and Tim Raile still has some of his old tools.

The original picture was in an oval bubble frame and hung in Gottlieb and Regina's home both on the farm and in town.  Gottlieb Raile had written Raymond Raile's name on the back of the frame.

I carefully removed the photo from the frame last night and scanned several sections.  I then used PhotoShop to piece the picture together.  I am still trying to get the strip down the middle to blend in.  In the meantime, I wanted to share it with you.  I believe Tim Raile brought it the reunion a few weeks ago.

I must tell you scanning a large old bubble photo with a small home scanner is quite challenging.

Nine Raile Brothers

 

l. to r. Gottlieb, John, Peter, Frederick, Gustave, Michael, Jacob, George and Phillip  (oldest to youngest)

The nine sons of Gottlieb and Christina (Gienger) Raile were all born in Kansas except for Gottlieb who was born in Russia.  Can you imagine the trouble these guys got into?  In fact, I have a great story about Jake, Michael and George getting in trouble with the law after chasing a younger boy around with an iron rod.  I will condense the court records and post the story at a later time.

By the way, Jake, Michael and George grew up to be outstanding citizens of St. Francis, Kansas.

Barbara Blackburn sent Bryan Raile the photo below.  We aren't sure who everyone is.  I do know the house is Gottlieb and Regina Raile's.  I took a guess at who everyone is.  Can you help?  Let me know.

 

Swedish Royalty

     

Barbara sent me the following update in June and I am just now catching up on things.  Sorry Barbara, but I know the family will still enjoy reading this.

Barbara writes:  Holdrege celebrates its Swedish heritage every year around June 21, the Mid-Summer's Day in Sweden which is considered the longest day of the year.   This year we were honored as the King and Queen of Swedish Days which was also part of a 125 year historical celebration.   I get my Swedish heritage from my dad whose great-grandfather came to this area around 1875.   This is about the same time as our Raile relatives came to Kansas, I think.   My grandfather, Alfred Viren, was an early builder, investor, and business man here.   I am proud that I could represent my family in this way.   We laugh and say that Bill is Swedish by marriage, but it wasn't necessary, really, that we be Swedish at all; it is just that the kings and queens of Swedish Days usually have some Scandinavian connection.   Our history, both Raile and Viren is so interesting and precious to me that I talk about both whenever I can.   I am wearing my Grandmother Anna's national costume which is now over a hundred year's old.   The skirt is black and hand woven by her, as was the red apron, and flowered shawl.   There was a hand woven linen petticoat underneath.  The vest is also made by her, although it had machine stitching which was available at the time she came to America.   She was a weaver by trade.   The whole outfit was very warm and heavy, but added some charm to the event, so in her honor I wore it.   We were crowned at a Swedish lunch, greeted and honored again at an evening supper, and the next day took part in the parade.   We may also make an appearance at Lindsborg, KS next year.   Fun, Fun.   We also celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary this coming August.  We will have a small celebration with family and close friends and what wedding attendants are in the area.   If you are in Kansas the weekend of August 2nd, let me know as you were our flower girl.   We would love to have you.   Thanks for letting us share.

A New Relative

  

Sherrie Chase-Ryan reports, "This is me with my newest grandbaby.  'TJ', Thomas Sheldon Chase, Jr.  My son Tom and daughter in law Tawny are doing well.  Ed and I are really blessed to have them in our home, I feel such priviledge to be
near them.  So, he is great grandson to Larry Raile, great great grandson to Ernest Raile.  DOB 09-11-08, Thornton, CO.  He is two weeks old and has gained a pound and an inch :-)"

Reunion Photos Available Online

Over 200 hundred photos from the 2008 Raile Reunion is available for viewing (and purchasing) at the following web site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/railefamily/sets/

You will also notice there are many other albums full of old and new Raile photos.  I will continue adding photos as I scan them from the original Raile Family book (1985).

If you have photos you would like to add, please let me know.

Reunion Photos

I just added two albums of reunion photos sent in by Sherrie and Lou.  They are in the right hand column.  I would love to add more.  Please send them to me!  Thanks!

Richard And Shaina Raile Wedding Photo

 

Shaina (Crotteau) Raile and Richard Raile
Married May 30th, 2008
Orono, Minnesota
Richard is the son of Bryan Raile, son of Ernest Raile.
 
In addition, they are expecting a honeymoon baby in mid-March!

Raile Family Reunion 2008

    

Every extra bed in St. Francis must have had a Raile in it the weekend of September 12, 13, and 14.  With over one hundred Raile relatives, the town's population grew by seven percent.  Pictured here is the Ernest Raile family (aka the Brown Team).  If you have photos and stories, please send them to me.  I will be creating photo albums so don't worry about sending too many to me.