Amalia Brodbeck was a 'mail-order-bride' to Jacob Rupp, a recently widowed man of Minnesota. Jacob had three young daughters, Hilda, Edna, and Mable, by his first wife, the former Emilie Schweitzer, who had died shortly after birth of a son, Daniel. The son died as well. Amalia stepped into the role of wife and mother readily, and became beloved by the Rupp girls. Amalia became homesick for her family, so the Brodbecks decided to hold a get-together the first weekend in September. These gatherings became the Brodbeck Family Reunions which have been held ever since, now going on 93 years.