The story, as it goes, says that after his first set of twins was born, Anton Dencklau declared it a deal - $35 for a single birth, $50 for twins - so he and his wife, Elfrieda, went on to have five sets of twins among 19 children.
On Saturday, close to 350 family members, including 10 of the couple's children, gathered at the home farm along Webster County Road D14 for a day of eating, playing, laughing, eating more, laughing more and wondering just who the heck those kids were.
Dencklau Fest 2012, that's what it was.
"This is a celebration of family," said Laurie Nelson, of Thor, a member of the committee that put together the reunion. She is the daughter of Dale and Juli Dencklau. Dale and his twin, poor ole' uncle Donnie, are seventh in birth order, but numbers nine and 10 of the children. "I am simply amazed that all this has come from two people," Nelson added. "And it's so wonderful to have this celebration at Grandma and Grandpa's house."
Doug and Marjean Dencklau live in the home now. He is the third grandchild born, son of Harold and Anita Dencklau.
Marjean Dencklau said it was no imposition to play host for such a gathering. In fact, she said, she was so excited about the big day she barely slept on Friday night.
"They're just good, heart-warming people," she said of her husband's family. "They would do anything for anyone."
Marlene Bygness, of Fort Dodge, spearheaded the family reunion, putting together a family tree history and a family cookbook.
"I kind of got the ball rolling," Bygness said. "I talked to Marjean and said if you want to do it, I can get a crew together. We've always gotten together, whether it's weddings, birthday parties or anniversaries."
It's not often, however, that almost 350 family members show up.
On Saturday they came from all over - Tennessee, Georgia, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Washington state, Colorado, South Dakota and Wisconsin.
"It kind of sucks going to a family reunion and not knowing anybody," said Rick Dencklau, of Denver, Colo., one of about 15 in his family who made the trip from Denver for the reunion. "I probably know 10 percent. That might be generous. I knew all the aunts and uncles and half the next generation. After that, I'm done."
Even the original children had their problems.
"This reunion was a big surprise, that's what it is," said Jane Konvalinka, of Harcourt, her eyes large and laughing. "I haven't seen the same kid walk past me twice, and I don't know any of them."
Although organizers said no outsiders were allowed at this family gathering, Francie Dencklau - from a different Dencklau clan - slipped across the road to eat and talk.
"We grew up across the street from him," said LuVerna Wilson, No. 7 of the original children. "We walked to school with him. He's Merlin's age."
Merlin Dencklau, of Vincent, is the youngest of the 19 children.
With a family that large, someone always knew how to do what needed to be done. But for the late LeRoy Dencklau, his good luck continued with the children he and his wife, Lois, raised. She's a Dencklau herself from a different Dencklau family.
Jerry Dencklau, of Thor, is their oldest son. He laughs when he said he's always called himself a purebred because his mother was a Dencklau too.
"My dad always said he had it made," he said. "He had an electrician and plumber with Joey, a carpenter with Billy, a mechanic with me and if things got bad, he had a nurse with Christine. He figured if anything went wrong, he had somebody to fix it."
Even as he spoke, he watched people passing and shook his head.
"I don't know them," he said. "Not even close. If they're about my age, I know. The younger ones, if you look close, you can kind of figure it out."
A major project after lunch was getting the entire family gathered around old tractors, using the same set-up as a photo taken in the 1960s. Before the whole family stepped in, just the original kids were photographed, after Joan Adson and Betty Anderson quit chatting and paid attention.
Jaci Anderson, of Eagle Grove, was not part of the committee that planned the reunion, but spent a lot of of time sitting in the sun getting people checked in. She and Bygness worked together passing out information and checking in families.
Bygness, a twin, is the daughter of Joan Adson, a twin, which Bygness calls a one-in-a-million probability.
Less of a long shot, but still a special event, the coming 65th wedding anniversary of Marian and Allie Dencklau was celebrated with flowers and their own cake.
The family just likes to celebrate.