August 31, 2008

Lear 25th

Mr. and Mrs. Dan and Alicia Lear will celebrate their 25th anniversary on Sept. 3 with a card shower. Dan Lear and Alicia Fox were united in marriage on Sept. 3, 1983, at the St. Patrick’s Church in Harper. The couple have two daughters, Katie Jo Lear and Sarah Jo Lear.

Cards may be sent to the couple at 2711 S. Dry Creek Road, Great Bend, KS 67530.

August 24, 2008

Schmidt 60th

Harold and Elenora Schmidt of Great Bend celebrated their 60th anniversary on Aug. 23. The couple was married at St. Joseph’s Church in Leibenthal in 1948. Their children are, Richard and Kathy Schmidt of Parker, Colo, the late Janice Lang, Aileen and Kevin Bailey of Shawnee. Their grandchildren and great-grandchildren are David Schmidt and son Sheldon of Hays, Mike and Julie Schmidt, daughter Kennedy and sons Garrett and Landon of Parker, Colo, Brandy and Brett Jackson and son Brandon of Denton, Texas, Kendall and Michelle Lang and daughters, Mikayla and Monica of Great Bend, and Stephanie Jackson, daughter Madison and son Harrison of Parkville, Mo.

McCaulley 50th

Roger and Janice McCaulley of Ellsworth will celebrate their 50th anniversary with a reception from 2 to 4 p.m. on Aug. 31 at the First United Methodist Church in Ellsworth. Friends and family are invited.

Roger McCaulley and Janice Florell were united in marriage on Sept. 6, 1958, at the Amana Lutheran Church in Scandia. Roger is retired after 40 years of service from the Kansas Department of Transportation. Janice is retired after 29 years of service from U.S.D. No. 327. They have two children, Russell and Rachel McCaulley of Great Bend and Shirlene and Max Shepard of Bennington, and four grandchildren.

Cards may be sent to them at 1014 Stanberry, Ellsworth, Ks. 67439.

August 17, 2008

Bosley 50th

Howard and Phyllis Bosley will celebrate their 50th anniversary with a reception from 2 to 4 p.m. on Aug. 23, poolside at the Highland Hotel. Hosts for the event will be their children and their spouses, Gene and Cindy Bosley of Lee’s Summit, Mo., Bob and Tammy Bosley of Raymore, Mo., and Eric Bosley of Augusta. The couple have 10 grandchildren.

Howard Bosley and Phyllis Bantam were united in marriage on Aug. 24, 1958, at the Presbyterian Church in Orleans, Neb. Howard is employed by Northern Natural Gas Company in Great Bend and Bushton as a mechanical engineer and management. Phyllis is a homemaker and volunteer.

Winkler 50th

Bill and Edith Mae Winkler of Larned will celebrate their 50th anniversary with an open house for friends and family from 2:30 to 4 p.m. on Sept. 20 at the First Southern Baptist Church Activity Building, 13th and Mann, in Larned.

The couple request no gifts.

July 20, 2008

Wilborn 40th

Keith and Miriam Wilborn will celebrate their 40th anniversary with a family barbecue hosted by their children, Brian and Cindy Wilborn and children, Hannah, Madison and Nolan of Kingman; Krista and Ben Brewer and children, Avery and Livvy of Hoisington; and Kari and Chad Bloomer and children, Chandler, Chase and Boston of Ottawa.

Keith Wilborn and Miriam Schremmer were married on July 20, 1968, at St. John Catholic Church in Hoisington. He is the vice president of Clinic Operations at Clara Barton Clinic in Hoisington. Miriam is a sales associate with Keller Real Estate. The couple live in Hoisington and enjoy spending time with their children and grandchildren.

July 6, 2008

Stoskopf 70th

Willis and Elizabeth Stoskopf will celebrate their 70th anniversary with a reception from 2 to 4 p.m. on July 13 at the First United Methodist Church, 467 W. 3rd in Hoisington. Hosts for the event will be the couple’s daughters and their families, Beth Lee and Wayne Flohr and Ruth Dawn and Sid Cain.

Willis and Elizabeth were married on July 10, 1938, in Hagerman, N.M.

June 28, 2008

League 50th

Roy and Joan League will celebrate their 50th anniversary on July 6 with their five children and their families. The couple has seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Roy League and Joan Gardner were married on July 6, 1958, at Andover. Mr. League is retired from his former business, Parts, Inc. Mrs. League is employed by the Town and Country Racquet Club.

June 22, 2008

Richter anniversary

Melvin and Ellen Richter of Great Bend will celebrate their anniversary from 2 to 4 p.m. on July 5 at the Best Western Angus Inn courtyard, 2920 W. 10th. Hosts for the event will be their children, Don Richter, Lynn and Dorothy Richter and Linda and Leon Brady. The couple has five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Linenberger 50th

Gerald and Victoria Linenberger, of Sterling, will celebrated their 50th anniversary with a family trip to Puerto Vallarta.

Gerald Linenberger and Victoria Ramirez were married on June 11, 1958, at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Olmitz. Residents of Lakewood, Colo., most of their married life, Gerald is a welding supervisor at General Iron Works in Englewood, Colo. and Victoria is a medical assistant at Woodridge Orthopedic Clinic in Wheat Ridge, Colo. The couple has three children, Dennis and Linda Linenberger of Lakewood, Colo., Cynthia and Jerry Butler of New Castle, Colo., and Michael and Shelly Linenberger of Wilsonville, Ore.; five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Cards may be sent to 402 S. Broadway Ave., Sterling, KS 67579.

Feldman 65th

Harold and Clara Feldman will celebrate their 65th anniversary on July 2 with a card shower. The couple were married on July 2, 1943, in Ozark, Ala. They have two children, Richard Feldman of Winfield and Deanna Thomas of Hays; seven grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

Cards may be sent to them at 691 W. Barton County Road, Great Bend, KS 67530.

Bright 60th

Russell and Norma Bright of St. John will celebrate their 60th anniversary from 2 to 4 p.m. on June 28 with an open house at the First Baptist Church in St. John, 4th and Exchange. Hosts for the event will be their children and families, Mike and Alicia Bright of Napa, Calif., Connie and Bruce Carey of Sterling, Keith and Kathleen Bright of Salina, Carol and Don McLeod of Oswego, Coette and Bob Lewis of Wichita, and Carmen and Steve Hamilton of Northville, Mich.

Russell Bright and Norma Parten were married on June 27, 1948, at the Friends Church in Beaver. Russell is a retired independent oil and gas consultant and Norma is a homemaker.

The couple requests no gifts.

June 15, 2008

Bennett 50th

Gene and Audrey Bennett of Mount Hope, formerly of Great Bend, will celebrate their 50th anniversary with a reception from 2 to 4 p.m. on June 22 at the Dillon Nature Center, 3002 E. 30th Ave. in Hutchinson. Gene Bennett and Audrey Lamkin were married on Dec. 7, 1958.

Hosts for the event will be their children, Mike and Marty Bennett of Mount Hope, Gail and Chuck Ely of Hutchinson and Kevin and Cathy Bennett of Park City. The couple has six grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Cheney 60th

Cecil and Leona Cheney of Hoisington will celebrate their 60th anniversary on June 20 with a card shower. They will celebrate with family at a later date.

Cecil Cheney and Leona Erb were married on June 20, 1948, in Hutchinson. The couple has two children, Carolyn and her husband Jim Mitchell of Prescott, Ariz., and Jolene and her husband Darrel Sparks of Perry, Okla.

Cards may be sent to them at 705 N. Cedar, Hoisington, KS 67544.

Chestnut 60th

Clarence and Leona Chestnut of Great Bend will celebrate their 60th anniversary with a reception from 2 to 4 p.m. on June 22 at the First Church of God, 1224 Baker St., in Great Bend.

Clarence Chestnut and Leona Androes were married on July 6, 1948, in Great Bend. He worked for many years for various construction companies and she worked for various dry cleaners before retiring from Fuller Brush after 15 years.

Hosts for the event will be their children and spouses, Duane and Sharon Lanterman and Lynn and Mary Chestnut, all of Great Bend; Gerald and Ellen Chestnut of Onaga; and Bob and Bonnie Chestnut of Hutchinson. The couple have seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Cards may be sent to them at 10 NW 80 Ave., Great Bend, KS 67530.

June 8, 2008

Kirmer 50th

Bernard "Ben" and Shirla Kirmer will celebrate their 50th anniversary with an open house from 1 to 4 p.m. on June 14 at the Immaculate Conception Parish Center in Claflin. Hosts for the celebration will be their children, Gary and Patricia Kirmer, Alan and Kathy Kirmer, Rita and Alan Stueder, Lora and Joe Zink and Marvin and Bobette Kirmer, all of Claflin, and Dennis and Jan Kirmer of Hays; and their 19 grandchildren.

Bernard Kirmer and Shirla Moore were married on June 14, 1958, at the Sacred Heart Church in Larned.

The couple requests no gifts.

Strobel 50th

John and Connie Strobel of Great Bend celebrated their 50th anniversary with a trip to Pueblo, Colo., where their son Mike and his wife Heather hosted a reception for them. The couple then stayed at the Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs, Colo., where they celebrated their son Mike and Heather's anniversary.

John Strobel and Connie Pryor were married on June 2, 1958, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Great Bend. They have two children, Mike and Karen. John retired in 1933 from Colorado State University in Pueblo, as a professor emeritus. Connie is a homemaker.

Nebergall 60th

James and Bettie Nebergall will celebrate their 60th anniversary on June 4 in a celebration Mass at St. George Catholic Church in St. George, Utah.

Mr. Nebergall was employed as a history teacher and basketball coach at Great Bend High School. Mrs. Nebergall began her career as a teacher in a one-room schoolhouse and later worked in the Great Bend school system, teaching advanced English. They now live in St. George, Utah. The couple have three children, Lillian Cross, St. George, Utah, Lynn Matthews, Banamichi, Sonora, in Mexico, and Lexie Engleman, Lawrence.

Cards and congratulations may be sent to the couple at 324 N. 1680 East, Apt. 116 B, St. George, Utah 64790.

June 1, 2008

Jinks 50th

Jerry and Elnora Jinks of Larned will celebrate their 50th anniversary with an open house for friends and family from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. on June 7 at the First Southern Baptist Church activity building, 1224 Corse in Larned. The couple requests no gifts.

Kirmer 50th

Bernard "Ben" and Shirla Kirmer will celebrate their 50th anniversary with an open house from 1 to 4 p.m. on June 14 at the Immaculate Conception Parish Center in Claflin. Hosts for the celebration will be their children, Gary and Patricia Kirmer, Alan and Kathy Kirmer, Dennis and Jan Kirmer, Rita and Alan Stueder, Lora and Joe Zink and Marvin and Bobette Kirmer; and their 19 grandchildren.

Bernard Kirmer and Shirla Moore were married on June 14, 1958, at the Sacred Heart Church in Larned.

The couple requests no gifts.

Dykes 65th

Everett and Margaret Dykes, of Great Bend, will celebrate their 65th anniversary on June 5 with a card shower. They will celebrate at a later date with family.

Everett Dykes and Margaret Branscom were married on June 5, 1943, in St. John. The couple farmed in Stafford County for 10 years. Everett was a teacher for 23 years at Larned State Hospital, from where he retired. Margaret is a homemaker.

The couple have four children, Ron and Bettie Dykes of Greenfield, Mo.; Diana and husband Ed Horton and Debbie and husband Tom Smith, all of Springfield, Mo.; and Nancy and husband Dan Ropp, of Springfield, Ore. They have eight grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Cards may be sent to them at 5314 Eisenhower, Great Bend, KS 67530.

Demel 50th

Robert and Rosemary Demel will celebrate their 50th anniversary on June 7. Robert Demel and Rosemary Staudinger were married on June 7, 1958, at the St. Joseph Church in Beaver.

He is retired from the Farmers and Merchants State Bank in Claflin and she is employed at J.C. Penney in Great Bend. Their children are Sandy and Lance Walters of Great Bend, Kevin Demel of Overland Park, Kimberly and Tim Barmann of Olathe, Brenda Demel of Shawnee, and Kelly and Glorimar Demel of Sherwood, Ore. They have six grandchildren, Ryan, Nicole and Jamie Barmann, Kory Walters, Kyler and Grayce Demel; and two stepgrandchldren, Jason Barmann and Jessica Walters.

Cards may be sent to them at 5612 Eisenhower, Great Bend, KS 67530.

Bieberle 50th

Clarence and JoAnn Bieberle of Hoisington will celebrate their 50th anniversary with a reception-dinner for family and friends at 2:30 p.m. on June 8 at the Knights of Columbus, 114 N. Main, in Hoisington. The celebration will be hosted by their children, Sandy and Mike Demel of Hoisington, Donna and Dwight Nett of Kingman, Betty and Dave Evers of Great Bend and Janel and Richard Rugan of Claflin; and their nine grandchildren.

Clarence Bieberle and JoAnn Luebbers were married on June 9, 1958, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Hoisington.

The couple request no gifts.

May 25, 2008

Linenberger 60th

Paul and Bernadine Linenberger will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary with an open house reception for family and friends from 2 to 5 p.m. on May 31 at the Prince of Peace Parish Hall, located on Broadway next to St. Patrick's Church in Great Bend.

Hosts for the event will be their children and spouses, Larry and Lisa Linenberger of Olathe, Jerry and Mary Lou Beardslee of Topeka, Ron and Kala Linenberger of Great Bend, and the couple's four grandchildren, three stepgrandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Paul Linenberger and Bernadine Schneider were married May 12, 1948, at St. Anne's Church in Olmitz.

Cards may be sent to 2314 31st, Apt. #8 A, Great Bend, KS 67530.

Bussman 40th

Rick and Derinda Bussman celebrated their 40th anniversary with a family dinner on May 24.

Rick Bussman and Derinda Faye Garret were married on May 24, 1968, at the First United Methodist Church in Turley, Okla. They met at Northeastern Oklahoma College in Miami and completed their college studies at Panhandle A and M. They moved to Great Bend in 1971. Rick is sales manager for Dove Buick and Cadillac agency and Derinda is a retired extension agent for family and consumer science for Barton County.

The Bussmans have two sons, Derrick of Hays and Ryan of Derby and three granddaughters, twins Melynda and Lauren and Shelby Faye of Derby.

May 18, 2008

Sellens 70th

Kenneth and Berdena Sellens will celebrate their 70th anniversary with a reception from 1 to 3 p.m. on May 25 at Wood Haven Care Center in Ellinwood. Hosts for the celebration will be their children, Judy and Roger Harmon of Austin, Texas, Jim and Sharon Sellens of Wasilla, Alaska, Jan and Gordan Westrum of Monument, Colo., Jolene and Mike Boys of Great Bend and Jayne and Steve Klir of Denton, Texas. They have seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Kenneth Sellens and Berdena Bangerter were married on May 28, 1938, in Hutchinson. Residents of Hoisington most of their married lives, they moved to Great Bend after the 2001 tornado. Kenneth was the service manager for Murdy Motors in Hoisington and Berdena was the secretary for the Hoisington Methodist Church. Both are retired.

Cards may be sent to them at Wood Haven Care Center, 510 W. 7th St., Ellinwood, KS 67526.

Deckert 50th

Delbert and Roberta Deckert of Salina will celebrate their 50th anniversary with an open house from 2 to 5 p.m. on June 1 at the First Christian Church, 2727 E. Crawford, in Salina. Hosts for the event will be their children, David and Liz Deckert of Leawood, James and Laurie Deckert of Salina, Nancy and Brian Bergdall of Olathe, and Laura and Larry Whipple of Shawnee. The couple has nine grandchildren. They have a deceased son, Steven Eric Deckert.

Delbert Deckert and Roberta Potter were married on June 1, 1958, at the First Christian Church in Great Bend. They co-own Becker Monument Company in Salina.

Cards may be sent to them at 1304 S. Ninth, Salina, KS 67401.

May 11, 2008

Haynes 40th

Chuck and Marilyn Haynes, of Great Bend, will celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary with family and friends on May 31. Hosts for the event will be their children, Dan and Kim Heath of Great Bend, Chuck Jr. and Dana Haynes of Wichita, and Bryan and Kelly Dahl of Overland Park; and their four grandchildren, Kary, Ashtin and Patrick Heath and Kelsey Dahl.

Chuck Haynes and Marilyn Smith were married June 8, 1968, at St. Rose Catholic Church in Great Bend. Residents of Barton County for most of their married life, he has been an attorney in Hoisington and Great Bend. She is a homemaker, was a school counselor at Claflin, and is currently a school counselor at St. John Junior/Senior High School.

Cards of congratulations may be sent to them at 135 SW 60 Avenue, Great Bend, KS 67530.

May 4, 2008

Zorn 60th

Leonard and Elizabeth Zorn will celebrate their 60th anniversary on May 10. The couple was married on May 10, 1948, at St. Catherine Church in Dubuque.

They have two children, David and wife Luella Zorn of Augusta and Hank and wife Diana Mantz of Westmont, Ill.; and five grandchildren, Nick, Nathan and Neal Zorn and Rebecca and Cassandra Mantz.

Kaiser 50th

Don and Janell Kaiser will celebrate their 50th anniversary with a reception and light meal from 4 to 6 p.m. on May 10 at the Great Bend Senior Center, 2005 Kansas Ave. Hosts for the celebration will be the couple's children, Donna Fisher and husband Robert of Colorado Springs, Colo., Dale Kaiser of Kansas City, and Devin Kaiser and wife Kristie of Hoisington; and their grandchildren, Mackenzie Kaiser and Trevor Kaiser of Hoisington, and Anneka Fisher of Colorado Springs.

Don Kaiser and Janell Fisher were married on May 10, 1958, at St. Rose Catholic Church in Great Bend. Don is retired from Stone Sand Company and Janell is employed at Larned State Hospital. They are lifetime residents of Great Bend.

The couple request no gifts. Cards may be sent to them at 2523 8th, Great Bend, KS 67530.

April 27, 2008

Birzer 60th

Lawrence and Catherine Birzer of Ellinwood will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary with an open house for relatives and friends from 2 to 4 p.m. on May 3, at the St. Joseph Parish Center in Ellinwood.

Lawrence Birzer and Catherine Esfeld were married on April 27, 1948, at St. Rose Catholic Church in Great Bend.

Hosting the event will be their children, Melvin and Twila Birzer and Connie and Keith Miller, all of Great Bend, Steve and Brenda Birzer of Ellinwood and Jane and Bob Carr of Edmond, Okla., 27 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren and eight great-great-grandchildren.

The couple request no gifts. Cards may be sent to them at 308 W. 5th St., Ellinwood, KS 67526

April 20, 2008

Huslig 45th

Mercedes and Arthur Huslig will celebrate their 45th anniversary with a family dinner followed by an open house and reception from 2 to 4 p.m. on April 26 at St. Joseph Parish Center in Ellinwood.

Mercedes Hoffman and Arthur Huslig were married on April 27, 1963, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Great Bend.

Hosts for the event will be their children, Eugene and Chelli Huslig and Christy and Steve Befort and their five grandchildren. They request no gifts.

April 13, 2008

Waters 50th

Dick and Marie Waters, of Ellinwood, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary with an open house from 2 to 4 p.m.on April 20 at the Heritage Center, 103 N. Main in Ellinwood. Hosts for the event will be their children, Duane and Robin Waters of Wellfleet, Neb., and Mark Waters of Ensign.

Dick Waters and Marie Sutton were married Feb. 7, 1958, at the Methodist Church in Fowler. He was a farm manager for Kenneth Scheufler and worked for Barton County Feeders in Ellinwood before his retirement in 2000. He is currently a bus driver for the Ellinwood School District. She has been an Avon representative for 24 years. The couple request no gifts.

Cards may be sent to them at P.O. Box 485, Ellinwood, KS 67526.

Radenberg 50th

Glenn and Marvella Radenberg will celebrate their 50th anniversary with a reception from 2 to 4 p.m. on April 19 at the Best Western Angus Courtyard. Hosts for the celebration will be the couple's children, Mark and Mary Radenberg, David and Maxine Radenberg and John and Debbie Radenberg, all of Claflin; their nine grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Marvella and Glenn Radenberg were married on April 20, 1959, at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Great Bend. Residents of Claflin, she is a registered nurse/nurse practitioner and he is a farmer/rancher.

Cards may be sent to them at 109 A Street, P.O. Box 365, Claflin, KS 67525.

April 6, 2008

Ruble 50th

Larry and Vickie Ruble celebrated their 50th anniversary with a family get-together at Wilson's Midland Hotel on March 29. The couple was surprised by their children with an all- expense-paid vacation to Colorado in July.

Larry Ruble and Vickie Boos were married on April 3, 1958, in Alva, Okla. They both work for USD 428 in Great Bend. The couple has three children, DeAnna Moran and Steve of Claflin and Tammy Bell and K.B. and Larry M. Ruble and Lorrie, all of Great Bend; six grandchildren, Nathan Farmer of Kansas City, Suzanne Welcher and Shon, Alisha Bell and Cody Ruble, all of Great Bend, Deidre and Bryce Moran of Claflin; and four great-grandchidren, Ashlyn Prescott and Ashley, Amber and Korbin Welcher, all of Great Bend.

Cards may be sent to the couple at 1401 Broadway, Great Bend, KS 67530.

March 30, 2008

Thomas 50th

David and Carol Thomas of Cincinnati, Ohio, will celebrate their 50th anniversary with a family gathering.

David Thomas and Carol Riedel were married April 16, 1958, at St. Ann's Church in Olmitz with Monsignor A. L. Meyers presiding. He is retired from Ford as superintendent of quality control and Carol from teaching business after 33 years at Lakota School District. Their children and spouses are Bret and Bobbie Thomas of Salem, Conn., Chris and Lisa Hartung of Louisville, Ky., and Brian and Marlo Metzinger of Roswell, Ga. They have four grandchildren, Joshua, Megan, Samuel and Elizabeth Metzinger.

Cards may be sent to them at 5880 Taylor Ridge Dr. West Chester, OH 45069.

Chalfant 50th

Don and Vivian Chalfant will celebrate their 50th anniversary on April 5 with a family gathering hosted by their children and their spouses, Cindy and Steve Hubbell of Spearville and Mark and Tammy Chalfant of Manhattan. They have five grandchildren.

Vivian True and Don Chalfant were united in marriage on April 5, 1958, at the First Christian Church in Hutchinson. Mr. Chalfant works part-time for the Commission on Aging, where he has worked for the past 10 years. Mrs. Chalfant is a retired lab tech for Drs. Swan, Steffan, Evans, and Anol Beahn after 28 years. She also worked for Dr. Don Beahm in the optical shop for five years.

Cards may be sent to the couple at 2105 26th Street, Great Bend, KS 67530.

Mull 50th

Patsy and Gene Mull will celebrate their 50th anniversary with a party given by their children, Natalie and Terry Dueser of Wichita and Tobin and Jerri Ann Mull of Great Bend. The couple has five grandchildren, Brett, Brandon, and Madison of Wichita and Michelle and Aaron of Great Bend; and one great-grandchild, Elliott of Wichita.

Gene Mull and Patsy Smith were married on April 5, 1958, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Great Bend.

Cards may be sent to the couple at 1035 Van Buren, Great Bend, KS 67530.

March 9, 2008

Sharp 60th

Mr. and Mrs. Leonard D. Sharp of Great Bend will celebrate their 60th anniversary with a reception for friends and family, from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. on March 16, at Central Baptist Church, Lakin and Harrison in Great Bend. Hosts for the reception will be James and Judi Sharp of Derby and Charles and Kathie Sharp of Great Bend. A family brunch with their four children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren will be held later in March.

Leonard D. Sharp and Virginia Lenora Lonnon were united in marriage on March 13, 1948, at Baker Avenue Baptist Church in Great Bend, now the Central Baptist Church. The have been residents of Great Bend their entire married life. The couple is now retired from farming in Barton and Stafford counties. They operated a 64,000-caged layer poultry facility from 1980 to 2002 and now have a 2,000-swine finishing barn managed by their son. They were rural motor route carriers for The Hutchinson News from 2003 to 2006. Mrs. Sharp was the home ec secretary at Barton County Extension Service prior to 1980.

The couple have four children, Lenora Bruckdorfer and husband Rod of Baltimore, Md., James Sharp and wife Judi of Derby, Charles Sharp and wife Kathie of Great Bend and John Sharp and wife Polly of Kobe, Japan; five grandchildren, Michelle Bruckdorfer Warren and husband Robert of Charlotte, N.C., Jennifer Sharp Findley and husband Troy of Topeka, Jeremy Sharp of Atlanta, Ga., Maeve Sharp, a student of Pittsburg State University, and Lonnon Sharp, a student at Great Bend High School, both of Great Bend; and two great-grandchildren, Dylan Warren of Charlotte, N.C., and Zach Findley of Topeka.

Cards may be sent to them at 204 SE 70 Rd., Great Bend, KS 67530.

Simpson 74th

Melvin and Francis Simpson will celebrate their 74th anniversary on March 13. Melvin Clay Simpson and Frances Elizabeth Jackson were married on March 13, 1934, in Osceola, Mo. Residents of Great Bend since 1941, they are retired. The couple has six children, 20 grandchildren, 37 great-grandchildren and 15 great-great-grandchildren.

Cards may be sent to them at 1221 Sheridan, Great Bend, KS 67530.

February 24, 2008

Herndon 50th

Jean and Sharon Herndon of Smith Center will celebrate their 50th anniversary on March 2. Jean Herndon and Sharon Johnson were married on March 2, 1958, at the United Methodist Church in Lebanon. Mr. Herndon retired from West Plains Energy and Mrs. Herndon is a homemaker.

Cards may be sent to them at 412 Shelton Drive, Smith Center, KS 66967.

February 10, 2008

Thomas 50th

Robert and Marjorie Thomas celebrated their 50th anniversary with a family get-together on Jan. 27.

Robert Thomas and Marjorie Maneth were married on Jan. 29, 1958, at St. Ann’s Church in Olmitz. The couple live on a farm east of Ellinwood. Mr. Thomas is a farmer/stockman and Mrs. Thomas is a housewife.

The couple have four children: John and Dan, both of Chase, Joan Linsner and Raymond of Great Bend and Sharon and Gerald Reichuber of Ellinwood. They have 10 grandchildren, Vanessa and David Anglin of Davenport, Fla.; Melissa Thomas of Kansas City; Corey Thomas, Alex Thomas, Ashley and Abbie Reichuber, all of Ellinwood; Krystal Thomas of Lindsborg; and Lisa Linsner, Laura Linsner and Jason Linsner, all of Great Bend.

Cards may be sent to them at 94 SE 140 Ave., Ellinwood, KS 67526.

Meyer 50th

Don and Erma Meyer will celebrate their 50th anniversary with an open house from 2 to 4 p.m. on March 16 at the Trinity Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall.

Don Meyer and Erma Kimle were married on Feb. 16, 1958. Residents of Great Bend, Don is employed by MidWest Energy and Erma by Great Bend Credit Bureau.

Hosts for the celebration will be the couple’s children, John and Cindy Lee and Mark and Elaine Meyer, all of Great Bend, Mary and Tony McGee of Joplin, Mo., and Denise and Dr. Jeff Thode of Hutchinson. They have seven grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, two stepgrandchildren and three stepgreat-grandchildren.

January 27, 2008

McAtee 40th

Terry and Jean McAtee will celebrate their 40th anniversary with a family dinner today. Terry McAtee and Jean Meier were married on Jan. 27, 1968, at Immaculate Conception Church in Claflin.

Mr. McAtee is the general manager for Doonan Peterbilt/GMC of Great Bend. Mrs. McAtee is the front desk receptionist at Eyecare of Great Bend. They have three children: Jena and husband Eric Berschauer of Valley Center; Travis and wife Carol McAtee of Lakin; and Trent and wife Jenny McAtee of Pratt. They have six grandchildren: Reed, Keyton and Gage McAtee; Chance and Cason Berschauer; and Grant McAtee.

January 20, 2008

Winkelman 60th

Maurice and Eloise Winkelman celebrated their 60th anniversary on Jan. 18. They were married in St. John Lutheran Church in Ellinwood and have spent their entire married life in this area.

Their children are Bruce and Jeanette Winkelman of Tulsa, Okla.; Monte and Lonnie Winkelman of Sioux City, Iowa; Tim and Karen Winkelman of Great Bend; and Lois Sierra of Lawrence. Their six grandchildren are Kirk Winkelman of Olathe; Joel and Heather Winkelman of Chapel Hill, N.C.; Justin Winkelman of Storm Lake, Iowa; Alison Winkelman and Philip Sierra and Emma Sierra, all of Lawrence.

Mr. and Mrs. Winkelman are enjoying their retirement at their home in Ellinwood.

McKown 55th

Mr. and Mrs. George M. and Martha J. McKown celebrated their 55th anniversary on Jan. 18. George M. McKown and Martha Lu Johnson were married on Jan. 18, 1953, in Cherokee, Okla.

Residents of Great Bend most of their married life, they owned DaMac Drilling, Inc. and affiliated companies, headquartered in Great Bend. The couple have four sons, David McKown of Great Bend and Maui, Hawaii, Bill McKown of Great Bend, Charles McKown of Arkansas City and James McKown of Kansas City; and seven grandchildren. Mr. McKown is currently under hospice care at Cherry Village.

Cards can be sent to the couple at P.O. Box 370, Great Bend, KS 67530.