Couples: September 22, 2006
Engagement: Benskin
Erika Spears and Matthew Benskin of Gardner announce their engagement.
Spears and Benskin work at the University of Kansas Medical Center and will live in Gardner.
She is the daughter of Lou and Angie Mindrup of Kansas City.
He is the son of Kevin and Mary Bush of Gardner.
The couple plan to marry Nov. 3, 2006, at the Loretto in Kansas City, Mo.
Wedding: Truelove and Otto
Malinda Otto and Norman Truelove were married July 22, 2006, at the Burlington courthouse. The honorable Judge Fromme officiated at the afternoon ceremony.
The maid of honor was Heidi Hinterweger. The best man was Patrik Lee Truelove.
The wedding reception will be at 6 p.m. Oct. 7 at the New Strawn Community Center.
The bride graduated from Burlington High School and works at Jumpstart Burlington.
The bridegroom graduated from Hartford High School and works for Knight Trucking.
She is the daughter of Carrol L. Otto of Burlington and Alfred Otto II of Odessa, Texas.
He is the son of Larry Don and Velma Truelove of Hartford.
Engagement: Blackwell and Lutz
Heather M. Lutz of Emporia and Christopher “David” Blackwell of Burlington announce their engagement.
Lutz graduated from Spearville High School, Dodge City Community College with an associate’s degree in science and Emporia State University with a bachelor’s degree in business. She is a teller at Capitol Federal and an office associate at Wal-Mart.
Blackwell graduated from Burlington High School and Emporia State University with a bachelor’s degree in recreation. He is a produce associate at Wal-Mart.
She is the daughter of Steve and Kathleen A. Lutz of Wright.
He is the son of Jack “Lyndon” and Vicki S. Blackwell of Burlington.
The couple plan to marry Sept. 22, 2007.
Wedding: Swift
Melody Sue Foster and Jeremy Eugene Swift were married May 27, 2006, at the Graceway Baptist Church in Springfield, Mo. The Rev. Robert Stephenson officiated at the afternoon ceremony.
The matron of honor was Sarah Kilmer, sister of the bride. The best man was Aaron Hunt. The bride’s other attendants were Shanna Matthews, Jennifer Marrs and Emily Sneed. The groomsmen were Chris Swift, brother of the bridegroom, Justin Kilmer and Kevin Smith. The flower girls were Caitlyn Foster and Malori Malone; the ring bearers were Dylan Swift and Chase Smith. Ushers were Paul Foster, brother of the bride, and Karl Fredrickson. The wedding musicians were Pete and Angie Roman, vocalists; and Virgilene Swift, organist. Madison Malone and Rachelle Foster were the guestbook attendants.
The wedding reception was at the church. Alesia Vogt was the gift attendant. The rehearsal dinner, catered by Buckingham’s Smokehouse, also was at the church.
The couple took a honeymoon trip to Gulf Shores, Ala., and live in Nixa, Mo.
The bride graduated from Nixa High School and from Missouri State University with a bachelor’s degree in nursing. She works at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, Mo.
The bridegroom graduated from Emporia High School and attended Baptist Bible College in Springfield, Mo. He works at Zickel Flooring in Springfield.
She is the daughter of Bob and Sheryl Foster of Nixa, Mo.
He is the son of Larry and Gloria Swift of Emporia. He is the grandson of Dorothy Fehr of Emporia and George Swift of Strong City.
Wedding: Allen
Jessica John and Ashley Allen were married July 15, 2006, at Burlington. The Rev. Marcia Eaton and David Kraft officiated at the afternoon ceremony.
The maid of honor was Hatti John, sister of the bride. The best man was Matt O’Connor. The bride’s other attendants were Erinn Morray, Amber Quint and Rori Salava. The groomsmen were Adrian Allen and Evan Allen, brothers of the bridegroom, and Tyler Grossart. Ushers were Luke Thompson, Travis Rutjens, Jordan Spence and Mitch Talley. The wedding musicians were Rori Salava, vocalist, and Polly Epting, organist. The guestbook attendant was Erika Curtis; the program attendant was Chesney Kraft.
The wedding reception was at the New Strawn Community Center. The rehearsal dinner was at the Black Bear Bosin Shelter.
The couple took a honeymoon trip to the Riviera Mayo, Mexico, and live in Kansas City.
The bride graduated from Emporia State University with a bachelor’s degree in business and computer information Systems.
The bridegroom graduated from Southeast Community College in Milford, Neb., with an associate’s degree in computer programming. He attends Park University, where he is studying for a bachelor’s degree in management, computer information systems and finance.
Both work at DST Systems in Kansas City, Mo.
She is the daughter of Dale and Brenda John of Gridley.
He is the son of Mark and Rhonda Allen of Wolbach, Neb.
Grandparents are Faye Kraft of Gridley; and Stuart and Florence Teter, Howard and Shirley Perry and Ruth Meyer of Wolbach, Neb.
Wedding: Harsch
Rachel Whittington and Jason Harsch were married July 13, 2006, on the island of St. Lucia in the British West Indies.
The wedding reception was held Aug. 12 at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Olpe.
The honorary matron of honor was Frances Zawoski. The honorary best man was Greg Evenson.
The couple work for Power Equipment Maintenance. They live in Lebo.
The bride graduated from Lebo High school and Pittsburg State University with a degree in automotive technology.
The bridegroom graduated from Lebo High School and Emporia State University.
She is the daughter of Paul and Karen Whittington of Lebo.
He is the son of Doyle and Lea Harsch of Lebo.
Grandparents are Richard Blair of Emporia and Alfred and Wilma Harsch and Hildred Whittington of Lebo.