Couples: August 20, 2007
Anniversary: Lennon
The Lennons
50 YEARS
John and Jane Ellen Lennon recently returned from visiting Pittsburgh, Pa., where they were married 50 years ago on July 20, 1957, at the historic, centuries-old Economy Lutheran Church in Ambridge, Pa. The return visit was a family reunion of Jane Ellen Lennon’s mother’s family, the Gulentzes, combined with a sit-down dinner to honor the Lennon’s wedding anniversary.
All reunion and anniversary activities were coordinated by the Lennon’s daughter, Alexandra Ricks and her cousin, Tiffany Marianski. Their daughter had just returned from a solo violin performance with the Olympia, Wash., Symphony Orchestra, of which she was concert master for two years. She now lives in De Ridder, La., with her husband, Major Robert E. Ricks III, and their two children, Amelia, 5, and Christopher, 3.
Jane Ellen Lennon was an elementary music teacher at Mary Herbert School before she retired. John Lennon was professor of vocal performance at Emporia State University before he retired.
The Lennons moved to Emporia in 1964 after living in Germany and Italy for nine years. Their son, Christian Lennon, lives in Austin, Texas.
Anniversary: Nielsen
The Nielsens
50 Years
J.J. and Helen Nielsen of Americus will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary with a reception from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Americus Senior Center.
Hosts will be their daughters and sons-in law: Veronica Nielsen, Jerry and Johanna Rumsey and David and Vicki Jones. The couple’s grandchildren are Justin Nielsen, Chauncy Smith and Lindsey Tacy. They have two great-grandchildren.
The Nielsen’s were married Sept. 3, 1957, at El Dorado.
J.J. Nielsen was a school bus driver, cattle truck driver, farmed and also worked for the Lyon County Road and Bridge department.
Helen Nielsen was a cook at the Americus grade school, worked at the Americus Library, was assistant manager of K-Mart and also worked at Revco, Bluestem Farm and Ranch Supply and was a cook at the Flint Hills Technical College.
They request no gifts.
Anniversary: Verlin
The Verlins
50 Years
Former Emporians Edward and Alta Verlin of Valley Center will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary with a reception from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday at Grace United Methodist Church.
Hosts will be their daughter and son-in-law and granddaughter, David and Angela Uttinger and Courtney Uttinger. Other members of the family and friends will assist the hosts.
Alta Brockelman and Edward Verlin were married Aug. 25, 1957, at Neosho Rapids.
The family requests no gifts, but said, “Your friendship and memories are their cherished gift; they respectfully request no other.”
Messages to the couple may be sent to them at 318 N. Meridian, Valley Center, KS 67147.