weddings
1850s
This information for marriages in the 1850s is from the Pawnee County marriage records. Records were numbered, beginning with #1. In these early days, there was only a log. The earliest listings do not consistently mention where they lived, citing only Pawnee County, Nebraska Territory but some are readily identifiable as Table Rock residents by their names and by the officiating minister. They also don’t list the parents of either bride or groom, only rarely do they name a witness.
george griffing & harriet smith
1858
License #3 is the 1st Table Rock marriage:
George L. Griffing and Harriet Smith, married 12/29/1858 by Rev. C. W. Giddings
George L. Griffing and Harriet Smith, married 12/29/1858 by Rev. C. W. Giddings
joseph freeman & sarah butler
1859
Pawnee County Marriage License #9
Joseph C. Freeman and Sarah E. Butler, 5/14/1859
Joseph C. Freeman and Sarah E. Butler, 5/14/1859
1860s
chauncey norris & fannie giddings
1860
Pawnee County Marriage License # 16
Chauncey H. Norris & Fannie Giddings, 3/7/1860
Married by Joseph Griffing, J. P., ages 24 and 18
Witnesses: Osyman and Lydia Griffing
Chauncey H. Norris & Fannie Giddings, 3/7/1860
Married by Joseph Griffing, J. P., ages 24 and 18
Witnesses: Osyman and Lydia Griffing
Photo 6578, shared by Betty Ann Siemsen Wilkins, a descendant
Photo 988, C. H. Norris, 1836-1911
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Photo 989, Fannie Giddings Norris, 1841-1935
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asa heywood & frances mumford
1860
Pawnee County Marriage License #17
Asa E. Heywood and Frances Josephine Mumford, 4/17/1860
Married by Rev. C. W.Giddings
Asa E. Heywood and Frances Josephine Mumford, 4/17/1860
Married by Rev. C. W.Giddings
lorenzo smith & sarah giddings
1862
Pawnee County Marriage License #33
L. W. (Lorenzo) Smith and Sarah A. Giddings
10/12/1862, at C. W.Giddings, witness G. Griffing and H. Burch
L. W. (Lorenzo) Smith and Sarah A. Giddings
10/12/1862, at C. W.Giddings, witness G. Griffing and H. Burch
joseph edwards & sarah ball
1862
Pawnee County Marriage License #35
Joseph Edwards and Sarah Ball, 10/23/1862
Witnesses John and Ann Manning
Joseph Edwards and Sarah Ball, 10/23/1862
Witnesses John and Ann Manning
emrah taylor & ____ patterson
1863
Pawnee County Marriage License #37
Emrah (?) Taylor and _____ Patterson, 3/12/1863 by G. L. Griffing
Emrah (?) Taylor and _____ Patterson, 3/12/1863 by G. L. Griffing
wiliam craig & sarah edwards
1864
Pawnee County Marriage License #45
Wm. Craig and Sarah Edwards, 9/12/1864, at the residence of William Edwards
Wm. Craig and Sarah Edwards, 9/12/1864, at the residence of William Edwards
john bousfield & esther heywood
1867
Pawnee County Marriage License #76
John Bousfield and Esther Heywood, 2l/17/1867
Witnesses “Meary” and Frances J. Heywood, Probate judge William Aikens
John Bousfield and Esther Heywood, 2l/17/1867
Witnesses “Meary” and Frances J. Heywood, Probate judge William Aikens
thomas mcclure & juliana d. gere
1867
Thomas McClure (1796-1878) was a widower, perhaps twice over. Juliana Gere (1807-1875) was a widow. He had a son Thomas, born in 1835. She had several children, including John, Chester, and two who died in their teens, Hanna and Julia.
william mcclure & mary ellen kennedy
1869
According to Pawnee County marriage records, William McClure and Mary Ellen Kennedy married on July 29, 1860.
1870s
March 27, 1873 Brownville Advertiser
In later years, Lizzy (by then known as Liss) and Andrew Lane stand on each side of the tallest in the group, Grandpa H. Purcell, James Purcell. Photo 1809. The back side has names, which appear to be Irene Lane, Margaret Lane Purcell, Liss (Lizzy) Lane, James H. Purcell, Andrew Lane, and Harry Lane. The little girls is the daughter of Irene and Harry Lane. Andrew and Harry both lived in Okmulgee, Oklahoma by that time, it appears. The Purcells lived north of Table Rock; he was one of the early pioneers in Table Rock. Photo shared by Historical Society member Terry Hunt Korell.
Back of Photo with Purcells and Lanes. Our copy is cut off at the top.
eugene ward & sarah buck
1879
tillman billings & rebecca kerr
1879
1880s
lucella dare & samuel lent
april 3, 1882
Joseph bachman & hadda hog/hig/high
1882
According to the Ancestry tree of Rodney Renken, the bride's full name was Hedda Maria High -- but a sister's last name was "Hog" and that may be the name that the printer was trying to spell or it may have been "hig" with the last H missing. She went by Hattie. He was French and she was Swedish. Only in the New World!
Joseph Bachman.. Photo 6932, shared by Rodney Renken on Ancestry.
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Hattie/Hadda Bachman. Photo 6931, shared by Rodney Renten on Ancestry.
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Clyde barnard & viola moss
april 30, 1885
Clyde Barnard and Viola Moss, 1885. Thanks to descendant Terry Hunt Korell for this.
Celestina (“Christina”) Karas and & Frank Fencl, Jr., married in Pawnee County on September 20, 1886 Photo 4045, shared on FindaGrave by Anna Peterson.
charles I. Norris & Sarah ida phillips
1887
Note the typographical error; it was Charles I., not Charles J., Norris who married Sarah Ida Phillips, who went by Ida.
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Photo shared by great grandaughter Betty Ann Wilkins.
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1890s
Della Purcell and Parker McCoy, 1891. Thanks to descendant Terry Hunt Korell for this picture.
John Tibbets & Etta Crisler, married in 1891.
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Photo & Ancestry tree shared by Earline Shaw, a descendant or relative of several Table Rock families, including Tibbets, Ward, and Barrett.
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nicholas a. craig & lucella dare
january 14, 1892
chauncey wilcox & agnes smith
1893
Chauncey Wilcox and Agnes Smith, an addendum to an earlier story, listing the wedding presents. February 10, 1893 edition of the Argus
walter bedea & annie collins
february 6, 1893
Walter Bedea and Annie Collins, February 10, 1893 edition of the Argus
thomas j. harrison & katie heywood
valentine's day 1893
February 17, 1893 - Katie Heywood and Thomas Harrison of Tecumseh married at Asa E. Heywood's farm
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Thomas J. Harrison as a boy, shared by Linda Secrist.
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Fourth of July 1909, a reunion of Harrison & Heywood extended families. Photo 3205, shared by Linda Secrist
nicholas steinauer & mary agnes vrtiska
february 1894
Photo 8718, shared by Jerry & Sandy Vrtiska on Facebook.
Jerry & Sandy Vrtiska found this in an old family album. It is Nicholas Gottlieb Steinaer (1872-1909) and Mary Agnes Vrtiska (1871-1963). They had at least one child, Ernest (1896-1986), who married Frances Drucker Steinauer (1897-1931) and had at least six children, born between 1918 and 1928. Nicholas and Mary Agnes, Ernest and Frances, are buried in St. Anthony's Cemetery near Steinauer, Nebraska.
Editor's note: We don't know who NIcholas's parents were or if he had any siblings. Mary was a daughter of Joseph and Theresie Wenzl Vrtiska (1846-1932, 1855-1929). Their children, besides Mary Agnes, were Frank Vrtiska (1873-1953), Frances Vrtiska Duder (1875-1959), Joseph Ferdinand Vrtiska (1877-1966), Rudolph Blaze Vrtiska (1880-1986), John Alois Vrtiska (1883-1960), Anton Vrtiska (1887-1946), Joseph Vrtiska Seidl (1889-1982),. Emma Vrtiska Good (1893-1975), and Agnes Vrtiska Churchill (1895-1938).
Editor's note: We don't know who NIcholas's parents were or if he had any siblings. Mary was a daughter of Joseph and Theresie Wenzl Vrtiska (1846-1932, 1855-1929). Their children, besides Mary Agnes, were Frank Vrtiska (1873-1953), Frances Vrtiska Duder (1875-1959), Joseph Ferdinand Vrtiska (1877-1966), Rudolph Blaze Vrtiska (1880-1986), John Alois Vrtiska (1883-1960), Anton Vrtiska (1887-1946), Joseph Vrtiska Seidl (1889-1982),. Emma Vrtiska Good (1893-1975), and Agnes Vrtiska Churchill (1895-1938).
cora gilbert & george kent
september 27, 1894
Photo 2231, George Kent & Cora Gilbert wedding picture, shared by Jon Woods
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George Kent and Cora Gilbert, September 27, 1894
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martin karas & aloisie sebek
october 8, 1895
Marriage of Martin Karas & Aloisie Sebek, married October 8, 1895 -- they are the couple on the right. The couple on the left are their attendants, Christina Hunzeker & John Blecha, who would be married in 1899. In the back is the buggy driver, a position of honor, Peter Blecha (he later changed his name to Blaker). (Photo 4051, shared by Fran Blecha. Fran describs a network of marriages connected to these couples: "Christina was half-sister to Benjamin Hunzeker. Their father was John R. Hunzeker, who first married Mary Hana, Christina's mother. After Mary's death, John R. married Mary's younger sister, Josephine Hana, who was Benjamin's mother. The parents of the Hana sisters were Josef & Marie (Karas) Hana. There were 7 children in that family. Frank Hanna, of the Hanna Meat Market (he changed the spelling of his name), was one of those seven Hana children. Frank Hanna was the grandfather of Eddie Hanna, Table Rock's beloved maestro!
bowman karas & lizzie holecek
william nemecek & anna karas
april 14, 1896
April 14, 1896 -- The double wedding of Bohumil (or Bowman) Karas and Lizzie Holecek (to the left) ad William & Anna Karas Nemecek (to the right). William Nemechek & Anna Karas were married Apr. 14, 1896, in a double wedding with Bohumil (or Bowman) Karas and Lizzie Holechek. Bowman Karas and Anna Karas were first cousins. Standing in the middle of the photo is Martin Karas, Anna's brother. William Nemechek would have been 26 years old in this wedding picture; Anna 17 (almost 18); Bohumil was 19; Lizzie was 20. Martin had gotten married at the age of 21, 6 months before this picture was taken. This is Photo 3171, shared by ("Table Rock") Bob Blecha, Martin's grandson and his wife Fran.
Later, William & Anna Nemecek with sons Roy and Louis. Photo 625, shared by Fran Blecha.
john reuter & rosa wenzl
October 9, 1896
Pawnee Republican (Table Rock column):
John Reuter and Rosa Wenzl, both of this county, were married Tuesday morning at ten o’ clock at the Catholic Church
John Reuter and Rosa Wenzl, both of this county, were married Tuesday morning at ten o’ clock at the Catholic Church
frank blecha & fannie Horalek
october 6, 1898
Frank Blecha & Fannie Horalek Tenk wedding on October 6, 1898; standing are attendants Andy Blecha and Bertha Blecha. Photo 4044, shared by Fran Blecha. Fran adds this additional history about Fannie. Fannie Horalek was born Mar 28, 1876 in rural Pawnee County, Nebraska, to Wenzel and Anna Marie “Mary” Vancura Horalek. She was married to Frank Tenk on Jan 12, 1897 in Pawnee City, Nebraska. They had one daughter, Lily Mae Tenk, who was born on Oct 17, 1897. Frank Tenk died on Mar 19, 1898 at the age of 23, from complications of surgery for removal of a tumor from one of his legs. Fannie then married Frank F. Blecha on Oct 6, 1898. To this union, Rudolf Blecha was born on Jul 22, 1899, and Edward Blecha was born on Oct 15, 1907. Fannie died Sep 19 1953 at the age of 77. She and both her husbands are buried at the Bohemian Cemetery, rural Table Rock, Nebraska.
frank blaka & kate striterska
1898
1898 - Frank Blaka and Kate Striterska
ed taylor & avis dopp
1898
October 6, 1898 - Ed Taylor and Avis Dopp
jacob reuter & leopoldina wenzl
1898
September 1898 Argus - Jacob Reuter and Leopaldina Wenzl
john heer & maude hays
1899
1899 - John Heer & Maude Hays. Thanks to Historical Society member Brad Bowen for this family photo.
Photo 7328, John & Maude with daughter Cecil
Photo 7326, John & Maude Heer, daughter Cecil, and Cecil's children Boyd,Johnny, & Shirley Bowen
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Photo 1750, Maude & John Heer with only child, Cecile (Cecil)
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john blecha & christina hunzeker
1899
John Blecha and Christina Hunzeker, married September 26, 1899. Taped in the bottom right corner is a picture of their twins, Viola and Oliva. Photo 4050, shared by Fran Blecha.
1900 - 19o9
august wheeler & susie crawford
mr. & mrs. edward wheeler
1900
September 1, 1900 Morning World Herald
February 27, 1901, John & Eva Harris, Photo 1390.
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March 1, 1956
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wilson turman & della gardner
1904
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Wilson was one of the children of Rev. Zenis and Kate Turman. Rev. Turman had been assigned to Table Rock for some time, and it became his home. He and his wife are buried here. He died i 1896, prior to the wedding. Kate, Wilson's mother, was alive, but died a few years later, in 1909, at the age of 71. Wilson died in 1919.
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1904 wedding announcment of Wilson and Della Turman, sent to Mr. and Mrs. George Gilbert.
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roy patchin & floy boomer
1906
1906 - Roy Patchin & Floy Boomer. Roy was a veteran of the Spanish-American War. His letters home were published in the Argus. He also was a witness to the murder of Marshal Nicholas Craig in 1896.
jane harris & bill carter
1908
Jane Harris and William Carter, October 9, 1908 Nebraska State Journal.
Photo 4092, Jane Carter, shared by Veda Flyger
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Bill & Jane Carter at home in later years -- 1st & 2nd from left, family. Photo 3160
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rufus mapes & josephine broders
1907
November 21, 1907 - Rufus Mapes & Josephine Broders. Rufus is the 2nd man from the left in the group of four on the ground.
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Rufus Mapes is one of the men, but which? Photo 618.
Photo 618. Rufus Mapes is believed to be the second from the left of the group of four men on the ground.
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helen petrasek & joe w. tomek
1909
Photo 947
Fran Blecha provides this information: Helen Clara Petrasek was married to Joseph W. "Joe" Tomek on Dec. 29, 1909, at Table Rock, Nebraska. They had three children: Olive Wanda, John William, and Joseph Arnol
anna hubka & edd hanna
1909
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Anna Hubka and Edd Hanna, married on February 17, 1909. They were to have three children -- Evelyn, Elsie, and the ineffable Eddie Hanna, a musician and bandleader of the Tommy Bishop Band.
Photo 4041, Anna Hubka, detail from a picture with children
Anna Hanna (1888-1977) as a grandma, 50 years later.
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Photo 1457, shared by granddaughter Deb Hanna Anderson.
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james ellsworth groom & cora campbell
1910
John and Zillah Hays Miller (formerly Muller), 1910. Photo 1785, shared by descendant Sandi Knippelmeyer.
John & Zillah Hays Miller, a closeup
John Miller & Zillah Hays' marriage license
1910 - 1919
Charlie & Bessie Hanna wedding, Photo 846. Photo 846c, Charlie Hana, Bride Bessie Hrdlieka, back row, driver Ed Hana, maid of honor Gussie Hrdlieka, best man Joe Karas. January 3, 1912, at Falls City.
Joe and Mary Kolacny Flider, married March 24, 1913. Photo 176.
April 13, 1913 -- John R. Griffing and Edna Wolfe
1913 wedding announcement of Willie and Mary George. Willie was a Table Rock boy and a war veteran.
Charles Binder and Violet Branek, June 8, 1915 edition of the Argus
edward clark & marguerite deubelbeiss
1914
Photos shared by Roger Vondrasek
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In October 1941, Edward & Marguerite with their children. Front row right, Lee. Back row Darlene, Gladys, John, & Marguerite.
Margaret and Ed in later years. Photo 7716
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ethel tibbets & john ward
1915
1915, Ethel Tibbets & John Ward
elmer rue & nora hoy
1915
 Elmer Rue & Nora Hoy, 1915. They did not live in Table Rock but we post the picture for any relatives that might want to see it.
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Written on the back of the wedding picture of Elmer Rue and Nora Hoy. This picture came from the Hoy-Lanning bible, now in the possession of descendant Amy Fritz.
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charles cook & hazel wiar
1916
Three awesome pictures from descendant Dianne Gidley Anderson.
Charles and Hazel Cook, 1916
Photo 1418, colorized for fun by Lois Ahntholz
Photo8053
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Photo 8054
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benjamin hunzeker & josephine karas
1916
Benjamin Hunzeker & Josephine Karas, married December 6, 1916. Photo 4048, shared by Fran and Bob Blecha.
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Benjamin Hunzeker & Josephine Karas with their attendants, Jess Rist and Emma Hunzeker Flider. Photo 4052, shared by Fran Blecha.
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Josephine & Benjamin Hunzeker some years after their wedding. Photo 4047, shared by Fran Blecha.
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Benjamin & Josephine Hunzeker later in life. Photo 4049, shared by Megan Holes. (The original is in very-deteriorated color.)
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julia strejc & dr. miles breur
1916
January 4, 1916 - Julia Strejc & Dr. Miles Breuer
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Julia Strejc, possibly a high school graduation photo. Photo 654.
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Ivan robertson & nan albin
1918
The young couple, both of Table Rock, started out young. Within two years, Nan would be dead of a "sudden illness" age 20.
anna wilson & lt. stewart clark
1918
November 15, 1918 Argus
lloyd green & mrs. c. a. moulton
1918
October 25, 1918 Argus
lou blecha & julia wopata
1919
December 22, 1919 Lincoln Star
1920- 1929
cecil heer & william stanley (stan) bowen
1921
October 27, 1921, Cecil Heer and John Bowen
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Stanley & Cecil, Photo 7319, undated
Photo 6607, Stanley & Cecil Bowen in 1956
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harry hanna & margaret stewart
1922
June 7, 1922 -- Harry & Margaret Stewart Hanna. Harry died at age 35 of pneumonia. Some of his siblings included Edd, Roy, and William Hanna.
orville alderman & pearl cockrill
1925
1930s
bruce mccourtney & bernice bridgmon
1930
Christmas Day 1930, Bernice & Bruce McCourtney. Bruce was one of the children of Charlie & Lula McCourtney. Photo 2433, shared by Delores McCourtney Penkava, their daughter.
ruth goodrich & john tomek
1931
Ruth Goodrich and John Tomek, July 28, 1931 Lincoln Star
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Miss Ruth Goodrich (soon to be Mrs. Tomek) (right) with Lottie Hudson. Ruth was about 38 when she married. From the photo album of Mary Snabl Sturgeon, taken during the 1929-1930 school year.
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ed blecha & ella karas
1931
Photo 5201, shared by Bob & Fran Blecha
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Later in life
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george gilbert & erma vondrasek
1938
1938: George Gilbert & Erma Vondrasek, Photo 7718 shared by Roger Vondrasek
art vrtiska & irma beethe
1938
Photo 7220, shared by Sharylin Vrtiska Knock
Photo 7219, shared by Sharylin Vrtiska Knock, along with text to the right
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Photo 7221, shared by Sharylin Vrtiska Knock
In 1945, Art & Irma with children Sharylin & Ivan. Photo 7012, shared by Sharylin Vrtiska Knock
1940-1949
Photo 8060, Alvah Aylor, Jr., & Doris Winchell, 1941, shared on FB by daughter Susie Aylor Sochor on the occasion of their 78th wedding anniversary
Norma Wopata and Howard Binder, with maid of honor Lois Mae Binder and best man Forrest Binder. Thanks to Richard Binder for this photo! Photo 1738.
Alvin Kent and Marilyn Parks, 1948
Photo 7713 Darlene Clark & Kenneth Gilbert wedding portrait, 1948
Doris Benson & Lee Clark. Photo 7714, shared by Roger Vondrasek
Dolores Karas & Joe Sochor, October 5, 1949
October 5, 1949 - Dolores Karas & Joe Sochor
Joy & Wayne Harris were married on August 7, 1949. Photo 3654, shared by Ted & Nancy Quackenbush.
1950s
Dorothy Hunzeker & Rudy Fritch, October 1954
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Minnie Parks and Willard Binder, November 1954
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Elsie Stastny & Milan Tomek Wedding, Photo 1111, thanks to Edward Tomek for this picture.
Charlene & Edward Tomek wedding. Photo 1118, thanks to Edward Tomek for this family snapshot!
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Photo 1047, Roy Witter & Edna Stastny, Elsie Tomek's sister. Thanks to Edward Tomek for this picture.
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November 29, 1951
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June 14, 1956 edition of the paper
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This picture as shared by Cathy Rech. This is a picture of Bill & Jane Carter, their grandson Billy Carter (son of William Milton & Hazel Williams Carter), Bill & Jane's son Verlin and Betty Anderson Carter, Mabel Anderson (Betty's Mother) and, in front, the little girl is Cathy Stech. This picture was taken in the living room at Bill & Jane’s house on the day that Verlin & Betty were married, Nov 11, 1955. Photo 3160. Verlin Carter's siblings were Donald, Billy, and Jennis.
1960s
Clara and John Bernadt, December 9, 1965 edition of the paper
December 26, 1965, Elma Lee and Wilbur Buchholz
Steve Krikava and Kerry Overdorf, July 7, 1968. Photo 957, which appears to be for the Argus.
Fran Herrick and Lonnie Ghyra Wedding, Photo 882 appears to be a photo for the Argus. According to Fran, the date was August 9, 1969.
1970s
Pat Diehm and Thomas Bevard. Photo 790, which appears to be for the Argus. 1970.
April 16, 1970 edition of the paper
Vickie Boehmer & James Zelenka wedding, Photo 891, which appears to have been for the Argus. Vickie says they were married in Steinauer on June 5, 1974. Jim's dad Arnold graduated from Table Rock in 1931.
Elaine Gilbert & Lynn Binder, Photo 889, which appears to have been for the Argus.
Marcia Pope & Max Hoover, Photo 890, which appears to have been for the Argus.
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Kathy Bethel and Steve Burger, Photo 892, which appears to have been for the Argus.
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Marcia Karas and Kim Binder, August 29, 1974 edition of the paper
April 6, 1978 newspaper edition: Bobette Vondrasek & Greg Bohling
John & Lindsay Kreifel Kostecka, shared by Lindsay's mom Katy Kreifel for John & Lindsay's 2019 wedding anniversary. Photo 8502.