Marilyn Knutsen

Marilyn (Guyer) Knutsen will celebrate her 80^th birthday Monday, Nov. 27.

Marilyn and Walter, her husband of 58 years, will celebrate this special occasion with their four children, Mark (Trish) Knutsen of Marion, Karen (David) Miller of Clermont, Kristine (Jason) Lenberg of Altoona, Wis., Karla (Rich) Ehr of Kirksville, Mo., and their families.

Friends, relatives and neighbors are invited to help make Marilyn’s day extra-special with a card shower.  

Birthday greetings can be mailed to Marilyn Knutsen, 608 Stone Street, Clermont, IA 52135.

Westin Reinking

Tony and Kristen Reinking of Oelwein are excited to announce the birth of their son Westin Bernard Reinking. 

Westin was born Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017, at Allen Hospital in Waterloo. He weighed 7 lbs. 11 oz. and was 20 inches long at birth.

He is the couple’s first child.

Maternal grandparents are Robert and Sherryl Pennebaker of Fayette. Paternal grandparents are Mandy Reinking of Oelwein and the late Bernard Reinking. 

Mr. and Mrs. Gary Bishop

Gary and Mary Bishop were united in marriage by Pastor Steven Zittergruen at Stavanger Lutheran Church near Ossian on Aug. 12, 2017. 

Gary is the son of the late Clarence and Lucia Bishop, and Mary is the daughter of the late Art and Marlene Tangen.

Wearing her mother’s wedding dress, the bride was given in marriage by her uncle, Jared Hills.

The matron of honor was Kari Dirks, cousin of the bride, and the bride’s sister Lynn Tangen was the bride’s personal attendant. 

The bride’s sister Joy was the reader.

Music was provided by the groom’s family with sister Carol Davidson playing the keyboard and uncle Russ Guyer playing guitar. The groom’s brother, Paul Bishop, sang a solo, “In Christ Alone,” while Gary and Mary braided three cords.

Following the ceremony, the wedding party drove vintage cars to the reception at Chase the Adventure near Calmar.

Mr. and Mrs. Christopher DeBack

Christopher DeBack and Megan Einck of West Union exchanged marriage vows in a 1:30 p.m. ceremony on Saturday, Oct. 21, at Our Lady of Seven Dolors Church in Festina. The Rev. Robert Gross officiated.

Parents of the couple are Steve and Gwen DeBack of Webster, N.Y., and Ken and Sue Einck of Festina.

The bride was given in marriage by her father. She wore a sleeveless, V-neck ivory gown with a lace overlay and featuring a narrow embellished belt at the waist. She carried a bouquet of ivory and blush roses.

The bride chose Carrie Einck as her maid of honor. Bridemaids were Trisha Reiber, Angie Einck, Nicole Schroeder, and Erin Anderson. 

The attendants wore knee-length lace dresses in a deep cabernet color.

The flower girl was Madelyn Bouchard.

Matt Lesnick served as the groom’s best man. Groomsmen were Kolby Bouchard, Justin Einck, Shawn Matthews, and Tyler Poslosky.

Mr. and Mrs. Bradley Johannsen

Caitlin Rae Hanken and Bradley Drew Johannsen were married Aug. 26 in an outdoor ceremony at the West Union Recreation Complex in West Union.

Parents of the couple are Jeffrey and Renee Hanken of Castalia, Mitch Johannsen of Ankeny and Mary Johannsen of Hawkeye.

Given in marriage by her father and mother, the bride wore an ivory gown featuring a lace overlay and train. The gown included an illusion neckline and sleeves.

During the ceremony, the bride and groom gave each of their mothers a rose as a thank-you for their upbringing.

Following the ceremony, the couple were honored at a reception at the West Union Events Center.

Caitlin will continue her work in marketing. Brad recently graduated from the Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport and will now be practicing in Grand Rapids, Mich., where the couple will reside. 

Grace Belden

Mike and Angelisa (Rowland) Belden of Chicago are happy to announce the birth of their second child, Grace Aileana

Grace was born at 8:26 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017, at Swedish Covenant Hospital in Chicago. She weighed 8 lbs. 15 oz. and was 21.5 inches long at birth.

She was welcomed home by her big brother, Nolan, 4. 

Proud grandparents are Bob and Mary Belden of Westgate and Everett and Vicki Rowland of Clermont.  

Grace’s great-grandmother is LaVilla Rowland Onsager of Postville.

Bob Boleyn

Bob Boleyn will celebrate his 87^th birthday on Tuesday, Oct. 31. 

His family invites friends and relatives to help him celebrate by joining in a card shower. 

Bob’s children are Cindy Buckendahl of Aurelia, Craig (Vicky) Boleyn of Oelwein, Cary (Cathy) Boleyn of Elgin, and Shelli Boleyn of West Union.

Birthday greetings may be sent to Bob at 604 East St., Elgin, IA 52141.

Bill Ashby

The family of Bill Ashby invites everyone to come help Bill celebrate his 75^th birthday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 5, at the Clermont Opera House.

No gifts, please; your presence will be your gift.

Birthday cards would be welcome, however, and for those unable to attend the open house celebration, they may be sent to Bill at P.O. Box 132, Clermont, IA 52135.

Bill will turn 75 on Nov. 1.

Mr. and Mrs. Roger Candee

In celebration of Roger and Donna (Hinkel) Candee’s 60^th wedding anniversary on Thursday, Nov. 9, their children would like to honor them with a card shower.

The Candees are former residents of West Union and would love to hear from their Union-land friends.

Cards of congratulations and any stories you’d like to share may be sent to 600 S. 5^th St., Carlisle, IA  50047.

Mr. and Mrs. Gene Nuss

Gene and Jane Nuss of Hawkeye will celebrate their 50^th wedding anniversary on Saturday, Oct. 21, with a family dinner.  

Gene Nuss and Jane Pleggenkuhle were married Oct. 21, 1967, at Peace United Church of Christ in Fredericksburg.

They are parents of three children: Marty (Carolyn) Nuss of New Hampton, Emily (Todd) Seabaugh of St. Louis, Mo., and Fredric (Hilary) Nuss of Hawkeye.

Their family also includes 11 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. 

The couple's family would like to invite relatives and friends to join in a card shower for Jane and Gene. Please share a memory or two that you may have from knowing them.

Anniversary cards can be sent to Gene and Jane Nuss, 20798 Q Ave., Hawkeye, IA 52147.