HARLAN -- Thomas and Beverly Schmitz of Harlan will mark 50 years of marriage on December 28. An open house reception in their honor will be held at St. Michael’s Rosman Parish Center in Harlan on Sunday, December 30 from 9:30 a.m. - noon. Friends and relatives are invited to attend. 

    HARLAN -- Ellie McCormick and Matthew Heflin of Anchorage, AK were married on September 1, 2018 during a ceremony at the groom’s parents, Robert and Amy Heflin’s rural Harlan home. David Havick, great-uncle of groom, was the officiant at the 4:30 p.m. outdoor ceremony.

    APACHE JUNCTION, AZ -- Former Harlan resident LaVale Jensen of Apache Junction, AZ will mark her 90th birthday on December 21. Her family is requesting a card shower in her honor. Cards will reach her if sent to 2080 S. Ironwood Drive #159, Apache Junction, AZ 85120.

    DEFIANCE -- Annette Kloewer of Defiance will celebrate her 70th birthday on December 28. Her daughters are planning a card shower in her honor. Cards will reach her if sent to PO Box 174, Defiance, IA 51527.

    DEFIANCE -- Melissa Kite and Derek Anderson both of Onawa exchanged marriage vows at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Defiance on June 16, 2018. The 2 p.m. double ring ceremony was performed by Father Chris Fontanini.    Parents of the couple are Dan and EAnn Christensen, Defiance; and Bill and Rhonda Anderson, Defiance.

    PANAMA -- Christine Wingert and Braden Vermeys both of Lake Park were married on August 25, 2018 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Panama.        Parents of the couple are  Glenn and Mariann Wingert, Panama; and Keith and Ann Vermeys, Battle Creek, IA.

    TENNANT -- Harold Peters of Tennant will celebrate his 92nd birthday on December 8 with his family. Harold’s family is also planning a card shower in his honor. Cards will reach him if sent to 906 Stevens Ave, Tennant, IA 51537.    His children are Bonnie Utter, Bondurant; David and Bonnie Peters, Shelby; Connie and Dale Schroder, Avoca; and Ernest and Lori Peters, Portsmouth.

    PORTSMOUTH -- Renae Arkfeld and Derick Frederick both of Randolph, NE exchanged marriage vows on August 11, 2018 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Portsmouth. Father David Smith performed the 3 p.m. double ring ceremony.    Parents of the couple are Bill and Brenda Arkfeld, Portsmouth; and Konnie Frederick, Randolph, NE; and Eric Frederick, Randolph.

    PORTSMOUTH -- Anna Margaret (Leinen) Kenney of Portsmouth will mark her 95th birthday on December 9. A card shower is planned in her honor. Cards will reach her if sent to P.O. Box 41, Portsmouth, IA 51565.

    HARLAN -- Virginia Johnson of Harlan will celebrate her 90th birthday at an open house on Sunday, December 9 from 1-3:30 p.m. in the McKee Activity Room at Elm Crest Retirement Community in Harlan. Cards will also reach her if sent to Elm Crest Retirement Community, 2104 12th Street #209B, Harlan, IA 51537. 

    AVOCA -- William “Bill” and Karen Johnson of Avoca will mark their 50th wedding anniversary today, November 30. Their family is planning a card shower in their honor.    Cards will reach them if sent to 302 Ironwood Rd., Avoca, IA 51521. 

    ATCHISON, KS -- Sr. Amelia Nowatzke O.S.B. will mark her 90th birthday on November 29. Her nieces, nephews and good friend Sr. Jeannine Neavitt O.S.B. are planning a card shower in her honor.    Cards will reach her if sent to Mount St. Scholastica, 801 S. 8th Street, Atchison, KS 66002.

    HARLAN -- Mary (Grap) Beaman of Harlan will celebrate her 80th birthday on November 21. Her family would like to honor her with a card shower. Cards will reach her if sent to 2004 Garfield Ave, Apt 120, Harlan, IA 51537.

    HARLAN -- Anna Cleghorn of Chewelah, WA and Matthew Brace of Defiance were married on May 12, 2018 at Grace Baptist Church in Harlan. Pastor Dan Cox performed the 4 p.m. ceremony.    Parents of the couple are Dan and Karen Cleghorn, Chewelah; and Todd and Beth Brace, Defiance.

    HARLAN -- Dylan Petersen and Katie Ladehoff both of Harlan will wed on June 15, 2019 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Harlan.    Parents of the couple are Robin and Janet Ladehoff, Irwin; and Dennis and Mary Petersen, Harlan.