Mike and Suzanne Rasmussen observed their 50th wedding anniversary on Saturday, December 2. A family dinner party in their honor was held at Gina and Matt Glenn’s home on December 2. 

ELK HORN -- Martha Eskov of Elk Horn will celebrate her 90th birthday at an open house from 2-6 p.m. on Thursday, Decemeber 28 at the Elk Horn Lutheran Church.    Cards will also reach her if sent to 2018 High Street, Elk Horn, IA 51531. 

PERSIA -- Wayne and LaVonne Miller of Persia celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on November 18 with a party with family and friends in the fellowship hall at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Persia. They also celebrated Wayne’s 80th birthday which was that day. 

    HARLAN -- Arlene Christensen of Harlan will celebrate her 90th birthday at a birthday coffee on December 26 from 2-4 p.m. in the McKee Activity Room at Elm Crest Retirement Community in Harlan. Friends and relatives are invited to attend.    Her family is also planning a card shower in her honor. Cards will reach her if sent to 2104 12th Street, Harlan, IA 51537.

    HARLAN -- Verda Larsen of Harlan will celebrate her 90th birthday on December 23. An open house in her honor is planned for December 23 from 1-3 p.m. at Westridge Apartments in Harlan.    Cards will also reach her if sent to 2004 Garfield Ave. Apt. 110, Harlan, IA 51537. Her family includes Phil and Genene Larsen, Fontana, CA; Marie and Warren Madsen, Newton; Scott and Jeanine Larsen, Harlan; grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

HARLAN -- Muriel L. Bacon of Harlan will mark her 99th birthday on December 7.  She plans to celebrate with family and friends.    Muriel’s children are Marjorie Muller and her husband, Robert Grim, Danielsville, PA; Michael Muller and his wife, Barbara, Harlan; step-children, Valli Jensen and her husband Scott, Hot Springs Village, AR; and Max Bacon Jr. and his wife Wendy, Sedona, AZ.

HARLAN -- Phil and Gloria Clark of Harlan will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on December 9. The Clarks reside at 1030 Oak Road, Harlan, IA 51537.    They plan to celebrate with their family which includes combined 11 children and 27 grandchildren. Phil retired after serving 24 years in the United States Air Force.

    DEFIANCE -- Mike Kimmen of Defiance will celebrate his 80th birthday at an open house on Saturday, December 9 from 1-3 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Defiance.

    HARLAN -- Henry and Judy Scheffler of Harlan will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary at an open house on Saturday, December 9 from 1-5 p.m. at the Corley Community Club.

    HARLAN -- Allen and Patty (Olson) Cox of Harlan will observe their 50th wedding anniversary on December 2. They plan to celebrate with a family dinner.    Their family includes Jenny and Jim Birch, Harlan; Chris and Sarah Cox, West Des Moines; David (deceased) and foster daughter, Carole and Jerry Juergens, Vinton. Allen and Patty have nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

    HARLAN -- Pastor Donna Ewert of Harlan will celebrate her 75th birthday on November 28. A card shower is planned in her honor. Cards will reach her if sent to 1209 13th Street, Harlan, IA 51537.    She and her husband, Roger, have three children and two grandchildren. Donna is the pastor at the Congregational Church in Harlan.

EARLING -- Kathryn Graeve of Bellevue, NE, and Don Grafton of Phoenix, AZ were married at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Earling on May 19, 2017. Father Lydell Lape of St. Mary’s Church in Bellevue performed the 2 p.m. double ring ceremony.    Parents of the couple are Mel Graeve, Earling; and Kathy Graeve, Neola; and Jon and Kenne Grafton, Alexandria, LA. 

CALISTOGA, CA -- Ken and Marlene Larsen of Calistoga marked their 65th wedding anniverary on November 16. The Larsens plan to celebrate later with their family in California.    A card shower is planned in their honor. Cards will reach them if sent to P.O.

    COUNCIL BLUFFS -- Joe and Jeanette Leinen of Council Bluffs will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary on November 28. A private family party is planned.    Their family is also planning a card shower in their honor. Cards will reach them if sent to 204 Ridgewood Drive, Council Bluffs, IA 51503.

EARLING -- Gloria and Jack Kenkel of Earling will mark 50 years of marriage on November 18. They celebrated earlier this year with a trip to Cancun, Mexico with their family.    Their children include Lisa Carlsen, Sycamore, IL; Paul and Gail Kenkel, Story City; Amy Kenkel and Keo Jorgensen, Omaha; and Jill and Mark Schmitz, Panama. The Kenkels have 11 grandchildren.