KIMBALLTON -- Nicole Kay Schechinger and Todd Joseph Shults both of Westphalia were married on April 2, 2016 at the Cottonwood Barn in Kimballton. The 3 p.m. double ring ceremony was performed by Pastor Steve Kerr.    Parents of the couple are Tom and Kay Schechinger, Harlan; and William and Kathy Pickens, Harlan.

    DENISON -- Bill and Susie Russell of Denison announce the engagement of their daughter, Megan Frances to Benjamin Stephen Claypool both of Denison. Benjamin is the son of Rob and Sharon Claypool, Denison.    The couple will marry on July 30 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Denison.

    MINDEN -- Dean and Joyce Olson of Minden will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary at an open house on Saturday, July 16 from 2-4 p.m. at the Minden Legion Hall. Friends and relatives are invited to attend the celebration which will be hosted by their children.    Cards will also reach them if sent to 120 Hillside Drive, Minden, Iowa, 51553.

    IRWIN -- Steve and Pat Gawley of Irwin celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on June 26. Family and friends attended a surprise barbecue in their honor at the Beth and Larry Hagedorn home in Irwin.    The couple’s children and spouses are Beth and Larry Hagedorn, Irwin; Joanne and Steve Krafcisin, Boone; and Steve and Andria Gawley, Irwin. The Gawleys have seven grandchildren.

    WALNUT -- Jack Osborn of Walnut will celebrate his 80th birthday on July 12. His family is planning a card shower in his honor. Cards will reach him if sent to 50833 Hwy 83, Walnut, IA 51577. Jack’s wife is Val Osborn.    His children and their spouses are Mitch and Nancy Osborn, Harlan; Curtis and Stephanie Osborn, Shenandoah; Michelle and John Clayton, Walnut; and Cindy and Alan Redler, Jacksonville. 

OMAHA -- Rebecca Zaiss and Jay Petersen both of Omaha exchanged marriage vows in a double ring ceremony at First Central Congregational Church in Omaha on January 9, 2016. A reception and dance were held at the Downtown Hilton in Omaha.    Parents of the couple are Anne Vanden Dries, Las Vegas; John Zaiss, Whitefish, MT; and Larry and Barb Petersen, Elk Horn. 

    DEFIANCE -- Bill and Louise Ahrenholtz of Happy Hill Farm, Defiance, celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on June 28.    Their children and spouses are Steve “Barney” and Judy Ahrenholtz, Harlan; Paulette and Rick Rasmussen, Nancy and Rick Kloewer, Jerry and Connie Ahrenholtz and Keith and Brenda Ahrenholtz, Defiance.

HARLAN -- Neil and Diane Hansen of Harlan announce the engagement of their daughter, Haley Nicole to Caleb Paul Bissen both of Harlan. He is the son of Eugene Bissen, Earling; and Lyle and Carol (Fuhs) Obrecht, Harlan.    The couple plans to marry on July 9 at the Fresh Encounter Fellowship in Harlan.

    DES MOINES -- Kelly Fairchild of Harlan will celebrate his 80th birthday on Sunday, July 3 beginning at 1 p.m. at an outdoor open house at Saylorville Lake, Prairie Flower Recreation Area, Loop OX-E Site 0251. Friends and family are invited to attend.      Kelly’s family includes Kim and Dick Zimmerman, Cedar Falls; Kristi and Paul Wegner, Harlan; and Karla and Rick Kramer, Harlan.

    HARLAN -- The family of Ruth Lambertsen is hosting a get-together to celebrate her 80th birthday on Saturday, July 2 from 4-7 p.m. in the party room at Elm Crest Retirement Community in Harlan.

    WESTPHALIA -- Delbert Rueschenberg of Westphalia will celebrate his 90th birthday at an open house on Saturday, July 9 from 1-4 p.m. at the Westphalia Fire Hall.

    IRWIN -- Cyrus and Marolyn Monson of Irwin will celebrate their 50th wedding at an open house on Saturday, July 9 from 2-4 p.m. at the Irwin Community Building. Friends and relatives are invited to attend.    The couple’s three sons and daughters-in-law are Cy and Kelly Monson, Atlantic; Eric and Julie Monson, Irwin; and Dave and Angie Monson, Harlan. The Monsons have eight grandchildren.

    PANAMA -- Sylvan and Joyce Kenkel of Panama celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on June 18. Their family is planning a card shower in their honor.    Cards will reach them if sent to 208 1600th Street, Panama, IA 51562. Their children are Jennifer Malcom and Richard Wolf, Omaha; Dan and Laura Wingert, Panama; Jeff and Tonya Kenkel, Belleville, WI: and Terry and Karen Kenkel, Panama. 

    PORTSMOUTH -- Ted and Debby Tarney of Portsmouth will observe their 50th wedding anniversary on June 26. They plan to celebrate with their family which includes Ted and Lori Tarney, Avoca; and Tina Peck, Irwin; and four grandchildren.    Ted is employed in maintenance at Monogram Foods. Debby works as a cook at Rose Vista Home in Woodbine.

    HARLAN -- Art and Linda Andersen of Harlan mark 50 years of marriage on June 25. They  celebrated their anniversary with their entire family with a trip to Walt Disney World in Florida.    The couple’s two daughters and sons-in-law are Julie and Steve Livingston, Harlan; and Tammy and Jeff Cox, Council Bluffs.