Surnames: Mertens, Keefe, Hayden, Geokegan, Rhyner, Kronschnabel

----Source: Colby Phonograph (Colby, Clark County, Wis.) 09/22/1955

Mertens, Leatrue Mary (Marriage - 15 Sept. 1955)

Miss Leatrue Mary Mertens, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Carl Mertens of Dorchester, and Patrick M. Keefe, who is stationed at Camp Pendleton, Calif., and is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Morris Keefe of Colby, Wisconsin were united in marriage at St. Louis Catholic church in Dorchester last week Thursday morning at 10 o’clock in a double ring nuptial mass. Officiating were the Rt. Rev. Msgr. Thomas Hayden, assisted by the acolyte, Steve Mertens, a brother of the bride.

The bride asked her sister, Mrs. Paul Geokegan of Green Bay, to serve as her matron of honor, and an aunt, Mrs. Arnold Rhyner, to be bridesmaid. Over their strapless, fitted bodices of blue crystalette were worn tiny, short-sleeved jackets of the same material, featuring pointed collars. The full-length, full-gathered skirts of nylon net over taffeta were highlighted with horizontal bands of crystalette through the skirts, which tied at the center-back into huge bows. Tiny back bows accented their half-hats of pleated crystalette, and they carried bouquets of blue and white carnations.

Paul Geokegan of Green Bay, a brother-in-law of the bride, assisted as best man, and Milton Kronschnabel of Dorchester, an uncle of the bride, was groomsman. Max and Jerome Kronschnabel, two other uncles of the bride of Dorchester, were in charge of ushering.

When the bride was presented in marriage by her father she was viewed in a gown fashioned of Chantilly lace over satin. A scoop neckline, enhanced with sequin-embroidered lace flowers, high-lighted her fitted bodice. Tiny buttons secured her long sleeves of lace which tapered to points over the wrists. Her full-length skirt of lace and airy nylon tulle in alternate panels, swept to fullness in the cathedral train.

The nylon tull veil was attached to a puffed pleateau headpiece accented with Venice lace rosettes sprinkled with sequins and pearls. She carried a bouquet of white calla lilies.

For her daughter’s wedding Mrs. Mertens wore a powder blue knit dress with navy blue accessories. The groom’s mother chose a light blue dress with pink and blue accessories.

Breakfast for the bridal party was served in the Block Hotel, Dorchester, and a reception and buffet supper were held in the Jerkwater Dining Room. In the evening the bridal couple were honored at a wedding dance in the Dorchester Memorial Hall.

The bride received her education in the Dorchester High School and the Northwest Institute of Medical Technology in Minneapolis, Minn. Her husband, who also attended Dorchester schools is now serving with the United States Marine Corps. After their honeymoon in northern Wisconsin they will make their home in San Diego, Calif.

Miss Ceal Kronschnabel, an aunt of the bride, was hostess at a pre-nuptial dinner Wednesday evening.