Surnames: Churkey, Holstein, Schley, O’Konski

----Source: OWEN ENTERPRISE (Owen, Clark County, Wis.) 04/14/1949

Holstein, Georgette M. (9 APR 1949)

Owen’s First Congregational Church was the scene of a lovely wedding ceremony Saturday afternoon when Miss Georgette Micheline Holstein of Leige, Belgium, was claimed by Burt William Churkey as his bride.

The marriage terminated a courtship that started in Sept. of 1944 when Burt, then in the Army, met Georgette while staying at the home of her parents when the mobilized aircraft unit of the Army. After nearly three months of "red tape" and negotiations Burt completed arrangements where by she could come to this country and be claimed by his as his bride. She arrived in New York on the 23rd of Feb., arriving on the ship Marine Marlin. Burt met her the next day in Chicago.

The pretty 19 year old Belgium miss was a little homesick at first but now most happy here. She is the only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Pierre Holstein and has four brothers, all employed at the heavily bombed city of Leige in a tire factory.

Burt is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Churkey, route 1, Owen (Clark Co., Wis.), and is successfully engaged in the trucking and milk hauling business.

The attractive brunette, who speaks French fluently, but no English, chose as her wedding attire a gown of white slipper satin, fashioned with a high net yoke, with long sleeves and a train. Her full veil fell from a tiara of orange blossoms, and she carried a bridal bouquet of calla lilies, with white rose bud streamers, as she approached the altar of the church which was beautifully decorated with flowers that were telegraphed from Leige, Belgium, for the occasion by her parents and brothers.

Attending the bride was Miss Mae Jane Churkey, a niece of the bridegroom, as maid of honor, and bridesmaid, Donna Schley, a close friend. The two wore identical gowns of pink net over pink satin and blue net over blue satin and wore wristlets of white and red roses.

Maurice O’Konski, a close friend of the groom attended as best man, while his two brothers, Don and Dave Churkey, served as ushers.

Following the ceremony a reception was held in the church basement. In keeping with the occasion were the decorations in the room as the Central Av. Floral shop provided a large amount of green ferns, while the bridal party’s table was set off by a lovely large three tier wedding cake that had white bells and doves on its sides, with the top being adorned by a bridal couple.

Among the guests at the reception were Rev. Glick, Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Churkey, Henry Churkey, Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Churkey and daughter Fern, Mr. and Mrs. Dave Churkey and children Gladys and Elroy, and Mr. and Mrs. Don Churkey and son Kenneth.

A host of friends and neighbors attended and among the out of town guests were: Mr. and Mrs. Roy Ammentorp, Milwaukee; Mrs. H. E. Haskins and Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Radtke, Neillsville.