BioM: Bruhn, Judith Gail (1955) 
 

Contact: Dolores Mohr Kenyon

Email: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 
 

Surnames: Bruhn, Williams, Harcey, Rosekrans, Schweinler, Jacobi, Smith, Scott, Huntington, Spuhler, Rupno, Brenstock, Buckmiller, Christenson  
 

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI.) February 3, 1955 
 

Bruhn, Judith (Marriage - 5 February 1955) 
 

The marriage of Miss Judith Bruhn to Chester Williams will take place Saturday, February 5, 1955 at the Congregational Church with the Rev. Frank Harcey, pastor of the church, performing the double ring ceremony at 2:30 p.m. 
 

Following the ceremony a reception will be held in the church parlor. 
 

Judy has been employed by the Badger State Telephone Co. since her graduation from the Neillsville High School in 1953. 
 

Mr. Williams has been with the armed forces for the past two years and has been stationed at Fr. Knox, Ky. the last several months.  He has now received his discharge and at present is staying with his parents. 
 

The young couple will reside in Neillsville, where Mr. Williams is with his former employer, LaVerne Gaier.  The bride will also continue with her present employment. 
 

Mr. and Mrs. Melford Williams and Mr. and Mrs. Earl Bruhn are the parents of the couple. 
 

(The above was the account of what was planned for this wedding, but read on to what actually took place.) 
 

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI.)  February 10, 1955 
 

When Mrs. Earl Bruhn entered the Congregational Church last Saturday afternoon for her daughter’s wedding, right along with her was the surgeon who had just performed a major operation upon her mother.  There was a hurried, soft word, "She is all right," and an apology from Drs. Milton and Sarah Rosekrans that they were in their works clothes.  So short was the interval between the operation and the wedding that there was nothing for it but to make speed from one to the other, with clothing whatever it happened to be. 
 

To Mrs. Bruhn and to all the members of the family the surgeon’s encouraging word was one more thing in a week of worry, suspense and drama.  Mrs. Schweinler had come to Neillsville on January 27 to help in the preparations for the large church wedding.  In days of discomfort from a pain of uncertain origin, Mrs. Schweinler had done what she could.  Even just before the pain took full possession, Mrs. Schweinler baked pies.  But by Thursday, February 3, the pain was in full charge.  Early that evening Mrs. Schweinler was taken to the hospital. 
 

Even after admission to the hospital, there was some hope that Mrs. Schweinler might at least hear the ceremony over the telephone, and preparations were practically complete for the hookup.  But on Saturday forenoon Mrs. Schweinler was in no condition to take an interest even in the wedding, and an operation was considered imperative.  So at 11:45 Mrs. Schweinler was taken to the operating room and was put to sleep.  And by the time she could know anything more at all, she had lost a gall bladder and had gained a grandson-in-law. 
 

But Mrs. Schweinler, in the deep sleep of anesthesia during the wedding ceremony, will not be left without a good knowledge of it, for a tape recording was made for her, and it was planned that she should hear it as soon as she had gained sufficient strength. 
 

On this wedding day, Saturday, February 5, a son of Mrs. Schweinler, Merritt C. Schweinler, was journeying, not toward the family event in Neillsville, but over the Pacific and away from it.  On that day he landed in Honolulu; after a flight from San Francisco.  His purpose was to visit his brother, Lieut. Col. Dale Schweinler, and family.  There the two brothers were to be together, while the family event was proceeding in Neillsville. 
 

Originally Merritt’s plan had been to attend this wedding with his wife, but on last May 31, death took her.  She had shared with him the anticipation of the wedding in Neillsville, and he did not feel up to it to make the journey and to participate in the festivities by himself.  He has no family of his own; is with the Bell Telephone Co. 
 

Mrs. Schweinler made good progress after the operation and was regaining her accustomed good feeling by Tuesday evening, February 8. 
 

The Wedding Ceremony: 
 

The Congregational Church at Neillsville was the scene of the marriage of Judith Gail Bruhn, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Earl Bruhn of 205 Hewett Street, to Chester Eugene Williams, son of Mr. and Mrs. Melford Williams of 310 Hewett Street, on Saturday, February 5, 1955, at 2:30 p.m. 
 

The Rev. Frank Harcey performed the double ring ceremony before an altar decorated with large baskets of white glads, snapdragons and candelabra.  Big lacey bows with red carnations were pinned on the pews. 
 

The bride, given in marriage by her father, wore a gown of Chantilly lace, the bodice of which was designed with a scalloped neck line. The long sleeves ended in points over the hand. The train of the gown was of Cathedral length.  The tulle veil, bordered in lace, was fastened to the Juliet cap which she wore as a head piece.  The cap was designed of seed pearls.  Her flowers were red carnations tied with white tulle bows. 
 

Winifred Bruhn, sister of the bride, was her maid of honor and Dawn Williams, sister of the groom, acted as her bridesmaid.  Both wore dresses of red nylon net over taffeta, with white fur head pieces.  Both attendants carried white fur muffs with red carnations. 
 

The groom was attended by his brother, Orin Williams, as best man. DeWayne Schweinler of Altoona and Dale Jacobi of Marshfield ushered. 
 

Mary Ann Smith was soloist, accompanied at the organ by Mrs. Jess Scott. 
 

A reception for approximately 300 persons was held in the parlor of the church, which was decorated with white glads and snapdragons. 
 

The bride is a graduate of the Neillsville High School and has been employed by the Badger State Telephone Co., since her graduation in 1953.  The groom received his education in the rural schools and at Loyal High School.  He is employed at Gaier’s Hatchery in Neillsville. 
 

The following close relatives attended the wedding: Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Bruhn, Mrs. Adeline Bruhn and Lucille, Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Bruhn and family, all of Marshfield; Mr. and Mrs. Glen Huntington and Shirley, Stoddard; Mr. and Mrs. Morton Spuhler, Marshfield; Mrs. Elda Rupno, Milwaukee; Mr. and Mrs. Milton Brenstock, Merrill; Mr. and Mrs. DeWayne Schweinler, Altoona; Mr. and Mrs. Francis Schweinler, Mosinee; Mr. and Mrs. Ed Buckmiller, Marshfield, and Mr. and Mrs. Russell Christenson, Eau Clarie. 
 

Upon their return to Neillsville the young couple will be at home in an upper apartment at 126 East Fifth Street, known as the Bradbury apartments.