Obit: Laabs, Karen (1957)

Contact: Stan

Email: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Laabs, Olson, Knecht, Miller, Sommers, Poppe, Orth, Turnquist, Wachsmuth, Stack

----Source: OWEN ENTERPRISE (Owen, Clark County, Wis.) 07/25/1957

Laabs, Karen (20 JUL 1957)

On Saturday, July 20^th, 1957, at one-thirty o’clock in the afternoon Miss Karen Lea Laabs, Owen (Clark Co., Wis.), daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Laabs, Owen, and Delmond Olson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Leo Olson, Greenwood (Clark Co.), were married at the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.  Rev. Martin Krause officiated at the ceremony.

The bride, given in marriage by her father, was attired in a floor length gown, lace and nylon tulle over bridal satin.  The fitted bodice was styled with a Queen Anne collar in lace and long tapered sleeves.  An overskirt of tulle was detailed with tiers of ruffles.  Her imported pure silk illusion fingertip veil fell from a dainty crown of sequins and pearls.  She carried a Colonial bouquet of lavender and white carnations centered with an orchid.

Mrs. Richard Knecht of Unity attended her sister as matron of honor.  Bridesmaids were Mrs. Leonard Olson, Greenwood, sister-in-law of the groom, and the bride’s two cousins, Miss Evelyn Miller, Milwaukee, and Miss Barbara Sommers of Curtiss.  All wore waltz length gowns of blue nylon net with lace and satin.  Tiny net ruffles accented the full skirts from the waist to the hem, and the fitted bodices were strapless with lace jackets.  Each girl carried a Colonial bouquet of blue and white carnations.

The flower girl, Paulette Poppe, wore a white gown styled like the bride’s.  The groom’s brother, Dale Olson, served as ring bearer.  He carried the rings on a white satin pillow.

Ronald Knecht, the bride’s brother-in-law, was best man.  Groomsmen were Leonard Olson, Jerry Orth and Roger Olson.  Serving as ushers were Donald Poppe and Allen Turnquist.  All men, including the groom, wore black trousers and white dinner jackets. 

The wedding reception took was held after the ceremony at the home of the bride’s parents and a four o’clock dinner was served at the church parlors.  Over 200 guests were present.  A wedding dance was held at the Colby Park.

Mrs. Martha Krause provided the organ music for this happy occasion and also sang a solo, "The Lord is My Shepherd.  "O, Perfect Love" was sung by the groom’s six years old niece, Sandra Olson.

The altars were beautifully decorated with assorted cut flowers from the gardens of Mrs. Leonard Wachsmuth of Wausau and Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Laabs of Colby.  The ladies also supplied flowers for the tables.  The bride’s cousin, Mrs. Adolph Stack of Curtiss, baked and decorated the three-tiered wedding cake.

In 1956 Mrs. Olson graduated from the Owen Sr. High School and was employed at the Employers Mutual Insurance Co. of Wausau.  Mr. Olson attended the Greenwood Public schools and graduated from high school in 1951.  The young couple will make their home on a farm near Greenwood.

Guests attending the wedding were from Colby, Curtiss, Owen, Greenwood, Loyal, Withee, Wausau, Unity, Chippewa Falls, Chicago, Milwaukee, Beloit and Glenwood City.