BioM: Koehler, Kathleen (1963)

Contact: Dinah Reinke

Email: 2tails8paws@charter.net

Surnames: Koehler, Laabs, Willner, Fandre, Goff, Venzke,

------Source: Tribune-Phonograph (Abbotsford, Clark Co., Wis.) 01/09/1964

------Koehler, Kathleen (28 DEC 1963)

The marriage of Miss Kathleen Caroline Koehler, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Earl Koehler of Edgar, and James Arthur Laabs, son of Mr. and Mrs. Orville A Laabs of Curtiss, took place Saturday, Dec. 28, at Wausau.  In a Christmastime setting of lighted Christmas trees, flocked branches and red poinsettias on the candelabra and white bouquets on the altar of Immanuel Lutheran church, wedding vows were repeated at 4 o’clock before the Rev. Duane C. Hoven, the pastor.  The Rev. Roger L. Tellock of Curtiss delivered the marriage sermon and Steve Laabs of Curtiss and Charles Willner of Janesville, cousins of the couple were the acolytes.

During the candlelight service, Miss Bunee Kraut of Curtiss, sang “O Perfect Love” and Miss Sara Gohdes of Madison sang “Song of Ruth”.  Mrs. A. S. Erickson was the organist.

Attending the bride as the matron of honor was her friend Mrs. Ben Fandre of Wausau.  The bridesmaids were Mrs. Richard Goff of Beaver Dam a sister of the groom, Mrs. Marvin Venzke of Athens and Miss Sharon Willner of Colby.  Miss Lynette Louise Fandre of Wausau was the flower girl.

Marvin Venzke of Athens, a close friend of the groom, was the best man.  The groomsmen were Mr. Fandre, Mr. Goff and Gary Koehler.  Thomas Willner of Janesville, a cousin of the bride was the ring bearer.  Harold Laabs Jr. of Detroit, Mich. and Richard Werner of Wisconsin Rapids performed the ushering duties.

For her wedding the bride chose a gown of peau de sole over pellon.  The gown featured a bateau neckline, long sleeves and fitted bodice, all edged with cording.  The sheath skirt was designed with unpressed pleats at the back and the front and the bodice were adorned with bugle beads with four separate roses made of tiny seed pearls.  The tiny detachable peacock type removable train was topped with a bow at the back.

An imported aurora crystal double wedding cake bridal crown with pearl base held her very bouffant veil of pure silk imported English illusion.  She carried a lace covered white Bible on which there was an arrangement of white camellias with stephanotis.

All of her attendants wore emerald green floor length gowns made of satin brocade featuring scoop necklines, three-quarter length sleeves and fitted bodices.  Green bows detailed the top of the bell skirt and bows trimmed their matching open bill box hats with circle veils sprinkled with half pearls.  They carried snowball bouquets of white carnations with silver glitter.

For her daughter’s wedding, Mrs. Koehler selected a two-piece wool dress in a cranberry shade with which she wore black accessories.

Mrs. Laabs was attired in a teal blue crepe dress with black accessories.

Both mothers had corsages of tea roses and carnations.

Following the ceremony, a reception and dance were held at the Edgar village hall.  Guests from out of state came from Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota and Missouri.

The new Mr. and Mrs. Laabs are making their home at 709 Frost Drive, Bay City, Mich.  Mr. Laabs, a graduate of the Abbotsford high school and the University of Wisconsin, is in the mechanical technology department on Delta College faculty at University Center, Mich.

His bride is a graduate of the Edgar high school and the Milwaukee Hospital School of Nursing.  She will be employed at St. Luke’s Hospital, Saginaw, Mich.