BioA: Mendalski, Mr./Mrs. Peter (Gold – 1964)

Contact: Linda O’Donnell
Email: lindao@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Mendalski, Wasilewski, Smoczyk, Krackett, Luginski, Berkeley, Pletka

----Source: Thorp Courier (Thorp, Clark Co., Wis.) 24 Sep 1964

Mr. and Mrs. Peter Mendalski observed their golden wedding anniversary on Saturday, August 23, when they were honored at a dinner and reception given by their seven children at Koolmo’s, Gilman, Wis.

The jubilarians began their day with the renewal of their marriage vows at a nine-fifteen Solemn High Mass at St. Hedwig’s Church before an altar adorned with white gladiolus and yellow pompoms.

The bride of fifty years wore a white and gold dress with black accessories and wore an orchid corsage.

The groom of fifty years wore a yellow rose boutonniere on his blue suit lapel.

Breakfast was served at their home for approximately fifty guests; the table adorned with white tablecloth and gold bells with a gold vase with gold roses and gold ferns.

A dinner and reception followed at Koolmo’s for approximately one hundred guests with the Jolly Polkateers furnishing the music for dancing.

Two granddaughters, Miss Ross Smoczyk and Miss Barbara Luzinski, pinned each guest with a gold corsage and also were in charge of the guest book.

The couple and their immediate family dined at a table set with a beautifully decorated cake in gold, beside which two white candles with the numerals “fifty” in gold were lighted. The centerpiece was of yellow roses and white pompoms. Budvases were on all other tables.

The oldest daughter, Mrs. Frances Smoczyk, cut the cake.

The jubilarians were the recipients of many beautiful gifts and purses of money.

A beautiful centerpiece made by Mrs. Adeline Krackett of Chicago, cousin of Mrs. Peter Mendalski, was adorned with gold lace, a gold ribbon and bows and a clergy dressed in white reading a Bible, a groom dressed in black suit, and bride in dress of gold, with gold candles and bells. 4 wreaths of gold marked “50” encircled a gold money tree also placed on the table and given to the celebrants. Adeline was a flower girl 50 years ago to her cousin then.

Mary Wasilewski and Peter Mendalski were united in marriage at St. Mary’s church at Stanley, Wis., fifty years ago and are still engaged in farming.

Their seven children are: Mrs. Frank (Frances) Smoczyk, Thorp; Miss Martha Mendalski, Argo, Ill.; Mrs. Peter (Rose) Luginski, Chicago, Illinois; Theodore, Chicago, Illinois; Thomas Mendalski, Hammond, Ind.; Richard Berkeley, Ill.; and Mrs. Joseph (Bernice) Pletka, Thorp. They also have sixteen grandchildren. All the children were present.

Guests for the memorable day attended from St. Paul, Minn., Berkeley, Chicago, Waukegan and Bensenville, Illinois; Calumet City and Hammond, Indiana, Minden City, Ukly and Ruth, Mich.; Newburg, New York; Athens, Cornell, Gilman, and Thorp, Wis.