BioM: Humphrey/Elmhorst (Weddings - 1978)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Humphrey, Elmhorst, Oestrich, Zoutendam, Bixby, Vaughn, Marg, Harder, Sternitzky, Decorah, Miller, Brennan, Saracoff, Berger, Hoeft

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 10/05/1978

Humphrey/Elmhorst (Weddings - 23/30 September 1978)

Mr. and Mrs. Wendell Elmhorst, Rt. 1, Neillsville, and Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Humphrey, St., Rt. 1 Chili, have been busy of late what with the preparation for two separate weddings one week apart. What makes a normal wedding event unusual is the fact that on September 23, Scott Elmhorst married Connie Humphrey, and on September 30, Gerald Humphrey, Jr., exchanged vows with Kristin Elmhorst. All are now interrelated brothers, brothers-in-law, sisters and sisters-in-laws. Also shared in the week apart-nuptials were some of the same groomsmen, the same soloist and accompanist and Kristin Elmhorst and Gerald Humphrey, the bride and groom to be, one week later serving as attendants in the earlier exchange of vows.

Connie Humphrey and Scott Elmhorst Nuptials:

On September 23 in a 2:00 p.m. mass at St. Stephen’s Catholic Church, Chili, Connie Marie Humphrey became the bride of Scott Elmhorst, with the Rev. Lawrence Berger officiating. Before and after the father of the bride gave her away, Rhonda Oestreich sang “The Lord’s Prayer,” “If” and “Follow Me,” accompanied by Beulah Zoutendam.

Carrying a bouquet of red roses, baby’s breath and English ivy, the bride was attired in a polyester cotton gown with an A-line ruffled skirt, complete with empire waist and sleeves trimmed with Chantilly lace. A chapel length train, edged with lace, was attached to the gown and a head piece trimmed with simulated seed pearls and appliques.

Serving as matron of honor was Carole Humphrey, Chili, who was joined by Laurie Bixby of Granton and Kristin Elmhorst of Neillsville. They carried pink carnations and red roses and wore gowns of blue featuring velvet cape collars encircling a V-neck with a shear bodice of light blue polyester. A set-in royal blue velvet panel was surrounded by a flare of light blue polyester in the floor-length gowns.

Wayne Vaughan, Spencer, served as bestman, and he was joined by Dave Marg of Neillsville and Gerald Humphrey, Jr., of Chili. Ushering wee Tim Harder of Greenwood and Brian Humphrey of Chili. They were attired in tuxedos of royal blue velvet and light blue.

The bride is a 1977 graduate of Granton High School, and the groom is a 1974 Graduate of Neillsville High School. A reception was held in the church parlor with a dance following at the Wendell Elmhorst farm. The couple planned a wedding trip to the Tomahawk area and will make their home on Rt. 1 Neillsville and will work as a farming couple with the groom’s parents.

Kristen Elmhorst and Gerald Humphrey’s Nuptials:

On September 30 at 1:00 p.m., Kristin Elmhorst and Gerald Humphrey, Jr., exchanged wedding vows in Calvary Lutheran Church in Neillsville with the Rev. Hoeft, Eau Claire officiating.

The father of the bride presented her to her new husband and the clergyman.

The bride chose a Quiana knit and Venetian lace gown in the empire style, complete with open neck, long sleeves and a skirt sweeping to a chapel train. He Quiana knit Juliet cap was trimmed with lace and held an elbow-length veil. She carried orange roses, red rover pompoms, bronze starflowers and German statice as a bouquet.

Ann Sternitzky, Madison, served as maid of honor, and was joined by Cindee Harder, Menomonie, and Connie Elmhorst and Rhonda Oestreich, both of Neillsville. They wore sleeveless, rust-colored gowns with ruffle trim, complimented with a rust, cream, brown and gold flowered shawl, trimmed with ecru lace. The flowers included red rover mums, bronze starflowers and dried fern.

Serving as bestman was Dave Marg of Neillsville, who was joined by Scott Elmhorst of Neillsville, Brian Humphrey of Chili and Brian Decorah of Tomah. Ushering were Wayne Vaughn of Spencer and Jeff Miller of Neillsville. All were attired in dark gray tuxedos.

Rhonda Oestreich sang “The Lord’s Prayer and “Whither Thou Goest,” accompanied by Beulah Zoutendam. After the services, a reception and dance was held at the Neillsville American Legion Hall.

Prenuptial events included a kitchen shower, hosted by Pat Brennan and Bobbie Saracoff at the Saracoff home.

The couple planned a wedding trip to Ellsworth AFB. South Dakota, where the groom was to be stationed on October 2. He is a security policeman with the Air Force.