BioM: Bell, Barbara Jean (1979)

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

Surnames: Bell, Whalen, Schwalow, Bawer, Rakestraw, Tess, Goetz, Lyons, Lindloff

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 5/17/1979

Bell, Barbara Jean (5 May 1979)

Wedding vows were exchanged Saturday afternoon, May 5, at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Neillsville between Barbara Jean Bell and Brian James Whalen, both of Minneapolis. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bob Bell, Rt. 3 Neillsville, while the groom’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. James Whalen, reside in Augusta. With the parents of the bride presenting her to the altar, the Rev. Norman W. Lindloff officiated.

The bride chose a floor-length gown with chapel train, high neckline, figure molding bodice, windswept skirt trimmed with silk Venice lace and a silk illusion fingertip veil. She carried a cascading bouquet of pine and white roses, forget-me-nots and baby’s breath.

Chosen as maid of honor was Sharon Schwalow, a friend of the bride from Minneapolis. She was joined in the party by Cathy Whalen, sister of the groom, Minneapolis, and Linda and Susan Bell, sisters of the bride from Neillsville. They wore floor-length gowns of white organza and purple tulip print, purple cummerbunds and white ribbons in their hair. Each carried a single white rose, surrounded by pink forget-me-nots, purple star flowers and baby’s breath.

Bill Whalen, the brother of the groom from Stevens Point, was bestman. He was joined by Bradley and Bob Whalen, brothers from Augusta. Ushering were Bruce Bawer of La Crescent, Mn., and Billy Rakestraw of Neillsville.

Mr. and Mrs. Paul Tess offered music at the services.

Following the exchange of vows, a dinner was held in St. John’s Lutheran School, a reception at the bride’s parents’ home and a dance at the Silver Dome Ballroom.

Prenuptial events included a shower given at the Bob Bell home, March 17, hosted by Lynn Goetz, Marcel Lyons and Linda, Susan, and Cheryl Bell; another shower, March 28, in Minneapolis hosted by Cathy Whalen and Sharon Schwalow; and a shower, April 14, at the groom’s aunts in Waukon, Ia.
And a rehearsal dinner was given by the groom’s parents at the Wildcat Inn.

The bride graduated from Neillsville High School in 1977 and from the Minnesota School of Business in 1978. She is a legal secretary in Minneapolis. The groom is a 1964 graduate of Cumberland High School and is now a student at the Minnesota School of Business. Prior to making Minneapolis their home address, the couple spent a honeymoon in Montreal, Wis.