BioM: Meinholdt, Jo Ann (1981)

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

Surnames: Meinholdt, Champa, Rosinski, Simonson, Slamendra, Spalding, Gosar, Gron, Mertens, York

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 6/11/1981

Meinholdt, Jo Ann (23 May 1981)

The Rev. Michael Mertens and Alwyn York officiated at the wedding of Jo Ann Meinholdt and John L. Champa on Saturday afternoon, May 23, at St. Mary’s Ca4tholioc Church in Greenwood.

A brother of the bride, Eddie Rosinski, Sr., gave the bride away. Attending the bride as matron of honor was Idagene Simonson, daughter of the bride, from Ripon. She was joined by Jean Champa, a sister-in-law of the groom from Cleveland, Ohio. Frank Champa, a brother of the groom from Cleveland, Ohio, was bestman. He was joined by Dan Simonson, son-in-law of the bride from Ripon.

Serving as ringbearer was Mathew Simonson, grandson of the bride from Ripon. Lisa Slamendra of La Grange, Illinois, and Jennifer Spalding of East Lake, Ohio, both great nieces of the honored couple, were flower girls.

“Oh, Perfect Love” and “The Wedding Song” were the special music offerings at the service by Margaret Gosar of Greenwood.

The bride chose a long turquoise gown of organza, embroidered with rose buds between the lace edges and adorned with lace-edged bishop sleeves and chapel train. She carried a bouquet of silk flowers, a while rose and lilies of the valley, adorned with lace ribbon. She also wore stephanotis in her hair. The matron of honor wore a gown of daisy print in gold. The bridesmaid wore a brown gown in a white floral print. They carried bouquets of silk flowers, stephanotis, turquoise daisies and a gold rose bud, all tied with lace ribbon. They wore matching gold roses in their hair. The groom and his attendants wore casual suits.

Prenuptial events included a shower held in Ripon and hosted by Idagene Simonson of Ripon and Sue Gron of Berwyn, Illinois.

The couple will make their home in Greenwood. The bride attended Depue, Illinois, High School and is now retired from a nurses’ assistant position at Neillsville Memorial Hospital. Her husband attended Blackberry School in Willard and is a retired farmer.