BioA: Bruhn, Mr. and Mrs. Earl (Golden - 1982)

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

Surnames: Bruhn, Schweinler, Williams, Raines, Sebesta, Feuerstein, Clark

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 6/17/1982

Bruhn. Mr. and Mrs. Earl (Golden – 31 May 1982)

The three children of Ione and Earl Bruhn stood at the altar in the Neillsville United Church of Christ on Sunday afternoon as their parents renewed their marriage vows of 50 years ago. The Rev. Gary Clark not only conducted the service but sang “The Lord’s Prayer” for the honored couple.

The families of the Bruhn children, who are Mrs. Chester (Judy) Williams of Oak Creek, W. Jay Bruhn of Raleigh, North Carolina, and Mrs. Roney (Wynn) Raines of Plantation, Florida, were seated with other relatives and friends in church. The Bruhn’s have eight grandchildren.

A reception followed with more than 200 signing the guest book. The floral centerpiece was made up of crocheted carnations in gold, white and bronze which their daughter Judy had made. She also made the carnation corsage and boutonniere.

A niece, Elaine Sebesta, Neillsville, and Judy Williams made and decorated the wedding cake, which was topped with a miniature Little Brown Church. The placemats at the head table were also imprinted with the story of the Little Brown Church.

The former Ione Schweinler is a Neillsville native. Her parents were Dr. and Mrs. Fredrich Schweinler. She had received her education in Neillsville and had become a telephone operator in Green Bay before her marriage.

Earl Bruhn, known to his friends as “Slim,” is a native of Antigo, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Bruhn. He had worked with Martin Feuerstein in Marshfield for eight years before he and Feuerstein came to Neillsville and opened B & F Machine Shop. “Slim” retired in 1973.

The young couple had heard about the Little Brown Church in the Vale and went to Nashua, Iowa, to be married on May 31, 1932. Their witnesses were recruited from a fruit and vegetable stand not far away.

The Bruhns have lived in Neillsville since their marriage. Since 1942, they have made their home at 205 Hewett Street. For several years, Mrs. Bruhn was a census enumerator in central Wisconsin.

They are members of the United Church of Christ and the Clark County Historical Society. He is also a member of the Masonic Lodges, the Shrine and the Consistory; she is active in the Eastern Star. They both like to bowl, play cards and take part in all sorts of recreation. Through the years they have travelled in all of the states except Alaska.

Another highlight of the summer for the couple will be attending the reunion of couples married at the Little Brown Church who have been married for 50 years or more.