Anchorage Daily News

FEB. 22, 1958

Rita and Jim Shiffer

Rita and Jim Shiffer will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary with their family and parishioners of St. Patrick's Parish during the 5 p.m. Mass on Feb. 23.

The Shiffers are also expecting some members of their original wedding party to join them in Alaska this summer for fishing, sightseeing and catching up on old times.

Rita and Jim were married Feb. 22, 1958, in St. Phillip Neri Church in Omaha, Neb.

They met in college. Rita opened the door of a parked car, and Jim fell out into a snowbank. Rita had recently graduated from the College of Saint Mary and was teaching school, while Jim was attending Creighton University.

When they married, Jim was on active duty with the Army, and he was deployed to Korea shortly after the wedding.

They moved to Alaska in 1971 with their four children after a downturn in the Kansas economy. The family arrived in Alaska with 50 silver dollars, driving a pickup camper for delivery to a local dealer.

"We are happy to say we still have the 50 silver dollars," the couple wrote.

They joined St. Patrick's Parish in 1971 and, except for a few years in Washington, D.C., have been active in the parish ever since. Jim and Rita were the first lay people to direct the Family Life Office of the Archdiocese of Anchorage. They started their ministry as coordinators of the Catholic Engaged Encounter in Anchorage and helped many couples prepare for marriage.

Both retired from the Department of the Interior in 1995. They divide their time between Alaska and traveling in their motor home. Jim enjoys fishing and golf. Rita is an avid quilter.

The couple raised two sons and two daughters: Mike Shiffer, John Shiffer, Mary Lammers and Debbie Hollen, all of Anchorage. They have six grandchildren: Matt and Rachel Shiffer; Isaac, Sarissa and Eli Lammers; and Christopher Shiffer.

JUNE 7, 2008

Mandy Remus and Nate Becker

Mandy Remus and Nate Becker will marry June 7 in Mankato, Minn.

Mandy is the daughter of Brad and Deb Remus of Wasilla. She graduated from Wasilla High School in 2000 and from the University of Northern Colorado with a degree in finance in 2004. Mandy is a commercial lines underwriter for Allied Insurance. She enjoys camping and scrapbooking.

Nate is the son of Mike and Nora Becker of Eden Valley, Minn. He graduated from Eden Valley High School in 1999 and from the University of Minnesota in Morris with a degree in sports management in 2003. In 2004, Nate graduated from the University of Northern Colorado with a master's degree in sports administration. Nate is controller for The Orr Law Firm LLC. He enjoys camping and hunting.

The couple met while working for the University of Northern Colorado in 2003. Nate proposed in August 2006 while they were on a camping trip. They live in Aurora, Colo., with their puppy, Denali.

NOV. 24, 2007

Kimberly and Michael Kuntz

Kimberly Louise Jones and Michael Ray Kuntz were married Nov. 24 at South Anchorage Church of Christ.

They met Sept. 4, 2005, while working as stockers at the Anchorage Area Commissary on Elmendorf Air Force Base. They became engaged May 13, 2006.

Kimberly is the daughter of Master Sgt. and Mrs. JP Jones. She graduated from the Interior Distance Education of Alaska (IDEA) home school program in 2006 and enjoys photography and playing with her nephews and nieces. Kimberly works for the 49th Military Police Brigade (Alaska State Defense Force).

Michael is the son of Juli Moore. During the summers, he plays paintball on the Icemen team. He also enjoys spending time with close family members and friends.

The ceremony was officiated by the bride's brother, Staff Sgt. Joshua Jones Sr., and her father. Bradley Karella was best man, and Timothy Rodamaker was groomsman. Melissa Jones-Brunner was maid of honor, and Sarah Jones was bridesmaid. Both are sisters of the bride. Joshua Jones Jr. was ring bearer, and Courtney Jones-Brunner was flower girl.

The reception followed at the Hilton Anchorage.

OCT. 4, 2008

Seda Vural and Jeremiah Remus

Seda Vural of Istanbul, Turkey, and Jeremiah Remus of Wasilla will marry Oct. 4 at Pinehurst Resort in Pinehurst, N.C.

Seda is the daughter of Osman and Hacer Vural of Istanbul. She graduated from Besiktas Ataturk Anatolian High School in 2001 and Sabanci University in 2005 with a degree in computer science. She is a graduate student in the Department of Computer Science at Duke University in Durham, N.C.

Jeremiah is the son of Bradley and Debra Remus of Wasilla. He graduated from Wasilla High School in 1997, the University of Idaho in 2002 with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, and Duke University in 2007 with a doctorate in electrical engineering. Jeremiah is an assistant research professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Duke.

They met through a mutual friend on Sept. 17, 2005. Jeremiah proposed on Seda's birthday -- July 28 -- at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, N.C. They live in Durham.

JUNE 28, 2008

Olivia Webber and Jed Sims

Olivia Marie Webber and Jed Bernard Sims, both of Anchorage, will marry June 28 in Alaska.

Olivia is the daughter of Mae Ramsay of Orange County, Calif. She graduated from Trabuco Hills High School in 2000. Olivia is pursuing a bachelor's degree in nursing at the University of Alaska Anchorage. She works for the Egan Civic and Convention Center.

Jed is the son of Patricia Sims and Steve Sims of Anchorage. He graduated from East High School in 1992 and from the University of the Pacific in Stockton, Calif., in 1997 with a bachelor's degree in history. He also graduated from the University of Alaska Anchorage in 2001 with a bachelor's degree in Spanish and from San Diego State in 2003 with a degree in education. Jed is a Spanish teacher at South High School.

Olivia and Jed met in May 2003 through mutual friends in San Diego. They began dating a week later and moved to Alaska shortly afterward. Jed proposed Jan. 28 during a romantic ice skating adventure on Westchester Lagoon. They love the outdoors, traveling, watching movies, fishing, kayaking, skiing, snowboarding and spending time with their dogs, Sugar and Moses.

FEB. 18, 1983

Mary and Robert Hoekzema

Mary and Robert "Bob" Hoekzema will celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary today with skiing at Alyeska Resort. They were married Feb. 18, 1983, at their home in Anchorage, surrounded by their family, just months after their church, First Congregational, burned down.

The couple met through mutual friends, Steve and Mary Fechner of Anchorage. "Even after Bob managed to survive almost accidentally blowing up a cabin, the dog rolling in a salmon carcass, bear feces and many more trials over the years, we are still going strong," they wrote.

Bob was born and raised in Alaska. Mary was born in the Northwest and grew up in Washington and Idaho. They lived here until 1991, when they moved to Spokane, Wash. They returned to Alaska to spend time with their children, grandchildren and other family members.

The Hoekzemas enjoy cross-country skiing, hiking, walking their shelties, taking drives and, formerly, mining. Both are semiretired. They are active with First Congregational Church, the Anchorage Lions Club and the French Group.

They have three daughters, Gabrielle Beltz, Teresa Smith and Colette Moring, all of Anchorage; and 10 grandchildren. They expect to be great-grandparents in May.

AUG. 23, 2008

Miranda Roberts and Joe Richey

Miranda Roberts and Joe Richey of Seward will exchange vows on the beach at Lowell Point this summer.

Miranda is the daughter of Arthur and Connie Roberts of Eagle River. She earned a diploma from the Department of Labor and Workforce Development in Fairbanks in 2002. Miranda works for American Legion Post 5 and is a stay-at-home mom. She has three children: Julianna Emily Roberts, who lives in Eagle River with her parents and grandparents, and Chloe Sunray-Marie Roberts and Joeseph Levi Richey of Seward. She enjoys photography, reading and the outdoors.

Joe is the son of Julie Bright of Seward and Myron Richey of Springfield, S.D. He graduated from Western Nebraska Community College in 1999. Joe is a "jack-of-all-trades." He is enrolled in the University of Phoenix, pursuing an associate's degree in information technologies. Joe enjoys computers, fishing and the outdoors with his family.

The couple met in a taxi during the winter of 2003. "We have decided to continue this ride (of love) for eternity," they wrote.

JULY 3, 2008

Lakota Hillis and Thaddeus Du Bois

Lakota Crystal Hillis and Thaddeus Du Bois, both of Anchorage, will marry July 3 in North Webster, Ind., on the property of Thaddeus' parents. The ceremony will be part of a weeklong gathering of friends and family with daily activities. The Rev. John B. Lowell will officiate.

Lakota is the daughter of Sharon and Don Hillis of Whale Pass on Prince of Wales Island. She graduated from the University of Alaska Anchorage with a bachelor's degree in natural science. Lakota is pursuing a doctorate in physical therapy at East Tennessee State University.

Thaddeus is the son of Dennis and Julie Du Bois of North Webster. He has lived in Alaska since 1991 and graduated from UAA with a bachelor's degree in art. Thaddeus will continue pursuing a master's degree in sculpture in the Lower 48 and is accepting commissions.

The couple enjoy hiking, camping and traveling the world. After college, they will return to Alaska.

How to submit an announcement

To announce your wedding, engagement, special anniversary or milestone in the Daily News, information and pictures must be submitted at adn.com/help. Weddings, anniversaries and milestones (25-year minimum for anniversaries and milestones) must be submitted within three months of the event, engagements two months before the ceremony. At least one of the partners must be a current or former Alaska resident. Former residents must have graduated from a local high school. Any good JPEG photograph showing both partners is acceptable. The Daily News reserves the right to edit announcements. All submissions become the property of the Daily News. By submitting an item for publication, a person represents that he or she is authorized to submit that material and that the newspaper may use it in any format for any purpose without compensation to the owner.

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