Anchorage Daily News

MAY 13, 1958

Sallie and Norman Hogg

Sallie and Norman Hogg celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary May 13, recalling that in this world in need of peace, they married in Fairbanks in a church by the Chena River, which flows into the larger Tanana, the still-larger Yukon, and finally into the Bering Sea, the Pacific, the "ocean of peace," our planet's largest ocean, a reminder that peace is larger and deeper than war.

Following their wedding they, with backpacks and a tent, set out to see the world and to have a large, lovable and loving family. Both dreams have been gloriously fulfilled. They and their children, Tad, Roen, Roenna and Tanya, visited many countries, Norman working in some, and when back in Alaska again, as previously, he worked helping people with disabilities become employable and employed.

Yes, the world is big and round, as is also peace which is wholeness, oneness, and yes, goodness flows, circulates, reaches like rivers everywhere.

"All real living is meeting" and "reverence for life" are two of their favorite 20th-century expressions.

Every day for Sallie and Norman is a celebration of the love and goodness in not only Alaska but the world.

JUNE 21, 2008

Sarah and Jason Dresnek

Sarah Christensen of Kenai and Jason Dresnek of Chugiak were married June 21 in Chugiak. Jeremiah Sterling officiated.

Sarah is the proud parent of Angelina and Alisabeth.

Jason is the son of Mike and Marilyn Dresnek. He is the operations manager for DiTomaso's.

JUNE 27, 1950

Rita and David Droege

Rita A. (Cullen) Droege and David A. Droege were married June 27, 1950, in Wiota, Iowa. They moved to Anchorage soon after, settled and started their family. They were blessed with 10 children, 32 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. The family will celebrate a private anniversary party. The family asks for prayers for the continued health of both of their parents. Mr. and Mrs. Droege renewed their vows at Holy Spirit retreat house. The Rev. Buse celebrated with Dave and Rita. Some of the family members attended. The couple extends thanks for calls and visits by friends in and out of state.

JULY 3, 1958

Marian and Harry A. Odden Jr.

Marian and Harry A. Odden Jr. celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary July 3. An intimate group of friends and family attended a celebration June 28 at the Mountain View Lions Club. The celebration was hosted by the couple's children, after which Harry and Marian rode in a limousine.

The Oddens met in 1956 while both attended the University of Montana. He put his arm around a lovely young co-ed and was promptly pushed into a snowbank for his trouble by a girl from Alaska who new the value of snow on a fresh young man. This set much of the tone for their next 50 years. After Harry graduated in 1958, he came to Anchorage (where Marian and her family lived), and they were married at First Presbyterian Church.

Harry began teaching at Anchorage High School, later to become West High. Marian worked as a secretary at the Civil Aeronautics Administration. Harry left teaching and began a career with Goodyear Tire in 1963. Things were looking up for the young couple, and they purchased their home in 1966. That home still serves as the center of a family that includes three children, Harry Odden III, Lelia Odden and Ruth Coe; and two grandchildren, Sidney Coe and Emily Coe, all of Anchorage. Harry retired in 1993 after 30 years of service traveling the state.

AUG. 8, 2008

Stephanie Worley and Scott Halama

Stephanie Worley and Scott Halama will marry Aug. 8 in Dutch Harbor.

Stephanie is the daughter of Boyd and Jean Worley of Skagway. She graduated from Skagway High School in 1985 and from the University of Idaho with a bachelor's degree in communications in 1988. Stephanie is a U.S. Customs and Border Patrol officer in Anchorage. She has a daughter, Jayne Eddy, and likes gardening, photography, reading and jigsaw puzzles.

Scott is the son of Joyce Halama of Columbia Falls, Mont., and Steve Halama of Eureka, Mont. He graduated from Columbia Falls (Montana) High School in 1981. Scott is employed as a stevedore with Pacific Stevedoring in Dutch Harbor. He has two daughters, Sarah Halama and Melissa Halama. Scott likes to fish, hunt and work in the yard.

JUNE 21, 2009

Blair Chenoweth and Levi Robinson

Anchorage residents Blair Chenoweth and Levi Robinson became engaged Feb. 19 and are planning their wedding for summer solstice (June 21, 2009) in Girdwood. Levi popped the question while visiting Blair in Oklahoma City. She was performing with the national tour of the Broadway musical "Movin' Out." After her performance, they went to their hotel room, where Levi had Blair's favorite flowers and their favorite song playing. He got on one knee and ask for her hand in marriage.

They met in high school and officially started dating in 2001. They have a Yorkie, Buster Brown.

Blair is the daughter of Lane and Janie Chenoweth. She graduated from Dimond High School in 2000 and the University of Oklahoma in 2003 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in ballet performance. Blair works as a professional dancer and when in Anchorage teaches at Alaska Dance Theatre. Blair was Miss Alaska 2003 and Miss Alaska USA 2007.

Levi is the son of Judd and Cheryl Robinson of Anchorage. He graduated from Service High School in 1998 and from Texas Christian University (where he played baseball) in 2004 with a Bachelor of Business Administration in finance. Levi was drafted by the Orioles in 2002 and works as a financial adviser at UBS.

SEPT. 17, 1958

Montalene and John D. Murray

Longtime Alaskans Dan and Monty Murray of Soldotna will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary Sept. 17. They met in Rapid City, S.D. Monty grew up in Custer, S.D., and Dan was an airman stationed at Ellsworth Air Force Base. They were married in Edgemont, S.D., on Sept. 17, 1958.

After Dan finished his enlistment, he went to work for the Federal Aviation Administration as an air traffic controller. Ready for adventure, he accepted a two-year assignment in Alaska and moved his family to Anchorage in 1963. And what an adventure it was. Dan and Monty spent the next 30-plus years raising their four daughters (Lori, Patty, Mary and Sharon) in a variety of Bush stations including Farewell, Woody Island, Northway, Juneau, Valdez and King Salmon. While living in King Salmon, Monty went back to work, dispatching for the police department, PenAir and MarkAir. Along the way, they also acquired sons-in-law Bill, Scott and Mark and grandchildren Katie, Matt, Gio and Vince.

Dan and Monty retired in 1992 and returned to Phillips, Wis., where Dan grew up. Although they enjoyed living closer to family, they missed Alaska and their friends. In 2004, they sold their house, packed up their things and moved to Soldotna.

In honor of 50 years of "new adventures" in the life of Dan and Monty Murray, all who have shared in these adventures are invited to join the whole Murray clan at a celebration picnic Aug. 9 at Funny River Community Center in Soldotna. For more information and to RSVP, call Patty at 1-907-235-3717, or visit www.danmonty50th.blogspot.com.

MAY 24, 2008

Ashley Nading and Seth Gordon

Ashley Jean Nading and Seth Austin Gordon were married May 24 at Rabbit Creek Community Church. The reception was at the Hotel Captain Cook, where the couple was joined by close family and friends. They plan to honeymoon when Ashley graduates from nursing school.

Ashley is the daughter of Mel and Denise Nading of Anchorage. She graduated from Dimond High School in 2004 and is a nursing student at the University of Alaska Anchorage, where she is pursuing a bachelor's degree to become a registered nurse.

Seth is the son of Stephen and Helen Gordon of Redding, Calif. He graduated from Etna High School in Etna, Calif., in 1993. After graduation, he joined the Army as an M-1 A-1 tank crewman. In 1999, he joined the Alaska Army National Guard and is a Blackhawk helicopter crew chief.

MAY 16, 2008

Katrina and Joshua Settles

Katrina Mae Peck and Joshua Ryan Settles, both of Anchorage, were married May 16 in Cancun, Mexico, at a picturesque gazebo overlooking the Caribbean Sea. Twenty-six family and friends traveled to the all-inclusive Moon Palace Resort, where they enjoyed numerous restaurants, swim-up pool bars, a water slide park, deep-sea fishing, Mayan Riviera tours and the Jack Nicklaus Golf Course.

Katrina's maid of honor was her younger sister, Brittany Peck, and bridesmaids included her childhood friend, Jessica Augdahl, and the bridegroom's younger sister, Danielle Settles. Josh's best man was Seth Stone, and his groomsman was Brandon Ross, both from Illinois.

Two memorable reception celebrations were held May 24 in both hometowns. The first was at KC Hall in Carrollton, Ill., and the second was at O'Malley's on the Green in Anchorage during the summer solstice on June 21.

The newlyweds reside in Anchorage with their American bulldog, Bristol.

Katrina is the daughter of Les and Wanda Peck of Anchorage. Her grandparents are the late John and Edna Brozena of Tacoma, Wash., and Daryle and Gloria Peck of Elko, Nev. Katrina graduated from Service High School in 1999 and from Southern Oregon University in 2004 with a bachelor's degree in business chemistry. She works as a material coordinator/buyer for Advanced Supply Chain International contracted to BPXA .

Josh is the son of Terry and Deb Settles of Greenfield, Ill. His grandparents are Cliff and Nancy Dawson and Warren and Barb Wagner of Rockbridge, Ill., and Helen Meneley of Greenfield. Josh graduated from Greenfield High School in 2002 and in 2005 received an associate's degree in fire science. He is employed by Elmendorf Air Force Base as a civil service firefighter and emergency medical technician III.

AUG. 31, 2008

Franceska Fairbanks and Tim Robinson

Franceska Fairbanks and Tim Robinson, both of Anchorage, will marry Aug. 31 at the Fairbanks family homestead on the Holitna River. The Rev. Chuck Peterson of Bethel will officiate.

A lifelong Alaskan, Cheska is the daughter of Debbie and Grant Fairbanks of Bethel. After her early years at the homestead, Cheska was raised in Bethel and graduated from Bethel Regional High School in 1995. She received a bachelor's degree in English from Gonzaga University in Spokane, Wash., in 2000. Cheska is a case manager with Southcentral Foundation and also works at Skinny Raven Sports.

Tim is the son of Christopher and Linda Robinson of Anchorage and Soldotna. Born in Jackson, Wyo., he moved with his family to Dillingham at age 3, then to Anchorage in 1990, where he graduated from Steller Secondary School in 1997. Tim received a bachelor's degree from St. John's College in Santa Fe, N.M., in 2002, and a master's degree in counseling psychology from Alaska Pacific University in 2007. He is a clinician with Alaska Children's Services and is a partner in LifeStory Arts.

Cheska and Tim met while working at Skinny Raven Sports. Tim selected Cheska's engagement ring in Beaune, France, as they traveled and ran together through Europe during May 2007. Never one to act in haste but always with an eye for the moment, Tim offered the ring to Cheska at sunset atop Monte Sol mountain overlooking Santa Fe, N.M., in March 2008.

Both enjoy running, cooking, travel, their families and friends, and their mutual love and companionship.

A "pre-ception" for friends and family will take place Aug. 2 at the Robinson home in Anchorage.

JULY 2, 2005

Andrea and Benjamin Putz

Andrea and Ben Putz of Fond du Lac, Wis., are celebrating their third wedding anniversary in Anchorage. They enjoy raising their dog, Ryley, and competing in triathlons. Andrea and Ben are visiting family and appreciating Alaska, one of God's gifts, they wrote.

How to submit a Together announcement

The Daily News publishes engagement, wedding and anniversary announcements every Monday at adn.com and in the Life & Style section. We have teamed with Legacy.com to offer guest books and photo galleries to accompany all announcements. Those placing an engagement announcement also have a convenient online gift registry. Couples are encouraged to personalize these new enhancements. After a submission is made to the Daily News, Legacy.com will contact the submitter with an e-mail that contains a link to the extra features.

We accept all anniversaries, for couples married just one year or 60. We accept submissions from former residents who did not grow up in Alaska. We have extended the deadline to submit weddings and anniversaries from three months to six.

Engagements start at $55 for up to 200 words. Wedding announcements start at $5 for up to 70 words. Anniversary announcements start at $10 for up to 70 words. Couples celebrating their 40th anniversary or beyond can place a free announcement of up to 200 words; 201 to 350 words is $75. More words costs extra.

No engagement, wedding or anniversary announcement may exceed 700 words. Our electronic forms count words as they are typed. Our online forms allow for photo uploads and secure payment. See our forms at adn.com/help. Our online forms help us process submissions as quickly and accurately as possible. A $15 service fee will be added for announcements that are e-mailed, dropped off at or mailed to the Daily News.

Please submit wedding and anniversary announcements no later than six months after the event. Engagement announcements should be submitted at least one month before the wedding day.

We continue to edit announcements for clarity and news style. All announcements become the property of the Anchorage Daily News and may be republished in any format.

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