Anchorage Daily News

JUNE 27, 1953

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Clotilde and Francisco Marrero

Longtime Anchorage residents Francisco and Clotilde Marrero celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary June 27 with a family dinner at their home.

They were students in Colon, Panama, when they were introduced by a friend at a school dance. They married, and while Clotilde took care of their home and five children, Francisco studied to become a teacher.

They moved to Alaska in the '80s and say they have enjoyed all Alaska has to offer.

They have 13 grandchildren: Joel, Tahila, Nicole, Diandra, Ronald Jr., Sophia, Michelle, Monica, Alex, Spencer, Crisia, Josie, Byron; and three great-grandchildren: Ronald III, Diandre and Selia.

Clotilde enjoyed her 14 years as a seamtress at Nordstrom. She continues to sew and design clothes. Francisco enjoyed teaching in Alaska and has many fond memories of his students. One of his favorite pastimes now is watching the news with his German shepherd, Lucky Boy.

JULY 5, 2008

Cheri and Jim Letts

Cheri Traini Rude and Jim Letts met by fate in December 2007, and the happy couple married July 5.

Cheri is the daughter of Marvin and Donna Rude of Kenai and Mesquite, Nev. She is an Allstate insurance agent and received licenses in personal lines and property and casualty in summer 2007.

Jim is the son of Howard Letts and the late Peggy Pennington of Anchorage. He is president of Sheet Metal Inc., a mechanical contracting company. Both are working together to maximize its success.

The bride's daughter, Ashley, was maid of honor. Bridesmaids were Casey Lewis and Lori Rude. Rob Chiaponne of Des Moines, Iowa, was best man. Groomsmen were Eric Bjelland and Brian Whetstone. The bride's youngest daughter, Kaitlyn, was flower girl, and Wyatt Lewis was ring bearer. Justin Wetzel was usher, and Matt Rude was photographer.

The couple share the bride's two beautiful girls and hope to be blessed with another soon.

When not working, they can be found at the beach relaxing or cruising and fishing on their 28-foot ocean boat or yachting in Mexico. They plan to live in Anchorage.

JULY 22, 1958

Arletta and Robert Belcher

Bob and Arletta Belcher of Anchorage will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary July 20 with family, relatives and friends at Henry's Restaurant.

Bob and Arletta met at Center Bowl in Anchorage in spring 1958. He was in the Air Force. They were married in Georgia and lived in Orlando, Fla., where Bob was stationed. They returned to Alaska in 1959.

Bob worked at several jobs before joining Laborers Local 341 in 1960. In 1974, he joined Operating Engineers Local 302. He retired from the Laborers in 1986 and continued working for the Operators until he retired in 1988 in order to help care for his son, Robert S., who was injured in a construction accident in 1982.

Arletta was mainly a housewife and worked part time for Alaska Chiropractic Arts and Lorene's Bridle Shop in the University Center mall.

They raised four sons: Jay of Anchorage (married to Debbie Moe), Robert S. of Anchorage, Kelly of Tacoma, Wash., and Brian of Rochester, N.H. (married to Meegan Matheis).

They are also proud grandparents of Stacy, Dustin, Liam and Laurel.

JUNE 4, 1983

Corinne and Mike McVee

Corinne Williams McVee and Michael C. McVee of Anchorage celebrated their 25th anniversary June 4. They were married at East Anchorage United Methodist Church on June 4, 1983.

To celebrate the anniversary, they camped at Montana Creek and in Denali National Park, where they spent the first part of their honeymoon. Mike presented Corinne with a replica of her wedding bouquet, made by the same florist, June of Flowers by June. The couple gave each other silver medallions from the Alaska Mint, without knowing each other's plans.

Corinne, a flute player, and Mike, a horn player, met while both were members of the University of Alaska Anchorage's Wind Ensemble. They began dating while playing in the pit orchestra for a local production of "The King and I." They began building a house together in 1985-86.

Corinne taught music in Anchorage and Mat-Su for more than 24 years and is now a grant writer for the Anchorage School District. Mike is a retired ASD science teacher. He now works as a tour guide driver, school test administrator and substitute teacher.

Both are musicians in several community ensembles. They enjoy pets, travel and fishing and are still working on finishing the house.

SEPT. 6, 2008

Saska Ann Schmidt and Matthew Hall

Susan Cooper has announced the engagement of her daughter, Saska, to Matt Hall. A Sept. 6 outdoor wedding on the riverbank is planned in Rhododendrum, Ore.

Saska, born in Palmer, attended Portland State University and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in art history and sculpture. Like her grandmother Bess Cooper, Saska has traveled extesively in South America and Europe, including running with the bulls in Spain.

Matt attended Portland NW College of the Arts and has bicycled alone across the U.S. and now races. He has also traveled extensively. The couple live and work in Portland.

Saska is the daughter of Susan Cooper and Dorin David of Washington and Paul and Dee Schmidt of New Mexico. She is the granddaughter of the late Judge Earl Cooper (active in the Alaska territorial legislature as well as a Superior Court judge) and the late Bess Cooper, longtime teacher at North Star Elementary who also taught in Ethiopia, Thailand and Iran. Saska was raised in Wasilla and Spokane, Wash.

Matt is the son of Vern and Marsha Barid of Klamath Falls, Ore., and Michael and Penny Hall of Texas. Matt grew up and graduated from high school in Klamath Falls.

MAY 16, 2008

Kikkan Randall and Jeff Ellis

Kikkan Randall of Anchorage and Jeff Ellis of Orangeville, Ontario, were married May 16 at Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge.

Kikkan is the daughter of Ronn and Deborah Randall of Anchorage. She is a 2001 graduate of East High School and is a student at Alaska Pacific University. A member of APU nordic ski team, she is a two-time U.S. Olympian and in December became the first U.S. woman to win a nordic World Cup race.

Jeff is the son of Don and Diane Ellis of Orangeville. He is a 2002 graduate of the University North Carolina Chapel Hill, where he earned a degree in international studies. He is a former 400-meter hurdler for Canada and is a current member of the APU nordic ski team. Jeff hopes to make the 2010 Canadian Olympic team.

The couple's APU ski coach, Erik Flora, officiated the wedding in front of an arch built of nordic skis with Mount McKinley in the background. About 150 guests attended.

The couple took a honeymoon trip to Moab, Utah.

OCT. 11, 2008

Tara Freres and Brett Dieffenbach

Brett Allen Dieffenbach and Tara Leigh Freres will marry Oct. 11 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Las Vegas. They live in Yerington, Nev.

Tara was born in Santa Ana, Calif., and raised in Las Vegas. Tara is the daughter of Judy and Tom Freres of Las Vegas. She is a 2002 graduate of Centennial High School and is pursuing teaching certification in elementary education from the University of Nevada Reno

Brett was born and raised in Anchorage and is a 2000 graduate of Service High School. Brett is the son of Chandra and Don Dieffenbach of Anchorage. He attended the University of Nevada Reno and earned a bachelor's degree in criminal justice in 2005. He then attended the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law, graduating with a degree of Juris Doctor. Brett is a judicial clerk for the 3rd Judicial District Court of Nevada.

JULY 26, 2008

Danielle Bischoff and Colin Fay

Lifelong Alaskans Danielle Bischoff and Colin Fay of Eagle River will marry July 26 at St. Andrew's Parish in Eagle River. The ceremony will be co-officiated by Pastor Ed Gardner of Riverside Community Church and the Rev. Leo Walsh of St. Andrew's Parish.

Danielle and Colin met in high school at a Science Olympiad meeting and have been best friends since. In their free time from college they work together on the Mont Ripley Ski Patrol in Ripley, Mich., and volunteer at the local Humane Society.

Danielle is the daughter of Robert "Buff" and Diane Bischoff of Eagle River. Danielle graduated in May from Michigan Technological University with a degree in civil engineering.

Colin is the son of Brian and Rita Fay of Eagle River. Colin will be a senior at Michigan Tech, pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering.

The couple intend to return to Alaska after Colin gets his degree.

DEC. 27, 2008

Sandra Big Shield and Charles Hess

Sandra May Big Shield and Charles Aaron Hess will marry Dec. 27 at the Alaska Native Heritage Center. They picked this date because their wedding will be in remembrance of Sandra's loving mother, Rebecca "Becky" Ruth Iyahuk, who recently died of natural causes in Anchorage at age 53.

Sandra's father and stepmother are Wilson and Adeline Big Shield of Juneau. She graduated from West High School in 1998. Sandra was valedictorian of her class at Career Academy in 2004 and earned a diploma in business adminstration. Sandra has worked for NANA Development and NANA Regional Corp., Curnow's Tax Service and Southcentral Foundation. Her hobbies are basketball, Eskimo dancing and photography. Her children are Karen and Kaleb Big Shield.

Charles is the son of Felix and Alice Hess of Anchorage. He attended Mt. Edgecumbe school in Sitka and West High and graduated in 1998. Charles obtained a GED from Alaska Workforce and Development in 2003. He has worked for Calista Camp Services for the last two years. His hobbies are basketball and being a father to their son (his firstborn), Isaac John Hess.

AUG. 30, 2008

Julie Wolfgram and William Suellentrop

Julie Ann Wolfgram and William Neal Suellentrop, both of Bellevue, Neb., will marry Aug. 30.

Julie Ann is the daughter of Richard and Joyce Wolfgram of Norfolk, Neb. She graduated from Madison High School in Madison, Neb., in 2000. She earned an associate's degree in broadcasting/marketing from Northeast Community College in 2002. She works for Hy-Vee as a catering/special events coordinator

William is the son of Thomas and Mary Suellentrop of Chugiak. He graduated from Chugiak High School in 1998. William is a sergeant in the Army, currently stationed in Omaha as a recruiter.

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