Anchorage Daily News

SEPT. 3, 1948

Gertrude and Ralph Fondell

Gertrude Franklin and Ralph Fondell were married Sept. 3, 1948, in Dawson, Minn. They met at Dawson in 1946 after Ralph's discharge from the U.S. Navy.

Last July, their five children, spouses and 11 of their 15 grandchildren celebrated the 60th anniversary at the Fondell home in Dawson, now owned by son, Dan. A second celebration, hosted by the family, was held Sept. 6 at Community Covenant Church in Eagle River. The program included a slide show of family and friends.

The Fondells, missionaries of Evangelical Covenant Church, moved to Nome in 1959 and were involved in the construction and management of KICY, the first Bush radio station in Alaska. They moved to Anchorage in 1984 to establish KCFA in Eagle River. Prior to Nome, they served at WMBI in Chicago, WHJC in West Virginia and WFLW in Kentucky.

Their five children include Kathy and Jim Congdon of Fairbanks, Dan and Luanne of Dawson, Becky and Wayne Carlson of Algonquin, Ill., Steve and Lynne of Tulsa, Okla., and John and TrucLien of Anchorage. The Fondells have 15 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

The Fondells retired in 1988 and continue to live in Eagle River. They are active at Community Covenant Church and with other activities.

SEPT. 27, 2008

Prissilla and Andrew Degner

Andrew Matthew Degner and Prissilla Grace Maddox were married Sept. 27 with their families in attendance. A formal wedding will take place in Anchorage during the summer of 2009.

The couple met while attending the Alaska Military Youth Academy in 1999.

Andrew is the son of Fran and Norman Degner of Wrangell. He is a piledriver journeyman with Piledrivers and Divers Local 2520.

Prissilla is the daughter of Diane and Jerry Charpentier of Franklin, La. She is a team leader with Alaska Military Youth Academy.

OCT. 26, 1973

Betty and James Newsom

Betty and James Newsom celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary Oct. 26. They will travel to Las Vegas and Washington state and plan to celebrate with a family cruise in the spring.

Betty and James grew up in Jacksonville, Fla., and met through James' younger brother. After a short, long-distance courtship while James attended jet-engine training school, the couple married in Jacksonville on Oct. 26, 1973. They honeymooned in St. Augustine, Fla., and still have receipt for their hotel bill, which totaled $16.64.

An enlisted airman first class with the U.S. Air Force, James was stationed at Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota, where the couple lived for the first seven months of their marriage. James then spent a year on a short tour in Thailand, and Betty moved back to Jacksonville. After returning to the United States, James was stationed at Eglin Air Force Base in Fort Walton Beach, Fla., where the couple's first two daughters were born. After a few years at Shaw Air Force Base in Sumter, S.C., and another daughter, the Newsoms threw all three girls and a dog into a Chevy Conversion Van in early 1986, and headed for Alaska, where James was stationed at Elmendorf. The couple made their home in Anchorage and have been here ever since.

James retired as a master sergeant with the U.S. Air Force in 1993 and works as a maintenance technician for the Aircraft Service International Group. Betty works as an office manager for the Caring for Women clinic at Alaska Regional Hospital.

The Newsoms enjoy league bowling, traveling, and spending time with their three beautiful daughters, Amanda, Jamie and Jennifer, all of Anchorage.

MARCH 21, 2009

Talitha Birch and Carter Henry

Chris and Pam Birch of Anchorage are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Talitha "Tali" Ann Birch to Carter Herak Henry, the son of Ken and Cynthia Henry of Fairbanks.

Carter is a graduate of Montana State University in Bozeman, where he earned a degree in business marketing. He runs his family business, Hops Hallmark stores, in Anchorage.

Tali is a graduate of the University of Washington and Lewis & Clark's Northwestern School of Law. She practices law in Anchorage.

The couple will marry in Anchorage on March 21 (spring equinox).

JUNE 21, 2008

Erin Royal and Derek Clark

Erin Royal and Derek Clark were married June 21 at the Alaska Railroad Historic Depot in downtown Anchorage. They are high school sweethearts and live in Reno, Nev.

Wedding festivites included a trip to Seward on the Alaska Railroad and a rehearsal dinner at the bridegroom's father's home with pizza from Moose's Tooth, the couple's favorite restaurant.

The ceremony was held at the historic depot, where the bride loved working during the summers in college. The Rev. Ken Denny officiated. The bride's friend, Ann Baxter, was maid of honor. Bridesmaids were the bride's friends, Britt Rognes and Megan Fleming, and the bridegroom's sister-in-law, Melissa Clark. Erin's cousin, Kendall Snyder, was flower girl.

Derek's brothers, Rob Clark and Shawn Clark, were best men. Groomsmen were his friends, BJ Hornak and Chrys Fleming. His nephew, Chase Clark, was ring bearer. Ushers were Jonathan Hornak and Andrew Hornak.

Dinner and dancing followed at Josephine's at the Sheraton Anchorage Hotel, complete with "breathtaking" views of Mount McKinley enjoyed by friends and family from the Lower 48.

The couple honeymooned in Bodega Bay and California wine country. They enjoy hiking and camping with their dogs, Healy and Brooks. They plan to return to Anchorage after Erin graduates from medical school to be with their families.

Erin is the daughter of Elaine Royal of Anchorage and Paul Royal of Anchorage. She graduated from Texas A&M University in 2004 with a degree in biology. Erin attends medical school at the University of Nevada School of Medicine.

Derek is the son of Deborah Cloutier of Anchorage and John Clark of Anchorage. He graduated from Texas A&M University in 2004 with a degree in industrial distribution. Derek is a program manager for Microsoft.

Both graduated from Service High School in 2000.

NOV. 1, 1958

Joanne and Allen Odom

The daughters of Joanne and Allen Odom (Theresa and Lisa) wrote the following on behalf of their parents' 50th wedding anniversary: "Fifty years ago, a handsome young man just out of the Air Force married a beautiful young lady he met at his aunt's house in Colorado. They traveled north to Alaska to make their home and family. Through the years, there were three children, three grandchildren, and many family and friends who added richness to their life together.

"Allen and Joanne, a happy and committed couple, have been though good and trying times together and handled them with grace and class. They have made a lasting commitment to a wonderful life together and shown their children and grandchildren how to be good partners and good people. We wish them a bright and happy future together in the years to come. On this, their golden anniversary, we wish them all the best."

JUNE 7, 2008

Stephani and Matthew Lacher

Stephani Helms and Matthew Lacher were married June 7 on the stairs at the Bill Sheffield Railroad Depot at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport.

The event was officiated by Richard Faulkner, a close family friend. Bridesmaids included the bride's two sisters, Kelly Helms and Andrea Korican, as well as her two best friends, Jenny Lauesen and Natalie Travis. Groomsmen were Brian Weaver, Adam Dugan, Whitney Bernson and Jonah Shotter.

Stephani is the daughter of Stephen and Linda Helms of Anchorage.

She graduated from Service High School in 2000 and earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Alaska Anchorage.

She works at the family business, Greer Tank Inc.

Matthew is the son of Richard and Bonnie Lacher of Pittsburgh, Pa.

He graduated from Freedom Area High School in 2000 and joined the U.S. Army in 2005. Matthew was in the 509th Airborne Unit stationed at Fort Richardson. He attends UAA.

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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