Anchorage Daily News

Together (9/24/07) 1197859111411441

Judy and Bob Kron

Anchorage residents Judy and Bob Kron will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary Sept. 29 with family and friends. They were married Sept. 29, 1957, in Lawrence, Kan.

The couple wrote: "Once upon a time in a small Midwestern farm town, a striking, tall brunette took a fancy to a tall, muscular farmer named Carl Robert 'C.R.' Kron. Judy knew that dating Bob would be a challenge as he was several years her senior.

"The couple had a chance to meet at a diner where Judy worked and had the opportunity to dance and date shortly thereafter. The romance was interrupted when Bob was called to serve in the Marine Corps; he engaged in hand-to-hand combat in Korea. The countless letters and prayers from his attractive girl back home sustained Bob throughout the war, and his love for Judy grew stronger.

"Bob returned to North Loup, Neb., the romance continued and they were married. They moved to Colorado Springs, Colo., where Bob was a heavy-equipment operator building roads for the Forest Service in the Rocky Mountains. His loving wife supported this hardworking man and stayed home to raise their three young sons. The young family lived the Rocky Mountain dream, enjoying a mountain retreat near Cripple Creek, Colo., where they rode horses and fished the local lakes."

In 1970, Bob followed a childhood dream of moving to Alaska; Judy and the boys followed in the spring. Bob and Judy developed a road-grading business together and later started Big Dipper Drilling, drilling water wells in Wasilla for many years. Judy worked for 24 years at Anchorage Telephone Utility, attaining the level of commercial marketing supervisor before her retirement in 1994.

The Krons have traveled extensively during retirement and enjoy winter breaks at their home in Scottsdale, Ariz. They have three sons and two daughters-in-law: Jeff Kron, Robert and Laurie Kron, and Paul and Cherie Kron, all of Anchorage.

AUG. 11, 1957

Cheryl and John Riggs

Cheryl and John Riggs of Palmer celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary Aug. 11. They were married Aug. 11, 1967, in Klamath Falls, Ore.

As John and Cheryl both graduated from college and began their careers, each occasionally traveled to Alaska on business. As job offers with substantial pay increases came their way, they started toying with the idea of moving north. As the story has been passed down, John and Cheryl, along with another couple, drank a bottle of wine one night and decided to move together. In September 1979, John and Cheryl drove two daughters, a horse and a dog up the Alaska Highway.

They had already decided to settle in the Valley and began commuting to Anchorage. That did not last long, and in 1982 John started Great Northern Engineering. He soon realized he needed a trustworthy person to handle finances and enlisted Cheryl's help. The company celebrated its 25th year in April.

Their children, Nicole and Stephanie, wish to commemorate their parents for the wonderful example of love, commitment and dedication they have shown them and all of their friends and relatives.

JUNE 23, 2007

Toc Soneoulay-Gillespie and Virgil Gillespie

Toc Soneoulay and Virgil Gillespie were married June 23 in two ceremonies at the Alaska Railroad's Bill Sheffield Depot at the airport, where a reception followed.

They met during summer 1999. Five years later, Virgil proposed.

Toc is the daughter of Phouvong Soneoulay and the late Soulideth Soneoulay of Anchorage. She graduated from Kodiak High School in 1996 and from Eastern Oregon University in 2001 with a degree in sociology with an emphasis in social welfare. Toc is pursuing a master's degree in social work at the University of Alaska Anchorage while working part time as special projects coordinator for Refugee Assistance and Immigration Services at Catholic Social Services and part time as program manager at the Alaska Youth and Parent Foundation's POWER program (Peer Outreach Workers, Education and Referral).

Virgil is the son of Jessie James Jr. and Marian Covington of Cheraw, S.C. He graduated from Cheraw High School in 1991 and from South Carolina State University in 1995 with a degree in business. Virgil is pursuing a master's degree in international business with an emphasis in marketing at American InterContinental University. He is a project analyst for Alutiiq LLC.

A traditional American ceremony was officiated by the Rev. Michael Button, and a traditional Lao ceremony was officiated by Phoumy Mangal, a respected elder in the community. Sousy Soneoulay was maid of honor, and Olympia Lewis, Song Campbell, Rasamy Broyles, Inphone Souvannasing and Carolina Muehlenkamp were bridesmaids. Mitch Jones was best man, and Justin Gillespie, Andre Morris, Charles Whittaker, Antoine Fields and Teddy Irving were groomsmen. Shanna Albrecht was mistress of ceremonies. Audrey Castaneda was flower girl, and Giani Canete was ring bearer.

Toc and Virgil plan to honeymoon in Laos.

OCT. 25, 2007

Gabrielle Olson and Ray Field

Gabrielle Olson and Ray Field, both of Wasilla, will marry Oct. 25 at the Moon Palace Resort in Cancun, Mexico.

Gabrielle is the daughter of Mary and Doug Olson of Palmer. She graduated from Colony High School in 1997.

Ray is the son of Carol McPherson and Steve Gibbs of Wasilla. He graduated from Wasilla High School in 1992.

Gabrielle and Ray have been dating since 2002 and became engaged at Hatcher Pass on Oct. 25, 2006.

JULY 7, 2007

Katie and Kyle Johnston

Katie VanDerWege and Kyle Johnston were married July 7 at Lake o' the Hills Park on the Anchorage Hillside. The ceremony honored the bridegroom's heritage with a Celtic theme. The bridegroom, his father and grandfather wore kilts in their family tartan. Bridesmaids were adorned in sashes in the matching plaid, and the groomsmen wore coordinating kilts. A bagpiper played for the processional and recessional.

The afternoon ceremony was officiated by Tony Schultz of Vancouver, Wash. Martha Rosenstein was maid of honor, and Katelyn Johnston, Maghan Kruzick and Jennifer Simpson were bridesmaids. Cole Bryant Tracy was best man, and groomsman were Kyle McManus, Mike Collier and Mathew Meek. The bride's cousin Madeleine MacGuire was junior bridesmaid. The bridegroom's cousins, Blake and Caymann Johnston, were ushers. Family members from Colorado, Texas and California attended, including aunts and uncles Rick and Allie Lachnidt, Joyce Falley, Dave and Kathy VanDerWege, Jeff and Sarah Johnston, Chris and Kyoko Johnston, Bruce and Tina Blake, Jack Jr. and Mary Blake. The bridegroom's grandparents Milton and Cocoa Johnston also attended, as well as cousins Sarah, Edward, Madeleine, Edward III and William MacGuire, Marina Johnston, and Blake and Caymann Johnston.

The next morning, after a family brunch, Katie and Kyle flew to British Columbia, where they enjoyed a weeklong honeymoon at Whistler. They plan to eventually leave Alaska for graduate school.

Katie and Kyle met in a college audio production class.

Katie is the daughter of Bob and Carol VanDerWege of Kenai. She is starting her career in professional event planning.

Kyle is the son of David and Carolyn Johnston of Anchorage. He is an editor and photographer for a local production company.

JULY 21, 2007

Deborah and Travis Larsen

Deborah Jean Cragen and Travis Edward Larsen were married July 21 at The Hotel Alyeska.

Deborah and Travis met during their senior year in college and have been together since 1995. They live in Seattle.

Deborah is the daughter of Gil and Sandy Cragen of Anchorage. She graduated from East High School in 1992 and from Washington State University in 1996 with a degree in psychology. Deborah is an employee and leadership development consultant.

Travis is the son of Edward and Lynna Larsen of Waitsburg, Wash. He graduated from Waitsburg High School in 1991 and from Washington State University in 1996 with a degree in international business. Travis owns a software consulting company.

Jim Stephens was the officiating minister. Julie Bezona was maid of honor, and Kathy Rowe and Sheila Harris were bridesmaids. Todd and Troy Larsen were best men. Michael Cragen was groomsman. The couple had five flower girls, including the bridegroom's three nieces, Ania, Kaia and Teagen Larsen, the couple's goddaughter, Abby McKenzie, and Abby's sister, Grace McKenzie.

Deborah and Travis went on a three-week honeymoon in Europe, and stops included Croatia, Greece, Turkey, Italy, France and Monaco.

JUNE 9, 2007

Tanya and Brian Hayden

Tanya Harwell and Brian Hayden were married June 9 at Anchor Park United Methodist Church. A private reception followed at the Millennium Alaskan Hotel.

Brian proposed to Tanya in Venice under fireworks after Italy won the World Cup soccer tournament.

Tanya is the daughter of Ivan and Teresa Harwell of Anchorage. She graduated from Dimond High School in 1998 and joined the Marine Corps in 2000. She is a pension representative for a local trust fund.

Brian is the son of Lawrence and Jo Anne Hayden of Anchorage. He graduated from East High School in 1997 and from Colorado School of Mines in 2001. He is an electrical engineer.

They honeymooned on a cruise from British Columbia through Southeast Alaska.

JUNE 4, 2007

April and Allen Dollison

April Luther and Allen Dollison were married June 4 at the Kincaid Park chalet.

April is the daughter of Connie Marie Luther. She attended West High School and graduated in 1997.

Allen's hobbies include fishing and four-wheeling.

Bridesmaids included April's sister, Amber Luther, and Caryn Bahr, Desire, and Amber Green. Other participants included children Ajanae Dollison, Dashayia Dollison and Kassia Dollison; nephews and niece Petero and Dominus Simpson, Marquese Voughn, Jaylan, Jaaron and Alanna; and many others. Photos of Allen's deceased parents were next to the couple during the ceremony.

JUNE 9, 2007

Carla Lozano Vizzerra and Alejandro Vizzerra

Carla Lozano and Alejandro Vizzerra were married June 9 at St. Andrew Catholic Church.

Hondo and Carla met at work in July 2000. They were friends for two years before dating. They dated for five years, two of them long-distance. Hondo proposed on top of a boulder in Joshua Tree National Park in California.

Carla is the daughter of Ofelia Lozano of Anchorage and the late Pedro Lozano. She graduated from East High School in 1995 and from Oregon State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in exercise and sport science. She graduated in 2004 from Pacific University with a doctorate in physical therapy. Carla works at Eagle Center Physical Therapy. She enjoys running, backpacking, climbing and traveling.

Hondo is the son of William and Alma Vizzerra of Palmer. He graduated from Palmer High School in 1990. Hondo attended Lower Columbia College and the University of Alaska Anchorage. He works in construction and enjoys hydroseeding, landscaping and managing projects. Hondo works at Alaska Trailblazing. He enjoys working out, volleyball, traveling and hiking. Hondo has a daughter, Brookelynn.

Both enjoy taking road trips, watching Brookelynn's soccer games, and going on outdoor adventures.

The ceremony was officiated by the Rev. Leo Walsh. Matrons of honor were Ophelia Barlow and Lisa Corcoran. Bridesmaids were Brookelynn Vizzerra (also the ring bearer), Dori Slama, Shannon Murray, Grace Vizzerra, Corrie McTigue, Alissa Engelby, Ebet Schultheis, UnSang Yu and Lori Marsh. Brad Hunter was best man, and groomsmen were Bill Vizzerra, Romie Deschamps, Randy Deschamps and Ray Garcia. Flower boys were their godsons, Grayson and Diego Vizzerra, and Evan Barlow.

The reception was at Alaska Native Heritage Center. They spent two nights at Alyeska Resort, then took a short road trip. They plan to travel to Costa Rica in the winter.