Dinges 50th

Donald and Barbara Dinges of Somers celebrated their golden wedding anniversary Saturday with a reception and open house at Charcoal Grill and Rotisserie.

Donald Dinges and the former Barbara Sternhagen met at a farewell party for Don before he began his service in the U.S. Army. They were married at St. Matthew’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Appleton on May 18, 1963, and have been Kenosha County residents ever since.

Don worked for Christ Iron Works in Kenosha for 47 years, retiring in May 2002. He served as chief and member of the Somers Volunteer Fire Department for 45 years, retiring in December 2001. He was also a member of the Southeast Wisconsin Antique Power & Collectibles Society. He enjoys restoring John Deere tractors.

Barbara was a homemaker and worked as a lunch room supervisor at Somers Elementary School, retiring in December 2007 after 28 years. She was also an original member of the Fireman’s Auxiliary until it was disbanded in 2002. She enjoys canning and cooking. They are members of Somers Community Church, serving on various committees over the years, and together they enjoy gardening, fishing, traveling and attending their grandchildren’s activities.

The couple has four children: Penny (Royce) Ingraham, Somers; Gail (John) Jensen, Burlington; Connie (Rene’) DelToro, Racine; and Cara LaMacchia, Kenosha. They also have 12 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

They say the key to a lasting relationship is having a strong love of God, always kissing each other goodnight and never going to bed angry.

Christensen 60th

Lifelong Kenosha residents Donald and Mary Ellen (Heutten) Christensen recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. The couple was married at St. Thomas Church on May 2, 1953.

Don’s career as a bricklayer took him to American Motors, Snap-on, Pete Petersen, Jenkins & Boler and Camosy. His passion is helping friends remodel and build boats and ultra-light planes. Mary Ellen worked for Simmons, All Saints Cemetery, Accurate Tax, Welcome Wagon, Blue Bunny and Tombstone Pizza. She was known as the pizza lady at SuperValu for 30 years. Mary Ellen enjoys bowling, playing cards and games, golfing and socializing with friends.

The Christensens have three children: Jeffrey (Amy) Christensen of San Diego, Calif., and Shelly (Mike) Lange and Tina Christensen, both of Kenosha. They also have three grandchildren.

They say the key to a successful and lasting relationship is laughing and spending time with family and friends.

Mich 55th

Lifelong Kenosha residents George and Ann Mich celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary Friday with a family dinner.

George Mich and the former Ann Herrmann met at St. Catherine’s Hospital, where George was a patient and Ann was his nurse. The couple was married at St. George Catholic Church on May 10, 1958.

George worked for Peter Pirsch until the business closed in 1986. Ann retired from St. Catherine’s Hospital in 2011. Members of St. Peter’s Catholic Church, they enjoy traveling and going to casinos.

The Michs have three children: Deborah (Michael) Lequia, Beverly (Thomas) Degener and Wayne (Deborah) Mich. They also have six grandchildren.

They say the key to their lasting relationship is their faith in God, their family and loving one another.

Schmidt 60th

Karl and Josephine Schmidt of Waukegan, Ill., and Kenosha celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with a luncheon at In-Law’s Restaurant of Gurnee, Ill., on April 7. Before the luncheon, the couple received a special anniversary blessing from the Rev. Patrick Rugan of St. Dismas Roman Catholic Church in Waukegan, where they were founding members 50 years ago.

Karl Schmidt and the former Josephine Lutz were married in Germany on April 6, 1953, and came to the United States in July 1955. They have been Kenosha residents for seven years.

The Schmidts have two children: Judy (Rick) Kanka of Kenosha and Robert (Anne) Schmidt of St. Charles, Ill.. The couple also has five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

The couple says they are blessed to have a loving family and note that the secret to a happy marriage is to always keep laughter in the home.