Larry and Shirley Degenhardt of Great Bend will celebrate their 50th anniversary on July 9, with a card shower.
Shirley Schwartz and Larry Degenhardt were united in marriage on July 9, 1966. They were the first couple to be married in the Barton County Historical Society Church before it was moved from 12 miles west of Great Bend to it’s present location at the Barton County Historical site on west Main Street in Great Bend. They both grew up in Great Bend and met in junior high school. Larry served in the United States Navy in Vietnam from 1964 to 1966. Shirley graduated from Great Bend High School in 1964, and attended BCCC Cosmetology School several years later. She worked as a cosmetologist for 15 years. Larry worked for Rice Engineering for 32 years and in 1966 he started a business, D&D Machine Shop and farmed. He is still farming. The couple has one daughter, Tiffany Serna; three grandchildren, Alex Serna, Sienna Serna, both of Great Bend and Destiny Loera and husband Jaime, who is currently serving in the United States Army stationed in El Paso, Texas; and one great-grandchild expected in November.
Cards may be sent to 5900 Hemlock, Great Bend, Ks. 67530.