Urban and Ardella Gathman, of Larned, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Nov. 20.
The couple met on a blind date in 1959. They were married on Nov. 20, 1960, in the St. Paul Congregational Church in Bazine. The ceremony was officiated by the groom’s father, the late Rev. Arthur Gathman of Sterling.
The couple has three daughters: Rachelle and her husband Rich Stephens of Lake Andes, S.D.; Amy and husband Mike Hood of White Oak, Texas; and Valerie and husband Perry Kent of Amarillo, Texas. They also had a son Aaron who died from a genetic disease at age 17, while a junior in high school. They have nine grandchildren, Gracelyn and Gunnar Stephens. Joshua, Amanda, Andrew, Daniel and Jaiden Hood, Hanna and Nathan Kent.
Urban Gathman grew up in Kentucky, came to Kansas to attend Sterling College. He taught school in Larned before retiring in 1994. Ardella grew up in Bazine, attended and graduated from the Dominican School of Nursing. She was a registered nurse having worked in St. Joseph Memorial Hospital and the Larned State Hospital. She operated a day care service in their home for eleven years at a time when she could be home while her own children were in school. Ardella retired in 2000 from the Larned State Hospital.
The daughters are hosting an open house celebration for the honored couple at Glory Be, located at Seventh Street and Broadway, in Larned on Dec. 26, from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. The public is invited to share in their celebration at that time.
The couple request only your presence.