Dan and Edna Dalke, Inman, Kan., formerly of Bluffton, will celebrate their 71st wedding anniversary on Jan. 22. Rev. Dalke is a former pastor of Ebenezer Mennonite Church, Bluffton.

Rev. Dalke provided the following information about the couple's wedding:

"On Jan. 22, one day after the great blizzard of 1943 only one half of the invited and expected guests were able to assemble at the country church for the wedding of Edna Elizabeth Franz and Dan U. Dalke. The church was (still is) 20 miles from the nearest town.

"All of the wedding party and the minister were able to master the huge snow drifts in this wide open wheat country and the wedding at 4 p.m. on Friday afternoon was performed as scheduled. 

"The guest minister, Rev. P. D. Unruh, was Dan’s uncle  and was obliged to fulfill his role by driving the 150 miles to keep his commitment as promised." 

The Dalkes have 24 grandchildren and 47 great grandchildren. A family celebration will take place as several of their living children and spouses plan to come from distant states. 

Edna is a resident in a nursing facility in Inman. Cards or letters can reach them at 701 Center St., Apt.73, Inman, KS 67546.