Back Row: Alfred Ekeler and son  - Daniel Ekeler
Front Row: Barbara Ekeler and daughters - Eileen, Francine and Connie

April 18, 1986

EKELER - SOKOL

St. Stanislaus Catholic Church at Duncan, Nebraska was the scene of an autumn wedding Saturday, November 3, 1951, when Miss Barbara Sokol, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Sokol, became the bride of Alfred Ekeler, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Ekeler Sr., of Exeter.

Rt. Rev. Msgr. John Ekeler of Crete, brother of the groom, officiated at the 9 o'clock double ring ceremony and was celebrant of the Nuptial High Mass.

Yellow and orchid chrysanthemums and lighted tapers adorned the altar, and pews for the bridal party were marked with white satin bows.

Miss Jo Quinta of Lincoln, former classmate of the bride, sang "Ave Maria," at the offertory, and the senior choir of the church sang "On This Day, O Beautiful Mother," while the bride presented a bouquet of mums at the Blessed Virgin's altar. At the communion, Miss Quinta and Mrs. Jim Sutko sang "Oh Lord, I am Not Worthy," accompanied by the organist, Sister Rosalia.

Escorted to the altar by her father, the bride was lovely in a long-sleeved gown of egg shell satin, fashioned with a round yoke of Chantilly lace edged with a ruffle of satin and lace. Self-covered buttons closed the back of the fitted bodice, and the fullness of the skirt was emphasized by a wide peplum, trimmed in lace, which came to a point in back. The skirt extended into a three-yard train.

Her double fingertip veil, also edged with lace, fell from a sweetheart rhinestone crown. Her only jewelry was a pearl rosary and a shower bouquet of white rosebuds centered with an orchid. The bridal tradition was complete in her ensemble.

Miss Harriett Sokol of Omaha, was maid of honor for her sister. Other attendants of the bride were Mrs. Leo Ekeler of Exeter, sister-in-law of the groom, Mrs. Betty Mach of Lincoln and Helen Bandur of Columbus. They wore identically styled gowns of powder blue, gold green and pink respectively, each styled with a bolero and featuring a double skirt of net and satin, with satin trim. All wore headdresses of braided satin and net, and mitts to match their gowns, and wore pearl chokers, gifts of the bride Their colonial bouquets were of contrasting mums.

Best man for the groom was his brother, Leo Ekeler of Exeter. John Ekeler of Exeter, nephew of the groom, and the bride's brother, Jack Sokol of Omaha, served as groomsmen. Pat Sokol and Albert Nowicki, uncles of the bride, ushered. The grooms boutonniere was a white carnation, and his attendants had pink carnations.

For her daughter's wedding, Mrs. Sokol was attired in a plum colored crepe dress with black accessories. Mother of the groom, Mrs. Ekeler,  wore a black dress with matching accessories and each mother had a pink carnation corsage. The bride's grandmother, Mrs. Ursula Sokol, wore a black dress with matching accessories and a corsage of white carnations.

Following the ceremony, the bridal party breakfasted at the Parish Hall, and a noon dinner was served there for 75 relatives. A large wedding cake, topped with a miniature bridal couple, centered the bride's table, while purple mums adorned the other tables.

Joan Sokol registered the guests and Harriett Sokol had charge of gifts. Mrs. Clarence Sokol, aunt of the bride, cut the cake. Mrs. Mary Mostek, Josephine Drog and Delores Mostek prepared the dinner, and Frances Niedzwiecki, Rose Paczosa, Irene Olsufka, Virginia Micek and Martha Laska assisted with the serving

For traveling to points in Iowa and South Dakota, the bride chose a dark green suit with gold and green accessories, and the orchid from her bouquet. Upon their return, the newlyweds will reside in Exeter.

Mrs. Ekeler, a graduate of Duncan High School, was graduated from St. Elizabeth's School of Nursing, Lincoln, with this years class. She has since been employed at St. Elizabeth Hospital.

Her husband attended Exeter schools and is engaged in farming.

Two prenuptial showers were given for the bride - one in Lincoln given by her classmates; the other given by Helen Marie Bandur and Harriett Sokol at the home of her aunt in Duncan.

Among those from Exeter attending were Mr. and Mrs. Frank Ekeler Sr., Mr. and Mrs. Frank Ekeler Jr. and family, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Ekeler and daughters, Mr. and Mrs Joe Ekeler and family, Mr. and Mrs. William Ekeler and family, Mr. and Mrs. Leo Ekeler, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Barkmeier, and Edmund; and Mrs. Maurice Clark and children of McCool Junction.

 The Nebraska Signal
Geneva, Nebraska
November 15, 1951