Butzen, Donald and Butzen, Joan (Anniversary: 50)

Don and Joan Butzen celebrated their 50th wedding annivesary January 19 at the Michigan Shores Country Club in Wilmette. Present were their children, Donald Jr., Debbie, David and their nine grandchildren Sheila, Chris, Kerry, Michael, Kristina, Don III, Maggie, Daniel and Mathew.
The Rev. Richard Valker, a longtime friend, celebrated Mass and the couple exchanged their vows. During brunch, a compact disc storing 100 or more individual pictures played on a screen depicting the life of the anniversary couple over the last 50 years.
The Butzens moved to Wilmette in 1968 and lived across the street from Loyola Academy, later moving to a condo on Lake Avenue and Ridge Road.
Joan was a resident of Chicago's South Side. She attended Aquinas High School and Loyola University, graduating with a degree in education. She taught first grade for 38 years before retiring three years ago. She is highly active in St. Joseph's Church in Wilmette.
Don was a resident of Chicago's North Side. He attended St. George High School and then Loyola University, where the couple met, graduating with a adegree in accounting. He is currently working as a financial adviser in ddition to being the treasurer (and past president) of the Wilmette Men's Club, treasurer of the condo, and a member of the Wilmette Optimist Club.