Ervin and Helen Koerner, Ness City, will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary and Ervin's 80th birthday with a mass of Thanksgiving on June 13 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Ness City. A family gathering will follow with a reception and supper at the Sacred Heart Cafeteria.

He was born June 11, 1929, and she was born Oct. 24, 1928, both in Ellis County. He graduated from St. Joseph's Military Academy, and she graduated from Girls Catholic High School, Hays. After a year of work in Hays, they moved to a farm near McCracken, then to their present home and farm in Ness County.

The couple's 11 children and spouses are Larry Koerner and wife, Kathy, Crete, Neb.; Barbara Bieker and husband, Larry, Dorothy Stieben and husband, Laverne, and Mary Ellen Stoecklein and husband, Eldon, all of Hays; Dennis Koerner and wife, Karen, Garden City; Donna Metzker and husband, Rob, and Kenneth Koerner and wife, Patty, all of Ness City; Greg Koerner, Dodge City; Karen Casey and husband Jerry, Plainville; Laura House and husband, Kevin, El Dorado; and Janice Showalter and husband, Adam, Alexander.

Their 39 grandchildren and spouses are J.D. Koerner and wife, Jeni, Omaha, Neb.; Matthew Koerner and wife, Patricia, Houston; Nikki Wargo and husband, Kurt, Madison, Ala.; Shannon Clark and husband, Matt, McCool Junction, Neb.; Jeff Bieker, Hays; Tracy Bieker, Denver; Brad Bieker, Lawrence; ReAnna Anders, Dacono, Colo.; Brian Koerner and wife, Beatriz, Queen Creek, Ariz.; Kris Koerner and wife, Nancy, Liberal; Nicholas Koerner, Garden City; Stephanie Stieben and fiance, Bob Clifford, Hutchinson; Jeremy Stieben, Parker, Colo. Ashley Stieben, Hays, and fiance, T.J. Lamb, Solomon; Amber Weigel and husband, Blake, Hays; Derek Hembree, Foothill Ranch, Calif.; Jennifer Howard and husband, Nathan, Abilene; Andrea Hembree and husband, Ryan, Hutchinson; Kevin Koerner, Ness City; Dr. Joey and Jessica Koerner, Hays; Chrissy Koerner, Emporia; Jordan and Michelle Kelsey, Hays, Chad Stoecklein and fiance, Kim Stecklein, Hays; Sara Stoecklein, Hays; Garrett Stoecklein, Hays; Jessica Casey, Lawrence; Justin Casey, Hays; Amanda Casey, Andrew Casey, Brianna Casey, Amy Casey and Jared Casey, all of Plainville; Jaimie House and Travis House, El Dorado; Katie Showalter, Emma Showalter, Jacob Showalter, Michael Showalter and Elizabeth Showalter, all from Alexander.

Their 16 great-grandchildren are Alex Koerner, Omaha; Hannah Wargo and Lauren Wargo, both of Madison; Taylor Koerner, Xavier Koerner and Isaac Koerner, all of Queen Creek; Kailon Anders, and Azlyn Anders, both of Dacono; Alexander Koerner, Liberal; Blake Stieben and Gunner Weigel, both of Hays; Evan Hembree, Hutchinson; Madyson Koerner and Brooklyn Koerner, both of Hays; Krissa Koerner, Ness City, and Ava Kelsey, Hays.

Ervin Koerner and Helen Haas were married May 12, 1949, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Hays.

In honor of the occasions, cards can be sent to them at 26001 10 Road, Ness City, KS 67560