Branson

Vernon and Jessie Branson, Lawrence, will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary with a family dinner Sunday in the Crystal Room at the Eldridge Hotel.

Vernon Branson and Jessie Marie Cassidy were married April 24, 1942, in Kansas City, Kan., just before Vernon graduated from Kansas University’s School of Medicine and Jessie graduated from KU’s School of Nursing.

Vernon served a one-year internship and Jessie worked as a nurse at Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara, Calif. Vernon was called to active duty at the San Diego Naval Base and shortly after was shipped to New Guinea, where he served for two years in the Amphibious Corps. After VJ Day, he served another year in California before leaving the Navy. During this time, Jessie worked as a special duty nurse at Bell Memorial Hospital, which is now the KU Medical Center.

After release from the Navy, Vernon served for 3 1/2 years as a resident in pediatrics and pathology at the KU Medical Center. He practiced pediatrics for six years in Beatrice, Neb. In 1955, the family moved to Lawrence, where Vernon practiced pediatrics until 1997.

Jessie is a longtime community volunteer and activist. She was elected to the Kansas House of Representatives in 1981 and served until 1991.

The couple’s children are Johanna Branson, Medford, Mass.; Samuel Branson, Lawrence; the Rev. Martha Berger, Wauwatosa, Wis.; and Dr. Rosemary Jones, Lee’s Summit, Mo. They have eight grandchildren.

Raney

Kathleen and Dick Raney, Lawrence, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary with a trip to New Mexico to visit family.

They were married June 15, 1952, in Wamego after meeting at Kansas University.

Dick is retired from Raney Drug Store.

The couple’s children are Michelle Raney, Taos, N.M.; and the late Richard Raney. They have two grandchildren.