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Published October 25, 2009, 12:00 AM

WEDDING: Hammarback-Honek

Love and war have been entwined since recorded history. So it was that Ellen Ann Hammarback waited for Marine Sgt. Allen Honek to finish three deployments to Iraq before they could set their wedding day.

Love and war have been entwined since recorded history. So it was that Ellen Ann Hammarback waited for Marine Sgt. Allen Honek to finish three deployments to Iraq before they could set their wedding day. First, they set a summer wedding date, but the military again interfered. Because Allen wanted his only brother, Naval Officer Kenny Honek, to serve as his Best Man, the couple waited for Uncle Sam to send Kenny home. Allen and Ellen were married by Father Larry DeLaney September 19, 2009 in Sacred Heart Catholic Church, East Grand Forks, MN.

Wearing a long, white, fitted strapless Mikeala gown and veil and pink flower adorned shoes by Christian Louboutin, Ellen was escorted down the aisle by her father, Rex Hammarback and met by her mother Teresa Gust Hammarback. Together they gave their daughter Ellen to be the wife of Allen Honek, son of Robert and Lois Honek. Allen wore his Marine dress uniform for the ceremonial "crossed swords" ceremony.

Maid of Honor was Rachael Hammarback, sister of the bride. Cousins, Stephanie Stanislowski and Kate Hammarback, together with friends Abby Hackbarth, Ashley Bruhn, Kelly Griffin, Lindsey Pope, Kalee Jabs and Debbie Aaker attended the bride. All wore black, silky crepe dresses with pink pumps and carried pink bouquets. Brother of the groom, Kenny Honek, was Best Man. Friends of Allen, Nick Cox, Andrew Carigiet, Heith Dokken, Brian Larson, Jon Schweitzer, Jeremy King, Brian Nelson and Brice Larson served as his attendants. Each wore his own military uniform or a shadow striped black suit.

Wearing pink tulle dresses with a throat rose were flower girls, Laura Farder, Carly Stoner, Isabella Aaker, and Kennedy Stanislowski, all goddaughters of the bride and groom. Ushers were friends of the bride and groom, David Dahlstrom, Nick Zak, Marko Jukic' and Mike Swanson, together with Dustin Brodina, cousin of the groom and Sam Hammarback , cousin of the bride. Personal Attendant was Kelly Gordon. Bridesmaids' Attendant was Sarah Chalmers and Lindsey Warner was wedding planner.

Oboe and Bagpiper from Minneapolis, MN, was the bride's cousin, John Hammarback, and the harpist was Julie Money from Winston-Salem, NC, aunt of the bride. Accompanist was friend Julie Marek.

The United States Marine Corps Ceremonial Sword Detail: Jacob Aldean, Nathan Dahlheimer, Mike Swanson, Jeremy Kirk, Joe Cuffel, Mark Stickney, Jehrame Kartic, Ben Lunak, Daniel Meyer and Cody Rinke. Host couples were: Thomas and Jean Hatfield and Josh and Teresa Stanislowski, bride's relatives, together with the groom's sisters and brothers-in-law, Carey and Bobbi Stoner and Brent and Brenda Farder. Readers were Kelly Gust and Joe Honek. Eucharistic Ministers were Charles and Mary Gust, Joe Honek, Bobbi Stoner and Brenda Farder.

Grandparents of the Bride are James and Doris Gust and Fay and the late Marvin Hammarback. Grandparents of the groom are the late John and Jean Honek and the late Philip and Edna Voelker.

Buses carried the guests to an indoor-outdoor picnic style reception at the Tabor, MN, community hall. Approximately 450 relatives and friends from north to south in MN and ND, and from both East and West Coasts shared in the wedding celebration. Allen and Ellen Hammarback-Honek will be at home in Fargo, ND, following their honeymoon to Cancun, Mexico.

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