Appelhans family celebrate 80th birthday and 60th wedding anniversary

Roberta (Simpson) and Thomas J. Appelhans celebrated their 60th Anniversary and Roberta's 80th birthday at a family dinner at the Melrose Grill in Renton, Wa. On Aug 15th. Roberta and Tom were married in the Malta Lutheran Church on August 12th, 1961. Roberta, daughter of the late Robert and Helen Simpson of Malta, graduated from Malta High in 1959. Tom, son of the late Marie and Thomas P. Appelhans of Dodson, graduated from Dodson High in 1958. After four years in the Air Force, the Appelhans moved to Kent, Wa. They have three children: Julia of Seattle, Peter of Renton, Wa., and Army Brigadier General Richard Appelhans (with his wife Shannon) now living in Korea.

Roberta and Tom have five grandchildren. Three are Julia's children, which are Erik T. Bala (with wife Natasha) of Ellensburg, Wa., Ellen Bala of Renton, Wa., and Elise Visser of Seattle. Richard and Shannon's daughters are Elizabeth Appelhans of Colorado Springs, and Katie Appelhans living in Korea with her parents. Roberta and Tom have one great-grandson Dash Thomas Bala, Erik and Natasha's son who turned 3-years-old on July 31st.