Melvin and Elfrieda Ludwig of rural Merrill will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary Saturday, Jan. 26, 2008, with an open house and dance at the Hinton Community Hall in Hinton. Open house will be from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. with the dance following from 7 to 11 p.m.

The couple's children are hosting the golden event. They are: Glenn and Karen Ludwig of Merrill, Kenneth and Charlene Ludwig of Overland Park, Kan., Robert and Kathy Ludwig of Pierson, Denise and Kevin Honts of Des Moines, and Marcia and Nick Schwidder of Mission, Kan. The couple has nine grandchildren.

Melvin Ludwig and the former Elfrieda Aljets were married Jan. 25, 1958, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Sioux City.

Melvin is retired from Sioux Tools and farming and is a member of the American Legion. Elfrieda is currently employed at Professional Alterations in Sioux City and is a member of American Legion Auxiliary, St. Luke's College of Nursing Alumni, and Siouxland Taskforce on Aging.