On the 2nd of June, 1973, Dr. Robert Steven Garten and Miss Joan Kay
  Thompson exchanged wedding vows at the First United Methodist Church in
  Medicine Lodge, Kansas. Joan and Steve lived in Barber County all their
  marriage. After their honeymoon in Arkansas and Missouri, they moved to
  Orange City, Iowa. There, Steve practived veterinary medicine in a five
  man practive. Most of the work was with cattle and swine. Before long
  the Gartens moved to Dodge City, where Steve practiced in a three-man
  practice, and Joan worked at he Dodge City Medical Center as a nurse.
     In April, 1975, Steve left the life of civilian and joined the Air
  Force Veterinary Corps. Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas,
  became the Gartens next home.
     On the 27th of October, 1976, the family grew to three. Justin Robert
  was born early that morning.
     The next move for the family proved to be a long one. Steve was re-
  assigned to RAF Lakenheath (Royal Air Force Base), England. Steve headed
  for England in May, 1977; Joan and Justin followed in July. In August
  the Gartens became English land owners by buying a house in the village 
  of Brandon, Suffolk, England. Besides seeing much of the United Kingdom,
  Joan and Steve were fortunate to see parts of France, Italy, Spain, Ire-
  land, and Russia. The Gartens are due to return to the United States in
  May of 1980.
     Joan's parents are Robert (Bob) and Ruth Thompson, and Steve's are
  Robert (Bob) and Donna Garten. Both families call Barber County home.
  Joan and Steve had a common start in life, since both were born at Hardtner.
  Joan has three brothers; Wayne, Melvin, and Steve, and had one sister, Judy,
  deceased. Steve has one sister, Cathy.
     Joan lived on the Thompson family farm and ranch near Union Chapel all
  her life, until she was married in 1973. She attended the following schools:
  Dry Creek for 1st and 2nd grades; Hardtner Grade School, 3rd through 8th;
  Medicine Lodge High School (1966-1971); and 3 years at Kansas State University.
  Joan enjoys all sports, music, furniture refinishing, photography, and
  horseback riding.
     Steve's family lived on three different farm-ranches while he grew up. His
  first four years were spent on the Cook ranch north of Hardtner. The family
  next moved to the north part of Barber County near Coats, Kansas. Here Steve's
  first year of grade school was spent at Harmony country school. The 2nd
  through 5th grades were at Coats, then another move. This time to the Davis
  Ranch-Farm, southwest of Sharon. Steve finished grade school at Sharon, then
  attended Medicine Lodge High School (1963-1967). For the next six years he
  attended Kansas State University. In 1973 he graduated with a Doctor of
  Veterinary Medicine Degree. Steve's hobbies and interests include hunting,
  fishing, politics, government, and collecting playing cards.
     With God's help the Gartens look forward to the future.
                 
     Source:Chosen Land - Barber County, Kansas,  pg. 188 
     Submitted by: R. Steven Garten