Ralph L. Lukens and Betty Lou Dean Piersall were united in marriage 
     October 18, 1944 at the Baptist Church, Hazelton, Kansas by Rev. Glenn
     Lukens.
        Ralph was the second son of George W. and Mabel Garten Lukens. Brothers
     were Jim, Dale and Billy; sisters were Marion, Georgia and Anna.
        Betty, the third daughter of O.B. and Eunice McDowell Piersall of
     Hardtner, Kansas. Her brothers were Leland, Lawrence, George C. and Teddy.
     Sisters were Kathryn (deceased), Eileen and Treva. Betty lived most of her
     life at Hardtner, moving there in 1935 with her family. She attended schools
     near Shattuck, Oklahoma for five years and graduated from Hardtner High
     School.
        She was employed at the Achenbach Memorial Hospital before her marriage.
     Ralph has lived in Barber County most of his life. His mother passed away
     when he was very young. He attended grade school near his father's farm,
     then graduated from Medicine Lodge High School.
        He entered the United States Army on January 5, 1945, was honorably
     discharged in June 1946. After his discharge Ralph and Betty returned to
     the farm near Medicine Lodge. They bought a home and grassland in Kingman
     County in 1948 and lived there seven years ranching and also farming for
     his dad near Medicine Lodge.
        Their first son, Ralph Lynn, was born in 1950. His daddy bought him a
     pony and new saddle when he was just three months old. (The saddle is kept
     and is well preserved for their little granddaughters to use.)
        Teddy Gene was born November, 1954. When he was four months old, the
     family moved to a ranch 4 1/2 miles southwest of Medicine Lodge where they
     made their home for more than 15 years. The youngest son, Steve, joined the
     family in January 1960.
        Ralph and Betty moved into Medicine Lodge in June 1969 where they purchased
     a home at 210 E. Fremont. The summer of 1979 they built a beautiful white
     rock chimney and fireplace in their home. They will be celebrating their
     35th wedding anniversary October 18, 1979.
        Ralph Lynn attended Pleasant Hill country school, then graduated from
     Medicine Lodge High School in 1968. He married JohnAnna Sittingdown Dougherty
     July 18, 1970 at the Episcopal Church of Medicine Lodge, Kansas. They were
     blessed with a beautiful baby daughter, Tracy Lynn, December 5, 1974. This
     was such a joyous occasion for parents and grandparents, their first grand-
     child.
        Deep sorrow struck out home March 31, 1977, when God chose to take
     Ralph Lynn to his heavenly home. His love and devotion will always remain
     in our hearts. Our memories will be cherished forever. He sustained head
     injuries in a welding explosion while working for Kewanee Oil Company, 
     Saturday March 19, 1977.
        Teddy Gene attended Pleasant Hill school through 3rd grade, then
     Medicine Lodge grade and high school, graduating in 1972. He attended
     Colby Community College, graduating in 1974. He is presently employed by
     Gulf Oil Company, formerly Kewanee. He has a beautiful little daughter
     by a previous marriage, Kiley Chanteau, born September 17, 1975 at Medicine
     Lodge.
        Steven Dean attended and graduated from the Medicine lodge schools. He
     enrolled in Oklahoma Ferrier's College at Speary, Oklahoma where he graduated.
     He loves ranching and working with horses as did all the boys. They were
     very active in FFA, enjoyed rodeos and all participated in Little Britches
     rodeos, receiving many trophies and prizes. Steven won a saddle in the
     Medicine Lodge rodeo in 1973.   
                
     Source:Chosen Land - Barber County, Kansas, 286 
     Submitted by: Betty Lukens