Monte Thom was born February 23, 1964, to Charles Wayne Thom and Velma Mae
   (Mease) Thom. He was baptized on May 6, 1964, at St. John's by Pastor Miessler.
   Monte grew up in rural Isabel with his two brothers, Matt and Clark. During
   his eighth-grade year, he was confirmed by Pastor Bond. He was an acolyte and
   usher at St. John's
     Monte attended Kansas State University and graduated with a bachelor's 
   degree in Agricultural Economics. He returned home to farm and ranch. Monte
   then moved to a house on the ranch north of 99 Springs and changed his church
   membership to Trinity Lutheran in Medicine Lodge.
     Shannon Kay Decker was born to Walter Decker and Sandra (Sprague) Decker
   on January 10, 1968. She is the eldest of six children. Shannon grew up as
   a child in White Cloud, Kansas. Her family then moved and she attended high
   school in Iola, Kansas. Shannon graduated from Pittsburg State University in
   1989. She was baptized and confirmed by Pastor Geobel at Trinity on April 30,
   1990.
     Monte married Shannon on October 20, 1990. They were wed at Trinity Lutheran
   in Medicine Lodge by Pastors Goebel and McMullin. They had met two years
   earlier in Manhattan, Kansas.
     Monte and Shannon live north of 99 Springs. Monte farms and manages the
   ranch with his brother and father. In his free time, he likes to hunt.
     Shannon is an instructor and track coach at Pratt Community College. She 
   will finish her Master's Degree in Technical Teaching in May of 1992. She
   enjoys running and bicycling.
     At Trinity Lutheran, Monte has served on the Stewardship Committee and is
   a trustee and usher. Shannon is currently the council secretary and occasionally
   plays the organ for services.
                       
  Source:St. John's Lutheran Church Centennial 1893-1993, Nashville, Kansas, pg. 89