Mr. and Mrs. Martin "Junior" VanGennip of Cape Girardeau celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary Feb. 23, 2002.

The couple renewed their vows during mass at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church. A reception was held in the church hall and was hosted by their children and spouses, Fred and Bonita VanGennip and Judy and Philip A. Cantoni, all of Cape Girardeau.

Guests attended from Cape Girardeau, Jackson, Scott City, Marble Hill, Perryville, Leopold, Advance, Glen Allen, Overland, and Weldon Spring, Mo.

VanGennip and Janie Laurentius were married Feb. 23, 1952, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Advance.

The VanGennips have lived in Cape Girardeau the past 45 years. He worked five years at Standard Oil in Lutesville, Mo., and then at Harris Truck and Trailer 38 years, retiring in 1992. Mrs. VanGennip is active with St. Vincent's Ladies Sodality.

The couple has four grandchildren, Jennifer and Kristen VanGennip and Erika and Nicholas Cantoni, all of Cape Girardeau.