The following photos are of special events hosted at Van's Cafe. Some are of the Van Essen family and some are of other families. They are roughly in chronological order.
Each small image is linked to a larger image, if available.
If you have a photo or some memorabilia of a special event held at the Cafe and would like to see it added to this page, please contact us (see footer) and let us know. Thanks.
September 29, 1951 Van Essen-Maghan Wedding Dinner in the main dining area. Comments by John Van Essen.
The bride and groom are Patricia Ann Maghan and William Earl Van Essen.
The dinner was held on a Saturday in the main dining area.
In the booth are Amos Maghan, Clarance Van Essen, and Father Thomas F. Scott
(in back). Around the table are Gloria Van Essen, Pat Maghan (bride),
Bill Van Essen (groom), Tom Murphy, _____ ______, Bob Alderman,
_____ _______, Rod Wolsted, _____ _______, and Jim McComas.
Note the odd eyewear of the bridesmaids...
January 7, 1954 Dehetre-Trost Wedding Reception in the private dining room. Comments by Jo (Dehetre) Lange.
The bride and groom are Mary A. Trost and Ferdinand J. Dehetre.
Most wedding receptions were held "downstairs" in the basement
level of churches which would have made it difficult for
elderly relatives to attend. My mother considered it quite prestigious
to have the reception "upstairs" (on the main level) at Van's Cafe.
Most of the guests are from the Emily-Fifty Lakes and southern
Minnesota areas.
Christmas 1958 Dinner Party in the private dining room. Comments by John Van Essen.
Our grandparents, Clare and Clarence Van Essen, held dinner parties
for family and friends during the holidays in the private dining room.
This is from a 35mm color 3D stereo slide.
Left side of table from front: Edie DeRocher (Clare's half-sister),
Clare (standing), Marcie (Van Essen) Wolsted (smiling), Bill Van Essen
(partially hidden). Right side of table from back: Dr. Maurice Meller,
Betty Alderman (wife of Bob Alderman), Ed Tom O'Brien (smiling),
Marilyn O'Brien (Ed Tom's niece).