"Bud" Asmus Sends Message
The Monitor, this week received a telegram, through the Red Cross, from Merlin "Bud" Asmus, who is in the service in the far Pacific.
He says: "Am receiving the Monitor O. K. Am well. Best regards to everyone.
Bud."

Manning Monitor article ------ 1944

Merlin Asmus Married In New Zealand
Word has been received here that Merlin Asmus, Phm. 1-c U. S. Navy, was married in New Zealand to Miss Kathleen Nixon, on April 29th.
Bud, a former employee of the Lewis-Reinhold Company, has been in New Zealand for nearly two years.

Manning Monitor article ------ 1945

KATHLEEN ASMUS New Zealand War bride Arrives Here
First war bride to arrive In Manning was Mrs. Kathleen Nixon of Wellington, New Zealand, whose appearance was made last Thursday evening during the belated snow storm. She is the wife of Merlin "Bud" Asmus and they were married April 29, 1944.

In New Zealand. Mrs. Asmus sailed from her native New Zealand on the Monterey February 8, and arrived at her destination March 7.
Bud is expected home in April and the couple plan to make Manning their home.
The Monitor extends a warm welcome to Mrs. Asmus and hopes she enjoys living in her adopted country.

Make Plans
Since his discharge last summer, he couple has been living in an apartment over a downtown store, and making plans for their new life on the British commonwealth island. When asked the reason for their change, Kathleen isn't the least bit reticent. "Just call it homesickness," she smiles.

But Merlin knows a good deal about the country in which he'll live. During the time he was in service, he spent about two years on New Zealand. "He actually knows more people there than I do," his wife explained.

Has Passport
They aren't sure just when they will sail, but it will probably be sometime in February. Merlin already has his passport and it's been approved by the New Zealand legation. He plans on studying the textile industry on the island, and will attend one of the universities. He will do this under the G.I. Bill of Rights, as several colleges in New Zealand have been approved.

During the summer, Bud spent about two months in the veterans hospital in Des Moines, after a recurring tropical fever which carries a "jaw-breaker" name, came back. Since then he's been back several times for check-ups.
Housing won't be such a problem in New Zealand as in the states, according to Kathleen. "I've already written to a girl friend to keep her eyes open," she said.
"And besides, my dad and brother will help us. Of course, there aren't a lot of places, but it seems like you always hear of at least one that's vacant."

When they return to her native country, Kathleen will probably regain her pure English accent. Although she's been in this country less than a year, she seems to have lost some of it and her speech is coming closer to that of a native American.

Misses Familiar Atmosphere
Since her arrival in the states Kathleen has been homesick, and she doesn't mind saying so. "Mostly I've missed the ocean; and swimming in salt water. San Francisco looked almost like home when the ship came in," she said wistfully.

The couple didn't buy much furniture for their present two-room apartment. But what they do have will go along with them. Kathleen Asmus, below, points to the beach at Wellington, New Zealand, where she and her husband "Bud" Asmus, will soon be spending leisure hours.

Cut, courtesy Carroll Daily Herald.
And every day they do a little shopping for items that will be hard-if not impossible to buy in New Zealand.
Once they've settled in Wellington or some other New Zealand city. They'll return to the United States only for visits.
Kathleen is sure about that.