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It has taken 27 years, two divorces, a decade of battles over marriage rights and a 600-mile drive across state lines for Nancy Robrahn and Jennie Rosenkranz to stand at the altar.

But there the Rapid City couple stood on the last Saturday in April, at the Community of Christ Church in Minneapolis before the city's mayor, Betsy Hodges.

In their smart outfits, Nancy and Jennie looked like grandmothers going out for an afternoon at the theater. Nancy, 68, wore a royal blue dress with white heels and pearl earrings. Jennie, 72, wore a black skirt, a white jacket and blouse and black flats.

Gathered in the pews were about a dozen guests, mostly their children and grandchildren, before whom Hodges performed the rites.

"Knowing that marriage even so is a powerful bond when recognized by the law and therefore by your community, in a new way, do you, Jennie, now choose marriage to Nancy under the law? And do you, Nancy, now choose marriage to Jennie under the law?"

Their answers: yes and yes. For a last name, they chose to combine theirs, and the marriage certificate reads: the Rosenbrahns. Freshly minted as newlyweds, Nancy and Jennie emerged from their nuptials to speak before a gaggle of TV cameras and reporters lined up on the church front lawn.