Place of Marriage: St. Matthews Evangelical and Reformed Church in Forest City, Minn., a small country church.
How did you meet?
Roller skating at Eden Lake Roller Rink by Eden Valley.
Who proposed and how?
Merlin proposed. He parked on a road somewhere by Lake Ripley near Litchfield, took out the ring, and asked Elda Mae to marry him.
How long were you engaged?
We were engaged for two months but had dated for two and a half years.
How large was your wedding?
About 150 guests.
What food was served?
Goulash hotdish, jello, buns, and wedding cake.
What was the most memorable
moment at your wedding?
A severe snowstorm that developed before the reception was over. A trail of five cars and Elda Mae's brother leading and plowing the snow with his Studebaker with chains on the tires to get to Paynesville. We never made it to Sauk Centre to the motel room Merlin had reserved.
What was your most
memorable wedding gift?
A religious picture still hanging over our bedroom wall.
What wedding gift do
you use the most today?
Other gifts are all worn out.
Who caught the bouquet and
did they have to shove to get it?
Didn't throw a bouquet.
Whose relatives, or friends,
had the most fun at the wedding?
A cousin of Elda Mae's was master of ceremonies, told a few stories, and had some musical selections that everyone seemed to enjoy. (There was no dance.)
Where did you go
for a honeymoon?
We didn't have a honeymoon until our 25th anniversary. We bought a new, white diesel Oldsmobile and went out west for two weeks.
What do you do to keep
romance alive in your marriage?
By giving cards to each other for special occasions and having a night out.
If you could travel back
in time to your wedding day, what advice for maintaining
a happy marriage would you
give yourselves?
Say more, I love you's, and show more compassion.