Under one roof at the Rolling Hills Place in Zion, there are dozens of couples who can boast a lifetime of love with their partner.
Together, they have been married for a combined 500 years.
Memories tell the story of how they fell in love and what has kept them together.
Five couples, all of whom live in the independent and assisted living community in Zion, share some of those key ingredients that have made their marriage last for so long.
Doris and Gehl Devore
Married for 75 years, the Devores met when Doris’ father, a minister, moved the family to the small town of Altamont, located in downstate Illinois near St. Louis.
Doris was 19 and Gehl was 23 when they married in 1940. They have a son, a daughter and two grandchildren.
Gehl jokes that the town was small and “the boys were scarce” and that’s why Doris chose him.
Doris denies that.
“He was a good fellow and we’ve had a good life,” Doris said.
The couple said they have enjoyed raising their children together.
They said love and understanding have been the keys to creating a wonderful family and maintaining a lasting relationship.
Wil and Jeanne Hemeyer
Set to celebrate their 69th anniversary next month, Wil recalls that it was Jeanne’s “pixie grin” that made him fall in love with her.
They were sophomores in high school when they met and became good friends.
“We went to the movies and that’s about all there was to do in town,” Jeanne said.
Jeanne thought Wil was handsome and intelligent. She said she knew she was in love when they called his name during graduation and he wasn’t there.
Before Wil graduated, he enlisted in the Navy but through letters they kept in touch and professed their love.
Wil and Jeanne have two daughters.
Being kind and honest is how they have made a happy marriage, they said.
Diane and Herb Laufenburg
Married for 62 years, the Laufenburgs met at the university hospital in Madison where Herb was studying medicine and Diane was a nursing student.
For Herb it was love at first sight when he went and sat next to her in an observation room. He should have been observing a surgery, but instead he was smitten by Diane’s beauty.
Herb called her on the phone later and “didn’t let up.”
“When you find something you like, you keep it,” Herb said.
The two say that being compatible and enjoying the same hobbies, such as hiking, have made their marriage strong … and fun.
Herb and Diane raised four children and have nine grandchildren.
Cora and EG Cox
Married for 52 years, the first time Cora set her eyes on EG was during one of his performances in a bluegrass band.
They were introduced and Cora fell for EG’s smile right away.
It was the second marriage for both of them and when they told their young children about their impending wedding, “they were tickled to death,” Cora said.
They’ve enjoyed an active lifestyle together, doing things like fishing and camping.
Honesty has been the best policy in their relationship and they’ve stuck by each other through thick and thin.
“Everyone goes through rough times,” Cora said.
They give new couples this advice: Just hang in there and pray.
Harvey and Gladys Feustel
Married for 50 years, the Feustels met at a church picnic in which they randomly sat together.
Glady’s smile along with her blue eyes and blonde hair caught Harvey’s eye right away.
“For me it was love at first sight,” Harvey said.
They dated and got to know one another before marrying in 1965.
“We were very comfortable with each other,” Gladys said.
Being respectful, honest and communicating with kindness and patience is how Harvey and Gladys have treated each other and they said it’s the reason their marriage has lasted.
Their faith has been at the center of their relationship. On Harvey’s ring he has inscribed: “O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together.”
Twitter @yadira_olson
