There was no way to know that when Lyle Amonson’s sister introduced her friend, Gwen, to her brother, that it would be the start of a beautiful relationship, but it was.
The two were only in high school, and they went dancing for their first date.
“He couldn’t dance worth a diddle, and he still can’t,” Gwen said jokingly of Lyle. They had fun, but it wasn’t until Lyle went away and started writing Gwen letters that something special started to form between the two of them.
On July 9, 1950, the couple was joined in wedded bliss. Gwen recalls how they got married at “The Little Brown Church.”
Together, they made their home in Eagle Grove and were the proud parents of five children, who blessed them with 14 grandchildren. They feel very blessed to have 17 great grandchildren, one of whom was just born this summer…and there’s another one on the way.
On Thursday, July 9, family and friends gathered from a social distance outside Rotary Senior Living to celebrate with them. As the fire trucks drove up with lights and sirens going, Gwen waved at her loved ones. When the emergency vehicles stopped in front of them, a Happy Anniversary wish came over the loud speaker, followed by the playing of Elvis Presley’s “I Can’t Help Falling in Love with You.”
Gwen said the key to their happy 70 year marriage is “Lots of hard work, going to church, and raising hard-working kids.”
If you would like to send them anniversary wishes by mail, you may do so by sending them in care of Rotary Senior Living North in Eagle Grove.
