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June 23, 2008
Howard and Muriel Katz take part in a renewal of their wedding vows Saturday afternoon. Howard, 87, and Muriel, 85, have been married 64 years.
Rudy Cunningham held his beloved’s hand and wiped away his tears as the two professed their love for one another.
Cunningham, 90, and his wife, Helen, 86, have been married for 59 years. They were among nine couples renewing wedding vows Saturday at Atria Campana del Rio, a retirement community at 1550 E. River Road.
“I told her the first day I went for a walk with her that I would marry her some day,” Cunningham said of his bride, seated in a wheelchair and clutching a lavender and white bouquet of lilies, chrysanthemums and baby’s breath.
Witnessing the renewal of vows was the couple’s daughter, Gail True and her sons, Steven, 19, and David, 16.
“I thought it was awesome, seeing so many couples married for more than 60 years,” Steven True said.
The couples renewing vows had been married between 53 and 66 years, with the exception of newlyweds Addy and Dudley Anderson, married three months ago.
They marched into the dining room-turned wedding chapel, navigating the oxygen tanks, canes and walkers.
They came dressed to the nines, with suits, silky gowns and smiles. Family and friends blew bubbles.
Evelyn Bersh, 97, played the wedding march on the piano as couples headed down the aisle. Pastor Della Moore presided under an arch of flowers.
“They have all stood the test of time … and remember what marriage is all about, a gift from God,” Moore said.
Karl Vorres, 81, held hands with his wife of 56 years, Nancy, looking elegant in a peach frock.
“We met on a blind date,” recalled Nancy, 78.
The two were students at Michigan State University, and were set up by one of Karl’s dorm mates.
The retired scientist and his wife have four children and five grandchildren. “I’m a child bride,” Nancy said, compared to other brides, in their late 80s.
Paul and Trudy Harden renewed vows after 62 years of marriage.
The two met during World War II and married after Paul, 92, was released after four months in a POW camp.
“I had no concept that we would be married 62 years,” said Trudy, 86.
Before the ceremony, John Butler, 90, popped his head into the office and told organizers he and his bride of 66 years, Katie, 84, would not be attending.
“I’m so sorry, but Katie and I eloped last night,” said Butler with a devilish grin, dressed in a peach guayabera and Birkenstocks for the ceremony.
The secret to a long happy marriage?
Never go to bed mad,” said Art Engberg, 89, married to Virginia, 87, for 66 years.
“You get mad at each other, and that’s natural, but never go to bed until you’ve made up,” Art said.
“On only one occasion, we stayed up all night, and finally made up at dawn,” he said. “Not bad for 66 years.”
Paul and Trudy Harden hold hands during a renewal of their wedding vows Saturday afternoon. Paul, 92, and Trudy, 86, have been married for 62 years.
