The summer of 1958 was a busy one for four local couples. They each were getting married and so were their friends.
The four couples held their weddings July 12, July 19, July 26 and Aug. 2, none of them thinking that 50 years on, and with an accumulated 200 years of marriage experience under their belts, the eight would be celebrating their wedding anniversaries together.
Retired Everett City Councilman Bob Overstreet and Myrna Pierson met during her freshman year at Washington State University. Myrna had a sense right then that she wanted to get to know Bob.
“I thought, ‘Hmm, OK.’” she said.
Myrna figured out where Bob was studying and would stop by. Eventually he asked her out. The couple got pinned in Myrna’s sophomore year and later Bob surprised his girlfriend with a ring.
When Myra realized that another three couples that they knew were all getting married that summer, she invited the girls over to plan wedding dates.
“Back then you could do it with just six months,” Myrna said.
Bob and Myrna Overstreet were the first of the four couples to be married. Their wedding was held July 12, 1958. They have four children and 11 grandchildren.
n n n
Car dealer Dwayne Lane and Rosemary Dempsey met during sixth grade at Immaculate Conception School in Everett. Rosemary had moved to the area from California.
In seventh grade, on Valentine’s Day, Rosemary found a surprise waiting for her when she came in from recess. Dwayne had left Rosemary a heart-shaped box of candy. She was very embarrassed by the gesture and slammed it right back on his desk.
“I was too young,” Rosemary said. “I wasn’t ready. He gave the candy to his mom.”
The two began dating in the ninth grade, through junior high school and onto college. Rosemary graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in medical technology from Gonzaga University, while Dwayne went to Everett Junior College, now Everett Community College, and Western Washington University to play football.
Dwayne surprised Rosemary on Feb. 8, 1957, with a ring and a proposal. It was during a trip to Gonzaga for a formal dance.
“He had asked my mother,” Rosemary said. “She knew, but I didn’t.”
Dwayne and Rosemary Lane were married one week after the Overstreets on July 19, 1958. They have five children, 15 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
n n n
Art Hansen was a year ahead of Margaret Berger when they met in high school. They started going together when she was a junior and 17 years old.
The couple dated off and on. Margaret went to Western Washington University and then to the University of Washington. Art went to the University of Idaho. When they came home they went out together.
Margaret was still in college and Art was in the United States Navy stationed in Seattle when they talked about getting married. The two went shopping for a ring together.
“I guess some people are comfortable together,” Margaret said. “We had different backgrounds but solid family backgrounds.”
Art and Margaret Hansen were married one week after the Lanes on July 26, 1958. They have three children and one grandchild.
n n n
Dick Hanson and Helen Flynn started going out when she was a senior at Everett High School. School was almost done and Dick was a year behind Helen.
After graduation, Helen went to Seattle University. Dick first went to Everett Junior College then to the University of Washington. They got engaged in her senior year in college.
“I believe he proposed but it’s not something I have a memory of,” Helen said.
Dick and Helen Hanson were married one week after the Hansens on Aug. 2, 1958. They have six children and 15 grandchildren.
n n n
Myrna, Dwayne, Rosemary, Dick, Helen, Art and Margaret were all graduates of Everett High School, which meant they were known as Seagulls. Bob was also a Seagull since students at his school, Raymond High School in Raymond, Wash., were also given that name.
Once they were all married, the couples stayed in touch, at least for the first year.
“The first year we all had a baby,” Rosemary said.
As their families grew, the couple’s worlds drew apart, but all remained friends throughout the years.
“When we had zero money, we played bridge and had a potluck,” she said.
The four couples recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversaries with a trip to Whitefish, Mont.
They loaded up a big van with luggage, golf clubs and picnic gear and visited Glacier National Park and had dinners and lots of fun.
Thirty years ago they had celebrated their 20th anniversary with a trip to the San Juan Islands on Art Hansen’s boat.
n n n
Myrna describes Bob as trustworthy, respecting God and family.
When it comes to having a good 50 years of marriage, Myrna says respect is key, and even if you’re not happy about something to remember and look at the other person with soft eyes.
“It makes a difference because things are not always easy,” Myrna said.
When Rosemary accepted Dwayne’s proposal, she knew it was forever.
“When I said ‘yes,’ I meant it for the rest of my life,” Rosemary said.
The couple had a strong sense of commitment.
“We couldn’t have done it without our faith, and family and friends,” she said.
Rosemary describes Dwayne as her best friend and being full of energy. Their family has been their focus, and Rosemary admires her husband and how hard he has worked for them.
Margaret says that Art has been a very good family man and provided well for his family.
“I married a handyman,” she said. “He does everything.”
For those just starting out in marriage Margaret says that hanging in there is a major component.
“You go in with the idea that you are going to be married,” Margaret said.
n n n
Helen, the last bride of the four, says it would never have dawned on her as a young woman that 50 years on the couples would be celebrating their wedding anniversaries together.
“Absolutely not,” Helen said. “It would never have occurred to me that I would live that long.”
But since the couples seem to have a tradition going, she thinks they will celebrate their anniversaries with more frequency.
“Now that we have time,” Helen said.
Marrying Dick was an easy thing for Helen to do. She knew he would be a wonderful husband and a wonderful father.
Helen would tell newly married couples not to take it all so too seriously.
“You have to lighten up a little bit,” Helen said. “Take each day and do what you need to do. Get through the tougher times and most of the time it’s just wonderful.”
For information on Love Story and Celebrations, contact Christina Harper at 425-339-3491 or e-mail harper@heraldnet.com.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
