Advertisement After 67 years of marriage (observed July 29), they look like they could run a country mile. I wouldn’t bet against ’em.
I had a wonderful visit with the Allens in their screened porch at 4091 Starlite Drive, a quiet neighborhood in Wedgewood Terrace.
Of course, somewhere in our conversation I couldn’t resist asking the obvious of this very compatible couple: Do you have a secret for a long marriage?
“There is no secret,” said Ken, who’s a day younger than Marge. They’ll be 90 on Jan. 4 and 5. It’s a celebration of birthdays when “Marge gets to be boss for a day,” Ken said glancing at his mate with a special, fond smile.
Then Ken said something that should be bottled and shipped to every couple planning to marry— and to every divorce court threshold: “All decisions that we make are made together. This is the way to get along.”
With her adorable smile, Marge added: “And I let him do most of the work.”
Which begged the question: “Do you really pamper Marge?” To which Ken responded: “Of course, that is (also) what it takes.”
How was their recent anniversary celebrated? Marge said: “We went to our doctor for checkups. There was a new doctor there, and he looked us over. Then our regular doctor did, too. It seemed to take all day, but that’s OK because we’re both in good health. We’re very thankful for this.”
The Allens, products of the Viroqua and La Farge, Wis., communities, leave little doubt that good health is important. Most days you can see them walking throughout their neighborhood. Marge interjected: “You must mention our neighborhood. We’ve been here 54 years, and we have wonderful neighbors.”
Walking continues in winter in their basement that Ken has “fixed up” for this purpose. “It’s a beautiful place,” says Marge.
After 30 years of service at their most recent occupations, both retired about 25 years ago, he as the operator of an NSP power plant, she from J.C. Penney. Ken mowed yards and removed snow until having a heart attack in 2000, but the couple hasn’t shunned outdoor work.
The Allen residence has 16 flower beds, a big lawn and a large garden. All are manicured; the lawn is lush, the flowers are blooming, and large tomatoes are ripening.
A carport, neat in every respect, fronts their home. It’s reminiscent of a time when motor homes took the family on vacations to Florida and Arizona. There’s not much traveling now. When Ken started feeling uneasy driving a motor home on the road, the couple sold their most recent traveler.
Today, Ken and Marge are satisfied sticking close to home, being active in their church (Asbury Methodist, where they’ve belonged for 54 years) and living very independently.
“If we want to do something, we go ahead and do it,” said Ken. This past weekend, they were traveling to Milwaukee for a family gathering. Did I mention that they’re very proud of their two daughters, two granddaughters and three great-grandsons?
They simply love life, evident when asked if they could recall any disappointments. Almost in unison they replied “I can’t think of anything, really.”
Marge: “We have been blessed … so very fortunate!” Ken: “It’s been a good trip.”
Don’t you just love ’em?
Larry Olson can be reached at larry.olson@lacrossetribune.com.
