Friday, June 13, 2008
This is Your Life
Dorothy’s Story: Dorothy was born in 1939 to Willis Odell and Mary Sue Philbeck; they were textile mill workers at Burlington Industries. She grew up in Caroleen, NC with 4 sisters (Doris, Francis, Brenda, and Phyllis) and 2 brothers (Bobby and Gerald). She attended Caroleen Elementary and TRI High School. She was a good student and played basketball all 4 years of high school. She made all conference 3 yrs as a top scorer and managed to score 63 points in a single game, her personal best. Dorothy’s ambition was to be a nurse or a beautician, but her parents couldn’t afford for her to go to college, so after high school, Dorothy went to Florida to babysit her niece, not knowing that this is where she would meet her future husband.
Wilbert’s Story: Wilbert was born in a small farm house in rural Clare, Iowa in 1936. His parents were Gerd Wilts and Martha Janssen. He grew up on the farm with his brother Martin. Wilbert’s mom died when he was 11 yrs old. As a child he attended Pioneer Elementary School and graduated the 8th grade third in his class. He started working at the young age of 13, as a farm hand. He lived with the farmers and was paid with room, board and some spending money. When he was old enough to serve, he joined the Navy. He attended basic training at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center in Chicago, Illinois. He was stationed in Jacksonville, FL from 1955 to 1959. He worked as an airplane mechanic and spent one year of his service in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Their Story:
Dorothy’s brother, Bobby was in the Navy and was also stationed in Jacksonville, FL. He and Wilbert were buddies! He invited Wilbert over to his home for supper one evening. Dorothy was living there as a full-time nanny for Bob & Wanda’s daughter, Gina. As it turned out, Wilbert would be there for many suppers after that night courting his lady. He would get his wish, as he had always wanted to marry a southern gal.
Their first date was September 3, 1958. Wilbert did not have a car then, so they stayed home for all of their dates. At Thanksgiving, Wilbert went home to Iowa and drove a 1952 Ford from Iowa to Florida. After that, their dates consisted of going to the drive-in movies or just driving around, something they still love to do.
They became engaged in December 1958 and set a date for June. It was moved up to May, then April and finally February. Dorothy’s sister-in-law Wanda was making the dress and she said if they changed the date one more time, that the dress would not be ready. She finished the dress the day before the wedding ceremony. Their courtship lasted a total of 5 months.
The wedding was on a Saturday afternoon - February 7, 1959 at the All Saints Chapel, located on the Navy base in Jacksonville, Florida. Dorothy wore a handmade white dress with a reversible jacket and a blue pillbox hat. Wilbert was dressed in black slacks and a cream jacket. Most of Dorothy’s family and Wilbert’s brother, Martin were in attendance.
Their most memorable wedding gift was a crocheted bedspread from Grandmother Philbeck. Their most vivid memory of the wedding date was that the Navy Chaplain forgot about the ceremony and wasn’t ready for them.
For their honeymoon they traveled to the oldest city in the U.S., St. Augustine, Florida. There they drank from the Fountain of Youth and toured many sites around the city.
They lived in a two bedroom trailer house and then next door in a little cottage. They lived in Jacksonville, FL for 10 months until Wilbert’s discharge from the Navy in December of 1959. It was then that they packed up all their belongings and moved to Iowa.
They first returned to Wilbert’s hometown of Clare where Wilbert farmed for the Taylors. In 1963 they moved to a rural farm near Palmer, Iowa owned by Gerd Aden. They would stay and farm that land until Aden wanted to move back to his farm following the death of his wife. In 1966 Dorothy and Wilbert moved into the town of Palmer where they lived in the property behind the fire station. From there they could see and hear the local barn dances on summer weekends. During this time, Wilbert farmed 80 acres on the weekend and worked full-time for Pocahontas County driving the road grader or snowplow. It was at this time he met Jim Fogarty and through him Wilbert found out about a place for rent just outside of Fonda, Iowa. In 1967 they would move to Marlett’s place on Highway 7. During this time, Dorothy worked at the Fonda Care Center as a nurse’s aid during the 3 to 11 shift. She worked there for only one year. In 1968 they moved to rural Jolley, Iowa and rented a property from Barney Engler. It was there that they settled and lived on the Engler farm for a total of 16 years. In 1984 Dorothy and Wilbert retired from farming and moved to the town of Pomeroy, Iowa where they currently reside.
Retiring from farming, did not mean they would retire completely. Dorothy worked at Casey’s, making pizzas for 11 years until a back injury and subsequent back surgery prevented her from working any longer. Wilbert has spent all of the years since driving the open road. He has worked for several employers, including Terra and Hog Slats.
They will officially celebrate 50 years of marriage in February of 2009. They have been blessed with 5 children (DeeDee, Garry, Debbie, Jenny, and Terry who died as an infant) and 5 grandchildren (Karl, Jill, Jackie, Bradley and Makayla). Wilbert and Dorothy have spent time enjoying their retirement as they travel far and wide in their RV looking for adventure, making new friends and visiting their loved ones. As they look forward to what other surprises the future will bring, you never know just where or when they will be on the road again!
Jackie sings
"When God Made You" - popular song by Newsong
"How You Live" - popular song by Point of Grace
Its always been a mystery to me
How two hearts can come together
And love can last forever
But now that I have found you, I believe
That a miracle has come
When God sends the perfect one
Now gone are all my questions about why
And Ive never been so sure of anything in my life
(Chorus)I wonder what God was thinking
When He created you
I wonder if He knew everything I would need
Because He made all my dreams come true
When God made you
He must have been thinking about me
I promise that wherever you may go
Wherever life may lead you
With all my heart Ill be there too
From this moment I want you to know
Ill let nothing come between us
And I will love the ones you love
Now gone are all my question about why
And Ive never been so sure of anything in my life
(Repeat Chorus)(Bridge)
He made the sun He made the moon
To harmonize in perfect tune
One cant move without the other
They just have to be together
And that is why I know its true
Youre for me and Im for you
Cause my world just cant be right
Without you in my life
(Repeat Chorus)(Tag)
He mustve heard every prayer Ive been praying
Yes He knew everything I would need
When God made you
When dreams come true
When God made you
He mustve been thinking about me
How You Live by Point of Grace
Wake up to the sunlight with your windows open
Don’t hold in your anger or leave things unspoken
Wear your red dress, use your good dishes
Make a big mess and make lots of wishes
And have what you want
But want what you have
And don’t spend your life looking back
Turn up the music, turn it up loud
Take a few chances, let it all out
‘Cause you won’t regret it
Looking back from where you have been
‘Cause it’s not who you knew
And it’s not what you did, it’s how you live
So go to the ballgames and go to the ballet
And go see your folks more than just on holidays
Kiss all your children, dance with your wife
Tell your husband you love him every night
Don’t run from the truth
‘Cause you can’t get away, oh no
Just face it and you’ll be okay
Turn up the music, turn it up loud
Take a few chances, let it all out
‘Cause you won’t regret it
Looking back from where you have been
‘Cause it’s not who you knew
And it’s not what you did, it’s how you live
Oh, wherever you are and wherever you’ve been
Now is the time to begin
So, give to the needy and pray for the grieving
Even when you don’t think that you can
‘Cause all that you do is bound to come back to you
So, think of your fellow man
And make peace with God
And make peace with yourself, oh yeah
‘Cause in the end there’s nobody else
Turn up the music, turn it up loud
Take a few chances, let it all out
‘Cause you won’t regret it
Looking back from where you have been
‘Cause it’s not who you knew
And it’s not what you did, it’s how you live
‘Cause it’s not who you knew
And it’s not what you did, it’s how you live
5 - 0
In Chemistry, 50 is the atomic number for the chemical element of TIN.
In Physics, 50 is the fifth magic number.
The Roman numeral for 50 is the letter L.
Noah’s Ark measured 50 cubits wide.
50 millimeters is the focal length of the normal lens in 35 mm photography.
“50 First Dates” is a title of a romantic comedy that takes place in Hawaii.
“Hawaii 5-0” was name of a popular police show on TV in 1968
Hawaii was the 50th state to enter the union in 1960
The 50 states are represented on the U.S. flag by 50 stars.
The Moon is 50 times smaller than the Earth
50 CENT is the name of an American rapper. He is the voice in the video game “Bulletproof”
50 is a caliber of ammunition
John F Kennedy was the 35th president of the United States. He was assassinated with two bullets . His portrait is on the 50 cent coin. It is also known as a silver dollar or Half Dollar.
The 18th president, Ulysses S. Grant’s portrait is on the U.S. Fifty Dollar bill.
The phrase “fifty-fifty” commonly expresses something divided equally in half, or an event of one half probability.
The 50th day of the year is February 19th.
50 is the traditional number of years in a jubilee.
A Golden Wedding Anniversary celebrates 50 years of marriage.
In February of 2009, Dorothy & Wilbert will celebrate 50 years of marriage.
Makayla sings - You Are My Sunshine
The Not-So Newlywed Game
This game was played at the 25th Anniversary and was revisited for the 50th!
Couple 2: Norma & Dennis Barkhous
Couple 3: Martin & Mary Janssen
Couple 4: Sharon & Frank Stamper
I'm guessing by Mary's expression, he was wrong!
Q1 Memory: How will your partner say you’d complete this question? This is you talking about her. “I wish she would pay more attention to BLANK and pay less attention to WHAT”
Q2 Personality: Who will your partner say, led more of a “Wild Life” before the two of you got together – You or Her?
Q3 Home: When you come out your front door, will your partner say the closest fire hydrant is: to the left, to the right or straight ahead?
Q4 Food: What will your partner say was the name of the last restaurant the two of you ate at together?
Q5 Misc: Since you chose your partner, out of all the fish in the sea, what kind of fish will she say, you think she’s most like? Be specific!
Q1 Memory: Since you’ve been together, will your partner say that the two of you have spent more money on Medical Bills or Repair Bills?
Q2 Personality: Will your husband say that “You are more dependent on him” or “He’s more dependent on you”
Q3 Home: Last week at home, will your partner say your household received more incoming calls or made more outgoing calls?
Q4 Food: Which of the following, will your husband say he has most often: milk shakes, milk chocolate, a glass of milk or milk of magnesia?
Q5 Misc: How will your partner say you would complete this sentence? This is you talking. “If I was blindfolded, I would be able to pick my man out of a group of men, just by feeling his BLANK.”
FINAL QUESTION: worth 25 points
How many years have you been married?
My Grandparents by Jill Kuklenz
Grand-daughter, Jill Kuklenz recites an original poem
My Grandparents
Grandparents are special in so many ways.
Their hearts are filled with love and they brighten up our days.
Grandparents are great listeners when we need them to advise,
because they're understanding and truly very wise.
Grandparents have great smiles; they’ve been smiling for so long.
They even make us smile when all is going wrong.
Grandparents are generous; they make sure we have the best.
I'm thankful for my grandparents I know I'm truly blessed.
by Jill Marie Kuklenz
Anniversary Jokes
A farmer and his wife were leaning against the edge of their pig-pen when the old woman wistfully recalled that the next week would mark their golden wedding anniversary."Let's have a party, Willy," she suggested. "Let's kill a pig!"The farmer scratched his grizzled head.
"Gee, Dot," he finally answered, "I don't see why the pig should take the blame for something that happened fifty years ago."
Anniversary Gift
Two men were talking and one said to the other,
"You're having an anniversary soon, right?"
Wilbert replied, "Yep, 50 years."
"Wow," said the other. "What are you going to get your wife for your anniversary?"
Wilbert replied, "We're going on a trip to Australia."
"Wow, Australia, that's some gift!" said the other man.
"That's going to be hard to beat. What are you going to do for your next anniversary?"
"Oh, I'll probably go back and get her."
The Wedding Story
A couple was reminiscing about their wedding and remembered this story:”Remember the little boy in our wedding. He was walking down the aisle, he would take two steps, stop, and turn to the pews. While facing the people sitting in the pews, he would put his hands up like claws and roar. So it went, step, step, ROAR, step, step, ROAR, all the way down the aisle. Everybody was laughing so hard by the time he reached the pulpit.”
When we asked what he was doing, the child sniffed and said, "I'm the Ring Bear."
Food & Fellowship
The Game: It's Golden
Guests playing the game, while the food is being readied.
1) A Gold Crown Store Hallmark
2) An American sitcomthat originally aired on NBC. The show centers on four older women sharing a Miami, Florida home. The Golden Girls
3) Family restaurants featuring buffets containing an array of hot meat options as well as pasta, pizza, fresh vegetables, and a salad bar Golden Corral
4) The home of the Coors Brewing Company Golden, Colorado
5) The 1964 James Bond movie starring Sean Connery as MI6 agent James Bond who is spying on a gold smuggler. Goldfinger
6) The mother of Kate Hudson Goldie Hawn
7) A syndicated TV show which aired in the 1980s and consisted of the their own dancers doing elaborate dances to the top ten hits of the week Solid Gold
8) The maker of the popular goldfish snack cracker: Pepperidge Farms
9) White Gold is a mixture of gold and what other white metal nickel, platinum or palladium
10) A large breed of dog, historically developed as a gundog to retrieve shot waterfowl and game during the sport of hunting. Golden Retriever
11) A notable children’s bedtime story Goldilocks and the Three Bears
12) A fitness franchise since 1965 Gold’s Gym
13) Iron Pyrite Fool’s Gold
14) An over the counter medicated powder for skin irritation Gold Bond Powder
15) The golden ticket provided a tour of this man’s candy factory Willy Wonka
16) A 1981 film starring Henry Fonda and his daughter Jane: On Golden Pond
17) An NBA basketball team based in Oakland CA Golden State Warriors
18) The awards given out by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association The Golden Globes
19) A sweetened puff wheat cereal manufactured by Post Cereals Golden Crisp
20) An apple of yellow color Golden Delicious Apple
21) The thinnest sheet of gold available to jewelers and crafters Gold Leaf
22) The actress who played Carol Seaver on 1980s sitcom “Growing Pains” Tracey Gold
23) Hotel and casino in downtown Las Vegas The Golden Nugget;
NOT Gold Coast, it is on the Las Vegas strip (not downtown)
24) A metalworkers who specializes in working with gold Goldsmith
25) Atomic symbol of Gold AU
Tie Breaker: Atomic Number of Gold 79
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Anniversary Program
Opening Remarks
This is Your Life! – Karl Kuklenz
When God Made You – Jackie Kuklenz
A song made famous by NewSong with Natalie Grant
“50” – Garry Janssen
The Not-So-Newlywed Game
You Are My Sunshine – Makayla Swanson
A song made famous by Point of Grace
Closing Remarks
Game - It’s Golden
Please stay and enjoy some food & fellowship.
Friday, April 18, 2008
Stories and Photos
If you have any stories about the couple, you would like included in the program, please send them to me via the email addresses below or at this blog.
Thanks for making this day special for our parents!
Dee Kuklenz
4408 Highridge Drive
The Colony, TX 75056
deekuklenz@yahoo.com
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Hotel Info
here are some hotel/motels
for your consideration
Pomeroy & Fonda are located between Fort Dodge and Storm Lake
Fort Dodge, IA 50501
Americ Inn - 100 Kenyon Road
http://www.americinn.com/ 1-888-205-3516
Best Western Starlite Village -Jct Hwy 169 & Hwy 7
http://www.bestwestern.com/ 1-515-573-7177
Comfort Inn - 2938 5th Ave S
http://www.comfortinn.com/ 1-515-573-5000
Country Inn & Suites by Carlson - 3259 5th Ave
http://www.countryinns.com/ 1-888-201-1746 1-515-955-2259
Days Inn - 3040 5th Ave S, Hwy 20 - Exit 124
http://www.daysinn.com/ 1-515-576-8000
Quality Inn - 2001 Hwy 169
http://www.qualityinn.com/ 1-515-955-3621
Super 8 Motel - 3755 5th Ave S
http://www.super8.com/ 1-800-800-8000 1-515-576-8788
Pocahontas, IA 50574
Pocahontas Inn & Suites 11 E. Elm Ave
http://www.pocahontasinnandsuites.com 1-877-335-4775 1-712-335-4665
Storm Lake, IA 50588
AmeriHost Inn - 1726 Lake Ave
http://www.amerihostinn.com/ 1-712-732-1000
Budget Host Vista Inn - 1316 N Lake Ave
http://www.budgethostvistainn.com/ 1-712-732-2342
King's Point Waterpark & Resort - 1520 Lakeshore Drive
http://www.kingspointeresort.com/ 1-712-213-4500
Super 8 Motel - 101 W Milwaukee (Jct County Rd 49 & Hwy 71)
http://www.super8.com/ 1-800-800-8000
Campgrounds Too
www.twinlakesiowa.com/recreation
This lakeside campground offers 61 RV hook-ups, unlimited tent sites, and three rental cabins as well as restrooms, showers, picnic shelters, a playground, boat ramp, and docks for swimming and fishing.
For more information and to make reservations contact:
Calhoun County Conservation Board1228 High St., Rockwell City
Phone: 712-297-7131
http://www.twinlakesiowa.com/twin-lakes-trail-map.pdf
Camping at Lakeside Marina - Storm Lake, IA
http://www.lakesidemarinacampground.com/
Located in the heart of northwest Iowa, Lakeside Marina and Campground is just one hour south of Okoboji and the Iowa Great Lakes. Nestled in Lakeside - one mile west off U.S. Hwy. 71 on the shores of beautiful Storm Lake, a 3,200 acre natural lake, Lakeside Marina and Campground offers campers, fishermen, boaters and water sports enthusiasts a great place to play!
Bring your camper! Lakeside Marina offers 30 camping sites complete with electrical, water and sewer hookups
Campers can enjoy spacious camp sites with full hookups - 50/30/20 amp electrical, water and sewer. Groceries, ice, cold drinks, camping supplies and firewood are available in the store. Each campsite is outfitted with a picnic table and fire ring.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
It's A Surprise
It's 6 months early so they won't be expecting a thing! SHHH!!!!!
Our parents think they are going to the Fonda Arts Center to attend a music concert. The concert is not really until Sunday afternoon :-)
Date: Saturday, June 7th, 2008
Time: 2:00 - 5:00
Please be there by 1:30 to get a good crowd to surprise them!
Location: Fonda Arts Center (4th & Main), Fonda, IA 50540
RSVP: Dee Kuklenz 972-625-4411
Contact Info: deekuklenz@yahoo.com