Passing the test of time are five area couples who have reached milestone anniversaries...

25 years...

Miguel and Alicia Patrick, Grant.
Married: Aug. 15,1987  at Grant United Methodist Church.
Where they met: In high school; Alicia was one year younger and they began dating after she graduated.
Song:  “Time In A Bottle” by Jim Croce.
Family: Three daughters—
Gabrielle, Rachel, Katie.
Careers:  Miguel—farming; Alicia—owns Country Gardens Greenhouse, works at Poppe’s Posies, keeps books for Prevailing Winds family farming corporation.
Marital advice:  “Marry someone you not only love, but like also.”

40 years...

Bob and Beth Krems, Grant.
Married: Jan. 29, 1972 at Big Springs Lutheran Church.
Where they met: In college in Denver, Beth was going to business school and her roommate, who was from Big Springs, introduced her to Bob.
Song: Bob says, “When a Man Loves a Woman” by Percy Sledge; Beth says, “Proud Mary” by Tina Turner.
Family: Three children, Kimberly, David and Pennie, six grandkids.
Careers: Beth—in home daycare, Bob—Perkins County Petroleum.
Marriage advice: “Trust the Lord, and stay the journey, and also, it wouldn’t hurt to make him sour cream raisin bars.”

50 years...

David and Nancie Peterson, Madrid.
Married: Jan. 19, 1963 in the Chapel at Mickelsen Hall of Dana College in Blair.
Where they met: At college, first week of January, 1962.
Song:  “Wonderland By Night”  by Bert Kaempfert.
Family: Three daughters, Kimberly, Kristina, and Kyra; 10 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren.
Careers: David—farming; Nancie—teacher, dispatcher, worked in county attorney’s office; both did inspection of natural gas pipelines; Nancie later scheduled gas on pipelines for companies.
Marital advice:  “Hang in there!”

60 years...

Richard and Harreette Kurkowski, Grant.

Married: Dec. 23, 1951 at St. John’s Lutheran Church south of Roscoe.
Where they met: At the skating rink during high school, and began dating after graduating while she was teaching school.
Song:  Amazing Grace.
Family:  three sons, Jack, Kelvin, Clayton;  17 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren.
Career:  Richard: Farming, Harreette:  Taught country school; she had a Christmas program on Friday night and they got married on Saturday.
Marriage advice:  Go to the same church!

70 years...

Frank and Alice Jantzen,
Grant—Westview.
Married:  April 10, 1941 at a Mennonite Brethren Church in rural Perkins County.
Where they met: Had known each other quite some time then began dating.
Song: “I’d Rather Have Jesus.”
Family:  One son, Lloyd; three grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren.
Career:  Farming.
Marriage advice:  Forgive and don’t hold grudges. Marriage isn’t a bed of roses, but God will guide our lives.