Heaths celebrate 70 years of marriage

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Friday, August 17, 2007 1:58 PM CDT

Special to the Herald - On Aug. 7, 1937 at the Congregational Church in Osseo, Frank Heath and Helma Knudtson began the first year of married life following nine months of courtship. Just days ago, on Aug. 5, 2007 they celebrated their 70th year of marriage with family and friends.

On the way to the church between Strum and Osseo, they realized they had forgotten the marriage license at Helma’s home in Chimney Rock. They made a speedy (over 90 miles an hour in a rented Terraplain) trip back to get it and were at the church on time. Wedding attendants were Milford Knudtson, brother of the bride, and Gladys Knutson, friend and neighbor of the bride.

After the ceremony, the wedding party and immediate families returned to the bride’s parents’ home for a family-style dinner, served by her mother and two sisters, Minnie and Elvina.

Helma even made her own wedding cake. It was white cake with white frosting (no cake mixes in those days). She decorated it with red berries that grew wild in the back yard. That evening, a dance was held in Strum at the hall, with music by the Filla Brothers.

Their first home was an apartment in Arcadia and Frank worked at a filling station. After about six months they moved to the rural Strum area where they did some farming and building for about 2 ½ years. During this time they had their first child, Shirley Jane, born on July 20, 1938.

In 1940 they moved to Chimney Rock and farmed. Here Pearl Sharon was born on Nov. 25, 1940. In 1941 they moved to Strum and Frank worked for the Farmers Union, until he bought his own milk route and hauled milk.

While living in Strum, Floyd Leo was born on July 18, 1943 and Roberta Rae was born on June 20, 1946.

In the fall of 1946 they moved to the Harley Heath farm and farmed for the next 12 years. Frank went to work for Lester Wedding as an electrician in 1955, and continued to farm. On May 17, 1956 their family was complete when Robin Eugene was born.

In 1959 they built their own home on the prairie and gave up farming. Around 1963 Helma pursued a career in caring for residents in a nursing home, since her children were now grown up or in school. Frank retired from Wedding Electric in 1975 and Helma retired from the Osseo Nursing Home in 1984.

Besides their five children, they were also blessed with 16 grandchildren. There are also numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren as well as those still on their way.

In the 70 years together, they have seen many changes, experienced good times and bad. During the depression, times were hard but they did what they had to do to get through it. In their lifetime they have never left a debt unpaid or ignored their responsibilities.

While raising their family, they enjoyed simple things like visits with neighbors or relatives after chores, free shows in Strum on Tuesday nights, drives on Sunday afternoon.

When Frank and Helma finally purchased a TV they had nightly entertainment. Some of their favorites were Jack Benny, Jackie Gleason, Ma & Pa Kettle, Lawrence Welk, Carol Burnett, Red Skelton, and the George Gobel Show, then in later years Hee Haw was a favorite.

Today they still reside at the home they constructed in 1959, in Strum, regularly surrounded by family and friends.