Relationships Talk

RIB LAKE, Wis. (WSAW) — From 1953 to 2018, Neal and Isabel Olkives have been married, and are still going strong. On July 4th 1953, Neal and Isabel said “I do”.

In Rib Lake on Saturday, family and friends of Neal and Isabel gathered to celebrate this marriage milestone.

“People celebrate Independence day for the country got our independence on July fourth… I lost mine” joked Neal Olkives.

“I actually think it’s Mom’s tolerance of Dad’s sense of humor” said daughter Krissy Emmerich.

Neal and Isabel had dated each other for two years before tying the knot.

“She had a brother who got married ten days before us, and another one that got married three weeks after us. And we kind of fit it right in then” explained Neal regarding the date of their wedding.

“It’s just the little things that they would do with one another that you knew they were truly in love. And I mean, when they hit their fiftieth, and sixtieth, it just kind of blows your mine. And now, it’s they sixty fifth, they’re just as silly together and they’re just as loving together, and it’s great to be in this big of a room, and sometimes you realize that they’re not thinking of anyone else but the two of them together” said grandson Daniel Olkives.

“You see them holding hands, walking together. They still, you know, Dad will put his arm around Mom, give her a little pat. And you got to love it and they’re together twenty four seven” added Krissy.

When asked for advice for couples who want to be married as long as they have, Neal offered a simple piece of advice.

“Don’t let the honeymoon end” smiled Neal.

Neal and Isabel entire wedding party was able to attend the celebration, along with Neal and Isabels children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and the rest of the extended family.