THE PHOTO FROM FIFTY YEARS ago is priceless. Six cousins, all nieces of the groom, step ladder lined up on the steep steps of Rock Dell Lutheran Church, rural Belview, Minnesota.
I’m third from the top in this 50-year-old image tucked into a photo album.
I wish I remembered that moment when newlyweds, Merlin and Iylene Kletscher, descended the stairs. But I was only eight then, snugged between cousins, on that beautiful early November day in 1964. Or at least I assume the weather was unseasonably pleasant as we’re dressed like it’s summer.
Historic Odeon Hall in Belview.
Fast forward fifty years and I’m back in Belview, this time at Odeon Hall, an historic 1901 community center next to city hall and the fire department and within a block of my aunt and uncle’s home. They recently moved back to Iylene’s hometown.
The crowd dwindles as the 50th anniversary party comes to a close. The honored couple are to the left front.
I am there with my husband and hundreds of others celebrating the couple’s 50th wedding anniversary several months early.
Merlin and Iylene’s wedding photo served as a table decoration.
And I wonder, as I reconnect with cousins and other aunts and uncles, how fifty years have passed.
Dyed bridesmaid’s shoes from the November 7, 1964, wedding.
It seems only yesterday I was an 8-year-old wearing cat eye glasses, hair pulled back with a barrette, dressed in my Sunday best button back green corduroy jumper and white blouse perched on those steps in my shiny black patent leather shoes.
Iylene’s wedding dress (which she sewed) and veil and Merlin’s suit.
Yesterday.
Cake to celebrate 50 years of marriage.
But yesterday was fifty years ago, when high school sweethearts Merlin, 19, and Iylene, 20, pledged their love to one another before family and friends in a small country church. Within six years, they had four children.
Merlin and Iylene today.
What a blessing to have a half century together.
A little lunch was served at the anniversary party.
Fifty years are worth celebrating.
Guests linger as the party ends.
And I was delighted to be there, as I was on November 7, 1964, to congratulate my aunt and uncle, this time fully appreciating the depth of their love for one another.
© Copyright 2014 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
Life is grand to have 50 years together. Their smiles tell it all!
I know. I think these two are as in love today as they were when they met more than 50 years ago.
Congrats to Merlin and Iylene—what a lovely party that looks like!!!! I can hear the chatter and the laughter and can almost taste that cake!
It was a lovely party with guests visiting and congratulating the couple.
That is an impressive milestone. Congrats to the happy couple.
Isn’t it? Fifty years. Time flies.
Congratulations and best wishes to the happy couple from an RFHS classmate.
Excellent. I’m sure Merlin and Iylene will especially appreciate your congratulations.
Nice write up and pictures Audrey. It was a nice day for the party. Lots of people
were there to congratulate Merlin and Iylene! They are a very nice couple.
Merlin and Iylene are the best. Love them!
It was wonderful to meet you and Tom at the party.
WOW – 50 years together and still very much in LOVE – How Sweet is that! I hope to hit that milestone and have hit one already – 10 years. How does it go by so fast??? Beautiful Post – thanks so much for sharing. Happy Hump Day!
Congratulations on your 10 years together. We just marked 32 in May. Yeah, where did the years go?
Congrats on 32. Yes, time is flying – pretty soon be August already and the Summer will be going into Fall – Crazy!
Congrats Merlin and Iylene – what a great milestone!
Thanks for sharing your wishes, Jon.
Awww this is great….50 years, your aunt & uncle look so young and healthy. How fun for you to be able to attend this momentous event, celebrating at the beginning of their journey and now 50 years later.
Merlin and Iylene have always been very physically active–with square dancing up until recently, biking, hiking, walking, etc. To their recreational credit, they have visited and hiked in all of Minnesota’s state parks.
Yes, it’s great to be back now as an adult celebrating their marriage.
Congratulations Merlin and Iylene! You both look fantastic. . . marriage certainly agrees with you.
Yes, don’t they look fabulous?
Thanks for the congrats to our RFHS classmates, Ken, Jon & Marilyn
What a special day. I love how she still has her wedding dress and veil and how these were on display at the celebration. I love the bridesmaid shoes – gorgeous! A few years ago we organised a similar event for my in-laws ‘golden’ (as they called it). These milestones are definitely worth celebrating xx
It was fun to see Iylene’s dress and veil and those shoes and the bridesmaid’s dress. We call the 50th golden, too. And rightly so.
So enjoyed this-how fortunate the two of you are to have each other for 50 years. Dated Him briefly back in our junior year of High School. And know what a neat man he is! And what a neat couple you are-great pics. Thanks Mary Jane Laughlin McConnell
I totally agree that Uncle Merlin is a “neat man.” And Iylene, too. And, yes, they are a neat couple. Love them both.