Country boy and city girl celebrate 70th anniversary

Jean and Paul Souchek were married on March 29, 1947 (Joan 18, Paul 22) at Norwood Heights Evangelical Free Church in Norwood Heights, Illinois. Their 70th wedding anniversary party was on April 1 in Drendel Hall.

Dad grew up in a farm in Woodale. Mom in a flat in the city. Her parents were immigrants from Stockholm. Her parents were planning to come over on the Titanic, but needed to come later as her brother Walter was about to be born.

Also, they both were delivered by the same doctor 4 years apart in their respective homes.

They met at a young adult social group at church in 1947. My mother’s best friend, Arlene, was dating my Dad’s brother George. Paul had just come home from active duty in WW2,( the 36th Infantry Division), and his brother, George brought him to church to meet Joan. He introduced them, Joan shook hands with him and said, “Glad to meet you,” and left. She apparently had church responsibilities that night. He eventually asked her out, she said “yes” and the rest is history, as they say. When Paul asked her father for her hand in marriage, He said to Paul, ”Do you know what you’re doing?” Paul did not answer and married her anyways. He said, “All GIs wanted to get married and buy a house and settle down.” His first house was $15,300, with a mortgage payment of $96.00.

(Photos provided)

Joan and Paul have 3 children, Linda, Donna, and Paul. They have 7 grandchildren, Matt (wife Clara), Chris, Bethany, Scott (wife Pam), Carrie (husband Kenny), Megan (husband Dustin) and Heidi. They have 3 great-grand children, Faelynn, Thomas, and Mateo. As grandparents to theater kids, they never missed a show.

Paul is 93 and a WW2 Vet. He still drives and chauffeurs “Miss Daisy” (alias Joan). He is a master story teller, restores vintage radios, and tries to keep up with Joan. They are members of Willowcreek Community Church in Huntley and the Scandinavian Club in Sun City. Joan is 89 and an avid swimmer and a member of the Sun City Stingrays. She has many gold and silver medals for the back stroke, most of which were won in the last 10 years. Their social calendar is always full and they have been blessed with many close wonderful friends throughout the years.

Paul’s answer for the secret to a long marriage is ”Patience, Patience, Patience ,Patience, Patience.”

Submitted by Linda Cook (daughter)

---

---