George and Elsie Humphrey will be celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary Sunday, October 2 in Delia.
They were both just 21 years old when they exchanged vows and have kept those vows ever since.
George was born and raised in the Delia area. Elsie lived in Manitoba for the first few years of her life and moved to Michichi when she was 2 years old. Elsie frequented the community dances with her friends.
Since meeting George at a dance in Michichi when they were 17, George and Elsie have done everything together.
“I don’t go anywhere without Elsie and Elsie doesn’t go anywhere without me except to the hair salon,” laughs George.
They both agree that maybe this is why they have made it this long.
“We only had $600 when we got married. We just had to work hard and we tried to love one another in the hard times.” George said.
George and Elsie courted for three years before saying “I Do” in 1946. During this time, George started working at the Nacmine as a miner and continued working there until 1949.
After working in the mine, George started farming while Elsie stayed home with the children. They had four children, one girl and three boys, which has grown to six grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
Elaine Stilling, George and Elsie’s daughter and oldest child said, “Though they have faced hard times, mom and dad managed to stay together through it all.”
When Elsie was pregnant with their third baby, she was diagnosed with polio. She was admitted to the Drumheller Hospital for one month until the baby was born, Then was transferred to Edmonton where Elsie spent another five months in the polio ward. Baby Humphrey was cared for by extended family during the day.
George would spend every evening with Elsie and money was depleting.
“I got a job with a man whose wife was in the same ward as Elsie. He was good enough to give me a job at the trailer manufacturing place. I worked there during the day and lived at Elsie’s aunt and uncle’s to care for the baby at night.”George said, “I would go and visit Elsie very night.”
Other than the six months spent in Edmonton, George and Elsie raised their family in Delia.
“We lived in town because it was better for the kids and me.” Elsie said, “George drove about 1 mile or so everyday to do the farming and to milk the cows.”
“I also drove school bus to make a few more dollars. The only regret I have is that I wasn’t there much because I was working so much,” George said.
Elsie responded, “I think it’s very important to stay home with the kids while they are young but it is just as important to support your family.”
When asked what the secret to a successful marriage is, George said, “If you’re not going to try, don’t even get married. You have to keep trying, you can never give up and you have to work at things.”
Elsie said, “Be prepared to put up with a lot. You both have to be willing to give and take.”
George said, “It’s been a rough life but a good life.”
