Marlborough couple celebrates milestone anniversary
By Nance Ebert, Contributing Writer
Marlborough – Karoline and Norman Wheeler both agreed that 65 years ago, they both married the love of their life. They spend almost all of their time together and continue to enjoy each other’s company.
The couple met in Germany where Karoline lived and Norman was stationed in the army during the Korean War. She lived in the town of Ulm on the east side of the Danube River and Norman was stationed on the west side in a town called Neulm.
“The best thing that ever happened to me in the army was that I got pneumonia. That’s why I didn’t go to Korea. I was in the base hospital when my unit shipped out and when I came back to the base they didn’t know what to do with me because they cancelled my orders while I was on convalescent leave. Ninety five percent of the guys that I trained with in the infantry all went to Korea. I was sent over to Europe in the occupation army in Ulm,” said Norman.
They met on the street when Karoline was heading back to the dependent housing area where she worked as a nanny. This was next to Norman’s base. Karoline had asked a friend to walk with her back to her house because she needed some extra sweaters in Ulm. They literally bumped into each other. It was love at first sight.
“We got to know each other on the base at the service club and it only took me three months, from September to January, to ask Karoline to marry me. It took until the end of April for all of the paperwork to go through,” said Norman.
Karoline did not realize just how far the United States was from Germany and they had to fill out quite a lot of paperwork. Karoline had to go through security clearance and she patiently waited for Norman, who traveled first to get his discharge. Finally, a couple of months later, she received money for her plane ticket to join Norman.
The couple has traveled extensively throughout Europe. They have a large Winnebago Adventurer that they have enjoyed for many years. Their love of square dancing spans over 50 years and they have gone to 15 national conventions.
They have two grown sons, Kenny and David, two daughters-in-law, Sandy and Marlene, two granddaughters, Kimberly and Kelsey, and one step-grandson, Jason, who they enjoy spending time with.
“We are still in love and she is the same woman that I married. She is lovable and naturally beautiful,” said Norman.
“Being married for 65 years is an accomplishment,” noted Karoline. “I am still in love as ever and we aren’t tired of each other’s company. Sometimes it’s a little give and other times it’s a little take and we never go to bed angry.”
Photos/submitted