NAOMY SNIDER
York News-Times
YORK — Melvin and JoAnn Reetz of York have been gushing over one another for more than 75 years.
They met at York High School and JoAnn invited Melvin on their first date.
“I played in the band and we were having a banquet, and, of course, we could invite a guest, so I invited him to go,” she said.
After graduation the love birds got hitched at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in 1947.
The holding hands of a couple who has made it through 75 years of forgiveness, hard work and dedication to one another.
Naomy Snider, York News-Times
From there they went on their honeymoon to Yellowstone, the start of many adventures.
Melvin worked most of his life as a farmer and JoAnn worked for Lincoln Telegraph and Telephone. They raised two daughters, Sheri Beins and Patsy Haggadone.
High school sweethearts Melvin and JoAnn Reetz stand in front of the old York High School in 1945.
COURTESY PHOTO
“She was a good mama. She took care of the family," Melvin said.
On their farm, they raised cows, chickens and turkeys.
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“He tried to teach me how to milk cows, but I put my foot down,” JoAnn said. For the couple of times Melvin lost JoAnn’s turkeys, it only seemed right for Melvin to milk cows himself.
Melvin and JoAnn Reetz said “I do” to one another at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in 1947.
Melvin said he loves how great a cook JoAnn is. Melvin loves her rice pudding and JoAnn loves his homemade Runzas.
Melvin also worked as the York County assessor for 30 years. He worked part-time and took care of the girls while JoAnn worked.
Melvin’s idea of “watching the girls” was giving them a full day of play and letting them “take care of themselves.” JoAnn said she'd often come home to Sheri and Patsy climbing and jumping off trees.
Melvin and JoAnn Reetz of York hike in the mountains of Estes Park.
The pair have traveled all over the world. For their 50th wedding anniversary, they went on a cruise where Melvin was able to see the Panama Canal, which was on his bucket list.
From dancing to the song “Tiny Bubbles” on the sandy beaches of Hawaii to hiking the trails of Estes Park, Colorado, Melvin and JoAnn have written their love story over 75 years.
“There’s a lot of give and take. We tried to get along the best we could. We evidently did something right,” JoAnn said.
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