Currently celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary, Bill and Marion Meyer have known each other for much longer, since they were kids in fact.

The two lived with their families on farms located around a mile apart. Marion had cousins that lived across the field, and they would all get together and play. They also saw each other often throughout their school years.

Fast forward to the couple’s junior year in senior high. One night they, along with friends, attended a ‘Dust till Dawn’ dance. The two danced that night and have been together ever since. 

“I took her home after the dance so it actually became our first date,” said Bill.

The next year the couple graduated in the spring and got married in the fall. They were only 18. 

“We both had a deep love for each other,” said Bill.

“And we just had so much fun together and with our friends,” added Marion. 

Coming from large families, they started having children right away, with Bill working at the Red Owl store and Marion staying home with the kids. They were blessed with five – all daughters. 

When their youngest turned five and started kindergarten, Marion decided to start driving school bus. Once the youngest started second grade Marion began working part time jobs, mainly in retail. Bill was working as an insurance agent for Farmers Insurance Group in St. Cloud. He was later chosen to be a district manager in the Minneapolis area.

The Meyers moved 16 times during their married life. After deciding they wanted to spend their later years on the water, they bought a place on a lake. Two years after Bill retired they discovered they had made a mistake.

“We found out we didn’t really like it on the lake,” said Marion.

The couple did like to golf, so when Bill heard of Clearwater Estates they went to check it out. It felt like a good fit, so in 2002 they moved in, and this time, they stayed.

Over the years they’ve had good times and hard times.

“We made it through,” said Bill. “It turned out well. We’ve had a great life together, a good run.”

“We decided to stay together,” said Marion. “We argue occasionally but always try to work through it.”

“I do what I’m told,” Bill laughed.

Along with their five children, today the couple have seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Last summer their family held a big 70th anniversary celebration for them.