“We Were Always Together”: A Love for All Ages

Can you imagine meeting “the One” before you even start high school?

That’s what happened for Glenda and Jerry Wheeler, residents at Brookdale Folsom. Glenda and Jerry first met at the Pollock Pines Community Church in December 1958. She was 12 and he was 15.

“A girl who went to school with Jerry told me how good-looking he was and took me to church to meet him,” Glenda remembers. “He saw me and said ‘hi.’ We were fixing to leave and I said ‘bye’ (pronounced ‘bah’). My Southern accent is what attracted him.”

The attraction lasted and they began dating seriously. After flirting with the possibility of life as a professional singer, Jerry joined the army in December 1961. He was gone for 13 months, but Jerry and Glenda finally got married when he returned to the states. Glenda was 17 and Jerry was 20 at the time of the ceremony. From there, they moved to Germany and lived off-base in a one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment with one twin bed.

Can you imagine meeting “the One” before you even start high school?

That’s what happened for Glenda and Jerry Wheeler, residents at Brookdale Folsom. Glenda and Jerry first met at the Pollock Pines Community Church in December 1958. She was 12 and he was 15.

“A girl who went to school with Jerry told me how good-looking he was and took me to church to meet him,” Glenda remembers. “He saw me and said ‘hi.’ We were fixing to leave and I said ‘bye’ (pronounced ‘bah’). My Southern accent is what attracted him.”

The attraction lasted and they began dating seriously. After flirting with the possibility of life as a professional singer, Jerry joined the army in December 1961. He was gone for 13 months, but Jerry and Glenda finally got married when he returned to the states. Glenda was 17 and Jerry was 20 at the time of the ceremony. From there, they moved to Germany and lived off-base in a one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment with one twin bed.

“There was no hot water, so I had to heat water and would only have two hot baths a week,” Glenda remembers.

Still, things weren’t all tough. She fondly remembers enjoying walks for pizza, Wiener Schnitzel, and Kartoffelsalat (German potato salad). Before too long, they relocated back to Washington where they started their family together. They had two daughters (Carie and Tamie) and today, proudly have four grandchildren (Kelly, Melissa, Nick, and Kristen) and two great-grandchildren (Bryce and Beau).

“There was no hot water, so I had to heat water and would only have two hot baths a week,” Glenda remembers.

Still, things weren’t all tough. She fondly remembers enjoying walks for pizza, Wiener Schnitzel, and Kartoffelsalat (German potato salad). Before too long, they relocated back to Washington where they started their family together. They had two daughters (Carie and Tamie) and today, proudly have four grandchildren (Kelly, Melissa, Nick, and Kristen) and two great-grandchildren (Bryce and Beau).

Over the years, they shared many wonderful memories. Jerry used to race stock cars on Friday and Saturday nights. Glenda laughingly points out that Jerry even used to win sometimes. Every year, they enjoyed a family vacation to Loon Lake where they’d hunt, fish, camp, and cook.

“We were always together,” Jerry said.

After 59 years of marriage, people always want to know if they have any advice for others.

“Treat her right, compromise and learn to get along,” said Jerry.

“Communication and honesty are the keys to any marriage,” said Glenda. “Also, be friends.”

They should know, considering they just celebrated their 59^th wedding anniversary in June. Through all those years, they are still optimistic and still happy to be together. “The love is still there,” said Glenda.