For nearly 33 years I have plied my career as a journalist and I learned quickly that in writing a column it is best to write few words about your own family.
This column is different because my parents—Gary and Dixie Bergmeier—will soon celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary in Wakefield, Kansas. They will celebrate the milestone with a reception on May 27 not far from where they actually exchanged vows.
On June 1, 1958, they were married in the backyard of my grandparents’ home on my Mom’s side in a small ceremony in a Norman Rockwell-type neighborhood that no longer exists because of the construction of Milford Lake.
My folks have enjoyed the blessings they know first comes from the Lord. They have faced difficult challenges with faith, resolve and determination. Over time I could see how their ability to manage through tough times provided them a solid foundation.
When they got married, President Dwight D. Eisenhower was in office and an understated commander-in-chief who guided our country through the toughest stretch of the Cold War. No one thought it was going to be easy to win the Cold War and Ike knew that too. The statesman was sure he was not going to see it in his lifetime but the battle was for my folks’ generation, my generation and the generations that followed. Ike was right and we are forever indebted to his leadership.
From 1959-62, my two older brothers (Mark and Mike) and myself joined the scene. In those years much was made about getting a man to the moon and the technological aspirations of a young President John F. Kennedy. My folks could see the benefits of technology early on. For many people who thought the British invasion and Woodstock was the highlight of the 1960s my folks were the fans of the astronauts and what the space program would mean for future generations. I can still remember our family together watching the television as Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walked on the moon in July 1969.
It was during the era of peace and love that their youngest son, Dan, was welcomed into the family in 1968. In our younger years the folks seemed to go easier on him but in retrospect their touch was just right.
Dad grew up on a farm and his career in agriculture transitioned in the mid-1960s as he worked for the John Deere Company. Dad (with Mom’s full support) transitioned from a territory manager to being involved in a partnership in a farm equipment dealership first with Tuffy Taylor in Hoxie and later on with his own in Phillipsburg. Those years were challenging ones but he was proud of the accomplishments and the people he worked with at both dealerships and the respect he had for farmers and ranchers.
The ability to have all four sons play a role in the family business provided much personal pride for our parents. It was where the four of us learned to use the term “we accomplished it” and “not I accomplished it”. Mom’s equally tough job meant running a tight ship at home. It was an era when there were many stay-at-home mothers and she made sure we earned our opportunities.
In Hoxie, the two shared a volunteer gig with a lasting impression on the community. They were part of the first class of volunteer emergency medical technicians in northwest Kansas and Dad was also a volunteer fire chief. They continued to serve as EMTs in Phillipsburg. My brothers and I developed a healthy respect for community service that remains engrained in us today.
My Mom ultimately went back to college and earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing at the age of 51, fulfilling a lifelong dream and Dad was the first to cheer the achievement. Dad always credited Mom with our academic success and inquisitiveness that was designed to not only make us think but challenge others to think, too.
As the years have rolled on my folks have dealt with the loss of family members, close friends and confidants. Health challenges are a part of their lives—just like it is for all families. Tough times meant staying grounded in faith and that left an indelible mark on us.
As my folks celebrate 60 years of marriage they are thankful for God’s blessing for a strong partnership. I am sure when Dad and Mom got married in a simple ceremony 60 years ago they probably did not give a thought about today. In 1958, they had their own moments of uncertainty but they never doubted their resolve to live their life together and share those dreams together. Their sons and their families are the beneficiaries of that resolve and their dreams.
