Kansas City couple celebrates 76 years of marriage
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — It’s a love story that dates back about eight decades ago, but a day they remember as if it was yesterday.
July 10, 1948, that’s when Donald and Shirley Hartig tied the knot.
“It was close to 100 that day wasn’t it?”
“What?”
“It was close to 100 that day wasn’t it?”
“Oh yeah.”
Sales accelerate for small business Exit 313 following Eric Stonestreet social media post
At the time they were 18 and 21, both born and raised in Wyandotte County, Kansas and had met through friends.
“We were together about three and a half to four years before we got married and I had to wait until she got through with school,” Donald said.
And the rest, well, just hear it for yourself.
“Some of our friends said we will give you three years, this is not going to work, and they’re all dead now so can’t prove anything,” Shirley said.
Seventy-six years later, the Hartig’s love has only grown. They have four kids, 10 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, with one on the way and two great great grandchildren.
“We didn’t intend to populate the Earth,” Shirley said.
They still remember what they love most about each other.
“She’s real easy to get along with and we really haven’t had any trouble in all these years,” Donald said.
Through life’s challenges, health issues, growing pains, they never left each others sides. Unless it was to give some space during a disagreement. That’s just part of their secret to lasting love.
“People don’t know what love is anymore. Love is wanting something for the other person more than you want it for yourself. Always put the other person first,” Shirley said.
See the latest headlines in Kansas City and across Kansas, Missouri
Now at 94 and 97 years young, these two love birds say it really is till death do us part.
“Someone’s going to have to give, cause we, you can’t live forever,” Shirley said.
The couple celebrated with a family dinner at a loved one’s home. Better than a restaurant, according to Donald.
Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.