From a Blind Date in 1950, Gehrkes Celebrate 65 Years of Marriage

SEELEY LAKE – William "Willy Bill" Gehrke met his wife Ardyce on a blind date in 1950 at a picnic in Wisconsin. Married 65 years, they raised six children, ran the Stihl dealership in Seeley Lake for 21 years and enjoyed their time during retirement traveling across the country. The Gehrke family invites the community to their Open House Jan. 30 from 1-4 p.m. at the Seeley Lake Senior Center to help them celebrate their anniversary and Willy Bill's 90th birthday.

Because there was no work in Wisconsin, Gehrke moved to Montana in 1947 after serving in the Navy for three years. Family friends, l...