How often does a blind date result in 65 years of marriage, three children, eight grandchildren and nine great-grand children?
Dean and Vivian Hausle celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary in June. The couple met on a blind date in 1938 and hit it off right away.
"I knew she was the one I wanted," Dean said. "She was always laughing and full of fun."
A complementary couple
According to their daughter Carol Zada, the couple went together to the 1939 World's Fair in San Francisco, where Dean proposed to Vivian on a rowboat. They got engaged and were married at home in June 1940.
In 1943 Vivian gave birth to their first daughter, Susan. That same year the couple bought a home, and Dean was drafted into the military. He returned home in 1946.
Their second daughter, Carol, was born the following January, and their third daughter, Nancy, was born in September 1948.
The couple said that throughout all of their years together, they have learned to appreciate each other for who they are.
"One of the first things you have to learn when you get married is to appreciate and respect each other no matter what," Dean said.
Vivian counseled that arguments should always be resolved before going to bed. "Never go to bed angry. It might take you awhile to get sleep, but you'll always get your problems solved," she said.
Zada said that friendship has kept her parents' bond strong all of these years. "They are friends. Mom is a go-getter, and Dad is a procrastinator. They are very supportive of each other, and they have been all of their lives," she said.
Making time for each other
Dean, 87, was a railroad engineer and worked for Boeing, and has been retired since 1979. The couple's home is decorated with woodcarvings and glass work that Dean creates in his free time.
Vivian, 86, is a porcelain artist and teacher. For the last 55 years, she has taught porcelain classes in her Broadview home-based studio and has her own business called My World of Porcelain.
Vivian also has written five books, developed 10 videotapes on porcelain techniques and has traveled around the world teaching classes and learning new techniques.
Vivian has taught internationally in Australia, New Zealand, Japan, England, Puerto Rico, and Canada. She has taken classes in Venezuela, Germany and South Africa, among other places. Dean has accompanied Vivian in many of her travels around the world.
"When you get married, you should make your husband a part of your work," Vivian said. "We are always helping each other out."
Vivian still spends days in the porcelain studio, but reserves evenings for time spent with Dean. She and Dean still play cribbage every night.
A happy family
With such a large extended family, the Hausle household is rarely quiet. Vivian said her great-grandchildren often come over and work on porcelain projects with her. Two of the couple's three daughters still live in Washington state.
"They keep good track of us," Vivian said.
In June, the entire family gathered for the anniversary party. After 65 years of marriage, Vivian and Dean are still friends and can still remember why they fell in love.
"Dean is very easy-going. We just have a good time together," Vivian said.
As Dean gazed at their wedding photo, he said, "Wasn't she good-looking? Can't you see why I took a tumble for her?"
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