Elmer and Pearl Dendinger

Elmer and Pearl Dendinger, who met and married in Laguna Beach, will celebrate seventy years of marriage on April 15. She worked at the old Van de Kamp’s Bakery on Forest Avenue in the late ‘30s. Elmer was co-owner of Laguna Beach Sheet Metal on Ocean Avenue. They met at a New Years party at Pearl’s sister Ruby’s house in Laguna Canyon in 1939, and were married at St. Catherine’s two years later. They lived for several years at the old farmhouse at 298 Ocean Avenue, currently the parking lot for Whole Foods Market. “We’ve had some loud arguments over the years”, said Pearl, “but we’re still together.” The couple currently resides in Costa Mesa.