Soul mates strike gold

Marisa O’Neil

A little persuasion and a lot of concessions helped Costa Mesa

residents Bill and Lorraine Keeler stay happily married for more than

half a century.

The Keelers, married 63 years, renewed their vows Thursday at the

Orange County Fair along with 14 other post-golden anniversary

couples. Their secret, 81-year-old Lorraine Keeler said, is that her

husband knows who’s boss.

“His mother raised him well,” she said. “He lets me do anything I

want.”

They met through a youth group in Chicago when she was 14. After

dating for four years and seeing their friends get married, the

Keelers -- Lorraine, especially -- decided it was high time to get

hitched.

And 63 years, four children, five grandchildren and three

great-grandchildren later, the longtime Costa Mesa residents shared a

toast, a kiss and a dance on the Heritage Stage, during the Senior

Golden Wedding Ceremony.

Edmund Werner, a chaplain at Orangewood Children’s Home, presided

over the ceremony. In a white top hat and gray tails, he went from

couple to couple, asking each their secret for keeping a marriage

together more than 50 years.

Louise Schmidt of Glendora credited honesty and communication for

keeping her marriage to Kurt Schmidt alive for 56 years. Staying best

friends and cooperating with one another have helped Palm Desert

couple William and Estelle Eisenberg stay together for 62 years.

“Good, clean living and no cigarettes after alcohol,” said Seal

Beach resident Elmo Phillips, married to Jo for 69 years.

And for Carol Wickenheisser, married to husband Al for 50 years,

faith in her relationship has kept it strong.

“I trust him, he trusts me,” she said. “That’s what counts.”

After a brief ceremony, the couples ate cake and listened to

ukulele players from the Oasis Senior Center play a Hawaiian wedding

song.

“I pronounce you man and wife for ever and ever and ever,” Werner

proclaimed.

The annual ceremony is just one of many planned for seniors at the

fair, said entertainment coordinator Ginny Smith. Anyone 55 or older

gets in for $4 on Thursdays and can ride the Ferris wheel -- though

not La Grande Wheel -- and merry-go-round for free.

Entertainment on those days, Smith said, is geared toward seniors.

Next Thursday, the popular grapefruit bowling will return.

* MARISA O’NEIL covers education. She may be reached at (949)

574-4268 or by e-mail at marisa.oneil@latimes.com.