June 6, 1964

   It was a beautiful summer evening June 6, 1964, which, like 2020, fell on a Saturday. It had been a busy week. The previous Sunday I graduated from Augustana College. Six days later Joanne and I were married at First Lutheran Church, Sioux Falls.
    Joanne's bridesmaids were her sister, Mary, Jenine Peterson (Jordahl) and the late Maxine Amundson.  Groomsmen were my brothers David, the late Richard and David Halvorson. The late Pastor Mark Gravdal presided and Joanne's father, the late Rev. Dr. Oscar C. Hanson did the homily. Roger Hatlestad played the organ, Stein Mydske was soloist and the Augustana Choir Sang. The processional hymn was Love Divine. Stein, from Fredrickstad, Norway, was present at our 50th wedding anniversary and, accompanied by his wife, sang the solo  again: Kjaerlighet Fra Gud,
      There was neither time nor money for much honeymoon. Joanne had accepted a position as counselor at the St. Louis Park High School, MN., on the condition that she take an additional counseling course. She had a Master's Educational Psychology from the University of MN. This course was offered at the University Of S.D. in Vermillion, beginning the Monday following our wedding.
      Being self-quarantined on this 56th anniversary, and the third since Joanne's death, makes it unique. With the cemetery where she is buried so proximate to The Little House on the Prairie I chose to spend my morning there today. It was a good opportunity to tend her grave and several others. Naturally it reminded me of the depth of my loss but also of many memories of 54 years of marriage.

Takk for alt.

Al