Married More Than 50 Years, Port Couples Reveal How they Made it Last

Port Washington couples Harold and Geri Johnson and Wayne and Marge Hoffman are living proof that some hard work and a little honesty can go a long way.

The Johnsons, married 59 years, cite their dedication to working together through the ups and downs of their relationship as a key ingredient in its longevity.

"It takes work and a little forgiveness, on both parts," Harold said, explaining that too much negative focus on the little things can be dangerous territory.

The Johnsons met in Madison shortly after Harold had returned from serving in the military. A group of his friends in the military arranged a party, inviting five girls to come — one of those being Geri. A friend of Geri's asked her which guy she was interested in — and her answer was one that would change their lives forever.

Geri said she thought "Hal," as Harold was called back then, was attractive and someone she'd like to know. After that night, Harold asked her on a date and, as they say, the rest is history.

"I guess we got along pretty good," Geri laughed.

Geri and Harold's relationship survived long distance in its early days — Geri lived in Fond du Lac and Harold is a Port native — until they finally married and Geri moved to Port. The two now have three children and 10 grandchildren.

Wayne and Marge have been married for 54 years, and are blessed to be able to say they are high school sweet hearts.

"She chased me long enough, and eventually I gave in," Wayne joked.

The two said being honest with each other, respecting each other and treating one another equally as well as praying together through the good times and the bad is what has kept their relationship afloat for so many years.

They now have a larger family, too, with three kids, seven grandkids and four great-grandchildren.

The Johnsons and the Hoffmans were four people out of a total of 48 that enjoyed a free lunch at the  on Tuesday, to celebrate Valentine's Day.

The lunch was offered for free to couples who had been together longer than 40 years as a way to recognize both those couples' committments as well as the Senior Center's 40th anniversary this May, according to Senior Center Director Catherine Kiener. Everyone in attendance also recieved some silk flowers and Valentine's Day goodies.