A 75-year love story

COEUR d'ALENE — Elmer and Bernie Currie haven't had a lot of spats in their 75 years of marriage, but when they've felt one brewing they've been smart enough about how to handle it.

They've simply walked away.

That's because they've known that whatever is mounting is petty compared to the strong bond they've shared.

"I know he'd do anything for me, and I'd do anything for him," Bernie said with a warm smile. "We think a lot alike on about everything. There just isn't much to argue about. It takes a lot of love and living for each other."

Each night, the Coeur d'Alene couple holds each other's hand as they fall asleep.

"He's the most considerate person," she said.

The couple's 75th anniversary is on Wednesday. Friends are invited to a celebration today from 1 to 4 p.m. at the home of Bruce and Beverly Oliver, 2626 Greensferry Road, in Post Falls.

U.S. Census statistics indicate that fewer than 6 percent of marriages endure 50 years. No stats exist for marriages that make it to 75 years because it is so rare.

The Curries owned Curries Building Supply and Feed Store on Mullan Avenue in Post Falls. The store later became and currently is a Cenex. Elmer was a Kootenai County commissioner for four years in the 1970s, served in the Marine Corps in the South Pacific during World War II and was a home builder in the Coeur d'Alene area.

The couple's marriage on May 11, 1941, was spur of the moment. They eloped with a justice of the peace in Saltese, Mont., on the other side of Lookout Pass. Elmer was 21 and working in the mines in the Silver Valley, and Bernie was 16.

"We were driving with some others and my friend told me, 'You guys better get married,'" Elmer said. "I thought that it was a good idea because I knew other guys were chasing her. I left the JP some money for a beer."

Bernie recalls the days when the couple were just getting to know each other.

"His hair was so blonde, kinky and curly that I thought, 'That just isn't real,'" she said. "Then one time there were four of us in the front seat of a coupe and I sat next to him while he was driving. Our arms touched and I thought he had the funniest feeling skin."

Bernie, 92, said the time when Elmer, 96, was serving overseas was the most challenging time of their marriage.

"I didn't know where he was for about a year because everything was so secretive," she said. "The first letter he wrote home was all cut to pieces because, if the Japanese got ahold of it, they'd know where our camps were."

The couple have four children — Beverly Oliver, Dave, Ted and Rick, who was also a Kootenai County commissioner and is director of the Lake City Center. They adopted three girls — Holly Roberts and twins Tammy Farkes and Tori Long.

It's a large family, considering Bernie wasn't totally sold on the idea of having kids and coming from a family that had 13 brothers and sisters.

"We have wonderful children and grandchildren," said Bernie, adding she and Elmer are cared for by them at their home. "We're very blessed."

Elmer added: "There isn't a family in the world who takes care of their parents like they do for Bernie and me."

Compromise and laughter have always been key ingredients in their marriage, Bernie said.

She recalls the time when Elmer had grown a curly red beard.

"One day I was sitting at the kitchen table and I didn't say anything so he knew something was on my mind," she said. "Finally, I said, 'It's your beard.' So he cut off half of the beard and said, 'I cut off your half and kept my half.' I tried not to walk with him because everybody would look at him."

Elmer, who was inducted into the Idaho State Horseshoe Pitchers Association Hall of Fame in 2014, still works in his yard.

When asked what he loves most about Bernie, Elmer said, "There's so many damn good things that I don't know where to start. She's treated me well and I just plain love her. I couldn't live without her. That's all there is to it."