A Rapid City couple celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary Sunday with family and friends at Westhills Village.
Emiel "Bud" Belzer and Irene M. Belzer were married in 1937. Bud just turned 100 years old on May 29. Irene is 98.
"I remember so many wonderful moments," Bud said.
Irene says the couple met on a blind date.
"He then went out with another girl and I said 'No way! He's going to be mine.' And that's what happened," Irene said.
Since then they've stuck it out through depression, war and the birth of four children: Becky, Bonnie, Buddy, and Bergie. Irene and Emiel say it's their children and family who have made their lives so happy.
"Having children has been a wonderful circus. We are proud of everything they do," Bud said.
But even more so, they say the key to a happy life and a happy marriage is laughter. Bud says it's especially important to be able to laugh at your own expense.
Bud was born in 1912 in De Smet, South Dakota. He graduated in 1934 from the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. He is now the earliest graduate from the school who is still living.
Irene was born January 8, 1914 in Madison, Neb. She attended college in Lincoln, Neb. She is a piano teacher and continues to play the piano as she says, "for the old folks," at their retirement center.
Bud and Irene lived in De Smet were bud owned and operated a construction company, along with his engineering firm. Irene taught piano lessons in the community, in addition to raising four children.
Bud is a World War II veteran who served in the Navy for four years as a Lieutenant Commander on a Naval ship, completing service with a distinguished career and honorable discharge.
They moved from De Smet to Rapid City in 1984 and say they're enjoying their retirement.
