Utah’s New Marathoners Have 76 Years Behind Them

Published February 27, 1986. Ren and Evelyn, you may have to move over. I believe we have some new Utah Marriage marathon champions. Two weeks ago I wrote a column naming 25 couples in Utah who have been married 60 years or more. As far as we could tell at that time, Ren and Evelyn Hansen, Salt Lake City, had been married the longest, nearly 72 years.

I invited others to submit additional names, and several more were sent in. Rachel Melville of Salt Lake City wrote and told me about her uncle and aunt, Clarence and Dainy Nielson, Oak City, Utah, married on January 18, 1910, 76 years ago!

I also received the names of Henry and Hazel Robinson of Farmington who were married 75 years last year. But the date of the marriage was omitted. So until I hear from someone, Clarence and Dainy Nielson will be declared the winner (thus far) in Utah’s Marriage Marathon. They are only six years behind the couple recently honored nationally in Alabama for being married 81 years.

Here are the names of 19 more Utah couples who have been married more than 60 years:

Burt and Elmea Flora, Salt Lake City, married march 31, 1913, 72 years.

Verne and Corilla Thorpe, Salt Lake City, married June 11, 1917, 68 years.

June B, and Ida Sharp, Salt Lake City, married September 12, 1917, 68 years.

Clarence and Orsena Warner, Nephi, married October 4, 1917, 68 years.

Loren and Amelia Sauire, LaVerkin, married October 15, 1918, 67 years.

James and May Davits, Orem, married February 28, 1920, 66 years tomorrow.

Frank and Mildred Ferguson, Salt Lake City, married January 31, 1921, 65 years.

Grand and Minnie Halverson, Brigham City, married March 23, 1921, 64 years.

Abner and Hazel Boird, Payson, married May 11, 1921, 64 years.

John and Deon Hicken, married January 25, 1922, 64 years.

Larry and Leone Barnes, Salt Lake City, married September 6, 1922, 63 years.

Barney and Thelma Mendenhall, Salt Lake City, married December 5, 1922, 63 years.

George and Ina Conder, American Fork, married June 27, 1923, 62 years.

Hendrick and Jacoba Dinkelman, married December 12, 1923, 62 years.

James and Gladys Drennon, Holladay, married October 15, 1924, 61 years.

Trygue and Gertrude Labrat, Salt Lake City, married June 24, 1925, 60 years.

Boyd and Elma Anderson, Pleasant Grove, married July 9, 1925, 60 years.

Ivan and Susan Shipley, Oak City, married November 18, 1925, 60 years.

John and Mary Boyes, Salt Lake City, married January 20, 1926, 60 years.

Arthur and Rose Barlocker from St. George wrote and told me they were married on April 21, 1914 rather than 1915 as I had them previously listed. They noted they both were 19 years old when married and added it has been a wonderful marriage.” So that moves theese marathoners ahead one notch in the race. Also, my apology to LeVor and Marguertte Taylor, married May 2, 1916, for 69 years. I mistakenly listed them as living in Salt lake City. They are from Ephraim.

Any more nominations for Utah’s Marriage Marathoners? Please, don’t send in the names of “The Kids,” those married for less than 60 years. (I’m having a difficult time keeping up with those married 60 years and over.)