SWIRCA & More To Host A Couple’s 75th Anniversary

The Celebration Commemorates Their Valentine’s Day Wedding

Long standing SWIRCA & More members, Palmer (98) and Norma (95) Hanebutt will celebrate their 75^th Anniversary on Valentine’s Day. SWIRCA will be hosting a celebration in their honor on Tuesday, February 16^th at noon in the SWIRCA & More Activity Center.

In 1940, Palmer’s cousin introduced the two at a dance where Norma was playing in the band. In less than a year, Palmer proposed to Norma on her birthday at a dance on January 10th. On the following Valentine’s Day, which is also Palmer’s birthday, they were married at St. Johns Church in 1941.

“He’s my valentine and I’m his birthday present,” Norma said. After all the years together they have been blessed with a continuous happy marriage and their favorite thing is still dancing. Their favorite aspect about each other is having similar interests. They both enjoy music, neither are a big fan of football and they have spent many moments enjoying a good game of cards together; especially clabber.

“I’d do it all over again,” Norma said as she recounted the many Valentine’s Days they have spent together and evenings filled with dancing. “He’s amazing.”

They have one son who has become a lawyer, two grandchildren and two great grandsons.

With decade’s worth of experience the couple wouldn’t do any of it differently and their best advice for a successful marriage is not to try and change each other.