Charlie and Jeanette Carlson of Grand Rapids celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary by attending a surprise show in Walker, Minn., starring Wayne Newton.
Charlie and the former Jeanette Stram were married Sept. 7, 1941, in Grand Rapids.
Their children are David Carlson, Douglas Carlson and Brian Carlson, all of Grand Rapids; Duane Carlson of Circle Pines, Minn.; and Brad Carlson of Sebeka, Minn. They have 13 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
Charlie is retired. Jeanette is a homemaker.
When Charlie and Jeanette Carlson were married in 1941, little did they know their 65th wedding anniversary would be filled with such a surprise.
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Early in June their son, Brian; his son, Chris; and Brian's daughter and son-in-law, Lisa and Tedd Wisner, took Charlie and "Netsy" to a surprise early anniversary show starring Wayne Newton in Walker. Newton visited with the couple during his show and then feted them with a song. The whole family had a great time. An additional surprise recently came in the mail when Wayne sent a "Happy 65th" greeting in the form of an autographed picture. This is the one and only autograph of a star the couple has and they proudly display it in their home.
When asked how they met, Netsy said she heard a great deal about Charlie from his former girlfriend. "When we used to go to the board to do math problems my classmate used to talk to me about this guy she was dating," she recalled.
Several years later, Netsy got to dance with Charlie at the Beaver Inn in West Cohasset. She decided to get to know him better -- and the rest is history.
Neither Netsy nor Charlie could remember how he proposed -- or even if he had -- but they made a life together on a farm in West Cohasset raising potatoes, cattle and five boys.
They say their secret to staying married is their commitment to each other.
-- Brian Carlson
