Gardnerville residents Bertha and Daniel W. Bowman were married Dec. 11, 1943, at First Christian Church in Alhambra, Calif.
The couple met in high school in Allegheny County, Pa., and agreed to correspond when Daniel served as a Marine in World War II. He was a private first class at Pearl Harbor in 1941 and retired as a major after 28 active years in the Marine Corps.
"Bertha was the cutest girl in high school," said Daniel Bowman. "After we were married, all the colonels and generals wanted to dance with her. At 85 years old, she's still a beautiful woman."
Bertha Bowman said the secret of their successful marriage is they never held grudges and enjoyed doing the same things.
"We've done a lot of things together - boating, hiking swimming," she said. "The Marine Corps has been our life. I'm proud of him and his Marine career. He's a wonderful father and husband."
The Bowmans went to New Zealand and Australia as a 50th anniversary present from their son. They are looking forward to spending the holidays with family.
The Bowmans have one son, Daniel W. Bowman Jr., six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. They have lived in Gardnerville for 14 years.
