The tale of 2 women married Jan 24 just 22 years apart....

The Tale of two women who married on Jan 24, 22 years apart. Me and my Sweet Mama

Donna was the daughter of Melva (Smith) Turner and Gene Turner. She was 17 and a senior at Joplin High School working part time at Mays City. Larry Immekus, son of Sally Clary and Leo Immekus, who had graduated 2 years early also worked at Mays. He worked in the shoe department and she in the menswear. To get her attention he would throw wads of paper at her. She said they would often laugh and joke around with each other and after awhile he finally asked her out. Mom said she was quite impressed with his neat car, a red and white ‘55 Chevy. They had dated less than a year when one night they went to the Dogs ‘n Suds Drive In to grab something to eat. While there Larry would ask her if she would marry him. In a ‘giggly voice’ she said yes. Both were madly in love, and spending every moment together that they could between school and work. They planned on getting married on Jan 24, 1970. 

Not long after they had gotten engaged they received some news that would rock their world. Larry received his draft notice in the mail. Needless to say both families were devastated. The thought of putting off their wedding was breaking their hearts.  Larry’s dad, who was a medic on the front lines during WW 2, tried to talk Larry into going awol, but Larry wouldn’t do it. His dad Leo would then take Larry to Kansas City for his physical. Later they would receive news thru the mail that he flunked his physical due to extreme allergies, therefore could not serve. Donna said you could imagine the joy that they both felt. They were able to go on with their wedding as planned. 

I asked about a Honeymoon moon and Donna said after their wedding and reception they changed into regular clothes and headed to Tulsa where they ate at Dairy Queen and drove back home to their apt in Joplin MO

I’m writing all of this on what would have been their 50th wedding Anniversary!❤️❤️ Unfortunately Dad isn’t physically with us, but I do know he’s with each of us everyday watching over us. Mom and Dad were able to celebrate 45 yrs together. We all celebrated at Lucky J’s which is where we are all going tonight. Shortly after that anniversary dad was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. In true dad fashion he had a list of things that he wanted to take care of before he left this earth to make mom’s life a little easier. He was the true patriarch of our family, taking care of what needed taken care of and doling out advice when he felt like some needed to be given. As his grandson Chaise said He was a great man who loved his family!! He could be a hard ass and I probably know that the best since I was the one grounded quite frequently, but he also had a softer side like when Julie’s baby Haidyn died. He was witty and had such a dry sense of humor. As he liked to say “Piss on them, they don’t buy my beer” One of the last tasks dad wanted done for mom before he died was to have new flooring put thru out the house. The day they finally finished was the day he passed, just a couple hours later. 

Mom and dad both gave such a wonderful example to all of us of what a marriage looks like. That you might not always like each other but you always love each other, that just because you fight doesn’t mean you’re going to get divorced, that you need to work together if it’s going to work. They taught me a good work ethic. I honestly was blessed with a ‘Leave it to Beaver’ life and didn’t really realize it til I was older. I had everything I needed plus more. Our Christmas’s were wonderful. And I was one of the fortunate kids that had parents who also liked the newest gaming systems. We had a 

To honor my parents I decided to marry my husband Henry 22 yrs after they got married, in 1992. Today we celebrate 28 yrs of marriage! My story will come another time!!

Much love goes to my best friend, my sweet mother!! I know today is might be tough but know he is always with you!