There is a special wedding anniversary coming up for Harry and Carolee Gardner, a couple who have strong ties to the community.
The Gardners will be celebrating their diamond wedding anniversary — 75th anniversary — on Tuesday, June 30.
Harry and Carolee were married June 30, 1945 in LaPorte and honeymooned in Chicago. Earl Gardner was best man and Jean Travis maid of honor, the couple’s son, Larry Gardner, wrote WNLP.
“Harry is a 1941 graduate of Hanna High School and Carolee is a 1944 graduate of LaPorte High School. Prior to retirement, Harry was a farmer in Hanna Township and Carolee a homemaker. The couple have been members of the LaPorte United Methodist Church for over half a century,” Larry said.
Harry first met Carolee when Carolee was 16 years old and working as a waitress at Isleman’s Dairy in LaPorte. “After their honeymoon, Carolee moved out of the city and onto the farm with Harry. There, they raised their children in an idyllic setting, providing them with a loving home and supporting them with time, money, and resources when they showed quarter horses in their teens,” Larry said.
When they sent Larry off to Purdue and daughter Lana off to Ball State, the couple spent the next 44 winters on Sanibel Island in Florida. Harry and Carolee moved off the farm to LaPorte in 2013 and to Hubbard Hill – Living Wisdom Community in Elkhart, Ind. in 2017.
A video collection of photos of their lives together can be viewed here: https://vimeo.com/431863424.
The couple’s family include their two children: Lana Weldy (who married Virgil, who is deceased) of Wakarusa, Ind., and Larry Gardner (married to Marily) of Delafield, Wisc.; four grandchildren, Scott Weldy (married to Susannah) of Wakarusa, Kristen Speicher (married to David) of Westfield, Ind., Grant Gardner (deceased), and Warren Gardner (married to Lauren) of Maplewood, Minn.; and five great-grandchildren, Claire and Christopher Weldy of Wakarusa, Noah and Lucas Speicher of Westfield, and Graham Gardner of Maplewood.
Today, Larry said, Carolee is 94 years old and Harry will be 97 on July 16.
“They continue to be the loving couple they have always been and keep connected to family and friends by US Mail, email, and Facebook,” he said.
Cards and notes can be sent to Harry and Carolee at 28070 CR-24 West, Apt. 407, Elkhart, Ind. 46517
Paul Marsh
Jun 24. 2020
Congratulations on 75 years. Harry and Carolee were 4-H Horse and Pony leaders when I was in 4-H so that had to be pretty close to the beginning. What a great program that has given good rides to a lot of us. Harry was also a good farmer. He could plant 6 rows and pick 4. And that was before GPS!! You were ok going down, but coming back you had to be on your toes.
Larry Gardner
Jun 24. 2020
Thanks for the kind word, Paul. Great to hear from you after all these years.
Julie Euler
Jun 26. 2020
From my mother, Barbara Euler and myself the article and video just warmed our hearts! Congratulations and blessings to you both!
Mary Gardner Spiess
Jun 24. 2020
Congratulations to Harry and Carolee! Great article and pictures!
Willo Falstein
Jun 24. 2020
Thanks to my cousin I was directed to your wonderful story. I treasure my memories of the wonderful times we had together. Lana and Larry how lucky you are to have these lovely parents
Julie Simpson
Jun 27. 2020
This is just beautiful..Congratulations Harry and Carolee on 75 wonderful years!! I am so blessed to have your friendship and will always hold you dear to my heart…Love you both!! Julie
Jerry Edelman
Jun 30. 2020
I was blessed when I moved to SANIBEL 16 years ago and met Harry at our morning coffee group. Harry had a special seat that he occupied and that I took over when Harry and Carolee sold their unit.
I miss you both and will always be willing to give up my seat if you ever want it back 😂
Gary Gardner
Jun 24. 2020
I hope I got some of the same Gardner genes as Harry. I didn’t know that my father (Earl) was Harry’s best man. I have many good memories from the farm, and a visit with Harry and Carolee on Sanibel Island. Congrats!
Carolee Gardner
Jun 24. 2020
Larry, I can’t believe you did all of this. It was wonderful and made me cry! We have had a wonderful life together and have two wonderful children.
Warren Gardner
Jun 24. 2020
Happy 75th to the best grandparents in the world!
Cheryl Gardner
Jun 25. 2020
Congratulations, Uncle Harry and Aunt Carolee! A wonderful tribute to a wonderful couple!
Greg Gardner
Jun 25. 2020
Congratulations, Uncle Harry & Aunt Carolee.
Lana (Gardner) Weldy
Jun 25. 2020
A great big thank you to my brother for producing this!!!! I’ve watched it multiple times now, and it just gets better. I could not have had more loving, supportive parents. And I am so blessed to STILL have them close to me!!
With love, Lana (Gardner) Weldy
Laurie Klopfer
Jun 25. 2020
Congratulations, Harry and Carolee for lives well-lived! You have always been a wonderful example for everyone who knows you. It has been a pleasure to call you “family”.
Sending Love and Best Wishes,
Laurie & Mike Klopfer
Susannah
Jun 25. 2020
Thank you for being such a loving example of doing life together. We love you very much.
Carolee Gardner
Jun 26. 2020
We want to everyone that has responded so far for all the nice things they have said about us. We love all of you! God Bless ,
Harry and Carolee
Jan & Dean Jessup
Jun 26. 2020
What a wonderful story, Larry. The video brought a tear to my eye, so many memories. Lana & Larry, you are so blessed to have had your mom & dad for so long. They have left an amazing legacy. Harry & Carolee, the two of you are truly an inspiration & wonderful example to the institution of marriage. Thank you for showing ….. it can be done!
Mary Hiigli
Jun 27. 2020
Harry and Carolee. Congratulations on this remarkable celebration.
I have wonderful memories from so long ago, and horses are definitely part of those memories. I always wanted a horse, and I always admired Larry and Lana, and their beautiful horses.
Your beautiful example of parenting can be seen in your children. What a wonderful legacy.
Enjoy your very special anniversary.
Love to you both.
Karen KAMMRATH Coopee
Jun 27. 2020
Congratulations on a wonderful accomplishment .. to be together and to raise such a great family is such a blessing.. you have been quite an example for so many couples here in south La Porte County.. prayers and blessings that you enjoy many more years together and create a ton more memories..xo..
I graduated with Larry from South Central.
Diana Bailey
Jun 27. 2020
Congratulations Harry and Carolee. Wishing you a wonderful day and hope you enjoy many more!
Dick and Fran Vickw
Jun 27. 2020
You two have been such an inspiration to us and we have enjoyed your special friendship for over 60 years…We treasure that. You are a wonderful couple and friends 💕
John & Sandra Anderson
Jun 28. 2020
How marvelous to reach 75 years of marriage! What a great example to your friends and family! We were blessed to have you stay with us here in Scotland in 1998, and then to join you in La Porte the following year when we were over singing with Brightons Parish Church Praise Group.Happy Times! The newspaper article is super and the video is so special. You are rightfully proud of your family! God Bless. Take Care and Stay Safe! Love, John & Sandra xx
Jerry &Cherie Hoover
Jun 30. 2020
Harry and Carolee
Such an inspiration you have been to us. Time has passed but the wonderful memories we have with you both. Traveling on row crop trips and visits on Sanibel will be such heart warming memories that will be cherished forever. We farmed your farm for many years and will never forget how your door was always open and the friendships we’ve had will never be forgotten. We love you both and are thankful for your friendship.
Richard H Pierce Jr
Jul 02. 2020
Uncle Harry and Aunt Carolee
You’ve have been blessed with a wonderful family and I have been blessed with a wonderful aunt and uncle. I shall always remember your hospitality in October of 2010. Just thanks for being you!
Larry did a wonderful job with this production of your life together to make it that more special.