On Sept. 11, 1956, Kenny and Doris Schwartz were married at Fort Polk Army Base in Louisiana. Now in 2026, they celebrate 70 years of their beautiful marriage.
Lifelong Campbellsport residents, they met when they were attending Campbellsport High School.
Down in Louisiana, a year into Kenny’s service, they got married. Rev. Edward B. Rehkopf was the officiant and Katherine Schwartz, Kenny’s mother, and Barry Miller, Kenny’s friend in service, served as the witnesses.
Once Kenny’s service was completed, the couple returned to Campbellsport, bought a home and had a new baby.
After working at Schill Motors and Gehl Co. for 38 years, Kenny retired. Doris worked at the St. Joseph Convent for 20 years before her retirement. Both of them retired in 1996.
Doris also worked as a baby sitter and Kenny had a lawnmower and bicycle repair shop where he worked part time for 16 years.
“I was a mother and a housewife,” Doris said. Keny continued, “The family was raised first.” But after a little while, Doris did end up working at the convent doing laundry.
Together they have five children, eight grandchildren, three step grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren and seven step great grandchildren.
Their five children are Deb Fochs of Jackson; Cheri McDowell and her husband, Jim, of Neenah; John Schwartz and his wife, Sharon, of Campbellsport; Yvonne Sippel and her husband, Earl, of St. Cloud and Wanda Galligan and her husband, Jeff, of Fond du Lac.
A celebration party was held at the Earl and Yvonne Sippel farm in St. Cloud on Sept. 5.
Do they have any secrets to how their marriage stayed strong for 70 years and counting? “Just honor each other… talk problems over,” Doris said. They were also asked that question during their party. “They asked us what kind of tips can you give for marriage. I just said ‘communication, know what each other are doing,’” Doris added.
Their favorite activities include watching softball, sprint car racing and playing cards. Cards are by far their favorite thing to do together. Sheepshead is their favorite card game to play. Doris mentioned, “There were three couples that we played cards with.”
The couple would also like to thank Serenity Villa Nursing Home in Campbellsport where Kenny currently resides. They appreciate their care and attentiveness to him.
Less than 1% of all first marriages make it 70 years. Kenny and Doris Schwartz are two of the lucky few to enjoy each other’s company for this many years and hopefully many more to come.
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