Becky Holland
AMERICUS — They were married in a simple ceremony at the Marion County Courthouse in Buena Vista.
T. Liller Pless remembers that day being “really cold.”
Andrew Pless Sr. just smiles, looking at his bride of now 70 years.
It was Jan. 7, 1939, and the Mrs. said, “We chose that day because my dad said we couldn’t get married until he had a place for me to live.”
“We stayed with her parents on Saturday, my parents on Sunday, and on Monday we were in our house, and have been together since,” said Andrew, sitting next to his wife on the couch in their cozy family home.
Their living room is adorned with photos of family members, including their eight children, four of whom are still living, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
“We met a church,” said T. Liller, who had been a stay-at-home mom for a number of years before beginning work as a volunteer missionary with her church, “I knew his brother.”
“And I didn’t know I was going to marry her until I started questioning her about it,” said Andrew.
The husband and wife proudly state their ages to be 88, though he said he would be 89 during the summer of this year.
He worked in a variety of jobs, including a saw mill, a paper mill and a grocery store, “always taking care of us, his family,” she said.
In fact, according to T. Liller, that “taking care” aspect has been what has kept them together for over 70 years.
He said, “We take care of each other.”
Youngest son, Kelvin Pless, said, “My parents have always been there for each other and everyone else. I remember one time, I was a little boy, and we were riding in the car down the street, and this drunk man stopped and fell into a bush.”
Kelvin’s eyes became wide with the memory.
“My dad stops the car, and gets out. Not only does he help the man up, but he takes him home and makes sure he gets inside,” Kelvin said. “I appreciate that. Those type of values they have given us, helping other people, loving each other, has been a shining example for us, and a seed has been planted, one I hope to be able to plant in my children, and hopefully grandchildren one day.”
Andrew said, “I believe in what the scriptures say, and we are supposed to help one another, and love one another, and that is just how we live our lives.”
Possibly that could be the reasons behind their long lives, or perhaps not. All Andrew knows is, “We take each day as it comes.”
Observant, and with wise eyes, T. Liller said, “I just thank God for the life I have and for my family.”
The Pless family will be celebrating their anniversary with a dinner with family and friends.
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