They met in a Detroit-area restaurant and formed a recipe for a long-lasting marriage.
Frank and Wilma Duda, who have made Ortonville their home since 1980, celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14.
As of now, the couple has no specific plans to celebrate their anniversary, but will be attending a Valentine’s Day celebration for married couples presented by Hadley Baptist Church.
The two came to the Detroit area from different parts of the country ? Frank, 87, was born in Erie, PA, while Wilma, 88, came from Missouri.
When they came to Detroit, Frank Duda and Wilma Epps, like many young adults today, wanted to earn money for themselves. They have come a long way since they first met while working at Borkey’s Delicatessen at Dexter and Collingwood in Hazel Park.
‘I was a busgirl, and he was a dishwasher and worked himself up to cook,? Wilma recalled. ‘We had our first date on Valentine’s Day in 1937. We went to a show to see ‘King Kong? and he bought me a box of candy.?
After they were married, Wilma stayed home to raise the couple’s four children while Frank worked at several restaurants. The couple operated their own restaurant, Ten Pins Restaurant (part of a bowling alley) at Chene and Trombley in Hamtramack for 20 years.
Frank then worked at Tam-O-Shanter Country Club on 11 Mile Road as a cook before retiring in 1980. The couple then settled in Ortonville.
‘We love Ortonville,? Wilma said. ‘We fell in love with it when we first got here.?
The couple has four children: Daniel (now deceased), David (Carol), Edward (Judy), and Doris (Bob) Williamson. They are blessed with six grandchildren (Paul, Matthew, Bethy, Mandy, Becky and Jenna) and three great-grandchildren (Josh, Elizabeth and Gabrielle).
Wilma explained the secret on how their marriage has lasted so long: ‘He stays in the garden and out of my hair,? she quipped.
Frank considers himself fortunate they have been together so long. ‘The good Lord has been taking good care of us,? he said.