ALBANY - For more than 70 years, Howard and Lois Berra have been partners in life. From milking to meals to raising children, the couple have endured together.
But daughter Nancy Hawkins is quick to note how doting her mother has been.
"She always spoiled him," Hawkins said. "She made sure he'd eat. She cooked all her life. He doesn't cook for himself, refuses to do dishes."
Over the years, Lois would bake bread daily for all of the children at a nearby parochial school, made large breakfasts at the break of dawn and cooked for her family. Howard never found a meal to complain about.
"She could make anything taste good," he said. "I can't think of a favorite. I liked everything she made."
Decades of companionship gave way to a big change last April: Lois fell and had to move out of their home along Purintun Road just outside of Albany. At 92, she now deals with the creeping villain of dementia at Valley Park residential facility across town. Howard remains at the family farm.
Much like the characteristics of the 70th anniversary gift of platinum, the couple remains malleable but unbroken in their devotion.
At 94, Howard is still mobile, though his children would prefer he use the cane he was given. His eyesight has worsened, so he can no longer drive himself. Hawkins and her siblings take turns spending time with their dad, from bringing him meals and driving him the few miles over to Valley Park. The couple spend at least two days per week eating meals together at the facility.
Married June 5, 1943, the Berras originally met in rural Stoddard. Howard recalled how enamored he was of Lois' work ethic and how they both enjoyed music.
"I knew she was a good worker and fun to be with, a good dancer," Howard recalled, citing the reasons he concluded Lois was the one for him.
The two teenagers double-dated often since neither had a vehicle. Nearby dances in Chaseburg, free picture shows and talks while sharing a blanket in the grass were staples of their dating life.
Two years later, the couple were married. They spent 20 years in Stoddard, both working on their dairy farm. Howard said they have many memories of the barn, along the stanchions, as they both ensured cows were milked each day.
In 1963, the Berras moved to a larger dairy farm in Brodhead with their children. Eventually they settled down in Albany after moving there in 1979 to tend to a smaller, 40-acre hog farm.
The Berras had four children. Never limiting their capacity to care for others, they also took in a handful of foster kids over the years - children without good home lives and others without parents, Howard said.
Lois spends most of her time at the Valley Park facility engaging in one of her favorite pastimes. She reads, mostly Danielle Steel books, although she will take anything she can get her hands on when the library drops off books. On days Howard is set to visit, she waits near the window with a book in hand.
Despite the separation, both ensure they spend time together, if only just to sit quietly while enjoying a meal. Not overtly affectionate, they have an easily identifiable devotion - and a simple secret to an enduring marriage.
"Just be in love, I guess," Lois said with a laugh.
Howard is quick to point out another method to ensure happiness.
"Instead of getting into a fight you're not going to win anyway, I learned," he said. "I just learned to say, "yes, dear.'"
But daughter Nancy Hawkins is quick to note how doting her mother has been.
"She always spoiled him," Hawkins said. "She made sure he'd eat. She cooked all her life. He doesn't cook for himself, refuses to do dishes."
Over the years, Lois would bake bread daily for all of the children at a nearby parochial school, made large breakfasts at the break of dawn and cooked for her family. Howard never found a meal to complain about.
"She could make anything taste good," he said. "I can't think of a favorite. I liked everything she made."
Decades of companionship gave way to a big change last April: Lois fell and had to move out of their home along Purintun Road just outside of Albany. At 92, she now deals with the creeping villain of dementia at Valley Park residential facility across town. Howard remains at the family farm.
Much like the characteristics of the 70th anniversary gift of platinum, the couple remains malleable but unbroken in their devotion.
At 94, Howard is still mobile, though his children would prefer he use the cane he was given. His eyesight has worsened, so he can no longer drive himself. Hawkins and her siblings take turns spending time with their dad, from bringing him meals and driving him the few miles over to Valley Park. The couple spend at least two days per week eating meals together at the facility.
Married June 5, 1943, the Berras originally met in rural Stoddard. Howard recalled how enamored he was of Lois' work ethic and how they both enjoyed music.
"I knew she was a good worker and fun to be with, a good dancer," Howard recalled, citing the reasons he concluded Lois was the one for him.
The two teenagers double-dated often since neither had a vehicle. Nearby dances in Chaseburg, free picture shows and talks while sharing a blanket in the grass were staples of their dating life.
Two years later, the couple were married. They spent 20 years in Stoddard, both working on their dairy farm. Howard said they have many memories of the barn, along the stanchions, as they both ensured cows were milked each day.
In 1963, the Berras moved to a larger dairy farm in Brodhead with their children. Eventually they settled down in Albany after moving there in 1979 to tend to a smaller, 40-acre hog farm.
The Berras had four children. Never limiting their capacity to care for others, they also took in a handful of foster kids over the years - children without good home lives and others without parents, Howard said.
Lois spends most of her time at the Valley Park facility engaging in one of her favorite pastimes. She reads, mostly Danielle Steel books, although she will take anything she can get her hands on when the library drops off books. On days Howard is set to visit, she waits near the window with a book in hand.
Despite the separation, both ensure they spend time together, if only just to sit quietly while enjoying a meal. Not overtly affectionate, they have an easily identifiable devotion - and a simple secret to an enduring marriage.
"Just be in love, I guess," Lois said with a laugh.
Howard is quick to point out another method to ensure happiness.
"Instead of getting into a fight you're not going to win anyway, I learned," he said. "I just learned to say, "yes, dear.'"