Des and Helen Hansen share their tips for a successful 70-year marriage

This post was contributed by Resthaven.

Murray Bridge couple Des and Helen Hansen have celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary, on October 6.

Both grew up at Cooke Plains, where they met through a common interest in sport, particularly horse racing.

Soon after meeting, Mr Hansen asked his Helen to marry him.

“We married in the Methodist Church in our hometown,” she said.

“It was a day I will always remember.”

Once married, the Hansens relocated to Coomandook, where they would work alongside one another as farmers for 65 years.

“It wasn’t long until we had our first child,” Mrs Hansen said.

“We were blessed with four boys all up, who all helped on the farm growing up.

“Every year we took the family up to Port Elliot and West Beach for a holiday – we have such great memories of our trips there.

“Oh, we loved to travel; we made our way across Australia twice, New Zealand twice, and Tasmania twice.”

Aside from their desire to travel, Mr and Mrs Hansen have carried on their love of sport throughout their lives together.

“We have always loved horses,” she said.

“We owned a few over the years and enjoyed racing them.

“Even now we still enjoy going to the races together.”

Mr and Mrs Hansen enjoyed another special common interest over the years, as well.

“We have always ballroom danced – we danced together for 75 years in the country and the city,” Mrs Hansen said.

“Des is the romantic type.”

Mrs Hansen’s advice for a happy marriage?

“Have patience, hope and trust, and always remember to give and take.”

Mr Hansen said the key was to do everything together, “and find the perfect wife, mother and grandchildren for the family like I have”.

Mr and Mrs Hansen are now retired and live in Murray Bridge, with assistance from Resthaven Murray Bridge, Hills and Fleurieu Community Services.

Resthaven congratulated the couple on their 70th anniversary.

You can help keep local stories like this one free for everyone to read. Subscribe to Murray Bridge News today and support your independent, locally owned news service, plus get access to exclusive stories you won’t find anywhere else, for just $5.50 a month.