Changes For the Better

By Renee Wahlen Tillema

Gold – a long-lasting metal that is unaffected by the passage of time. Gold does not tarnish, and is considered a soft metal, malleable under pressure. Gold has a long history of symbolism, from wealth and royalty, to achievements and relationships. Gold has become the standard measurement which things of value and importance are judged. It is so fitting them that a 50 year accomplishment is marked as the "Golden Anniversary."

Tony and Pat Huizenga were married on June 14, 1958. Just like gold, their marriage has been long-lasting through the passage of time. They have found that the secret to this union has been to be just like gold – malleable. Being flexible and willing to give shows respect to each other and creates an atmosphere of loving understanding.

Tony and Pat met during their school years at Randolph High School. After graduation, Tony went into the United States Army where he served for two years, most of that time in Germany. Upon his return to Randolph, he happened to meet Pat one day at a local store. They started dating again and were later married.

"We were married at the Methodist Church in Randolph," Pat said. "We didn't have a big wedding; just some friends and then coffee and ice cream afterwards."

Pat described her wedding dress as "a short little lace dress." She carried a small bouquet of roses with ribbon and lace. Tony wore a suit that he had purchased from a store in Portage after coming home from the Army. "It was the last suit I picked out myself," Tony said.

After living for a short time in Beaver Dam, Tony and Pat moved to the Huizenga family farm between Randolph and Cambria. Tony had always wanted to stay on the farm, and Pat, who had no farming background, agreed.

"I was on the farm here where I wanted to be," Tony said. "And she gladly came here."

It was a simple life for this new couple. Tony was busy running the 160 acre farm; they raised crops, had milk cows, pigs and chickens. Pat tended a large garden, did the cooking and baking and helped out as needed on the farm. Over a time span of 17 years, the Huiznegas welcomed seven children into the family. The first five were girls, followed by two boys at the end.

"We had the girls first," Tony said. "I said to her, 'We might as well adopt a boy.' She asked me where my faith was and then we had the two boys."

Life on the farm was never dull, there was always something to do and something that needed to be done. All the children helped out with their own assigned chores before and after school. It was a priority for Tony and Pat to send their children to the Christian school in Randolph and then in Waupun for high school. Tony explained that they raised cabbage to pay for the tuition, and all the family helped out on this endeavor. They have many memories of loading trucks in the mud and all the hand labor that went into the cabbage harvest.

Tony came from a family of four boys and grew up in the Friesland area. His father had worked for the railroad, and then purchased the family farm in the early 1940s. Pat came from a large family with 15 children. Her mother was an amazing women who lived to be 102-years-old. Pat remembers her mother as someone who never complained and loved life.

Tony and Pat's family has now expanded to include 14 grandchildren. Every Sunday Pat cooks a big meal and whoever is available, comes to eat and visit. Pat said sometimes there are 30 people in the house, other times, just a handful. But they know the door is always open and the food is on the table.

"We've had a good marriage," Pat said. "Of course, we've had our ups and downs and Tony's had some health problems recently. But, we have to make the best of it and be thankful for our health, friends and church."

Tony sold the milk cows eight years ago and continued to do the field work. Then about three years ago he had a heart attack and decided to cut back to just raising some steers and working about 30 acres of land. Even with his recent semi-retirement, Tony said he and Pat traveled more when they were farming full-time then they do now.

For their 25th wedding anniversary, Tony and Pat took a tour of Europe. Every year when the children were young they would pack up the car and travel to all different parts of the country.

"It's been good," Pat said. "Yes, it has been," Tony replied. "We haven't always agreed on everything, though." Pat added that she thought not agreeing on every point makes their marriage a healthy one.

Pat described Tony as patient, loving and understanding. She said he has always been a hard-working husband providing for his family.

"If there was something to be done, she was good at getting it done," Tony said of his wife. "She has always been very handy and very capable."

Words like determined, respectful and cooperative were all used as the Huizengas described the 50 years of their marriage. They have many wonderful memories over the years since these two individuals pledged their love and commitment to each other and become one in marriage.

"Each one is different -- the husband and wife -- then you get married together and everything changes," Pat said. "You don't keep thinking of just yourself. You have to respect each other and work together."