Erenfelds celebrate 50 years

Peter and Mary Erenfeld, of Whitefish, are celebrating 50 years of marriage this month.

They were married in Evanston, Ill., on Dec. 30, 1963. They remember their wedding to be a very beautiful, but cold winter day.

The couple met at the University of Arizona while skydiving. This was just the start of many great adventures to come.

Peter Harris Erenfeld was born in Minot, N.D. He joined the Marines after attending college and flew an A4 Skyhawk jet and the O-1 Bird Dog in Vietnam.  

Mary Rae Erenfeld was born in Chicago. After getting married, the couple transferred to many cities with the Marines. They started their family while in the service and finally settled down in Portland, Ore., where they raised their three children. With hard work, both Peter and Mary build a marketing/manufacturing company and ended up selling it years later to enjoy retirement.   

They are the parents of Romney Walker of Portland, Ore., Peter Jr. Erenfeld, of Bandon, Ore., and Paul and Holly Erenfeld, of Portland, Ore. They have five grandchildren, Bella, Nolan, Lyvia, Poppy, and Luke.  

During their 50 years of marriage they have enjoyed fishing, camping, golfing, wrestling a bear, painting, and traveling. Peter and Mary retired and made their lifelong dream of living in Montana come true. They enjoy living in Whitefish, painting, golfing, playing cards with friends, and trying to keep up with their five grandkids.

They credit their long marriage to their faith in God, loyalty to each other, and always being able to laugh.