The year was 1929, the day was Wednesday, October 9, 70 years to the date... When a flannel shirt sold for 98 cents at Schelldorf Clothing Store, a brand _ new Chevrolet Roadster sold for just $525 at the Fred Petersen Garage, a one year subscription to the Manning Monitor was only $2 and the feature of the week at the Crystal Theater was a film staring Norma Shearer called "The Last of Mr. Cheyney." It was also the day that united Joseph Sonksen and Edna Karsten in a life long journey that would bring them to the present day, together.

Many things have changed over the past 70 years, but one thing has stayed true and that is the love that Joe and Edna have for each other. They met at a Halloween Dance held at the old Opera House here in Manning, Edna was dressed as a corn stalk and Joe recalls wearing a mask so no one could see who he was. It was "love at first sight" Joe recalls laughing.

After courting for one year they were married in the Zion Lutheran Church by Rev. J.M. Ansorge in 1929, "It was not a big wedding, it was just a nice church wedding," Joe remarked. Edna wore a blue dress and Joe was dressed in a suit and following the ceremony they had a meal with their family and friends. Joe was 21 and Edna was just 18 years old.

Both Joe and Edna are originally from the Manning area. They both worked in Manning for the produce company where their job was to dry eggs for the government during the war. Joe "kept every thing going smoothly" as a foreman and Edna eventually became an egg inspector. The company transferred the couple to Sioux City, Iowa for 14 years, -and in 1977 they moved back here to their hometown "where everyone says hello to you," according to Joe. They bought their house on Sue Street where they still reside today.

There have been - many wonderful things in the Sonksen's lives but there also has been tragedy. In June of 1992 they lost their only daughter Barbara Kay due to a cyst on her brain. The operation to remove the cyst left Barbara in a coma for 3 years and 2 months. "It was a very untimely death and we felt a great loss," remarked the Sonksens.

Barbara had adopted a son, David Rundell who came to stay with his grandparents when his mother became ill. David finished his last two years of high school in Manning. "It was great to have David here, we had to take care of him and that kept our minds off of the things that were going on with Barbara," Joe said. David now lives in Washington and works for the Nintendo Company. "He thinks an awful lot of us, as we do him," Edna said with a big smile on her face. He will be making the trip back to Manning to help his grandparents celebrate their special day.

Joe said that many things have changed in the world over the years, he remembers when they had electricity for the first time in their home. "There was only one light and it hung in the kitchen, it really was a big deal." When Joe was 4 or 5 he came up to Main Street and watched them lay the brick road and five years ago when Main Street was restored he was there once again and had the opportunity to lay three bricks down.

Their hobbies over the years have included dancing, "We have so many fond memories of time with our friends and dancing," Edna said, "We would go out every Saturday and dance the night away at the Lakewood Ballroom or at the old 3-Mile House." They also enjoyed bowling although Joe did admit that Edna was the better of the two. When they moved back from Sioux City they were very involved at the Senior Citizen Center doing lots of volunteer work and playing cards. Joe also enjoyed fishing with old friend Bud Stahl.

When asked if they could, would they go back and do anything differently? Joe immediately responded, "Not a thing, we've had a good life and a good healthy life."

Joe who is now 91 still drives his car around town and according to him his doctor says he is one of the healthiest old men around. Edna who is 88 says she wishes she didn't have a bad knee or she would be in great shape. Edna is aided by a walker but she said, "I still get around pretty good."

Who better to take a little marriage advice from, than the Sonksens? They have endured many obstacles in their lives and still managed to come through them always together. Edna said their communication with each other was one thing that carried them through the good and bad times. "So many today don't take the time to stop and communicate their feelings and problems, it is so easy to break your commitments to each other and walk away. In order to make your marriage work you need to talk about things," Edna says.

Joe and Edna will celebrate their 70'' wedding anniversary on Saturday, October 9, 1999, at the Zion Lutheran Church, where they have been life long members. The Open House will be held from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. with family and friends in attendance. They request no gifts.