Marriage brings many blessings
By TAVIA MALONE, Globe staff writer
Posted April 18, 2002

LE MARS - Marriage is truly a blessed event, marking the beginning of a life together that will bring joy, happiness, pain and security. The gift of marriage that lasts through the years has kept Ben and Leona Ruhland bonded together through both the good and the bad.

Leona Kemp and Benjamin Ruhland were married on Jan. 5, 1932 at St. Joseph Church in Le Mars and have lived in the area all of their lives. They currently reside at Park Place Estates, and still attend church every day. Ben, 93, and Leona, 91, still manage to enjoy life.

The couple attributed their 70-year marriage to working out arguments and learning from each other as they went along.

"We're both good Catholics and I think that means a lot," said Leona. "My mother told me 'married once, married forever.'"

Ben added, "We both took things one day at a time. We had our ups and downs."

The couple is extremely proud of the children that they raised. They had seven children--four boys and two girls--and one female child that passed away in infancy. The Ruhlands had their first child in December, 1933.

All of their children live between Le Mars and Remsen and come to visit their parents frequently.

Their children are: Ron and Ellen Ruhland, Remsen; LaVonne and Paul Loutsch, Remsen; Dan and Charlene Ruhland, Remsen; Larry and Dorothy Ruhland, Le Mars; Mary Lee and Don Neubrand, Le Mars; and Glenn and Alice Ruhland, Le Mars. The couple also have 22 grandchildren and 38 great-grandchildren.

"They all can be here in 10 minutes' time," said Ben.

The Ruhlands know they can count on their children to be there for them whenever they need it, which was one of the gifts of marriage for them.

"They are all good kids," said Leona.

"We have so much to be thankful for," added Ben. "We have to give the good Lord credit for these 70 years."

The couple has experienced much good in their lives thanks to each other and their children, but they've also had some hard times. When a tornado hit the couple's farm back in 1964, they were devastated. With the support of their family and the community they were able to move on and get back on their feet.

Another tough period for the couple was the dust storms that hit the Midwest in 1936 during the Great Depression. The Ruhlands were living on a farm raising dairy cows. Leona was a homemaker and also worked on multiple craft items, such as ceramics and picture dolls.

"We have had a lot of fun in our lives, too," smiled Leona.

The Ruhlands moved to Park Place Estates after Leona suffered from multiple heart attacks. She has since has three strokes and Ben has had one stroke.

"I'm so happy she feels as good as she does," said Ben. "Her health is real good, about like mine, and I don't have any pain."

The Ruhlands celebrate their wedding anniversary every five years with a large gathering.

"We always celebrate, our kids are fun-loving," Leona explained.

As self-described staunch Catholics, the couple went to church as much as possible, even when it was a walk of one and a half miles.

"You have to be true and honest and pray a lot to make a marriage work," said Ben.

As for advice, Leona said, "Don't ever go to bed with an argument."

The gift of marriage has given the Ruhlands more than 70 years of happiness and new experiences. Their family and the love for one another has helped them through difficult times as well as good. Marriage has truly been a blessing from the Lord for Ben and Leona Ruhland.