**Eight Couples Celebrate a Combined 471 Years of Marriage with Vow Renewal at Bartlett Senior Living Center**
BARTLETT, Ill. (WLS) — Eight couples residing at a local senior living center have shared a remarkable total of 471 years of marriage — averaging over 50 years each. To honor their enduring commitments, all of them renewed their wedding vows in a heartfelt ceremony on Thursday.
With flowers in one hand and a cane in the other, Agnes Fruehe and her husband, Chuck, gracefully made their way down the aisle. The couple marked a special milestone: 71 years of marriage to the day, having wed on February 12, 1955. Together, they have built a large family with five children, 14 grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren.
“Everything seems to be going well. It’s been a good marriage,” they shared.
Another couple, Sharon and Don Miller, have been married for 56 years. Born just days apart, they have a unique connection dating back to their earliest days—they actually met as newborns in the nursery of St. Anne’s hospital. Now residents of Hearthwood Senior Living in Bartlett, they joined the other couples in the vow renewal ceremony.
“Kinda like saying, ‘yeah, we’d do it again.’ I wanna lock her up for the duration,” Don Miller joked.
Family, friends, and neighbors from the Hearthwood community gathered to witness the vows, which were always sealed with a kiss.
“To celebrate life with a renewal of vows is just an extension of what they do each and every day,” said Eric Gross, a community member.
Joyce and Les Zemba’s marriage stands out as one of the most unconventional stories. Joyce left the convent and her life as a Catholic nun to marry Les. Her journey is detailed in her book, *A Life Like Nun Other*. However, their relationship did not start with love at first sight.
“I was not crazy about him at all because he drank too much, and he was a little heavy-set,” Joyce recalled.
Motivated by their commitment to each other, Les quit drinking and lost weight. The couple has now shared 54 years of marriage.
Speaking on behalf of all the couples, Agnes Fruehe offered a glimpse into their secret to lasting love: “Your faith helps, and wonderful family.”
Some timeless advice shared during the ceremony included, “don’t sweat the small stuff” and “marriage is not a part-time job.”
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https://abc7chicago.com/post/8-couples-renew-vows-hearthwood-senior-living-community-bartlett-ahead-valentines-day-2026-wed-do/18593059/