Elk Mountain couple rings in 50 years

Roland "Rolly" and Cheryl Bowen of Elk Mountain recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on May 8, 2014. 

Rolly and Cheryl, both longtime Elk Mountain residents, were married in 1964 at St. Matthew's Episcopal Cathedral in Laramie. They said they met sometime in 1961 at a dance hall in Elk Mountain.

"I remember when I met her, my heart jumped," Rolly said. "I came up here from Colorado and starting haying for a rancher. I came here when I was pretty young and just stuck around."

After marriage, the couple went on to raise three children: Patrick "Packy" (Jennifer), of Elk Mountain; Jared, of Frederick, Colo.; and Nels (Teresa), of Logandale, Nev. Rolly and Cheryl have three grandchildren, Shelby and Darby, of Elk Mountain, and Haley, of Logandale.

Now a half-century into married life, the Bowens are still enjoying their years together on the Bowen Ranch in Elk Mountain, which Cheryl said has been in her side of the family since its beginnings. Over the years Rolly worked for the Double 8 Ranch and Palm Livestock, and worked for the mines in Hanna for 20 years.

While Rolly is enjoying his time as a rancher, Cheryl spends her extra moments quilting and ranching. She said she has her own quilting business, which she runs from home sporadically.

The couple still appreciates the small-town atmosphere of Elk Mountain, and lives in the house where Cheryl was raised.

"We love the wide open spaces and fresh air all the time," Rolly said.

Both Rolly and Cheryl also enjoy spending quality time with their three grandchildren whenever possible. They attribute hard work as the key to success in marriage.

"We just made it work, it's in our bloodline," Cheryl said. "My sister is having her 60th too, and we had my mom and dad's 50th anniversary party here as well."

 

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