Paradise Educated: Our Anniversary

Happy Anniversary

Millard & Onnalee

We have acquired

more wrinkles, more weight and less hair,

haven't we?

But, Wow!

More LOVE is the most important!

School Photos when we were Teaching

1966

Our Wedding

Aug. 7, 1965

Karval, Colorado

44 years ago today Millard and I were married in Karval, Colorado in the Church of the Nazarene.

What a wonderful - eventful, memorable and "fast" 44 years.

I am so thankful and appreciative that we have had these years together.

We met in Paradise and that is where we had our courtship and first home.

At that time we were both music teachers - teaching vocal and instrumental

music - grades 1-12.

Millard was teaching in Luray and Onnalee in Paradise.

After 4 years, we taught in Kit Carson, Colo. and Kelby was born in Cheyenne Wells, Colo.

We moved to Tribune and spent 3 years still teaching, then moved to Elkhart, Ks. Gwen was born and Onnalee stopped her teaching (in school) career at that time. After Millard taught 2 years of music to Jr. High students, his profession changed to that of Funeral Director - and, a wonderful funeral director he was - so caring, considerate, compassionate and professional.

Millard and Onnalee gave many music lessons in their home and Onnalee had an Interdenominational Youth Choir.

After their children graduated from H.S., Onnalee went back to teaching vocal music in Elkhart Middle School and High School. These were very rewarding years for her as her students were very successful.

After Onnalee's liver transplant in 2001, they retired in 2002 and moved to Emporia to be close to their family.

And Oh! What JOY we have had to be near them and watch our 4 grandchildren grow.

A Brief Glimpse of Our Life

Millard - 1941

Onnalee - 1941

Millard was an ONLY child

Onnalee had one brother - 6 years older than she was.

Gwendal & Onnalee

1941

Millard - 1944

Onnalee - 1946

Millard - 1950

Onnalee - 1951

Our Wedding
Eric Haberer, Hazel and Dick Harrell

Our Wedding

Our Wedding Party
Sue Koehler, Pat (Leonard) Hill, Rev. Meade
Onnalee, Millard, Rev. McIntire
Dan Koehler, Gwendal Leonard
Larry Leonard, Enola Leonard, Janice Harrell,
Carlos Leonard, Leon Leonard, Allen Leonard

Wedding Reception

Onnalee, Millard,

Doris Harrell

Onnalee and Millard

1994

Our son
Kelby - 1994

Our Daughter - Gwen

at her wedding - 1996

Our 3 Grandsons

2007

Joshua - Jacob - Jared
6

Mother's Day - 2007
Jacey, Gwen, Jared, Joshua
the back end of Kemper,Jacob and Sadie

Christmas - 2007

The Grandchildren

Thanksgiving - 2007
JJ and Gwen and
the 4 Grandchildren

Mother's Day - 2008

Joshua, Jacob, Jared, Jacey

Before Going to School the First Day of School

2008

Joshua

Jacob

Jared

Gwen and JJ - 2008

J.J. is a wonderful son-in-law -
the husband to our daughter and the
father of our grandchildren.

http://www.emporiagazette.com/news/2006/oct/21/growing_dream/

J.J. is a very hard worker and we are very proud of him.
He has made these accomplishments because of his abilities and expertise and he is very deserving of an article such as this.

Gwen was selected as the Emporia Gazette's Mom
in Feb, 2009.
She certainly is deserving of this honor and is a
wonderful Mother, wife, daughter and sister.

http://www.emporiagazette.com/news/2009/feb/14/meet_gazette_mom/

While I am doing Emporia Gazette Links, I will add Millard's feature story too.