50 Years of Memories

Happy 50th!! Praying for you both as you celebrate today!! It has been an honor and privilege to know you and worship with you and be under your care!! What an amazing team you are!! Thank you and God bless!!

Mary Moench

Dear Fred and Laurie,

HAPPY 50th ANNIVERSARY....

It is so wonderful knowing you. I think it was after we met your family, including your Mom, that we found out that you were related to Betsy. We can bless the church garden for all of that. Don and I always enjoyed being with you, the great meals we have shared and the wonderful, uplifting visits especially when he was declining so rapidly. Bless you for all the support and love!!

Watching your wonderful family grow and giving you all your Grandsons. We have loved having all the pictures as they have grown. ( I can see Grandpa and Grandma in each of them!!)

I am so thankful that we have been in the church together and the beautiful music you both contribute each and every Sunday. What a great talent you have. It is never quite the same if either of you are not there.

Laurie, I am praying each day for you with your illnesses and for you, Fred, in your role as caregiver. I know our God will bless you with strength and His love and carry you in the palm of his hand as He has done all these years!

Love and Hugs, Clara

Dear Fred and Laurie.

Congratulations on your 50 years of marriage. What an incredible accomplishment. I was so blessed and honored to be a part of that beautiful wedding 50 years ago and even more blessed to share a forever friendship with you, Laurie, over the years. As you know, we’ve been reminiscing about many fun times we’ve shared: summers in McCall, picking a puppy from our dog’s litter, and more recently, coffee dates.

Laurie, I’m so grateful to you for all you’ve taught me through your enduring love, incredible patience, compassion, strength, selflessness, and so much more — all by just being you. Fred and Laurie, you’re such an amazing inspiration and I love you both dearly.

Dear Laurie and Fred,

Though I’ve missed the deadline, I wanted to be among those who shared a message and a thought with you both on this venerable occasion of 50 years of marriage ! Although the news of your cancer diagnosis is devastating and I’m so sad to hear of it, the video the two of you made was so beautiful and heartwarming that I choked back a tear! Could we have imagined back in 1971 (?) when we were in Ecuador together, where our lives would lead us? (You might have already been secretly in love with Fred by then so maybe you had an inkling and Fred was busy strategizing and scheming around every school corridor and fire drill - the man had a plan !). What a sweet story ! You both have so much to be grateful for in your lives, the most important one of course being your beautiful daughters! All best wishes for your continued love story and I would be remiss if I didn’t take this occasion to thank Fred for the wonderful care he gave to my parents. Vive l’amour! ❤️

Mary Lynn

Very dear Laurie and Fred,

Heartfelt congratulations on achieving this blessed milestone! Your commitment to God and one another is a shining light and beacon of hope in this sometimes dark world. Your trip to visit our family in Kansas City was so touching; it really bridged the many miles and years between us. You thoughtfully remembered us with regular Christmas cards,and we even communicated more often than that depending on life's circumstances. Your presence at my parents' funerals was also very meaningful. I have many additional memories that I hope to share in person in the coming weeks. Until then, you both remain in my heart and prayers. Ever onward, ad majorem Dei gloriam,for the greater glory of God!

Dear Fred and Laurie, congratulations on 50 blessed years of marriage! It has been a lifelong joy for me to watch your marriage and see another incredible example of what a Godly marriage and relationship looks like. Your hearts are for the Lord, each other, your family, and your friends. Thank you for serving Christ together throughout your marriage and for continuing to show what relationship selflessness looks like. You two are so loved, and it has been a great thing to witness quiet and consistent love between you two. Congratulations on 50 beautiful years of marriage. May the Lord continue to bless you in ways you could never imagine.

Much love, Paul and Hilary (Johnson) Swidecki and family

Dear Fred & Laurie,

I wish to give you my deepest congratulations as you celebrate your wonderful 50 years of

marriage along with deep sadness over your diagnosis, Laurie, of stage 4 cancer. Since we

first met on April 30, 1984, at Valley Shepherd’s dedication of our new sanctuary, we have

built a deep friendship. I have seen your even deeper love for each other as reflected from

your love for Christ and how you raised your 3 wonderful daughters, Ana Marie, Katie and

Diana. When they interrupted your conversation with anyone, you immediately stopped and

listened to their needs. Together you shared Christlike love with everyone you met.

Acquaintances became friends, students and patients in your children and adult S.S. classes

and Bible Studies you led over the years and your family medical practice. You shared in

and/or supported each other in everything you did, even in playing your cellos with the church

orchestra. You loved exploring together in God’s marvelous creation, through camping,

mountain climbing and vacation places around the country and travels to other countries.

Together, you shared Christ’s love with everyone you met.

Your girls have grown, married and given you 5 wonderful grandsons whom you have helped

raise to love and serve Jesus. You have attended all their activities as you are able in light of

your health issues. You have led an exemplary marriage and lives for all to learn from.

Love, Vickie Dahlin

Fred and Laurie,

You have been a hugh part of our lives. I am so thankful we met with our young families at VSN. With Fred being my doctor, sharing climbing adventures (keeping each other safe most of the time), and many family trips with and without the kids, you both have been such good friends and examples of Christ’s love to us. We are praying for you as you celebrate this wonderful anniversary and God’s blessings on you and your sweet family. Love and prayers,

Charlie and Pam

I remember when Shirley was married in Yosemite and Anna Marie and my daughter Wendy were dressed like little early century flower girls. They were sitting on a log in the meadow of the Ahwahnee Hotel. They looked like a natural part of the scene.

Laurie, you have a special ability to bring all people together, no matter the circumstance, the person, or the age.

Fred and Laurie, you both are very talented and loved for your ministries, which reflect your love for each other.

God bless you on your anniversary and always.

Brenda💖

Dear Fred and Laurie

Congratulations on 50 years of marriage!!

We have known you just the last 10 years, but how you have blessed us in that brief time. Both of you make such a significant contribution to the music at VSN. Fred, you help keep the rhythm with your bass guitar. Laurie, your beautiful cello sound warms our soul Sunday after Sunday. Fred, thank you for the years you have given to the leadership team at VSN. We have also benefited from your warm hospitality.

Laurie, at your suggestion, we enjoyed celebrating our 60th anniversary on Orcas Island. Thank you!

May this 50th anniversary bring sweet memories with family and friends, and reminders of the goodness of God. “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace “

John and Geni Howarth