By Nila Harris
“You have to love our God the Father, the Lord Jesus Christ. You have to love everything on earth,” proclaimed Margie Klee as she talked about her marriage of 75 years to Paul Klee.
During a short conversation, Margie mentioned the word “love” in some form or another 12 different ways. That is because when talking about living a long life with 105 close family members, it’s all about the love, she said.
Margie Reynolds, the daughter of Edward and Mary Francis Reynolds, and Paul Klee, the son of Will and Sally Klee, grew up attending St. Frances Xavier Church.
When Paul asked Margie to a Thanksgiving Dance at the Forrester Hall, Margie said yes. That eventually led to a marriage spanning 75 years Jan. 15th.
According to figures published in the San Diego Union Tribune, less than 6 percent of marriages last 50 years, and “no statistics exist for marriages that last 75 years, because they are so rare.
Margie and Paul were married Jan. 15, 1949, at St. Frances Xavier Church by the Rev. Joseph M. Lelan.
They chose the colors of the rainbow for the wedding party, with Margie holding a bouquet of orchids.
Afterward, Margie’s mom fixed a breakfast at their home in the current Reservoir Hill area. The Phoenix Hotel in downtown Falmouth was the location of their reception.
Then it was off to Florida for two weeks for the honeymooning couple.
BUILDING A LIFE
Following graduation from Falmouth High School in 1944, Paul was all set to go to serve in World War II.
He had been to Union Terminal for the preliminary military testing, but by the time his draft number was called, the war had ended. His two older brothers served, and the loss of his brother Ray devastated the family.
With a sudden change of plans, young Paul went to work for John Hancock, a man who owned several mom-and-pop general stores.
Paul eventually went in 50/50 with Hancock on a store in Mentor.
Several years later, he sold his portion, came back to Falmouth, and bought a store called W. C. Aulick’s from Clarence Rice. Paul began a wholesale to retail business called Klee’s Wholesale.
Over the years, the Klees worked and built their business and their family. Their 10 children worked at Klee’s.
“They are all hard-working and like to help people,” Margie said.
The work ethic and serving attitude was instilled in the children at a young age.
“Love the birds; they fly in formation. When one falls out, another takes its place,” Margie said. She likened the birds to people and said she believes that people all love and help others.
The Klees have 10 living children: Nancy Wright, Paula Brickweg, Vincent, Marilyn Bradley, Kent, Alan, Marianne Roseberry, Marjorie Sweeney and Bill. An 11th child, Martin Joseph, was two weeks old when he passed.
The Klee children gave them 25 grandchildren and 34 great-grandchildren.
The family held a 75th anniversary celebration Jan. 13, complete with a Mass presented by two great-nephews who are priests.
The Klees were presented with 75 roses and a bouquet of orchids to commemorate the occasion.
Margie was thrilled that her daughter Maureen had brought her wedding dress and an album full of pictures from that day 75 years ago.