MADISON – Wisconsin Family Council (WFC) announced today the newest inductees into its Marriage Hall of Fame. WFC began this unique Hall of Fame in 2022 to honor both the institution of marriage and individual marriages that have gone the distance. Applying to be part of the 2026 Marriage Hall of Fame was open to any married couple in Wisconsin who has currently been married 60 or more years.
We are honored to announce that Wisconsin’s 2026 longest-married couple is Rupert (Dewey) and Faye Bartel of Minocqua, who have been married for 76 years! High school sweethearts, Dewey and Faye were married on September 17, 1949. Together, they have lived a life of hard work, family, and love. The Bartels have 3 children and enjoy just spending time together. Their marriage advice is a great reminder for all married couples: “Just be kind to one another. There is nothing that’s more important than being kind to one another.”
The long and faithful marriage of the Bartels is an encouragement and challenge to everyone in our state, as are the marriages of all our inductees. Twenty other couples join the Bartels in WFC’s Marriage Hall of Fame this year:
- Art and Joyce Snell, Appleton, married 74 years.
- Edward and Shirley Haumschild, Appleton, married 73 years.
- Fred and Evelyn Peck, Sauk City, married 72 years.
- Harvey and Helen Overturf, Sparta, married 71 years.
- Robert and MaryAnn Pearce, Walworth, married 70 years.
- Orville and Arlene Lieders, Colby, married 70 years.
- Richard and Dolores Rose, Oconomowoc, married 69 years.
- Andrew Sr. and Carol Wanta, Marshfield, married 69 years.
- Morris and Gwen Bender, Green Bay, married 68 years.
- Eugene and Violet Jensen, Medford, married 67 years.
- Leon and Kathryn Samuelson, Racine, married 65 years.
- Jerome and Jean Weber, Stratford, married 65 years.
- Ronald and Elaine Hanke, Marathon, married 65 years.
- Carl and Marilynn Hass, Neenah, married 64 years.
- Roger and Judy Anderson, Wild Rose, married 64 years.
- Bruce and Sue Kirk, Kimberly, married 64 years.
- Don and Joan Krasny, Wisconsin Rapids, married 64 years.
- Jerry and Judy Richard, Stevens Point, married 62 years.
- Don and Marilyn (Mickey) Cayen, Fond du Lac, married 60 years.
- Denny and Mary Daigle, Washburn, married 60 years
Daniel Degner, president of Wisconsin Family Council, commented, “We are grateful for the testament to marriage that these families have provided. Each is a well-deserved entry in this year’s WFC Marriage Hall of Fame; their milestone anniversaries attest to the truth that marriage can last a lifetime. Their lives are an example for young married people around our state. Every enduring marriage tells a story of perseverance, seasons that test, moments that refine, and blessings that remind us why the marriage covenant matters. These couples have not simply stayed together; they have chosen faithfulness again and again. In doing so, they have strengthened their families and helped anchor the moral and relational fabric of our communities and our state. It is our privilege to honor marriages that quietly, faithfully model what commitment for a lifetime truly looks like. We celebrate them with deep gratitude and heartfelt congratulations.”
Each of these couples will receive a framed certificate recognizing their induction into Wisconsin’s Marriage Hall of Fame. Pictures of all the inductees and their stories are posted on wifamilycouncil.org. Applications for next year will open in January 2027.