Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Woodward of Edgerton, formerly of Racine, celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary Nov. 14 during a dinner with their children at Charcoal Grill & Rotisserie in Burlington. They are also going on a Western Carribbean cruise in January.

Woodward and the former Shirley J. Nielsen were married Nov. 19, 1949, in Emmaus Lutheran Church. They are natives of Racine.

The couple met at the Rifle Club in the basement range at Park High School. Their first date was to a movie.

Woodward, 79, was an office manager at Lathrop & Clark law firm in Madison, retiring in April of 1995.

He was a member of the Air National Guard for 37 years and was commander of Volk Field ANG Base from 1984 to 1988. While there, he hosted Special Olympics and was president of the Camp Douglas Lions Club.

Mrs. Woodward, 77, was a foster care provider for the state of Wisconsin and Racine County for 30 years until November of 1984.

She embroidered banners and paraments for churches and sewed items for handicapped walkers. Mrs. Woodward also groomed dogs for approximately 20 years.

The Woodwards both like embroidery work. They were members of a clog dancing group and enjoyed entertaining at hospitals, nursing homes, schools, etc. Woodward plays acoustic guitar, harmonica and psaltry. The couple were also involved with the Racine Theatre Guild for 18 years. Woodward was a member of the Board of Directors, acted and worked with sound design. Mrs. Woodward acted and made costumes. She and a friend made the backdrop for the new theater. 

The couple are members of Central Lutheran Church in Edgerton. When they lived in Racine, they were members of Emmaus Lutheran Church and then Lutheran Church of the Resurrection.

The Woodwards said that patience, love and laughter is what has kept them together all these years. They said their happiest moments together were camping and spending time with their children.

The couple has seven children: Timothy (Georgina), Donna (Keith) Buska and Steven “Sonny,” all of Racine; David (Karen) and Michael (Amanda) of Janesville; Alice (Marty) Olson of Kansasville; and the late Steven Robert Woodward. In addition to their own children, the Woodwards are considered family to the many foster children they cared for.

The Woodwards have 23 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren.

Their advice to young people getting married today: “Patience, lots of love and kisses.”