Couple's sustaining love endures life's struggles
Staff reporter
The love between the two octogenarians is evident in their voices and eyes.
He still calls her "baby" and spends much of his day with her.
Les and Berniece Broadstreet have been married more than 67 years — enduring the good times with the bad.
She was Berniece Schick, daughter of David and Ella Schick, and grew up west of Lincolnville.
They met at a Marion roller skating rink — Rankin's — in 1938.
"She was a great skater and dancer," Les said. "We went one round too many," he said with a chuckle.
What was it that caught Les' eye?
"I never can forget that dress (she was wearing)," Les said with a smile. "It was brown and yellow."
"It looked like it was backless," Berniece said, "but it wasn't," she quickly added.
In 1939, they were married. Les was just starting his photography business in Marion.
Les purchased an upstairs studio for $100, making payments of $10 per month. Located in the Jex Building at Second and Main streets, there was a grocery store on one side of the ground floor and a hardware store on the other.
The building was razed and Liberty Park now occupies the space.
"When someone brought in a roll of film for developing, we made enough to buy bread and milk," Berniece said.
A 24x40-foot area by the studio was made into an apartment and the couple paid $10 per month for rent.
"We lived on faith," Berniece said.
Les and Berniece had their first son, Gailen, in 1942. Les was serving in the U.S. Army, stationed in Oregon, at the time of his son's birth. The family moved to Oregon while Les continued to serve his country.
Les did negative retouching and Berniece lent her expertise in oil coloring of photographs.
Les served four years in the service, then the couple returned to Marion. They welcomed son Randy in 1951, a week before the historical 1951 flood.
In 1958, Les moved his business to Wichita and his family followed in 1961.
The couple continued to work together in the business throughout Les' impressive career as a nationally revered master photographer.
"She pulled her end by being my secretary, bookkeeper, and tinting photographs," Les said.
When Berniece became ill a few years ago, the couple decided to return to the town that provided such fond memories.
Currently Berniece resides at St. Luke Living Center and Les has a modest apartment at Hilltop Manor. Les drives to the care unit in time for lunch with his bride, returns to his apartment for an afternoon nap, and then is back up at the center in time to eat dinner with her. In all, he spends five hours a day with her.
"I'm thankful that we have had this much time together," Les said.
Les also appreciates the care Berniece has received at Marion Manor and St. Luke Living Center.
"When I brought Berniece to Marion, the case looked helpless," he said. "They have brought her back and she is doing so well."
When weather permits, the couple enjoys weekly outings to eat a meal or just for a drive.
"It's like a date," Les said, which continues the couple's romance that has lasted nearly 70 years.
What's the secret to a long and happy marriage?
"It's give and take," Berniece said.
"Well put, my dear," Les responded.
Les attributes his happiness to his faith and philosophy of life, taken from the Bible.
"Trust in the Lord, honor your father and mother, and be faithful to your spouse, come what may."
As the couple takes each obstacle and difficulty one day at a time, Les has no complaints.
"It's been good," he said, looking lovingly at his wife. "We're still deeply in love."
