Local couple to celebrate 70 years together

Pat Mitchell
Posted 10/16/19

Wheatland’s own Louis and Mary Lou Montoya’s 70-year marriage will be recognized this weekend by Worldwide Marriage Encounters.

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Local couple to celebrate 70 years together

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WHEATLAND – In an era when long marriages are not the norm, Wheatland’s own Louis and Mary Lou Montoya’s 70-year marriage will be recognized this weekend by Worldwide Marriage Encounters. This Catholic organization that fosters strong marriages recognizes a couple for wedded longevity from each state. This year, the Montoyas are representing Wyoming.
Louis came to Platte County from New Mexico when he was two; Mary Lou was born and raised here. Not only have they been married that long but have known each other since going to Ayers School together when he teased and chased her around.  “I did not like him [Louis/Lou]. He pestered me all the time. When Lawrence Swallow drove our bus in junior high, he told me, “You know, hate is akin to love; some day you’re going to marry him.” He was right!
Both of their families (Louis’ had five girls and five boys; Mary Lou’s five boys and four girls) worked as tenant farmers for Bill Ayers. The two dated “not too much” then married, Louis at 23 and Mary Lou at 21. “I was raised by a widowed mother and my older brothers,” said Mary Lou. “When we decided we wanted to get married…” Louis chimed in, “My dad and mom went to the Rodriguez house to asked her mother if she could marry me. That’s the way it was done in those days. Her mother really didn’t want her to get married but she agreed since Mary Lou said she wanted to marry me.”
“I had a white satin dress with a full train, a crown with a three-fourths length veil and carried a rose bouquet,” Mary Lou described. “The flowers came from Windom Florist where the pocket park is now. We were married in the little St. Patrick’s Church where the parking lot is for the present St. Patrick’s Catholic Church.”
“And I had a new black suit,” Louis added. “I was kind of scared [about getting married]. I had opened my mouth one too many times! It was going to be different. I was going to have to adjust to someone else and I was used to being single.”

Mary Lou’s sister Nettie and her husband, Don Greigo, stood up with them at the 10 a.m. Saturday service. There was a reception afterwards at the Pioneer Pharmacy where the new Drube’s Home Store is now. They left on their honeymoon in a 1937 Plymouth Coup (which was already 14 years old) with license plate number 926—one they have had ever since. The car burned up about six months later when Louis mis-wired the starter. However, it did get the newlyweds to Scottsbluff, Neb. for a two-day honeymoon.
They returned to Wheatland and began married life in a two-room house on a farm Louis’ father had bought on Fairview Road. Cindy was born in 1950 and Cris in 1953. At that time they were working for Bob Straw.
In 1957, Mary Lou went to work for, then ended up managing Hested’s (now the DC Dollar Store) and continued there for 19 years. She, Cactus Jack (owned the western wear store where the Wells Fargo addition is now) and Jack Nixon (owned what is now Thrifty Foods) developed the Retail Merchant Association which is now the Chamber of Commerce. If you remember the Christmas pole decoration contest, this group invented that and Hesteds had the first Crazy Days. Louis worked at the Wheatland Co-Op (now Frenchmen Valley) for 43 years.
As for what has made this marriage work for 70 years…
“We endured because we love each other, forgive and overlook all the foibles we both have,” said Mary Lou. “If you truly love each other, you have to listen, accept your partner just the way they are. You have to work through the tribulations of marriage. Lou has never said a curse word in his life; he is gentle and kindhearted. The one time I really got him riled [she didn’t say what over], he gave me the silent treatment for a week. It was awful. The only time I really got mad at him was when he called me his ‘Old Lady’. That will never happen again!”
Louis said, “I never found it difficult to be married, just unusual at first having someone around all the time. It’s easy; we’re comfortable together.  It’s just life itself. Mary Lou gives me orders and I follow them but then I’ve had a lot of practice [70 years worth].”
Although Lou suffered a mild stroke a year ago and still doesn’t drive, the two have that spark of happiness that shines through their conversation. It was illustrated in one of Mary Lou’s comments, “I have never regretted marrying Lou.”
Although their actual anniversary date is Nov. 26 (1949), St. Patrick’s parish will have a reception for Montoyas after mass on Saturday, Oct. 19. The Worldwide Marriage Encounter leadership team for Wyoming will present them with a plaque honoring their accomplishment. You may send cards to this long-wedded couple at 2252 W. Johnston Ave, Wheatland, WY 82201.