Jacob and Paula Schiebelbein are front and centre with their sons and daughters to celebrate their 70th anniversary. In front, from left, Marian Chotowetz, Paula and Jacob and Joan Sieben. In the back, Gerri Olfert, Vern Schiebelbein, Maynard Schiebelbein and Bernadette Stubbington
Kevin McBain
of The Clarion
Jacob and Paula (Rolheiser) Schiebelbein, along with family and friends, celebrated their 70th anniversary earlier this summer at Caleb Village.
The couple was married July 1, 1947, on Paula’s birthday, at St. Donatus Church, south of Macklin.
Jacob lives at Caleb Village, while Paula or ‘Pauly’ as he calls her, is now at Heritage Manor. Family and friends gathered at Caleb Village on July 8 to celebrate this monumental occasion.
The 94-year-old Jacob says that the secret to their long marriage is because “neither of us has died yet.”
Jacob said that they have had a good life and did a lot together.
“We had a lot in common. We did the best we could,” he said. “We did have our differences. I think maybe the biggest thing was when we moved into town she was always cold and I was always hot, so the thermostat kept being pushed back and forth.”
Jacob and Paula were married July 1, 1947 at St. Donatus church, just south of Macklin
The pair spent most of their lives on the farm in the Compeer/Cactus Lake area, where both of them grew up.
Their first son, Vern, was born on July 1, 1949, and a year later, Bernadette (Stubbington) was born on July 1 as well – making it easy to remember birthdays and their anniversary.
They farmed for many years, starting out helping on a farm in 1949, then purchased the farm in 1964.
“We had some pretty good years mostly, but we had some not so good years as well,” said Jacob.
They raised six children on the farm, which kept them busy, and they enjoyed going out to dances and curling.
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While he farmed, Jacob said Paula, now 92, kept busy working in the garden, cooking or quilting.
He said she was a very good cook, “that’s why I’m still around, I think.”
They continued to farm until 1989, when they moved into Kindersley.
Jacob said he continued to drive back and forth to the farm to help out until about nine years ago. About two-and-a-half years ago, after his son finished farming and then were done renting out the land, they sold the farm.
After retiring from the farm when he was 67, the couple moved to Kindersley and both started bowling and really enjoyed walking around the reservoir.
The couple moved into Caleb Village on Groundhog Day in 2013. Paula moved into Heritage Manor five months ago, mainly because she was suffering from dementia. Although physically she’s still in really good shape, Jacob said.
“I try to visit her every day,” he said. “She still is in good shape and walks better than I do, but she just can’t remember things.”
He says he continues to walk, and enjoys reading and playing a little pool, “but my shots aren’t so good any more.”
Jacob also says he takes supplements now and at the top of his list is odour-free garlic, which helps him maintain his good health and keep him going for years to come.
The couple’s legacy will continue to live on through their children, 21 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren.
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