Here’s a couple who were “matched” and have shared a lot of fun in their life together.
Both Kenneth and Neva were raised in Iowa and were introduced to each other by Cora Frey, Kenneth’s mother who attended the same Mennonite church with Neva, who worked as a receptionist in a chiropractic office.
Meanwhile, Kenneth (who was nicknamed “Frenchy” by a former boss for whom he hauled milk and used the name as his CB handle) was in alternative military service stationed in New Jersey corresponded with Neva.
Over a year later, after their exchange of letters and despite some of her misgivings, Neva accepted Frenchy’s marriage proposal.
Neva continued her work outside their home in Wellman until their family grew to include a son (Chad) and their two daughters (Kenna and Penny); then returned to the workplace once the children were in school.
Frenchy drove trucks hauling gas to farmers and in 1977 he worked independently hauling cows’ milk and goat milk in Iowa and to nearby states. Neva was a dietary director/cook in a high school and operated a tea room.
While living and doing military service in New Jersey, Frenchy worked at the fire department, became a NY Mets fan and was able to attend games without charge.
For years he umpired in Iowa and was “Mr. Shucks”—the mascot for the Cedar Rapids Kernels baseball team.
In Newton, Frenchy worked in construction and was a senior driver for the Interurban service for fifteen years.
Their children came to Newton to attend colleges and by 1998 had relocated to Kansas and were residing with their families. Frenchy and Neva packed up and moved to Newton.
Their first house was the Harrison House which also served as a bed and breakfast until they closed it in 2007.
Eventually they settled in their home on Columbus where they had lived until relocating to Kansas Christian Home this year.
Together they’ve enjoyed going on bus trips and recall their visits to Yellowstone National Park, San Antonio, and Chicago fondly as well as the thirty-day driving vacation they planned and took along the Eastern coast.
These days as they settle into life at KCH they do so with a faith nurtured through their Mennonite heritage and the strong support of their family, including eight grandchildren.