Couple celebrates 68th wedding anniversary from Antelope Valley senior living community
A senior living community in the Antelope Valley helped two of their residents celebrate 68 years of marriage.
The couple, 92-year-old Leon Russell Mendenhall and 86-year-old Myrna LaRae Mendenhall, were married on Feb. 18, 1956, and were celebrated last month at The Havens at Antelope Valley.
Leon, a U.S. Air Force mechanic, was introduced to Myrna by his mother and was immediately “intrigued by her.”
He asked her out on a movie date, which Myrna assumed would be at a traditional movie theater, but turned out to actually be at a drive-in theater that Leon says was then known as “the passion pits.”
Myrna’s father was not particularly pleased about the venue, officials from the senior community said, but that didn’t stop either of them from pursuing their budding romance.
Leon and Myrna Mendenhall celebrated 68 years of marriage on Feb. 18, 2024. (The Havens at Antelope Valley) Friends and family celebrated Leon and Myrna Mendenhall as they celebrated 68 years of marriage on Feb. 18, 2024. (The Havens at Antelope Valley) Friends and family celebrated Leon and Myrna Mendenhall as they celebrated 68 years of marriage on Feb. 18, 2024. (The Havens at Antelope Valley)
The couple was originally from West Los Angeles and eventually married and raised four children in L.A. before settling in the Antelope Valley in 1987.
Leon parlayed his military experience into a civilian career as a mechanic and automotive teacher. Myrna graduated from college with an accounting degree and worked for a mining company.
Still as connected as ever, the two now reside at The Havens and staff say they have transcended resident status and are now thought of as family members.
“Their love and dedication to each other is inspiring. As a community, we wish them many more years of shared happiness,” said Christine Ellis, sales director of The Havens at Antelope Valley.
In February, the senior living center hosted a special lunch event to celebrate their enduring love.
When asked about the secret to marital success, they offered an unconventional piece of advice: “Lots of arguing and differences, and then you make up and get over it.”
Staff at The Havens say that surprising and honest answer is a testament to open communication and a commitment to working through differences.
Leon and Myrna Mendenhall have four children, Cathy, 67, Diana, 65, John, 61, and Norman, 55. Several friends and family members visited The Havens last month to take part in the celebration of the couple’s nearly seven decades of commitment.
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