‘Go out of your way for each other,’ says couple after 70 years

The U.P. Catholic

“We met in the seventh grade when Dale’s family moved back to L’Anse,” Cecelia Tembreull said of how she met her husband, Dale. “He sat behind me in English class, so we got to know each other a little.” The Tembreulls celebrated their 70th anniversary of marriage on Oct. 9, 2024. They are parishioners of Sacred Heart Parish in L’Anse. “We used to go to the Mazda Theatre to see movies and would sit by each other and hold hands,” she said. At the end of seventh grade, Dale asked her to go to the school dance with him.

In 10th grade the couple drifted apart somewhat. In 11th grade, Dale’s family sent him to St. John’s Benedictine Prep School in Collegeville, Minn. to be a priest. “To my surprise, I received a letter from him,” Cecelia said. “We corresponded with each other. I would send letters to Dale in the seminary by sending them to his uncle in Minnesota. His uncle would then send them to Dale for me.”

God had other plans for Dale. When he came home in December during his school break, he asked Cecelia out on a date. “We continued to correspond when he went back to school signing our love letters with MMDTF (Mr. & Mrs. Dale Tembreull Forever) and UIOGD (that in all things God may be glorified),” Cecelia said. “It was meant to be. On occasion, on our dates we would say the Rosary together.”

Dale graduated from St. John’s, and Cecelia graduated from L’Anse High School in 1952. The couple were apart for their last two years of high school, but Cecelia said, “I would tell anyone it was worth the wait!” At the age of 17, Dale joined the Knights of Columbus. When the couple were married, he sold life insurance for the Knights for several years and was very active in the organization. “Whenever they had parties or get togethers, he always helped out,” Cecelia said.

The Tembreulls were married in 1954 at Sacred Heart Parish in L’Anse, and both held a variety of jobs in the area. Throughout the years, Dale was very active in the community, serving as head of the Baraga County Little League Baseball for more than 10 years. He was also the first L’Anse High School hockey coach and served on the Sacred Heart and L’Anse Township School Boards. He also served on the Sacred Heart Parish council and was the township supervisor for several years.

Cecelia spent many years volunteering at Sacred Heart School where their children attended. “I used to serve lunch at the school. I loved that. And I used to be a driver to bring kids on field trips, and I helped in the kindergarten class.”

“I have always loved to cook, and I enjoy sending meals to family and friends. Our home has always been a hub for family meals where we have enjoyed years of love and laughter,” Cecelia said. In total, the Tembreulls have seven children: Roger, Dianne, Jeanne, Graig and Cheryl, Steve, and Pam. “We had five children in our first six years of marriage,” Cecelia said. “Pam was our surprise caboose, born 22 years after our first child … Every one of our children are smart, they are hardworking, they take care of others, they help each other, and they get along and love each other so much.”

All of the Tembreull children attended Sacred Heart School in L’Anse. The family always went to Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation. “When our children were small, they would all say their prayers together in the hall upstairs where we had a crucifix hanging above a large statue of St. Anne with the Blessed Virgin Mary as a young girl,” Cecelia said. “The statue was one of my mother and father’s that we had when I was growing up. We still have it!”

They also have a statue of the Infant of Prague from Cecelia’s aunt, Anysia, who was a nun. “That statue is also still in our home and has been well loved and is therefore missing his hands. Whenever I make a novena, it is to the Infant of Prague and he understands me and always takes care of my prayers,” Cecelia said.

As a family, the Tembreulls enjoyed picnics and going for a swim every Sunday after Mass. “One time we even picnicked in the snow in November,” Cecelia said. The family also enjoyed lots of time together, doing activities such as dirt bike riding, playing sports, playing flashlight tag and other yard games, in addition to fishing. The children also had many other small memorable moments with each other and their parents that Cecelia recalled fondly. “It was magical watching our kids grow,” she said.

The Tembreulls have 18 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren. “To this day, all of our children say ‘I love you’ to each other,” Cecelia said. “We talk to each of them most every night. When they call, I say ‘Hi Sweetie Pie, Dumpling Dolly, Angel Pie, Lover Doll, Precious, Cutie.’ We look forward to their calls and visits every day.”

Every night before they go to bed as well as throughout the day, Dale and Cecelia converse about their family. “To us, our Lord has blessed us greatly,” she said. “We always thank the Lord for His blessings and guidance. He has been the cornerstone of our marriage.”

To young couples contemplating marriage, the Tembreulls offered the following advice: “You are one. Go out of your way for each other, talk things over if necessary. Loving your family brings you together. They are precious, love them unconditionally. Tell them every day, many times, that you love them!”