February 8, 2017
A love 75 years in the making Couple marks 75th wedding anniversary by looking back on their lives and love in the St. Louis area
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By Brett Auten As we tiptoe closer to Valentine’s Day and thoughts turn toward our relationships of the romantic persuasion, Syl and Amber Otke have it covered when it comes to guidance or words of wisdom in that department. The Otkes recently celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary. Syl and Amber were married on Feb. 1, 1942. When the pair were quizzed days after a recent open house celebration held at Park Place Senior Living about the keys to a longlasting relationship, gratitude and cooperation were at the forefront. “I think the main thing is to learn to accept the way they are,” Amber, age 93, said. “Don’t try to change who they are.” Syl, age 95, added that it certainly helps that the two, “thoroughly enjoy our time together.” “You don’t ever think that it is going to last 75 years, but then it hits you,” Syl continued. “We had trouble along the road, ups and downs, but you have to have respect for each other” Making a big to-do out of Valentine’s Day isn’t really their nature. Both were children of the Depression-era and lived pretty frugal lives. “I’d give her money each week to run the house and I would take some to put gas in the car,” Syl said. “That was about it.” But Amber still has her first Valentine given to her by Syl tucked away for safe keeping. The two met on Oct. 10, 1939 attending the Veiled Prophet Parade in St. Louis. They were part of a youth group from Water Tower Baptist church and each were invited by a friend. It was on the walk home when Syl asked for their first date. They became engaged two years later. On Dec. 7, 1941, the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor made the possibility of Syl entering the Armed Services almost certain. They had planned to be married in June, but changed the date to Feb. 1, 1942. “We gave everyone two-weeks’ notice,” Syl said. “It drove her mom crazy but it all
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School Wentzville students participate in Mastercard’s Girls4Tech program. P.9 Francis Howell offers community education programs. P.9 Photo courtesy Daniel Bello Syl and Amber Otke recently celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary. Syl and Amber were married on Feb. 1, 1942.
worked out.” Syl served during the war in the Army Air Corp based at Bergstrom Army Airfield in Austin, Texas, servicing aircraft. For a brief time, Amber worked as a riveter at Curtis
“You don’t ever think that it is going to last 75 years, but then it hits you. We had trouble along the road, ups and downs, but you have to have respect for each other” - Syl Otke Wright in St. Louis. Known for its iconic symbol, you could liken Amber’s work to Rosie the Riveter, who represented the
American women who worked in factories and shipyards during World War II, many of whom produced munitions and war supplies. In April, 1946 Syl went to work for McDonnell Aircraft Company as a mechanic in the experimental division. He worked at McDonnell, which later became Boeing, until his retirement in 1978. The Otkes first lived in a two-room apartment in North St. Louis before purchasing a home in Florissant. At 65-years-old, Syl took to building a log home along Highway B in Warren County in 1987 and lived there until 2014 when they moved to their current residence. The two of them embraced traveling and took full advantage of the time retirement offered them. “We traveled all over the states,” Amber said. “Europe and South America. When not on the highways and biways, Syl became engrossed in carpentry, specifically cabinet making during his retirement years and both were heavily involved with their church. See LOVE page 4
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