MARRIED 50 YEARS: JAKE AND BETTY HURST.

Byline: - Kimberly Armendariz

Jake and Betty Hurst of Tujunga celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Nov. 10 by renewing their vows, followed by a dinner reception at the Tujunga United Methodist Church. They continued their celebration by staying in a suite at the Hilton Hotel in Reno on Thanksgiving weekend.

Betty was born in Nova Scotia. She moved to Brooklyn, N.Y., in 1936.

Jake was born in Bogue Chitto, Miss. He joined the U.S. Navy and was stationed in Brooklyn. He served in World War II, but it was not until after the Korean War began that he met Betty.

They met at a dance at the Navy YMCA. Knowing Jake would be called to duty, the couple married just a few months later, on Nov. 10, 1950, at Hanson Place Methodist Church in Brooklyn.

Upon his return in 1954, the couple moved to California. Betty went on to attend and graduate from Los Angeles Valley College and was an office manager at Roscoe Elementary School for 25 years. She has volunteered as a financial secretary at her church, is active in the United Methodist Women in Tujunga, and volunteers at a local outreach program that provides food and clothing to the disadvantaged.

Jake attended Los Angeles Trade Tech College. He worked as a brickmason and later as a contractor. He has served as the commander of the American Legion Post 377 in Sunland and Post 736 in Tujunga.

The Hursts square-danced for several years and still enjoy camping and the occasional game of golf.

They have four sons: Jon Hurst of Lake Elsinore; Dennis Hurst of Palmdale; Mark Hurst of Reno, Nev.; and Bruce Hurst of Yorba Linda. A daughter, Linda Faye Hurst, died in 1969. They have 11 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

On staying together so long, Betty says, ``It's important to give each other space and let each person grow. You must love and respect one anther even if you have different interests.''

< MARRIED 50 YEARS: FRANK AND LILLIAN TEPLEY

Frank and Lillian Tepley of Northridge celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Jan. 6 with a renewal of their vows at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, followed by a reception.

Lillian was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and graduated from John Adams High School in 1948.

Frank was also born in Cleveland. He graduated from John Adams High School in 1944 and from Fenn College with a degree in finance.

The couple met while Lillian was arranging partners for a dance in a school play. When Frank was the only one left, Lillian became his partner. They've been partners ever since.

They married on Jan. 6, 1951, at Holy Family Church in Cleveland, Ohio. They had four children before moving to California, where their fifth child was born.

Lillian was a housewife while her children were growing up and later did secretarial work for Great Western Bank and a CPA firm. She has been an active member of her church, serving as a church lector, performing in the choir and as a guild member. She volunteers with MEND (Meeting Each Need With Dignity), a group that collects food for the disadvantaged.

Frank was a financial vice president and controller for Weston Hydraulics, Tillotson and Luminall. He is also a church lector as well as a member of the Men's Club at his church.

Now retired, the Tepleys love to dance, and they enjoy going to their grandchildren's games as well as professional baseball games.

``Love and companionship,'' Lillian says, has kept them together for so long. ``Realizing you have to give more than you take and wanting to do for the other before wanting to do for yourself,'' she says, is also very important.''

They have five children: Paul Tepley of Newhall; Ken Tepley of Northridge; Becky Dodd of Northridge; Frank Tepley III of Urbana, Ill.; and Kristen Belnick of Camarillo. They have eight grandchildren.

- K.A.

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2 photos

Photo:

(1) no caption (Jake and Betty Hurst)

(2) no caption (Frank and Lillian Tepley)