June brides from 1956 offer tips for relationships that last
By Lois M. Collins Deseret News
2 couples together for 70 years know what a successful marriage takes
Sitting side-by-side in twin recliners in a cozy apartment over their daughter’s garage in Francis, Summit County, Peter and Judith Poulsen are happily telling their love story, which has spanned more than 70 years if one counts the wooing that preceded the wedding.
F ingers intertwined, occasionally f inishing each other’s sentences or clarifying a detail in their shared memories — which often spark huge smiles and occasional laughter — they’ve just been asked for advice on nurturing a marriage so it will last.
In an age where marriages may fade like flowers if they’re not properly cared for, it’s a meaningful question.
Judith, now 90, was a June bride in 1956, three years after she and then-sophomore Peter, now 91, met at the University of Utah, where he and a friend were “quite interested in meeting girls.” Standing in the lobby of the girls’ dorm, they were introduced to incoming-freshman Judith and a couple of her pals and they asked the young ladies to the football game that night.
“The stadium was just a block from Carlson Hall. We thought, ‘Well, if they’re awful, we can walk home. But maybe they’ll take us out for something to eat,’” she recalls.
Her husband notes it was “just kind of a random thing that Judith and I ended up together. Unless it was maybe planned from heaven.”
They all had a good time. And they did have dinner. The pair kept dating, though Judith played the f ield for quite some time. Still, on a summer vacation with family months later, her mom joked that she “lived mailbox to mailbox.” And Peter was her only pen pal.
No couple knows all the secrets to a thriving marriage, so Deseret News was happy to also f ind another couple who married in June 1956 to hear their advice, too. Oddly, Jerry and Carol are also Poulsens, though the two couples are not related, don’t know each other and just happen to have wed 10 days apart 70 years ago. For simplicity’s sake, we’ll be on a f irst-name basis from here on out.
The long-time love affair for Carol, now 90, and Jerry, who’s 93, started in northern California at Stan’s Drive-In — the kind of restaurant where you park and order — also back in 1953. When Jerry and a friend walked over to strike up a conversation, Carol wanted no part of the strangers until “I saw the car — a baby blue Ford convertible — and decided a little chitchat wouldn’t hurt.”
One hears the smile in her voice as she tells the story and adds that, sadly, the car belonged to Jerry’s pal. When Jerry showed up for their f irst date just days later, he visited with her dad for half an hour. Jerry had just returned from the Korean War, where he was a Marine, and she thinks
that his life experience could have made her parents nervous since she was 17, but “my dad was impressed with his maturity and self-conf idence,” she said. “I never did know what they talked about.”
They married three years later, when she was 20 and he was 23. Besides ages and the era in which they all grew up, the two couples have quite a bit in common. Both learned to communicate long distance, with long letters and phone calls. Carol went away to a two-year college in Southern California to study business and minor in homemaking, while Jerry got his bachelor’s degree and studied business, which would come in handy years later when he started his own construction scheduling business. And Peter was commissioned in the Navy, which had paid for his college, the day before he and Judith graduated — she rushed
to f inish a year early — and three days before they married. So he was often away for quite some time. Letters and phone calls became important for staying connected.
Both also have large families. Eventually, Jerry and Carol would have f ive kids: DeAnna, Janine, Heidi, Jeff and Jay, as well as 19 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Carol jokes about going into shock recently when she realized her f irst great-grandchild is a high school freshman.
Peter and Judith have eight children: Greg, Elizabeth, Kristin, Rebecca, Andy, Jennifer, Sarah and Nate, as well as 28 grandchildren and 40 great-grands.
Laura Seitz, Deseret News
Judith and Peter Poulsen are pictured in their home in Francis, Summit County, on June 17. The couple has been married 70 years.
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ig 1: Notice the very small blood vessels surrounding each nerve.
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Many exquisite homes will be on display throughout the Park City area and Heber Valley, all within or in sight of the scenic mountain ranges that offer world-class skiing, hiking, biking, dining, and golf. These luxurious homes range from traditional mountain homes that use rustic logs, reclaimed wood and rock, to contemporary homes that incorporate exposed steel beams, large windows all with clean architectural lines. Every home, however, achieves a balanced harmony with its natural surroundings. Come get inspired and take in some of Utah’s most breathtaking views along the way!
As for having flourished in strong, decades-long marriages, both Judith and Carol mentioned they had seen bad marriages along the way among their broad circles of friends. Seeing the effect divorce had on people they know, each was determined to work hard at making a good marriage that could endure.
Studies on romance staying power
Social scientists and others have studied the effects of marriage on health and life satisfaction, as well as the impact of parental partnerships both good and bad on children.
Both mental and physical health are impacted by the quality of a romantic relationship, according to research in Nature Reviews Psychology. Harvard Health touts mental and physical health benef its of marriage, including fewer strokes and heart attacks, less risk of depression, being more apt to discover cancer before it’s advanced, enhanced surgery survival and longer life. Marriage and emotional support even seem to protect against obesity, per researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles. The Knot, a wedding-focused website, cites research showing tax, legal and f inancial benef its of marriage.
All those benef relationship. But how do you craft that? Re searchers have some ideas there, too.
A 2025 Institute for Family Studies report found “odds of a happy marriage increase when a spouse is committed, protective, re ligious and romantic.” A study in the journal Emotion found emotion regulation — par ticularly that of the wife — predicts marital satisfaction. Meanwhile, a PLOS One study from Lakehead University in Canada shows a hodgepodge of relationship goodness that includes f tion and how conflict is handled all contribute to general happiness and a positive view of a romantic relationship. When that view is present, an individual is likely to rate well other aspects of the partnership.
That’s a small bit of the science. But what do people who’ve gone the distance say?
Advice from well-worn trenches
On the wall of Judith and Peter’s apartment, there’s a framed list of advice under the heading: ’Lessons from Dad and Mom.” It’s all about a good life, but the advice has a lot to do with keeping their own marriage strong, as well.
They start with serving others and being willing to try new things. They advise generosity, gratitude and humility, as well as being a “side-by-side” team that sticks together.
“Cheer up!” they note. “Things will get worse.” And a reminder that “humming makes every task better.”
In a long list, a few really stand out: “Be kind without needing to be right.” “Make friends wherever you go.” “Keep learning.” “Don’t judge, see both sides.”
Carol made her own list of tips for making a marriage last.
She thinks it helped that she and Jerry both lived in rural areas surrounded by farms when they were small, though states apart. That gave them “some of the same memories to look back on in terms of environment and all.”
“What really helped in our marriage was a sense of humor,” Carol said. “And we both had a determination to succeed. I helped him a lot in his business and there was no question in our minds that we would succeed with it.”
added some advice not on the list. “We make things fun. But No. 1 is never criticize anybody, but especially each other. Never complain
Peter adds something that has stuck with him for decades. “David O. McKay, I think, said, ‘Don’t raise your voice to your spouse unless Make Your Bathroom
June 24: Fireworks Celebration
July 4–5: Paris 4th of July Celebration and Rodeo
July 5: Garden City Fireworks Show with Little Texas
August 7–9: Raspberry Days
August 8: Laketown Raspberry Days Rodeo August 11–16: Bear Lake County Fair
September 6: Battle Over the Border FOR ALL EVENTS
Laura Seitz, Deseret News
Judith and Peter Poulsen talk about their life together after 70 years of marriage.
Utah’s best high school athletes honored
More than 170 athletes from 64 schools earned awards at the fourth annual event
Utah’s most accomplished young stars shined brighter than ever on June 8.
More than 170 student athletes — representing 64 different schools from the Beehive State — were honored at the fourth annual Deseret News High School Sports Awards presented by The Larry H. Miller Company, with the celebratory event being held at The Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City.
“We love to recognize people who are successful and working hard. We think they are aligned with our pioneering values at the Deseret News, and certainly these athletes qualify,” said Deseret News Publisher Burke Olsen.
“... The state of Utah really cares about our families, and we care about our young people. We care about seeing them excel and do their best. Parents and schools put a lot of money and energy into seeing their kids have the best opportunities available to them, and for us, (the awards are) a chance to recognize all of that hard work and achievement.”
In addition to the Miller Company, other top sponsors for the event were America F irst Credit Union, Wadsworth Construction and Minky Couture.
“You think of all the things that lead you to be successful in life, it’s discipline, it’s hard work, it’s dedication. These are all things that you learn in high school sports,” said John Kimball, president of business operations for Real Salt Lake and Utah Royals FC.
“You learn those things, and then you apply those for the rest of your life. This is one of the ways the Millers choose to give back to the community. They want to inspire these athletes to work hard, to be disciplined and to be committed, so that someday they can apply those things and be great contributors to the community.”
The night’s honors included most outstanding athlete awards for each of Utah’s 25 sanctioned sports, as well as male and female honors for the athletes and coaches of the year, who each received a $1,000 cash prize and gift basket courtesy of America F irst Credit Union.
Herriman cross country and track standout Jackson Spencer was named Male Athlete of the Year, having gone undefeated during cross-country season and setting a number of state records in each sport.
The 2025-26 boys cross country national Gatorade Player of the Year, Spencer will continue his running career at BYU. “Ever since I got into the sport, I’ve always wanted to be great, and I think (with this award) I’ve achieved that, so it’s like a dream come true,” Spencer told the Deseret News. “Every day I just want to be the best that I can be, and I think I can use running as an outlet to channel that.”
Milika Satuala, a Bountiful High product now at the
University of Utah, earned Female Athlete of the Year honors after capping her high school basketball career with an individual Ms. Basketball selection and third state championship.
Satuala also excelled in volleyball, where she was a two-time f irst team all-state talent, but chose to pursue college basketball with the Utes as a four-star signee.
“It really feels awesome just to see hard work pay off,” Satuala told the Deseret News.
“I just feel so fortunate to have experienced all the opportunities I did in basketball and volleyball. All the coaches, all the
tears, everything I have, I just feel so fortunate to have these opportunities. It’s really been a blessing.”
Troy Norris of Panguitch High was selected as Male Coach of the Year, as his 34-year coaching career has come to a close following 46 combined state championships in track and volleyball. Corner Canyon’s Mindy Ricks was the choice for Female Coach of the Year, leading the Chargers’ girls volleyball squad to a 23-6 record and a 6A state championship.
Deseret News columnist and BYUtv broadcaster Dave McCann served as the event’s master of ceremonies.
Kristin Murphy, Deseret News Girls basketball athletes are honored at the Deseret News High School Sports Awards at The Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City on June 8.
Boys soccer
• Mr. Soccer: Brooks Barker, Salem Hills Best 11
• F: Brooks Barker, Salem Hills
• F: Jack Burrup, Farmington
• F: Carlos Nieto-Rosales, Murray
• MF: Cameron Martin, Bountiful
• MF: Jack McAllister, Alta
• MF: Patrick Stevenson, Lone Peak
• MF: Blake Stuart, Lone Peak
• D: Axel Antonio Lopez, Murray
• D: Maximo Rafael Olmos, Pleasant Grove
• D: Charlie Spencer, East
• GK: Xavier Peregrina, Ogden
Girls soccer
• Ms. Soccer: Chloe Sadler, Green Canyon Best 11
• F: Taylee Hughes, Syracuse
• F: Camila Palafox, Copper Hills
• F: Belle Sorensen, Bountiful
• MF: Addison Feldman, East
• MF: Kate Fuller, Lone Peak
• MF: Ivy Harding, Lone Peak
• MF: Chloe Sadler, Green Canyon
• D: Londyn Green, Brighton
• D: Sienna Jenson, Riverton
• D: Emma Peterson, Olympus
• GK: Eliza Collings, Lone Peak
Boys wrestling
• Mr. Wrestling: Austin Paris, Layton
Most outstanding athletes
• Austin Paris, Layton
• Trayvn Boger, South Summit
• Noah Bull, Layton
• Ladd Holman, Juab
• Tucker Roybal, Union
• Tanner Telford, Corner Canyon
Girls wrestling
• Ms. Wrestling: Eva Zimmerman, Hillcrest
Most outstanding athletes
• Eva Zimmerman, Hillcrest
• Nia Hagler, Snow Canyon
• Rachel Jensen, Salem Hills
• Tevia Nau Rarick, Westlake
• Leena Sharp, Uintah
• Bynlee Avah Sorensen, Layton
Boys lacrosse
• Mr. Lacrosse: JT Rigby, Mountain Ridge Best 11
• Attack: Henry Alnwick, Park City
• Attack: Gabe Carrera, Brighton
• Attack: JT Rigby, Mountain Ridge
• Middie: Zac Anderson, Brighton
• Middie: Cabell Buechner, Skyridge
• Middie: Pierson DeGracie, Corner Canyon
• SSDM: Thomas Rex Davis, Park City
• Defender: Tanner Adamson, Corner Canyon
• Defender: Harper Brent, Park City
• Goalie: Max Gordon, Park City
• FOS: Dallas Cash Mattena, Judge Memorial
Girls lacrosse
• Ms. Lacrosse: Coco Crawford, Park City Best 12
• Attack: Olivia Dalton, Park City
• Attack: Natalia Szwajkun, Park City
• Middie: Maggie Bird, Riverton
• Middie: Summerlyn Buechner, Skyridge
• Middie: Coco Crawford, Park City
• Middie: Lily Henderson, West Jordan
• Middie: Sophie Anne Nielsen, Brighton
• Middie: Paisley Young, Riverton
• Defender: Madelyn Coton, Skyridge
• Defender: Lily Yatkeman, Park City
• DM: Elise Southworth, Copper Hills
• Goalie: Mckinsey Darling, Park City
Boys swimming
• Mr. Swimming: Luan Barnard, Brighton Most outstanding athletes
• Luan Barnard, Brighton
• Xander Berg, Lone Peak
• Ethan Brown, Mountain Ridge
• Thomas Chamberlain, Viewmont
• Benson Mortensen, Wasatch
• Malachi Villarreal, West F ield
Girls swimming
• Ms. Swimming: Ana Diedrichs, Wasatch
Most outstanding athletes
• Ana Diedrichs, Wasatch
• Chesney Bonner, Desert Hills
• Aulia Leauanae, Springville
• Rainie Moran, Olympus
• Emma Staskus, Olympus
• Camryn Tanton, Timpview
Baseball
• Mr. Baseball: Harmon Skeen, Desert Hills Elite starting 9
• Harmon Skeen, Desert Hills
• Cooper Goff, Mountain Ridge
• Jeremiah Hall, Maple Mountain
• Mason Hawk Henry, Pleasant Grove
• Kenny Johnson, American Fork
• Dawson Moore, Provo
• Trey Vaughn, Snow Canyon
• Nixon Warren, Spanish Fork
• Jake Welch, Lehi
Softball
• Ms. Softball: Maggie Hamblin, Riverton Elite starting 9
• Maggie Hamblin, Riverton
• Kennadie Blackmer, Box Elder
• Riley Greene, Desert Hills
• Aspyn Hawes, Herriman
• Lia Higginson, Spanish Fork
• Kennedy Jennings, Copper Hills
• Jo Norman, Salem Hills
• Lulu West, Desert Hills
• Emmery Wilson, Salem Hills
Boys track
• Mr. Track: Josh Hamblin, Weber
Most outstanding athletes
• Josh Hamblin, Weber
• Matthew Bryant, Lone Peak
• Eli Connelly, Crimson Cliffs
• Davis DeGroot, Bonneville
• Peter Mecham, Orem
• Jackson Spencer, Herriman
• Bristol Jackson Woods, Dixie
Girls track
• Ms. Track: Amelia Nadauld, Snow Canyon
Most outstanding athletes
• Amelia Nadauld, Snow Canyon
• Lily Alder, Timpview
• Skylee Starr Guymon, Emery
• Lisa Richards, Union
• Kiera Kamalei Okalani Sam Fong, Pine View
• AimeeLynn Sapp, Hurricane
• Rozlyn Stowe, Carbon
Kristin Murphy, Deseret News
Medals are pictured at the Deseret News High School Sports Awards at The Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City on June 8.
