Gary and Chris Bergquist

BARK RIVER –Bark River residents Gary and Chris Bergquist celebrated their 50th Anniversary on May 20.

The day was very similar to the day in 1972 when they were wed at a candlelight ceremony at the Bark River United Methodist Church, with Rev. David Liscomb officiating. The day began rainy, but cleared up to a beautiful evening. Apple blossoms and trillium were beginning to bloom — it was a lovely spring evening to gather with family and friends to start their journey together.

Gary was employed at Anthony & Co. for 40 years until his retirement in 2012. Chris worked at various restaurants, did childcare in their home, and went into ministry in 1990, serving the Bark River and Hermansville United Methodist churches until 2020. In retirement, they have enjoyed traveling, reading, jigsaw puzzles, and time with family and friends.

The Bergquists hosted a gathering on Sunday, May 22, at Belgiumtown, and before dinner was served, Pastor Ryan Low-Edwardson shared a blessing of the marriage celebration and thanksgiving for the delicious meal and fellowship together with their guests.

Accompanying them were their daughter, Erin Cretens; and grandchildren, Isabella and Ashton Cretens; son, Ross, and wife, Sarah Bergquist; their attendants, David Peterson (best man), Pete Peterson (groomsman), and Hal Bergquist (Jr. groomsman); Reg Derouin (maid of honor), Sonja and Pam Bergquist (bridesmaids), and Dawn Gorecki (Jr. bridesmaid), and other family and friends.

Amid the well-wishes of those in attendance, a unique gift was given by Ross and Sarah — with a nod to the Bergquist’s trip to Scotland for their 25th Anniversary in 1997 –a plot of land, two-feet square, has been purchased in their honor from “Highland Titles” as a souvenir plot in a Nature Reserve, earning them the titles of “Lord and Lady of Glencoe.”

“On this journey of ‘for better, for worse; for richer, for poorer; in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish …’ we have been aware that God has walked beside us through all the years – blessing, upholding, comforting, and leading us forward – bringing us to this time in our lives and marriage. May God continue the journey with us,” said Chris.