Love Story: Ralph and Edie Speer

Seventy years ago Ralph and Edie Speer met as children in Iowa. They were friends all through school and dated occasionally. They lost track of each other after high school and each married other people. In 2000, Ralph's wife died and mutual friends told him Edie had been divorced. They got in touch and had a long distance courtship until they married in December 2001.

Section:Gallery

Wed., June 20, 2018

Edie and Ralph Speer were grew up as friends and sweethearts while in Iowa seven decades ago. They lost track of each other after high school and each married other people. In 2000, Ralph's wife died and mutual friends told him Edie had been divorced. They got in touch and had a long distance courtship until they married in December 2001. Here they stand on the road that leads by their home in Colbert, Wash. on June 14, 2018.

Libby Kamrowski The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
Edie Speer points out her and husband Ralph's 1959 senior portraits from Altoona High School while in their shared home in Colbert on June 14, 2018. The Speer love story spans 70 years, from growing up in Iowa and dating as youngsters to eventually getting married in 2001.

Libby Kamrowski The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
Ralph Speer admires the photo from his wedding with Edie Speer which occured on December 29, 2001 in Grandview, Wash. The couple met over 70 years ago in Iowa and though the course of life took the two to different places and even different marriages, their paths wound back together again.

Libby Kamrowski The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
Edie Speer, 77, is photographed in the home she shares with husband Ralph in Colbert, Wash. on June 14, 2018. Edie and Ralph got married in 2001 and will celebrate year 17 of marriage in December.

Libby Kamrowski The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
Ralph Speer, 76, and Edie Speer, 77, stroll down to the end of their driveway in Colbert, Wash. on June 14, 2018. The Speers met over 70 years ago in Iowa as children, and their love story includes friendships, different periods of dating, marriages with other people and has led to 17 years of marriage.

Libby Kamrowski The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo