Dechennes mark 70th anniversary

Dean Dechenne and Billie Heiney were married Oct. 23, 1946, in Lewiston, Idaho. Dean graduated from Ewan High School and entered the Army Air Corps. Billie graduated from Everett High School after moving from Summersville, Mo. They met on a blind date while Dean was stationed in Everett.

After he finished his service, he returned to the family farm in Ewan and traveled from Ewan to Everett every weekend for several months until they were married. They lived and farmed in the Ewan area for more than 50 years. After retiring they built a home in St. John and are now residing at Community Pride Assisted Living in St. John. They have three children: Karen and Mac Mills, Patti Siron and Tom and Margi Dechenne; eight grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren.

The Dechennes are still going strong after 70 years of marriage.