Fannings celebrate 70 years of wedded bliss
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-EW photo by Charlotte Baker
The Fanning family and friends celebrated Richard and Lou Fanning's 70th wedding anniversary at the Pomeroy City Park last Saturday, August 13 with a picnic and cake reception. The family group from back row left to right are: Steve Fanning, Tami Fanning, Chase Fanning, Mike Warford, Chad Alford, Isaac Alford, Corey Brenner, Wally Brenner, Tim Brenner, Mike Cochran, Tobias, Darcy Cochran. 4th row, left to right: Madelyn Fanning, Alyssa Warford, Terry Tibor, DeAnna Alford, Calen Richmond, Cindy Brenner, Jacob Brenner, Michelle Richmond, Jeff Richmond. 3rd row, left to right: Kisanna Tibor, Amaya Alford, Tehya Richmond, Kathy Evanson, Trisha Richmond, Heather Brenner, Maggie Pray-Brenner. 2nd row, left to right: Joe Warford, Jerrica Warford, Lou Fanning, Richard Fanning, Izzy Burke. Front row, left to right: Brenner Cochran, Joel Brenner, Eleanor Brenner, Ella Cochran, Jameson Cochran.
POMEROY–The Fanning family came together at the City Park to celebrate the 70th wedding anniversary of Richard and Lou Fanning, last Saturday, on August 13. They held a picnic and dessert of a beautiful two-tiered wedding anniversary cake with two sides.
The Richard and Lou Fanning story began in 1951. Both were attending Pomeroy High School. Rich and a friend were standing outside the school when he saw Lou (the new girl from Iowa), through a window. Rich said to his friend "I'm gonna marry that girl someday."
In August of 1952, Rich (17) and Lou (15) eloped to Reno, Nev., with Lou's brother, uncle and their significant others. All three couples were married by a judge on August 11. For the next several weeks their travels consisted of going to Tijuana, Mex., for ice cream, and eventually spending several weeks in California.
Rich worked odd jobs for money, and the couples spent their nights sleeping on various beaches. Eventually money ran out, and Rich had to call his mother so she could wire him some money that he had saved working in harvest. From there the couple settled in Wenatchee, Wash., where Rich worked for a concrete company and then worked as a mail carrier.
In June of 1953, they welcomed their first child Kathy. Lou took care of the home while Rich continued to work. Their second child Cindy was born in March of 1956.
The family moved to Newport, Wash., in 1956 where Rich worked in the wood cutting industry. Lou continued to be busy raising two daughters and two dogs. One day to her surprise Rich brought home a wild fawn that appeared to have been abandoned. He decided to give the deer to Kathy as a birthday gift. They named the deer Timmy and raised it as a pet.
It was in 1957 when the family moved to Pomeroy. Rich went to work for the Garfield County Road Department. Lou also worked part time for a brief period at the Garfield County Auditor's office, where she taught herself to type.
They welcomed their son Steve into the family in March of 1969. Two years later in February of 1971 they welcomed their last child Kisanna. Rich retired from Garfield County in 1990 and then went to work for Schweitzer Engineering in Pullman. He retired from Schweitzer in the year 2000.
In addition to raising their family, they have enjoyed spending time at their cabin in the Blue Mountains, camping, hunting and fishing.
Rich and Lou have devoted their lives to their four children, nine grandchildren, eighteen great grandchildren, and two great great grandchildren with a third on the way. Now 70 years later they are celebrating their Platinum wedding anniversary in Pomeroy with their family.
