Don and Susan Loukonen

Don and Susan Loukonen

Don and Susan (Getchell) Loukonen, celebrated their 50th anniversary with a backyard barbecue at their home in Santa Rosa.

They met in the hallway back in 1962, when they were both working for the County of Sonoma. Don in the agricultural commissioner’s office and Susan in the Farm and Home Advisor’s office. Don needed a date for a retirement party, and Susan wanted to take a ride in his beautiful 1958 Plymouth. They dated for two years before they were wed on June 6, 1964, at the Monte Rio Community Presbyterian Church.

Don worked for the County of Sonoma for 30 years, retiring in 1992 from his position as Assistant Agricultural Commissioner. Susan was an Instructional Assistant for the Piner/Olivet Union School District for 18 years. She retired in 1997.

Don is originally from Reedly . Susan was born in Santa Rosa. They have lived in the same house in Santa Rosa for the past 48 years.

Don’s hobbies include fishing, camping and restoring two vehicles: a 1958 Dodge pickup and a 1959 Chevy Pickup. Sue spends her free time gardening and making quilts to donate to the needy. They are both very active volunteers at the “COVE” church in Santa Rosa, and enjoy membership in the Redwood Classic Chevy Club, Santa Rosa Boat & RV club and Ramblin’ Roses RV Group.

They have traveled to Alaska, Puerto Vallarta, Australia, New Zealand, China, England, British Columbia, the Baltic States, the Panama Canal and the Yukon Territory.

Their family members include: son Bruce; daughter Amy; and daughter Polly Hayes and her husband, Trevor; all of Santa Rosa. They have three grandchildren, Jacob, Nathan and Jared Hayes.

Their advice for a long and happy marriage: “Be kind and forgiving to each other.”