Mr. and Mrs. Amandus C. Steigerwalt of Andreas recently celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary in their home with their family. They were married on July 7, 1951, by the late Rev. Arthur Snyder at Zion Stone Church in Snyders followed by a reception at the Andreas Sporting Club. They were attended by the late Carolyn Dunkelberger, friend of the bride, and the late Paul Oswald, twin brother to Pauline.

The honeymooners celebrated by spending a week in the Thousand Islands and Niagara Falls. When reminiscing about their wedding day, Pauline recalled many happy moments, sharing at their reception they had cold cuts, a keg of beer and square dancing. “It wasn’t fancy but that is what we did back then.”

Amandus affectionately remembers his new father-in-law coming up to him to shake his hand and with a gentle smile saying, “Junior, welcome to the family.”

Mrs. Steigerwalt is the former Pauline Oswald, daughter of the late Helen and Arthur Oswald of New Ringgold. Pauline was employed by the Atlas Powder Company in Clamtown for eight years until the arrival of their two sons and twin daughters.

Mr. Steigerwalt is the son of the late Bertha and Amandus A. Steigerwalt of Andreas. Amandus, known as Junior, served in the United States Navy where he worked as a hull technician. Additionally, he was co-owner of the M & S Hardware Store in Tamaqua, where he supported his family until his retirement.

Pauline and Amandus had a variety of interests including motorcycling, camping, and traveling. Their travels have taken them all across the United States and the world, including numerous European and African countries, China and Australia. They enjoyed many groups of friends and cherish innumerable memories of their adventures. Pauline was often the travel planner and fondly recalls with a smile that her companions would say to her, “You take the lead … we’ll follow you.”

When asked to what they attributed the longevity and success of their marriage, Pauline states with a smile, I always say, “It’s not what you say, it’s how you say it,” while Amandus was quick to answer, “Just say … Yes, Dear!”

They are the parents of four children, Brian and his wife Ann Marie, Judy Mantz and her husband David, and Janet Raub, all of Andreas, and Barry and his wife Cora of Pittsburgh. They have seven grandchildren Earlene, Gregory, Matthew, Elizabeth, Nicholas, Alex and Emily, and four great-grandchildren, MacKenzie, Madeline, Autumn and Oliver.