Elliotts enjoy 50 years of wedded bliss

KateLynn Slaamot
NLJ Correspondent
 
“I was looking for a bride, and she fit the bill,” Terry Elliott said. 
Terry met his wife, Janet, in Vermillion, South Dakota, over 50 years ago. She was in Vermillion for a friend’s college graduation. Her friend’s sister and husband were from Newcastle. They asked Terry if he wanted to come to Vermillion with them, and he decided to come along for the ride. Little did he know that he would meet his bride of 50 years. 
With a twinkle in her eye, Janet said that she knew Terry was ready to get married, even if he didn’t admit it. 
Even though Janet lived in eastern South Dakota, she and Terry began dating. Terry said it was a long-distance relationship for about six months before they tied the knot on Dec. 22, 1969.
“I thought it was wedded bliss, immediately,” Terry said. 
“We started out in Upton, and they didn’t have streets or sidewalks,” said Janet. 
Terry was a teacher, and he also had two coaching positions. Terry said that Janet was a talented homemaker and that she cooked, cleaned and made everything “appealing” and “pleasant.” 
The Elliotts had two children, Travis and Lynette, and after a while, Terry quit his job as a teacher and went to work at a coal mine. Terry said that his income as a teacher was not enough to amply provide for his family and that the mine provided them with a much better lifestyle. 
The change in career allowed the family of four to move out of a mobile home and into a nice home, Terry said. 
The Elliotts said that they enjoyed being a family and spending time together, and their children are their best blessing. The whole family even went along to Terry’s job interview at the coal mine. 
Over the years, Terry and Janet have also done a lot of traveling. When their niece planned to get married in Germany, they flew overseas to watch her get married in a castle there. They’ve toured five countries, including Italy and Switzerland. They have visited Hitler’s Crows Nest in the German Alps and the Vatican in Rome, Italy. In Switzerland, they visited the Alps. They also viewed the famous statues and sculptures of Florence, Italy. 
Janet said that the European culture is quite unique, compared to the United States. She said that if you order water at a restaurant, you have to pay for it, and you can only use the restroom if you are a paying customer at the restaurant. 
Throughout their years of marriage, Terry and Janet said, they have discovered that the key to a long-lasting marriage is to prioritize God, family and country. Terry added that he and Janet have learned to be more loving, have more patience and be willing to compromise. 
Janet had some advice for younger
generations.
“Have some patience for your partner,”
she said. 
Terry’s advice to the younger generation is to remember what is taught in the Bible and stand firmly for what is right. He said that people affect what they stand for, and if they don’t take a stand, things happen that shouldn’t happen. 
“The Good Book teaches righteous principles,” Terry said. “I don’t compromise my principles.”
Looking back on the years, Terry and Janet said that their most important memories consist of their two children. They are very proud of their children, who are following in their footsteps of prioritizing God, family and country, the couple said. Both children own their own businesses, and the Elliotts are also blessed with four grandchildren, they said. 
Terry and Janet now live in the country, where they enjoy retirement, peace and their animals. 
“We enjoy our country living,” Terry said. 
The couple also has a ham radio, also called amateur radio, and enjoy listening to the different networks that it offers, such as the Wyoming Cowboy Net. 
“Being retired is a good time,” Janet said.