When Don and Lila Reese married on June 28, 1952, they celebrated with a chivaree. On June 25, 2025 they were surprised with another one in honor of their 73rd anniversary. The celebration was planned by the Reese’s children and the staff of Goodhue Living as a Dare to Dream event.
A chivaree, (also spelled shivaree) is defined as “A noisy, mock serenade performed for a newly married couple, often involving the use of pots, pans and other noisemakers. It’s a traditional custom, and is essentially a raucous celebration or a form of hazing”. Even though Don and Lila met at a dance, holding a chivaree at the home of a newly wed couple the night of the wedding was more common than a dance at the time the Reese’s were married.
At age 16, Lila caught Don’s eye at a dance in Oak Center in 1949 and again when he was home on military leave in 1951. Don offered Lila a ride home that night and they’ve been dancing through life together ever since. The couple farmed and raised eight children in Goodhue Township and continued to live there until 2024 when they moved into Goodhue Living.
After seven decades of marriage and caring for a farm and large family, the Goodhue Living services are a luxury. “I like to come down and eat so I don’t have to make it,” Lila says with a smile. “Nobody’s a stranger here,” she ads of the community. Wednesday night Euchre is one of the many activities for residents. Don will participate, but Lila says, “I don’t play Euchre”. This made bringing the couple in to the room for the surprise chivaree a bit of a challenge for Life Engagement Coordinator, Susie Matthees. With a promise to play a different game, Susie convinced Lila to join her and Don.
All of the Reese children, spouses, and many extended family members had come in a side door and gathered out of sight in the activity room. When Don and Lila entered, they were greeted by the loud clanging of pots and pans and “happy anniversary” wishes. Lila thought something special might happen on Saturday but was completely surprised by the Wednesday night party. “I came in to play cards and the room was full of people!”
Not only were 98-year-old Don and 91-year-old Lila able to mark their 73rd anniversary, they were joined by their best man, Don’s brother, Harlan Reese (95) and maid of honor, Lila’s sister, Betty Mehrkens (87). Among the memorabilia was their wedding cake topper, Lila’s dress and veil, and Don’s wedding suit jacket. Lila wore her veil for the evening, joking that her dress would not fit, while Don correctly assured everyone that his jacket still would.
A Western backdrop and straw bales set the theme for the celebration and many family photos.
In addition to their eight children, the Reese’s have 29 grandchildren and say they needed a calculator so stopped counting great grandchildren at around 100 with over 40 great-great grandchildren and the first few great-great-great grandchildren arriving.
Everyone was treated to root beer floats while they enjoyed socializing and the accordion music of Cindy Wilson. Once the music started, Don’s foot began tapping and he shared a dance with each of his daughters, including Cindy (Bill) Cordes whose 42nd wedding anniversary happened to be that day.
Lila’s mobility limits her ability to stand for any length of time, but she did the arm gestures of the Chicken Dance while encircled by daughters, daughters-in-law and granddaughters. She looked lovingly at Don from her chair as she held his hands and moved her feet to the music as they shared a dance. The couple sealed the deal with a sweet kiss on a memorable night of music, joy and love.
