Kipley and Joan (Fleming) Gerke, of Bend, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary Saturday.

The couple was married Aug. 28, 1971, in Shevlin Park. They have one child, Brad (and Heidi), of Milwaukie, Oregon; two grandchildren.

Mrs. Gerke was an insurance sales representative for AAA Oregon until she retired in June 2015. She went from being tops in insurances sales to being a wizard with a sewing machine creating doll clothes, quilts and toys for her grandchildren.

Mr. Gerke was a purchasing manager for the Bend-La Pine School District until retiring in June 2005. He has been a member of the Juniper Golf Course in Redmond since 1990 and plays golf with the Juniper Men’s Club every week. He graduated from the University of Oregon in 1972 and attends Duck football home games. 

They have lived in Central Oregon for 42 years.