For the week of July 10 - 16, 2002

Bellevue couple 
celebrates 75 years 
of marriage

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About 100 people, mostly proud family and friends, held a party for a very special couple at a Twin Falls retirement home in early June.

Halbert and Inez Hatch, pillars of the Bellevue community since pre-World War II days, celebrated their 75^th wedding anniversary June 9.

Inez and Halbert Hatch were married in 1927. Courtesy photo

Former Bellevue mayor and a longtime Sun Valley ski lift ticket puncher, Halbert worked at many different occupations. Inez bore four children and worked in school lunch programs for 26 years.

Their main gift has been the gift of long life and a loving family, but they also received other mementos on their big day, including a picture and letter from President and Mrs. Bush.

Halbert and Inez also received letters from Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, and Sen. Larry Craig, R-Idaho, Rep. Butch Otter, R-Idaho, and Gov. Dirk Kempthorne.

When asked the secret to a long-lasting relationship, the Hatches said, "It takes a lot of give and take. You can’t always have your own way." And they expressed faith in their wedding vows, "until death do us part."

Inez and Halbert Hatch. Courtesy photo

They are a remarkable couple and their life together is grand testimony to the benefits of marriage, said their daughter, Faye Barker of Bellevue.

"Halbert and Inez’s life can be summed up in love and service, not only to each other, but to the community in which they lived," she said.

"They credit their longevity and good health to being active and enjoying life, their family and friends.

"They both love music and have danced all their married life until about six years ago when Halbert had knee surgery. Inez has since had a stroke, and they had to move into an assisted living center."

Halbert, 94, and Inez, 92, have lived at Bridgeview Estates in Twin Falls for the past three years.

That’s where the grand anniversary party was held, and the following is a story of their lives written by their daughter Faye Barker:

"My parents Halbert and Inez Wyckoff Hatch were married 75 years on June 9. They were married in Jerome, Idaho in 1927.

"Halbert came out west in 1924 from Missouri, to live with his brother. He worked cattle in Shoshone and Jerome.

"Inez was born in Jerome and graduated from high school there. She and Halbert had their first date at a dance. They have called Idaho home for all these years except for a short stay in California early in their married life, and winter stays in Arizona after they retired.

"Four children were born to the Hatches, sons Gene, Max and Robert, and daughter Faye.

"Gene and Max are both deceased. Their son Robert and wife Gloy live in Yuma, Ariz., and their daughter Faye and husband Pat Barker live in Bellevue. The couple has 10 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

"Halbert has worked at many different occupations, including ranching, sawmill and mining. He worked in a hardware store in Bellevue, which he later purchased and operated until selling out to his partner.

"He was the custodian of the Blaine County Hospital when it first opened in 1960 and remained in that position until his retirement. He then worked as a ticket puncher on the ski lift at Sun Valley.

"Inez was one of the pioneers in the school lunch program when it was started in Bellevue by the Civic Club. She worked in the school lunch programs for 26 years, the last five years as supervisor of the Blaine County School Lunch Program.

"She then cooked at the Sun Valley and Blaine County hospitals. When Inez wasn’t busy cooking something, she kept herself busy crocheting doilies and afghans or making craft items.

"While their sons were young and in the Scouting program, Halbert was instrumental with other Scout leaders in building Bellevue’s first youth center.

"This was only the beginning of the community involvement of Halbert and Inez.

"Halbert served on the Bellevue City Council and also as mayor of the only Chartered City in the United States. He served on the Bellevue School Board until the county consolidated the district.

"He belonged to the Masonic Lodge for 30 years and Inez is a lifetime member of the Order of Eastern Stars. Inez served as worthy matron of the Eastern Stars and they both served as guardians of Job’s Daughters. Halbert served as grand master of the IOOF Lodge. In that capacity he and Inez traveled to many parts of the U.S. Inez served as past noble grand of Mayflower Rebekah Lodge.

"They enjoyed belonging to and traveling with the Good Sam’s organization, and they are members of the Blaine County Senior Center.

 

The Idaho Mountain Express is distributed free to residents and guests throughout the Sun Valley, Idaho resort area community. Subscribers to the Idaho Mountain Express will read these stories and others in this week's issue.