Paso Robles couple celebrates 76 years of marriage

By Paso Robles Press · Sat Dec 20 2025

PASO ROBLES — Don and Helen Guegler will celebrate their 76th wedding anniversary on Sunday, Dec. 28, at Creston Village Assisted Living and Memory Care, where the community is hosting an afternoon celebration in their honor.

The couple met in 1946 while singing in the University Methodist church choir at Iowa State University. They married on Dec. 28, 1949, and went on to build a life together centered on family, music, and shared interests. Don, now 100, later worked as a rocket scientist at McDonnell Douglas after the couple relocated to California, while Helen raised their four children. Their family has since grown to include seven grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Music has remained a constant throughout their marriage, with Don playing clarinet and saxophone in several bands and Helen singing in choirs and occasionally performing solos. The couple also shared projects ranging from furniture refinishing to building their own home in Arroyo Grande.

Their advice for a lasting marriage includes mutual respect, communication, and taking time to truly get to know one another. Creston Village officials said the couple’s relationship exemplifies partnership and commitment.

The anniversary celebration will begin at 3 p.m. on Dec. 28 at Creston Village. The community is also organizing a card drive, collecting 76 cards to mark each year of the Gueglers’ marriage.