Matters of the Heart

Dan and Mary Wilson: A good friend’s instinct has led to a 50-year commitment

by Mary Jo David (as shared by the Wilsons)

Before the advent of online dating, couples often met through friends or mutual acquaintances. Such was the case with Dan Wilson and Mary Niehaus back in 1973. A mutual friend, Amy Wedden, set them up on a blind date when Mary was 19 and Dan was 23.

“She thought we would be good together,” Mary recalls, “and Amy was right.”

Mary grew up in the Chelsea area and Dan grew up in Stockbridge. After dating for just under a year, Dan and Mary Wilson were married on August 24, 1974, at the Stockbridge United Methodist Church. Two years after they were married, they moved to Stockbridge, where they’ve lived ever since.

In 1976, they welcomed their first child, a son, Nathan Robert. Their daughter, Penny Marie, was born the following year. The couple has been blessed with four grandchildren: Kailey, Aiden, Noah, and Mason. They also have two great grandchildren, Kiara and Amira.

The Wilsons are a close family and enjoy spending time together. But in their case, it isn’t easy. Nathan, whose wife is from Australia, has lived in Adelaide for 14 years. Mary and Dan have crossed the globe a number of times to visit them. Luckily, Penny and her family live locally, in Henrietta Township and Jackson, so the Wilsons don’t have to book travel to spend time with that branch of the family!

Looking ahead to their 50th anniversary in August, the couple is planning a family-centered occasion with their children and grandchildren in Michigan’s Mackinac area.

Dan’s big passion, which he juggled with his work in animal care and research at Pfizer, was coaching. He spent years coaching track and basketball in Stockbridge. While their kids were in school, Mary was a teacher’s aide. Later, she worked for 20 years as the Stockbridge Township clerk.

Dan and Mary have faced a number of difficulties in their lives but they’ve always worked together and stayed strong, relying on their patience and faith to help them get through trying times.

“Sometimes we just have to stop and remind ourselves to appreciate what we have and move on,” Dan said.

In their fiftieth year together as husband and wife, the Wilsons have some sage advice they can share with others.

• Do plenty of activities together but let yourselves enjoy time on your own as well. For example, Dan enjoys golfing and is active at the Mason Lodge in Stockbridge, and Mary enjoys gardening and spending time cooking and baking.
• Don’t let little things become big problems.
• Sometimes you have to agree to disagree but work out a solution you both can live with.

One thing is certain from the Wilson’s perspective: Marriage is a work in process and they are committed to always doing what it takes to keep their relationship going strong.

Photos provided by Dan and Mary Wilson.

After dating for just under a year, Dan and Mary Wilson were married in August 1974.

The Wilsons are committed to always doing what it takes to keep their relationship going strong.