Matters of the Heart
Kaye and Merlin Batdorff, of Fitchburg, married for more than 70 years
by Clyde Whitaker
Ed. Note: In early January, Clyde Whitaker had the pleasure of interviewing Merlin and Kaye Batdorff for SCN’s 2024 Matters of the Heart feature. Sadly, Merlin passed away a week after the interview. With permission from Kaye and their daughter Dawne, Stockbridge Community News has chosen to move forward with publishing their anniversary story to honor this long-wedded couple.
On a cold and snowy Saturday, Jan. 6, this writer made the trek over to Fitchburg to interview Merlin and Kaye Batdorff about their long-time marriage. At the time, their 71st anniversary was fast approaching on Jan. 30.
Merlin and Kaye shared the story of how they first saw each other at a play at Stockbridge High School, where Kaye was performing.
Merlin found out that Kaye was working at Bentley’s Ice Cream parlor on Lansing Avenue in Jackson, and he made many subsequent trips out that way to visit—and eat ice cream.
On Jan. 30, 1953, they were married at Saints Cornelius and Cyprian Church in Bunkerhill. The best man was Larry Poxson, Kaye’s brother, while the maid of honor was Connie Dysert.
The couple had four children, Steve (now deceased), Dawne Batdorff Salow, Jamie Batdorff and Shane Batdorff. They also have five grandchildren: Travis Wayne, Lauren, Grant, Brodie and Chase.
Kaye was a substitute teacher in Stockbridge for about 10 years, in addition to being a homemaker and helper on the farm. Merlin worked his farm, which was several hundred acres. He also drove a semi-truck in the winters for Baldwin Farms, hauling onions down to Cleveland, Ohio.
When asked about their hobbies, Merlin quickly chimed in and said “work,” with a laugh, and Kaye responded with cooking, reading and making flower arrangements.
Looking back on special moments the two of them had together, they recalled their 24th wedding anniversary, when they took a trip to Hawaii. After Merlin retired, they went on a three-week cruise in Alaska. In between these events, they traveled to West Palm Beach in Florida during the wintertime, because they had a house there.
When prompted to share any amusing anecdotes they had as a couple, Kaye recalled one time when she was helping Merlin unhitch a trailer from the tractor. Kaye was to pull the disconnect pin from the hitch, while she stood on the trailer. Well, when Kaye pulled out the pin, the trailer flipped up, throwing Kaye head over heels to the ground. Merlin thought this was quite funny. While Kaye was not hurt, she wasn’t happy either.
It’s always interesting to learn from happily married couples who have stood the test of time, “What is the secret to a long marriage?” In Kaye’s case, she responded thoughtfully with, “You work on it, you have to.” For his part, Merlin said with a laugh, “You fight it out.”
One thing is clear after spending time with Kay and Merlin Batdorff: Whatever their secrets to a long-time marriage may be, they have worked for this couple for more than 70 years!
Together, Kaye and Merlin Batdorff cut their cake on their wedding day, Jan. 30, 1953. Photo provided by the Batdorffs
In early January 2024, Kaye and Merlin Batdorff shared with Clyde about their more than 70 years of marriage. Photo credit: Clyde Whitaker
