'I kinda believe it's gonna work'

Harold and Eva Zimmerman with their children, Janie, Dwayne, and Bruce

By Courtney Luke

After 68 years, Harold Zimmerman of Bernie is convinced things are going to keep working between him and his wife, Eva. Harold was, of course, making a light hearted joke when he said, "I kinda believe it's gonna work... after 68 years."

Both Harold Zimmerman and Eva Allen were just 17 years old when, on April 3, 1946, at the second story of a two story home where the Justice of the Peace maintained his Malden office, they tied the knot.

Born just barely inside the Stoddard County line, Harold's family bought a 40 acre farm just east of Bernie when he was only five.

Eva was born in Alabama but her family eventually made their way to Missouri. As most local farm families of the time, they were heavily involved in the cotton and corn industry.

Harold remembers that mules were very much part of his early farming experience.

One afternoon, when Harold was with another girl and Eva was with another boy, he asked if he could take her home.

Naturally, Eva was concerned about his date and how she would get home, to which Harold replied, "Oh, she'll get home!"

Eva did not let him take her home.

For some time, Harold had had his eye on Eva.

Eva recalls that when he first saw her, he was driving by and standing on a tractor. He gave her a wolf whistle.

"I still whistle at her every once in awhile," he joked.

A few weeks later, at a school carnival, Eva agreed to let him take her home. She also agreed to a follow up date.

"And that's the beginning of that story," she clarified.

Six months later, they were married.

Harold had been working for $3/ day, so there was no honeymoon. They went back to working in the fields the very next day after they were married.

After staying with his parents for a couple of months, they renovated a small out building on the property and moved into it. That house still stands and is just down the road from their current home, the one they moved into just a few years later and have remained ever since.

"It was a hard but good life," Eva remembers of their early years hoeing and picking cotton.

Even after the couple's three children came along, the entire family helped out. He would drive the tractor while Eva, Janice, Dwayne, and Bruce worked the field and tended the livestock.

For their time out as a family, Eva would pop some popcorn at home, pack it up and the family would head to the drive-in theater.

Though they were involved in many things, music was always a priority in the Zimmerman home.

As long as he can remember, Harold had wanted to play music. Two of his older brothers had taken guitar lessons and learned very little. By the time Harold came along, his father felt as though he had already wasted enough money on music lessons.

When the Zimmermans got married, Harold bought himself a guitar and a lesson book.

"I don't think I'll ever enjoy the Missouri Waltz," Eva stated, remembering the song Harold practiced the most.

The two Zimmerman sons were also interested in music and eager for their dad to teach them. Eventually, they had the opportunity to play for a visiting governor and to Eva's dismay, were asked to play the "Missouri Waltz".

Both continued working on the farm long after their children left home, but in 1991, Harold looked at Eva and said, "I'm ready to quit!" to which she replied, "I am too!".

They agree it was the best thing they've ever done. Despite some set backs in their health, they have immensely enjoyed their retirement years.

Regularly, Harold plays his bass guitar and rest homes and nutrition centers as well as other local events. In recent years, Eva has joined him singing.

They enjoy attending Sunnyvale General Baptist Church three times a week and they stay active walking each morning at the Bernie Community Center where Harold completes a two mile hike and Eva, though using a walker, finishes a full mile.

Several years ago, Eva had a surgery scheduled, but before she could get to the hospital, Harold had a heart attack. The doctors recommended they continue with Eva's surgery, so on the same day, Harold had a quadruple by-pass. A couple of days after the surgeries, they were transferred into the same room for the remainder of their recovery. Even the discharge date was the same.

For the last several years, Eva has battled multiple myloma. She is currently in remission for the third time.

Eva remembers that, as a married couple, they haven't argued much.

"We didn't argue a lot- we just had cool spells," she laughed recalling that they just didn't talk to each other while they were mad.

Love, though, they agree, is what has kept their 68 year marriage a good one.