EMPTY NEST

Love found in the auction call

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Marcia Marshall was not going to be outbid.  She started the bidding high for a date with the good looking blonde haired gentleman in a flashy tuxedo.  She had a feeling about this guy.  When other ladies bid, Marcia, on the edge of her seat, immediately raised them.  The other ladies could tell by the set of Marcia's jaw and the gleam in her eye that Marcia would pay whatever it cost for Burlington's eligible bachelor.  They let Marcia have the date with Dan Wiedemeier (Weed-a-meyer) for a whopping $200, which in 1987 was a substantial amount.  (It still is.)

            This was a benefit for the March of Dimes at the Pzazz in Burlington.  Eligible bachelors let themselves be auctioned for dates.  With ages ranging from 25 to 50, the bachelors looked sharp in their tuxedos, their hair slicked back with Vitalis, and smelling of Polo.  Dan Wiedemeier's spiel was that he would pick up his date in a limousine, take her to dinner, then to a production at the Little Theater.  The ladies' mouths watered.  But Marcia beat them out.  She had to have a date with this man.  She had a feeling. 

            Marcia was 41.  Her husband had died four years earlier.  She found herself alone and had given up hope of finding another life companion.  When Marcia's friend goaded her into attending the March of Dimes Bachelor For a Date Auction, she reluctantly agreed, only if they could drive separately.  Marcia had to go to work in Mt. Pleasant the next morning at 6:30.  She had kissed enough frogs, she doubted she'd find a prince at an auction. 

            At the meet-and-greet before the auction, Marcia met Dan Wiedemeier.  “My my,” she thought, “what a handsome gentleman.  He carries himself with such confidence, and has impeccable manners.”  Maybe she wouldn't leave the auction so early after all.

            Following the auction, Marcia was writing a check to the March of Dimes.  Dan Wiedemeier approached and suggested they meet afterwards for a nightcap to get to know each other and exchange telephone numbers.  Now she had his business card. 

            When she arrived home that night, her phone was ringing.  It was Dan checking to make sure she had arrived home safely.  What a gentleman!  Marcia was smitten and so was Dan.

            Over the next few months it was a whirlwind of activity and romance.  Dan would call her from work to see how she was doing.  When he traveled on business, he would write her love letters—letters that Marcia still has today, wrapped in ribbon.

            His three kids became her instant family.  Dan's parents and Marcia's parents agreed that the two were meant to be.  Marcia and Dan were married on November 19, 1988, a year after meeting.  They were married for 33 years and lived in a beautiful home close to Starr's Cave Nature Center.  Dan never stopped being a gentleman. 

            Dan was also a most prestigious business man, and well known in telecommunications and transportation circles.  Prior to moving back to his hometown of Burlington in 1987, he retired as Vice President of AT&T in New York.  In Burlington he held too many public, volunteer and business positions, and received too many awards to mention, the most noteworthy being the Burlington Chamber Emmy Award.

            Dan Wiedemeier passed away in April of this year at the age of 83.  He is waiting for Marcia in heaven to welcome her to Glory and pay back the $200 she so lovingly paid for him.  RIP, Dan Wiedemeier, the love of your life will join you some day. 

Editorial, Curt Swarm, Empty Nest, opinion, feature, Pen City Current, Wiedemeyer, auction, story, love,

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