50 Years Since an Extra Special Iowa State Fair

 

50 years ago this month, Gary Svenson and DiAnn Ehler went on their first date. It was a big first date! They attended the concert of Charley Pride, DiAnn’s favorite artist, at the Iowa State Fair. Beloved friends Irv and Kathy Schau joined them. 

Because Gary has incredible friends via his work with fairs and loved to plan life experiences in a big way, they even met Charley Pride during that first date.

Charley Pride continued to have positive impact in Gary & DiAnn’s lives, writing them a beautiful personal letter for their 25th wedding anniversary in 1997.

A little over 48 years later in October 2019, DiAnn relived a bit of that super-special first date in attending the Charley Pride concert in Dubuque with front row center seats and the chance to again meet the country crooner she so enjoyed. During the show, she sang along to every word. 

Charley’s smooth voice was unfortunately silenced due to complications of COVID-19 in December 2020. Maybe as DiAnn slept away, she woke up on the other side with Charley singing her in?



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