Anniversary: Gary and Kathy Gilstrap

Gary and Kathy Gilstrap of Grafton celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on May 23.

The couple are planning a party with family and friends this summer to mark the occasion.

The Gilstraps were married on May 23, 1975, in Ipswich, England, while he was stationed there while serving in the U.S. Air Force.

When they returned to the United States later that year, they were remarried in a ceremony at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Grafton.

Gary hails from Sanford, Fla., and Kathy from Grafton. They met when he was stationed in Illinois and went to a Thanksgiving celebration hosted by his sister, who is married to her brother.

After dating for four years, they married.

The couple have six children and seven grandchildren.

After leaving the military, Mr. Gilstrap worked as a facilities manager in the health care industry, retiring three years ago.

He also serves as commander of the Rose-Harms American Legion Post in Grafton.

Mrs. Gilstrap is a medical assistant at Aurora Health Care’s East Mequon Clinic and has worked for Kohl’s Department Store for 49 years.