HUMANSDORP – Ons Tuiste Humansdorp residents Daniel (92) and Edna de Kooker (89) recently celebrated 70 years of marriage, marking more than seven decades of shared life, faith and companionship.
The couple, who were married on 3 February 1956, said that their journey together began a year earlier at a car race in Johannesburg in 1955.
Daniel was riding in one of the cars, while Edna and a friend travelled to the event by bus.
“When Daniel began talking to me at the car race, he asked how we were getting home and then offered to give my friend and me a lift. During the car ride, he asked if he could see me again, and when I agreed, he gave me a peck on the lips,” Edna said with a broad smile on her face.
Two days later Daniel visited her at home, and six weeks after that they were engaged.
Edna said that they were engaged for a year before getting married.
“While we have been married for 70 years, we have been together for 71 years. I believe it was all planned by God,” said Edna.
Further elaborating on their journey as a married couple, she said that their marriage, like any other, had its challenges, but that they have lived happily together.
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“We have great love and respect for each other, which has kept us together. We are blessed beyond measure,” said Edna.
While sitting lovingly next to each other, she said that when people see them holding hands in public, they always comment that they are still in love, despite being seniors.
The couple previously lived in Jeffreys Bay for 33 years and recently had a small celebration with friends in the town to mark their 70th wedding anniversary.
In February 2025, they moved to Ons Tuiste in Humansdorp.
Edna said the decision followed a difficult period when Daniel was bitten by a poisonous spider in 2024, which caused a decline in his health.
“We believed it would be best to sell our home and move to Ons Tuiste. We have been very happy here, and all our needs and health challenges are taken care of. Thank God we have good health. We do not have any major health problems, only minor issues related to ageing,” said Edna.
Family has been central to their lives, although loss has shaped their later years.
Both Edna and Daniel’s siblings have passed away, leaving them with a small family.
They had two children, both of whom have passed on.
Edna said their son, Theodore, passed away five years ago. He and his wife, Jill, had two children, Christopher and Ken.
Christopher and his wife, Melanie, have one child together.
Edna and Daniel’s late daughter, Janet, passed away at just three days old.
Reflecting on their life together, Daniel said their unity never came at the cost of individuality.
“Despite doing everything together and being united as one, we have not lost our identities,” said Daniel.
He added that they have been supported by many people along the way and appreciate all the assistance that they received when needed.
Daniel said Edna handles the administrative work since she’s skilled at it, and they team up when she needs help finding solutions.
When disagreements arise, communication is key.
“When we do disagree on something, we sit down at a table and speak openly about how we feel,” said Daniel.
“We do not have to hide anything from one another. We speak about everything.”
Looking back over seven decades, Daniel said he would change nothing.
“I would not change anything about our story or what has happened over the last 70 years,” said Daniel.
“Edna is a very wonderful partner.”
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