He was standing by the door at the high school watching as a bus load of students from Salem were getting off.  There appeared a cute blonde.  He turned to his friend and asked, "Who is that?"  His friend said, "Joan Christensen, but she is way out of your league." 

Neal and Joan Thorpe have been married for 61 years and have 6 children--3 boys and 3 girls (one deceased)-- 17 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren.  Joan was born and raised in Salem and they built their home here in 1955. They still love her home town.

Neal has served on the Planning & Zoning Commission.  He coached and managed a boys' baseball team in the 1970s.  He bought a truck and put tall side boards in back to haul the team around, after hearing about a young man falling out of a truck.  He said those days are very good memories.  Neal worked for Geneva Steel and drove a diesel locomotive.  After that, he worked for the Union Pacific and Rio Grande Railroads.  He said, "They paid me for what I just loved to do."

Neal restored an old farm tractor and his daughter and son-in-law still use it up in Montana at their cabin.  Neal now keeps busy in his workshop "behind the hedge."

Joan has served the community with her music.  She was with a group of ladies who sang at funerals and community affairs around Salem.  She also has played the piano and organ for too many fureals to count, which she enjoyed and misses.  Joan loves her memories of Salem when she was growing up.  She and her friends would go down to the service station, get a candy bar and walk around the pond for their Sunday activity.  Their only sad memory was the loss of their youngest daughter due to a freak accident, which Joan said changed their whole outlook on life. 

In the last few years, Joan has suffered some health problems, a broken neck, and a heart attack from which she is still recovering.  We wish them well in their recovery.

MAY GOD BLESS OUR SENIORS!

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From "Senior Spotlight", Salem City Newsletter, November 2012 -  P 3