Page 24 February 2014 By Amanda Goossen To Arnie and Muriel Cole, life means being together. And it has for over 70 years. “Family is family,” said Muriel. “If life isn’t the way you want it, you deal with it. You fix it. Divorce was never an option.” Happy Valentine’s Day to Arcadia’s longtime marriage Celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary in June 2013, the pair understands a few things about love and what it takes to make a marriage work. Arnie and Muriel met while at Billings High School in Montana. They were unlikely high school sweethearts. “He grew up on the south side of the tracks and I was on the north side,” said Muriel. “He was truly from the wrong side of the tracks.” Arnie joined the Navy in 1943. Leaving high school early (his school gave the boys their diplomas early if they enlisted. He was one of seven young men to sign up), he would say goodbye to Muriel to attend boot camp. While on leave, months later, the two would get married in June of 1943. Arnie would eventually become a Marine, redoing boot camp and entering WWII. He was 18 years old. On the 31st day in Iwo Jima, Arnie would be shot and toe-tagged dead, but was not buried at sea like many others because of his ranking as a Corpsman and a Marine. After being discovered alive he would be transported to Guam, and then to a San Diego hospital for two years. Muriel, who had just finished a year of cadet nurse training, would leave Montana and her education, to be by her husband’s side. It was slow progress for Arnie, who would lose one lung and several ribs. After recovering, doctors would recommend a move to Arizona where Arnie’s newly developed asthma would fair better in the dry desert landscape. Arcadia is where the Coles would build their life. After attending ASU and becoming a cost engineer for Bechtel Corporation for two years, Arnie would start a fruit stand on 48th St. and Thomas. When the land sold, they would move to 52nd and Thomas and Arnie’s Health Foods would become the first health food store in Phoenix. “We started as a fruit stand but Muriel kept saying I had a huge space in the back and should carry vitamins,” said Arnie. Muriel would work at the store whenever Arnie and Muriel Cole as newlyweds over 70 years ago. Continued on page 25 Let us help you FIT into your SKINNY JEANS SKINNY JEANS SKINNY JEANS SKINNY JEANS SKINNY JEANS SKINNY JEANS SKINNY JEANS SKINNY JEANS SKINNY JEANS SKINNY JEANS SKINNY JEANS SKINNY JEANS MEDICALLY SUPERVISED WEIGHT LOSS LOSE UP TO 20-30 LBS. THE FIRST MONTH Eating Your Own Food - No Shakes or Packaged Foods B12 shot with Lipotripic fat burners included Get $50 OFF your fi rst visit PHOENIX Biltmore area includes Phoenix, Paradise Valley, Scottsdale and the West Valley 2200 E. Camelback Rd., Suite 104, Phoenix, AZ 85016 (602) 374-7226 TEMPE includes Tempe, Ahwatukee, Chandler, South Mountain and West Mesa 10201 S. 51st St, Suite 220, Phoenix AZ 85044 (602) 374-6821 WWW.FITMEDICALWEIGHTLOSS.COM WWW.FITMEDICALWEIGHTLOSS.COM WWW.FITMEDICALWEIGHTLOSS.COM WWW.FITMEDICALWEIGHTLOSS.COM WWW.FITMEDICALWEIGHTLOSS.COM WWW.FITMEDICALWEIGHTLOSS.COM WWW.FITMEDICALWEIGHTLOSS.COM WWW.FITMEDICALWEIGHTLOSS.COM WWW.FITMEDICALWEIGHTLOSS.COM

Page 25 February 2014 necessary, as well as care for their three young children, Arnold Thomas, Judy and Susan. She was also incredibly active in local and social events such as the 50/50 Dance Club, the Squaw Peak Phoenix Bowling League for 48 years, and in her 50s and 60s she raced sand rail cars in the desert. The key to a 70-year marriage, you ask? “A man has to shut up and stay out of the way,” said Arnie, cracking a smile. “Not true,” Muriel laughs. “He would never shut up.” As the obviously still smitten couple Marriage Continued from page 24 Arnie and Muriel hit their 50 th anniversary (above) and kept going. look at each other, Muriel adds, “He was always a great husband and dad. He was street smart and strict with the kids because he was a wild child and knew things about life. I don’t know what I would have done without him. I was so straight laced... sometimes thinking about it sickens me. I wouldn’t have known how to handle things with the kids without him.” Muriel looks up and continues, “sometimes opposites attract. Things weren’t always easy. But they just worked.” Almost 70 years later, they still got “it” at their 69 th annivrsary in 2012. Serving the Arcadia area since 1958          BRIAN A. SERBIN, DVM • RACHEL BART, DVM RYAN AINSWORTH, DVM • KATHERINE ROLANDO, D.V.M. Find us on Facebook! Member Since 1959      •  •    •   •    •         WWW.INGLESIDE.COM • 602-840-3446 Now offering Cold Laser Therapy for DRUG FREE treatment of Arthritis and improved tissue healing. NEW HOSPITAL HOURS! OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK! Monday - Friday 7am to 7pm Saturday and Sunday 8am to 3pm ESTATE PLANNING • PROBATE • ASSET PROTECTION PLANNING TRUST ADMINISTRATION • ESTATE LITIGATION • BANKRUPTCY www.DanaFirm.com Scottsdale 480.515.3716 (Bell & 101 Fwy) • Phoenix 602.424.8494 (44th St & 202 Fwy) Set a New Year’s Goal to Protect Your Family Schedule your FREE CONSULTATION today to have your Estate Plan Reviewed/Created Enjoy $100 Off * A fee of $400 or more. *Offer valid for Estate Planning Documents only. Expires 02/28/14 Proud Partner of Sun Devil Athletics