June 7, 1941 - Wedding Day for James & Edna Groves...

If James Burton Groves and Edna Virginia Matson Groves were still alive, this would be their 75th wedding anniversary.

William & Amanda Groves
Wedding Day November 27, 1910
Ryegate, Montana

Amanda and baby James -
born on Montana homestead -
October 26, 1913

Dad and Mom lived to celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary in 2006 but Dad died in late August of that year.


James Burton Groves was born in Ryegate, MT on October 26, 1913.  His parents met in Montana as Amanda, from Forest City, Iowa, was staking her claim to a homestead there.  William, from his birthplace in Newton, NE, was working in the harvest and supporting homesteaders in a variety of ways.

Baby James

Edna Virginia Matson
July 23, 1919

Ludvick & Tessie Matson

 Edna Virginia Matson was born in the farm home of her parents, Ludvick and Tessie Oliver Matson, on July 23, 1919 near Viroqua, WI.


James and Edna met at a Lutheran Church in Westby, WI.  My Dad was singing and playing with his 3 siblings for a service which my mother was attending.  She was introduced after the service to the handsomest man she'd ever seen.

Groves Quartet: Hubert, Vernon, Mildred and James...                                     

They soon began to date...

They shared time in the out-of-doors as they worked in the Groves' maple grove...

After a year or so of dating, he must have popped the question...

Edna Matson - age 21...

There was a bridal shower probably in early 1941 and members of both families attended.

James and Edna flanking Marit Matson,
Edna's paternal Grandmother

Ludvick and Mom's Stepmother, Ella Matson, as well as Amanda and Bill Groves attended the shower.  This was held at the Groves family farm where Dad was farming with his brother, Hubert.

James and Edna at the shower...

And finally we come to photos of the wedding day.

Pastor Ferguson had conducted tent meetings nearby which were attended by the Groves family.  They responded in faith to his message of salvation and continued to revere him as a godly pastor.

Best Man, Vernon Groves; Maid of Honor, Mildred Groves - our Aunt Ming

Hand-picked bouquets of peonies from the farm garden, a dress ordered from the Sears Catalog and love that lasted a lifetime.  

and stopped for a formal portrait in LaCrosse, WI

They headed off on their honeymoon...

Another lovely portrait of the happy couple..

How grateful I am that the Lord allowed this godly couple to be my parents.
Their love and devotion to God and each other are an example and model of how two very different people can have an enduring marriage through times of sadness and times of joy
if both remain faithful to the Lord and their wedding vows.

With these photos and deep love and gratitude,

I honor your lives, Dad and Mom.