Meeting for the first time three days before the wedding, Larry Freiheit, 79, and Donna Sue Cordero had exchanged a long courtship over the phone and social media.
The touching ceremony was performed with close friends Bob Burke & Betty Riffel standing up with the lovebirds. Playing the role of cupid was longtime friend Betty.
“I met Donna Sue over a cheese quality complaint,” said Riffel, who had worked for the local Clinton cheese company for many years. “I flew to a copper state event in Arizona with Larry Haas,” she said. “I got information of where to find Donna Sue working a flu shot event at Alberson’s Grocery Store in Peoria near Phoenix.”
After Betty gave Donna Sue two fresh new cheese packages, she and Betty became fast friends.
Years later, Betty and partner Bob Burke met Larry Freiheit at the Clinton airport. They were all plane owners and flying enthusiasts.
“Larry had just lost his wife,” Riffel said. “I told Donna Sue about him being so depressed, and she said I could give him her number.”
After forwarding her phone number, Donna Sue received a call from Larry and the romance blossomed.
“He (Larry) is going to be my last best husband,” said Donna Sue. “And I will be his last best wife.”
The ceremony was held in the restored Land School, just north of Clinton on old Highway 13.
Officiating the ceremony was First Christian Church Pastor Tim Wessley. Playing the piano was Virginia Graham.
Also flying in from Ecuador was longtime friend FranTimme. She had earlier sent 100 long stem roses.
“I wanted to be here for this,” said Timme. “I was glad to provide the bright red roses.”
The minister and others asked Larry what it was like to get to see and hold hands with Donna Sue.
“It was indescribable,” said a tearful Larry.
Donna Sue said the same thing about her new husband.
“We’ve been holding hands since I flew in,” she said.
The newlywed couple will live in Larry’s house near Clinton during the warm parts of the year. They plan to live in Arizona in Donna Sue’s home during the cold weather season.
