CASPER - Longtime Casper residents Doug and Carol (Barto) Bryden celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on March 20, 2008.

They were married on that date in 1943 at Vancouver Barracks, Wash., during World War II while he was in the Army. He served in both the European and Pacific theaters, stayed in the reserves and was recalled during the Korean Conflict.

After his discharge, they continued to live in Casper, where he was a partner in Welsh Furniture until its closure in 1980. He then became a member of the Mountain Plaza National Bank team and retired as vice president in 1989.

She was mostly a stay-at-home mom until 1962, when she began working at Natrona County Memorial Hospital, now Wyoming Medical Center, in a new endeavor which lasted for 25 years.

When she retired in 1987, she was the administrative director of the Cardiopulmonary Department. What began as a part-time involvement in researching rheumatic fever turned out to be a totally rewarding medical career.

During their marriage, they have been involved in many activities.

He was active in sports both as a participant, coach and referee and then took up golf.

He now keeps busy as a volunteer with the Wyoming Medical Center Auxiliary, served on the Casper Community Recreation Board and is an active member at Grace Lutheran Church.

She has sung in many musical groups, is an amateur artist and loves acting. Her favorite role was as Bloody Mary in the 1980 Casper College production of South Pacific.

She is a member of the Ladies of the Petroleum Club and is also active at church.

Their three children are Jeffrey L. Bryden and wife, Gale, of Casper; Kathleen M. Swanson of Littleton, Colo., and David R. Bryden and wife, Sharon, of Midland, Texas.

Grandchildren are Dain Swanson and Derek Swanson of Minneapolis, Jeffrey Bryden and his wife, Janice, of Midland, Texas; Joanna (Schnee) and husband, Fred Schott, Cortney Nyberg and Weston Schnee, all of Casper; and two great-granddaughters, Danielle Elizabeth Bryden of Midland, Texas, and Haillee Jo Schott of Casper.

They were honored in 2004 when their son, Jeffrey, chose March 20, as the date of his marriage to his wife, Gale.

They plan a gathering of family and friends later this summer.