couldn’t wait to come back up here

couldn’t wait to come back up here, say goodbye to the city and come to the country,” she said. “I came up here to see my cousins and stayed with my aunt and uncle. I had met him [Fritz] the year before, but we didn’t date until after I came up here.”

The two of them were married on Sept. 26, 1964, and will soon coming up on their 61st wedding anniversary. Together, they had four children: Randy, Brenda, Shelly and Angel. They also have 10 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

It is these grandchildren and great-grandchildren who the Garbisches are devoted to, spending time with them and teaching them important life skills and family traditions that they can carry into future generations. The farm is a main source of fun, as Fritz spends time teaching the kids how to feed the animals and how to raise calves to show at the Clark County Fair.

“We have two grandsons who like showing cattle at the fairs, red Guernsey cattle,” said Fritz. “The great-grandchildren like to come by and feed the animals; they are always happy to see the animals when they get food to eat. They’re all smiles.”

“My grandma and grandpa are the nicest people I know,” wrote Isabelle in her nomination letter, “And they have a really fun farm with cows that I love to visit when my mom and dad take me, my brother, and sisters back to my mom’s house. Ever since I was a little kid, I would go to my grandpa’s barn and help him feed his baby calves and cows. My grandpa has taught me to work with animals and even one year, he let me take one of his calves to the Clark County Fair. In the summer, my grandparents let me come stay with them and I get to earn some chore money helping them bale hay, mow lawn, pick berries, and any kind of work around the family farm and house. My grandpa is the hardest worker I know. He has taught me how to work hard at everything I do and how important it is to take care of animals and show them kindness.”

Kathy’s skill lies in food, as she passes on her knowledge of family recipes and other favorites down to the younger members of the family. Pancakes are a beloved breakfast meal, and the couple hosts family get-togethers for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter each year.

“My grandma is one of the most caring, strong, compassionate, and loving people I know,” wrote Isabelle. “We have a very special bond and when I am at her house, she teaches me how to cook all her favorite recipes in the kitchen from her side of the family and from my grandpa’s family. She lets me help her make some great German food like poppyseed dumplings, apple kuchen, German potato salad, and homemade bread.”

Both Fritz and Kathy said family is a very important thing to them, and they try to take part in as many parts of their children’s, grandchildren’s, and great-grandchildren’s lives as they can.

“I would say just being around the kids and interacting with them is important,” said Kathy. “We always were involved with what they did, and you can pass down what is important, their faith and important values to live by. Afamily that prays together stays together. Be proud of who you are.

“Enjoy being with your kids, and be a part of their lives as they’re growing up,” added Fritz.