Blind date becomes 70 years of love for Trumblys

CLAY AND GRACE TRUMBLY stand in front of their home in Shingle Springs. The couple have been married for over 70 years. Democrat photo by Shelly Thorene

On Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2011, Clay and Grace (Wieland) Trumbly celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary at a surprise party with family and friends at the Cielo Estate in Shingle Springs.

Clay’s family moved to Shingle Springs in 1926, left for a few years and then returned to their 160 acre ranch in 1934. He grew up helping on the ranch, working as a delivery clerk at Clarence Schrieber’s General Store on Mother Lode Drive. After graduation from El Dorado High School, Clay became a cowboy moving cattle from Shingle Springs, up Snow’s Road to summer pasture in Camino and other cattle from Clarksville to Rocklin and White Rock Road.

In 1941, he moved to Los Angeles to attend trade school. On a triple blind date with his two roommates, he met Grace Wieland. A year later all three couples were married. All of the marriages have lasted.

Clay was drafted into the Navy in 1945 and served aboard the U.S.S. Hancock for a year. When he returned, he and Grace moved to Shingle Springs with their two oldest children. While Clay went into the construction business, becoming a construction inspector for El Dorado County and the Department of Water Resources, Grace raised their two sons and two daughters, organized the Ladies Auxiliary of the Rescue Fire Department, the Rescue Parents’ Club and became a 4-H leader. She opened a sewing notions and fabric store and made “Bonnets by Grace” — sunbonnets which were sold at Sam’s Town.

Both Trumblys have been actively involved in community service. Clay, 93, is  a life-long member of the Oddfellows and Grace, 89, is a life-long member of the Eldo Rebekah Lodge of Latrobe. Both have served as officers in their organizations. Grace was chosen El Dorado County Golden Rose in 1996.

In 1980, Clay retired as El Dorado County right-of-way agent and the couple did a great deal of travel and worked on their Shingle Springs property, the original 160 acre Trumbly family ranch.

The couple has four children, 14 grandchildren, and four great great-grandchildren.

“We’ve lost track of how many great-grandchildren,” said Clay, “but there’s a lot of them.”

Wendy Schultz

Wendy Schultz has been a columnist for the Mountain Democrat since 2002 and a staff writer since 2005. She covers Placerville city events and City Council meetings, writes feature stories and reports on things of interest in El Dorado County.

View all my stories Email Me WSchultzMtDemo