Couple celebrates 70th anniversary

Ken and Blanche Stark, residents of Canyon Lake for decades, celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on Wednesday.

Shortly after Ken’s discharge from the Air Force where he served in both Korea and Japan, he met Blanche.

Ken and Blanche Stark have resided in Canyon Lake for over 30 years and have been members of several Canyon Lake community clubs, including golf clubs and travel clubs. They have enjoyed decades of travel throughout the United States and the world.

“We were set up on a blind date by friends and went to a wrestling match,” Blanche said. “It was perfect love, and we were married six months later in Pasadena.”

They raised two children, Alan and Bonnie, while the family lived in Anaheim. The two married and raised families of their own. Three grandchildren, Todd Chisum, Tammy Ramos and Ryan Stark, came from those two families. And five great grandchildren from those three. Daughter Bonnie passed away at the age of 55 after a bout with cancer.

At their wedding 70 years ago, Ken and Blanche Stark are all smiles in Pasadena. The Canyon Lake couple met on a blind date at a wrestling match. “It was perfect love,” Blanche said. Photos provided by Blanche Stark

Ken spent 35 years in construction, which afforded them opportunities to travel the world, Blanche said. Following both of their retirements, they spent many years traveling the United States in their motorhome, some of which were with the Canyon Lake Roadrunners.

Both Ken and Blanche have been a part of many clubs in Canyon Lake including the Canyon Lake 9’ers Golf Club and the Golf Club’s Tuesday Workgroup where Ken was a member for 30 years. They have also been members of the Canyon Lake Travel Club, the Canyon Lake Men’s and Women’s Golf Clubs and the Canyon Lake Women’s Club.