Ron and Cheryl (Grater) Bielema of Canton, IL, are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. They were united in marriage at Spring Valley Reformed Church, Fulton, IL, on February 10, 1968. They were both raised in Morrison, IL. Their parents were Raymond and Kathryn Bielema (deceased) and Earl Grater (deceased) and Betty Grater of rural Morrison.
Ron and Cheryl have two children, Kelly (Joe) Havens of Germantown Hills, IL, and Kurt (Megan) Bielema of Urbana, IL. They are blessed with six grandchildren: Amanda, Max, Payton, Simeon, August, and Hattie.
Both taught in area schools after completing college. He taught Math and Science at Clystic Consolidated School, and she taught Home Economics at Oregon High School and Morrison Junior High. Ron later worked at King Milling/United Feed Company in Pittsfield and Griggsville, and in retail sales and logistics at J. C. Penney in Champaign, IL, and Florissant, MO, retiring in 2008. Ron’s work life also included testing well water, part of a research study at the University of Illinois.
Following teaching, Cheryl was a Home Economist in University of Illinois Extension, in Whiteside and Pike Counties. She later was an Instructional Designer in the College of Agriculture, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, and at the University of Missouri, St. Louis, MO, in the Center for Teaching and Learning. Bielema also taught teacher preparation courses in the Colleges of Education at both U of I and U of M.
Since retirement and relocating to Canton, IL, in 2010, they enjoy volunteering in local organizations and following their grandchildren’s activities.
A reception at Big Racks Steakhouse in Canton is planned to celebrate with their family and friends.
