The large view from their many-windowed sunroom stretches over hill and dale and lakes, all the way to the setting sun.  Rope lighting at the ceiling casts soft shadows on the walls.  Extensive cabinet-ry, built by son in law John Amoe, gives unending storage spaces, including a built-in cedar closet.  A granite fireplace waits for the coolness of fall.  A Jacuzzi tub and sinks set in marble and granite ask to be touched.  A tuck-under shop shelters a big four-wheeler and drive-lawnmower and tools. 
A four-wheeler?  "We had a lot of fencing on the farm for the cows," replied Wilbert, "and that's what we used for checking it."  Now he'll probably use the vehicle to haul bait and tackle box to his favorite fishing spots in his backyard.
Darlene will play with her new flower gardens and look forward to trips and tours, she said.  Some major trips already occurred after the cows were sold and chores were no longer a daily respon-sibility.  They've been on a Caribbean Cruise, they've flown to Hawaii and Florida, and they've visited Branson.   Favorite local outings include attending sports activities of their grandchildren and eating at Chinese restaurants.
What advice would these people, who have now come of age, give to young people of today?  Stated Wilbert in his humble way, "Be honest, that's one thing for sure.  Darlene and I worked together and got along and our kids worked good.  Finding work is harder today."
Darlene said it was important to "always talk things over ... It's harder for couples today because they both work outside the home."
For all of their honest work these past 40 years together, especially as it relates to their church and St. Victoria Catholic Parish, Wilbert and Darlene recently re-ceived the Community Service Award from the St. Victoria Catholic Aid Coun-cil.  Helping with funerals and rummage sales and ushering are some of their church activities.

As rich black topsoil was being prepared for sod and landscaping around their new suburban, residential, luxury home in Victoria, it was obvious that another Victoria farmer had hit pay dirt.  But the farmer's tan and weathered ways revealed it had taken years of honest hard work under the sun to come of age.
Thank you, good people, for the cake and coffee and tour of your beautiful new home.