02/12/2026
As we get closer to Valentine's Day this love story is too good not to repost. 59 years and still going strong! Thanks Betty and Dieter for sharing with us.
Prominence Way Retirement Community Love Stories.
Love in the Arctic!
Dieter was working in the aviation industry and was posted in a variety of Arctic locations until he settled in to work in Yellowknife. Betty is from Adelaide, Australia and when she was 12 years old, she had a dream to become a Nurse AND work in “the land of the midnight sun”. On February 22, 1966 her dream came true and landed in Yellowknife.
Invited out by colleagues for dinner to a local restaurant, Betty was introduced to their friend Dieter. They immediately became friends which turned in to dating. 7 months later, Dieter was offered a transfer to Peace River as the Charter Base Manager at Northward Aviation. Although Betty was very excited for Dieter it also meant she a decision to make. Does she stay in Yellowknife and live her life without Dieter or does she take the chance and move with him to Peace River?
It actually came down to a “crunch time moment” for Betty and she followed her heart. She jumped onto the very last direct flight from Yellowknife to Peace River! That same evening while on the drive from the airport, they were stopped at a traffic light at the railway bridge. With the bells ringing and the lights flashing (only in their hearts as the stop light did not actually have any lights or bells) they had a moment where they were “stuck for conversation”. Dieter turns to Betty and proposed marriage!
Two weeks later they travelled to meet Dieter’s family. His Grandmother was so excited and happy that Dieter had found Betty she asked, what their wedding plans were. Both excited for their next chapter, they elated a reply "we will be getting married next week!" On December 10, 1966 they were married at a small gathering in Edmonton.
Congratulations for 56 years of marriage Betty and Dieter!