HASTINGS, Neb. (AP) - Some friendships last a lifetime and that is certainly true of a pair of Hastings men who have been celebrating their birthdays together for 30 years.
Virgil Eitzmann and Rick Reeve were both born in January 1945. The two met each other in the 1970s while working at Western Land Roller, now Flowserve Pump Division, at 1341 W. Second St.
In conversation, the men realized they were both born in the same month and grew up about 10 miles away from one another. Virgil was born in Superior on Jan. 19. Rick was born in Nelson on Jan. 26.
Not only were they born about a week apart, but they also lived about a half block away from one another, the Hastings Tribune (https://bit.ly/1ELCMEe ) reports.
Virgil and his wife, Marge, had lived on his street since about 1970. Rick and his wife, Vernie, moved into a house about a half block away in 1975.
The neighbors used to have small gatherings and Vernie met Marge through those block parties.
“We would meet on our corner in the summertime,” Vernie said.
They also met an older couple who lived in a house between them, Harry and Leona Reifschneider. It turned out Harry also was born in the first month of the year, Jan. 21.
All three couples attended the same church, First St. Paul’s Lutheran.
By 1985, the three couples had become good friends.
They decided to celebrate the three men’s birthdays by going out to eat dinner together.
Leona’s favorite was Hastings Keno, until she died about five years later. Harry continued to participate in the birthday dinners until he died in 1997.
In recent years, the Reifschneiders’ daughter, Sandy Mackie, and her husband, Pete, have been attending the birthday dinners in place of the Reifschneiders.
The group also tries to make significant birthdays more special.
In 1995, Rick and Virgil celebrated their 50th birthdays together. Marge and Vernie planned a surprise for them.
The couples went out for their customary dinner, but this time Marge said she needed to swing by the church to change a light bulb. It was really just a ruse to get the couples to the church for a surprise party with friends and family.
Now, the men have retired.
Rick worked at Western Land Roller for 17 years before leaving to work for the city. Virgil worked at the company 45 years until he retired in 2012.
But the couples still live near each other and attend the same church.
And, of course, they share birthday dinners. This year was the men’s 70th birthdays.
For the last five years, the couple has gone to the Plainsman restaurant in Juniata for their celebration.
“We’ve never missed a year,” Vernie said.
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