Celebrating 90th birthday of Tofield’s twins

Birthdays are always important milestones, and with each year it brings a different kind of journey to reflect on. Such was the celebration for the Stauffer twins – Wilbur and Wilfred – who turned 90 this last Thursday, July 18 at Tofield’s long-term care.

With 90 years of celebrating their birthdays together mostly, they will be surrounded by family and friends again on Sunday, Aug. 4.

Wilbur’s wife, Barbara Stauffer who was present at the occasion said that it has been an amazing journey for her with Wilbur for 22 years.

“I met him at a time when our former spouses had passed away in a seniors’ group at a south Edmonton church,” Stauffer said. “He was quiet and never liked to draw attention to himself. The first time when we actually spoke was on a train from Stettler to Rosebud, and we did a tour together on a bus along with other members of the group.”

It was then that Stauffer decided that Wilbur could be her mate again.

“By then I had lost my former husband to an illness and had been alone for four years,” Stauffer recalled. “We had a big church wedding; he was 68 and I had turned 65 earlier that year.”

Speaking fondly about Wilbur, Stauffer added that he was a part of the McGavin’s Bakery assembly line for years before retiring in 1994.

“He loves gardening, and when we were living in Sherwood Park, our garden and lawn were the envy of the community; everyone commented that it was the best that they had seen,” Stauffer remarked. “Wilbur is also an avid reader, he loves reading . . .” contd.