Children and grandchildren add new dimensions to couple's life

It's doubtful that the Dale Ratcliff and Carol Messerli of 50 years ago could have imagined how full their lives would be and the trails life would take them.

Today, nearly 49 years after their marriage on June 11, 1967, Dale and Carol feel most blessed when talking about their family. Their family is their biggest blessing that God has given them. Lifelong members of the United Church of Christ, they have both been members of the choir since returning to California in 1970. They have been a part of many other church activities as well.

Dale and Carol have two daughters, Angie and Tammy, whom they followed through all of their school activities.

Angie Franks and her husband David live in Wardsville and have three children, Kirstyn, Kory and Kade. Angie is the Director's Administrative Assistant and Assistant to five commissioners at the Missouri Gaming Commission. David teaches Science classes at Jefferson City High School, Jefferson City.

Tammy Allee and her husband Craig live in High Point and have two sons, Christopher and Randy. Tammy is an Executive Assistant for the Office of Educator Quality for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Craig is the owner/operator of Allee Brush Clearing Service, LLC.

Just as they did for their two girls, they followed all the grandchildren in their activities. With five grandchildren, and more school activities, it wasn't as simple as it was for the two daughters. At times, for the grandchildren, Dale and Carol would split up and go to two different activities. Sometimes there was more than one in a day for each to go to.

But it was worth it. "We were always so proud of all they did and wouldn't have changed a thing," they said.

Daughter Angie and her husband David now understand what its like to have children involved in numerous activities. They also have a grandchild of their own to pay special attention to. Their daughter Kirstyn and her husband Brad Medcalf have a daughter Harper Grayce Medcalf. Kirstyn is an RN and works at Missouri Vein Care, Jefferson City. Brad is a lawyer and works at the McDuffey Law Firm, Lake of the Ozarks. Angie and David's son Kory is a freshman at Missouri State University, Springfield. Attending with a golfing scholarship, he is working toward a degree in Business Management. Their younger son Kade is a junior at Jefferson City High School and is an avid baseball player.

Dale and Carol's daughter Tammy Allee and husband Craig's son Christopher graduated from Linn State Technical College with an Associates of Applied Science Degree in Electrical Distribution Systems. He works as an aerial lineman for Sellenreik Construction. Their son Randy is in his final semester as a student at State Technical College of Missouri earning an Associates of Applied Science Degree in Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Technology.

When Dale and Carol were married all those years ago, he was a Junior at the University of Missouri, College of Agriculture and Carol was a beautician in Jefferson City. Dale completed his BS degree at MU in 1969, then went on to get his Master's Degree in Agricultural Education in 1978. His first job was as an Ag Teacher in Lebanon. He then taught Agricultural Education at California R-1 School for another 23 years. He went on after that to become the school's Technology Coordination and computer specialist until 2008. After spending about six and a half years on the road escorting oversize loads around the country, he went to Real Estate school and earned his Real Estate License in October 2015. He then followed that up by going to auctioneering school in December 2015. He is also a Licensed Auctioneer. Dale now enjoys his new career working with RE/MAX Property Solutions in California, as a Licensed Realtor.

Carol graduated from the Wallace Doty School of Hairdressing in 1966 and on July 3, 2016, of this year will have been a beautician for 50 years. She worked two years in Jefferson City and one in Lebanon. When they returned to California to live, she bought the business from Ilene Matheny on April 1, 1971. She now works two days a week fixing hair for the residents at Moniteau Care Center and California Care Center.

As if there wasn't enough to keep them busy, Dale also was a member of The Missourians Accapella singing group for 28 years. Before disbanding this past year, the group earned over $90,000. This money was used to provide scholarships for student members of the University of Missouri Singers, at the University of Missouri in Columbia.

As Valentine's Day brings out the cards and gifts around the world, the Ratcliff's can quietly remember the 48 Valentine's Days of their married life.