Neil Benner and Norma McLaws met in the North Hollywood Ward at the end of World War II after Neil was discharged from the Navy and before serving his mission in Belgium. Norma was not yet 16, but tagged along with her brothers to activities. Neil and Norma became friends who both liked to sing, dance, bicycle, swim, and play tennis.

When Neil returned home from his mission, he married Norma in the Hawaiian temple. Norma supported Neil’s quest to get his Master’s degree and teaching credential. In turn, Neil went along with her crazy ideas such as hitch-hiking from Paris to the south of France in 1953. In 1969 they took five children to France for a year and traveled around Europe in the VW bus they bought in Germany.

They never had enough money on Neil’s teacher’s salary; Christmases were especially hard, but each of their six children received at least two gifts (some second hand). They had musical instruments and lessons; each had a bicycle. The family went to museums and plays, to parks and the beach in their RV. Neil sang and played his ukulele while Norma danced the hula nearly everywhere they went. Tennis was their game of choice, but Norma chose NOT be Neil’s doubles partner because he (the better player) couldn’t refrain from poaching!

Each week the aroma of home-made, freshly-ground, whole-wheat bread filled their home. Meals were made from scratch, using fresh vegetables and fruit from their garden. Norma avoided sugar and processed food, so Neil and the children made their goody runs in secret.

Along the way they served in various church callings. Norma became fluent in French while living in France and on missions to the French-speaking islands in the Indian Ocean. For 14 years they planned activities for the Seniors in the Laguna Hills 2nd ward after they moved into Leisure World in 2003. Now Neil sweeps neighbors’ yards and patios, while Norma weeds.

Neil and Norma recently celebrated their 70th anniversary and feel loved, appreciated and very blessed to have each other, the gospel, good friends and neighbors, AND all six of their children live close enough to visit!