Irmgard and Bernhard Feringa celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary – congratulations from the district of Groß-Gerau and the city of Ginsheim-Gustavsburg
Ginsheim-Gustavsburg. Irmgard and Bernhard Feringa have been married for seven decades. On October 6, 2026, the 90-year-old and her 92-year-old husband celebrated their platinum wedding anniversary. Representatives from the Groß-Gerau district and the town of Ginsheim-Gustavsburg conveyed their personal congratulations on this rare anniversary.
First Deputy District Administrator Adil Oyan presented the couple with a certificate signed by District Administrator Thomas Will and a bouquet of flowers. Ginsheim City Councillor Franz-Josef Eichhorn offered congratulations on behalf of Mayor Thorsten Siehr. He also conveyed congratulations from, among others, the Hessian Minister-President Boris Rhein.
Met in Lower Saxony, married in Groß-Gerau
The couple's story began near Meppen on the Ems River in Lower Saxony. Irmgard Feringa originally came from Pomerania and arrived in the Groß-Gerau district as part of a refugee resettlement program. Bernhard Feringa followed her as soon as he was able.
The couple first had a civil ceremony at the town hall in Groß-Gerau, followed by a Catholic church wedding. While Irmgard Feringa is Protestant, her husband belongs to the Catholic Church.
They had three children from their marriage. Now the family also includes a grandson and two great-grandchildren. Their son Jochen was present at the small celebration for their 70th wedding anniversary.
I built my own house myself
The house in which the couple still lives in Ginsheim-Gustavsburg holds special significance for them. Long before his wedding, Bernhard Feringa had made a firm resolution: "If I ever get married, I'll build a house." He later put this plan into action and built their shared home himself.
Craftsmanship was also a part of his professional life. After training as a carpenter and cabinetmaker, he worked in various fields, including at the plumbing and heating company OFR. His wife also worked, including in a grocery store and at the Linde company.
Shared daily life and personal interests
Even after seven decades, personal interests remain a part of the couple's daily life. Irmgard Feringa still enjoys embroidery, while her husband likes spending time in Mainz. Their dog, Foxy, is also part of the family.
The couple celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary with their family. Over coffee and a pleasant get-together, they reminisced about the past decades. In the evening, the anniversary was celebrated with a dinner together.
(DISTRICT OF GROSS-GERAU – RED/PSKGG)
Featured image: Pictured (from left to right): Irmgard Feringa, First Deputy District Administrator Adil Oyan, City Councillor Franz-Josef Eichhorn, Bernhard Feringa with dog Foxy. Photo: District Administration
