Couple shares their many life-on-the-farm times
"You've got to give and take. There's never a time you can't work things out."

By MONETTE TAYLOR | South Central Texas Edition

It's been over 50 years since Lillie and Frank Branecky tied the marital knot. Today, they still enjoy doing farm work together.

Feb. 12, 2004 -- It was Mother's Day in 1950 ... May 14, according to Lillie Branecky. That was the first day that Frank Branecky had enough nerve to drive out to their farm to ask her dad if he could take Lillie out. Frank remembers it, vividly, too.

"Her dad came out to my white Chevy and we talked for quite a while. Finally, I decided I had to tell him why I was there ... to ask Lillie out!" laughed Frank.

It wasn't like they hadn't met each other. They met at dances in the Moulton area, but when she arrived with her parents, she left with them, too. That's just how it was done. That's not to say they didn't enjoy each other's company while at the dance!

That Mother's Day in 1950, both Lillie and Frank thought they just might have something that would last. Later that same year, Frank was activated by the Navy (he had served during WWII), yet they planned their wedding through correspondence. On Oct. 16, 1951, the planning paid off - what a wedding it turned out to be!

With a big smile, Frank recalled that it lasted all day. There were lots of guests at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Moulton, and the wedding took place at 8 a.m. It was followed by breakfast, lunch, and a dinner of chicken noodle soup ... the noodles all handmade and hung out to dry for the affair. Of course, there was a Grand March, followed by a dance. It was a day to remember, and after 52 years, the Braneckys each remember every detail.

Since each of them had been reared on farms, that was the vocation they were expected to choose. To this day, the couple says they can't imagine another profession that would allow them to be the "boss" and take off when they want to.

When they were newlyweds, Frank said he figured he made 50 cents an hour farming. To supplement their income, they cut and sold wood, too. Lillie remembers she would pray that their chickens would lay at least $6 worth of eggs a week, so she would have grocery money.

"Somehow, they always did!" she said smiling.

Both remember the first 200 acres they purchased. They had two payments of $243 each year, and if they didn't have the available cash, they picked out one of their cattle to sell. It never failed, and they always made the payments on time.

"I always felt like they (cattle) were our bankers," laughed Lillie.

In 1956, there was a drought that was so bad in Fayette County, the Braneckys had to look for employment off the farm. They took jobs at a factory near the Coast, yet they never gave up on the farm. The couple continued to take care of it on weekends. A little over two years went by before they could move back to their home area. During this time, the first two of their five children were born. The Braneckys decied they wanted the children to go to school in Flatonia, so as soon as they could, they returned to Flatonia and bought a home in town, where they live to this day.

Today, they continue to farm southwest of Flatonia with 500 acres, and lease 2,000 more acres. They raise about 200 head of crossbred cattle, using mostly Charlois bulls. They raise hay and coastal Bermuda and do custom farming for other producers. When asked what all "custom farming" involved, they said it means everything from planting, harvesting and taking care of cattle for others. Although they have never advertised their services, they have more work than they ever planned, and have no plans to quit anytime soon.

Frank said people keep asking him why they don't just retire, but he believes that when the Lord thinks it's time, He will retire him ... obviously! Frank has never been hospitalized in his life, and he's almost 80 (just don't tell anyone!).

Lillie is just as healthy; well, almost! Other than giving birth to one daughter and four sons, the only time she has been hospitalized was to have hip surgery, and she blames that on pressing on tractor clutches for so many years!

Once the children were born, Gladys, the daughter, helped her mom in the house, learning homemaker skills. The boys all worked outside on the farm with their dad, and their mom.

Just before her fourth son was born, Lillie said she raked hay until about 5 p.m. when she stopped to tell Frank she thought she was in labor. After a quick trip to the hospital, Lillie gave birth within the hour!

Since her hip surgery, she is the "go-pher" for the farm and bookkeeper for the family business. They, laughingly, tell the story of leaving for a trip, when Frank went to the bank for money. Since Lillie had done all of the bookkeeping and money management over the years, the teller at the bank asked for his identification! Fortunately ... for that teller ... another bank employee recognized him as "Lillie's husband." They still laugh about that incident. (The bank always recognizes him, now!)

While the Braneckys give credit for their success and joy in life to their faith in God, hard work, and a joint effort, they obviously believe in marriage.

"You've got to give and take. There's never a time you can't work things out, and, believe me, it wasn't easy with five kids ... four of them boys!" laughed Lillie.

Both agreed younger children are easier than teenagers, and they knew it would all get better, once all children were grown. It did, and today, Frank and Lillie ... after 52 years of marriage ... plan on a happy Valentine's Day!