Ron and Ruth Gustafson have been married for an astonishing 69 years, and for the past two, they’ve brought their warmth and wisdom to East Hill, where their love story continues to flourish.
Their story began when Ruth was playing the pipe organ at her church and Ron, a member of a basketball team sponsored by that same church, saw her and was instantly drawn to her. “I asked her out for a soda,” he recalls with a smile. “And the rest, as they say, is history.”
What started as a simple moment turned into a lifetime of companionship. They raised a family, weathered life’s challenges, and built a partnership rooted in mutual respect and deep love. When asked the secret to their nearly seven-decade marriage, their answer is clear and heartfelt: complete compromise. “We’re opposites in many ways,” says Ruth, “but we’ve always made it work by listening, giving, and growing together.”
At East Hill, Ron and Ruth have found a place that mirrors the values they’ve lived by for nearly 70 years: kindness, community, and connection. Whether enjoying the beautifully landscaped grounds, sharing meals with new friends, or simply being together in a place that feels like home, their bond continues to thrive.
Their story reminds us all that love doesn’t age, it deepens, and in the right environment, continues to grow.
