It was in 1929 when Lynn Hoback entered the University of Nebraska Engineering College as a Mechanical Engineering student.   At the same time, Mary Wilkinson Ruhge was busy at home at Avoca, Nebraska , educating elementary students.
At that time,  one could teach Grades 1-8 with a high school education and a follow-up formal summer school education at an accredited College or University.  Mary began teaching, as did her sisters, as soon as she graduated from high school.  Lynn on the other hand farmed until was attracted to further education and employment away from the farm.
While in Lincoln, he supported his education by working as a part-time teller at the First National Bank of Lincoln.  One might recall that in 1929, the stock market on Wall Street had a fatal crash, sending many businesses out of business and others to a lean operation in order to remain open.  The First National Bank was not immune to the crash and closed it's doors.  Unemployed, Lynn returned to Avoca to help his father, Lester on the family farm.  Since farm produce had little value, their plan was to raise grain (corn) and feed it to their hogs, showing a profit at year's end to continue making payments on the family farm.   That too was unsuccessful because of the value of a hog at market time and consequently all that Lynn realized at year's end was the purchase of two pairs of overall's and a corn husking mitt.   After the second year in a lack of success, Lester was not able to make the necessary payment and lost the family farm.  Lynn and Mary had been dating for some time but were unable to fulfill wishes to marry because of the lack of money.
Working as a farm hand for local farmers, Lynn decided to pursue a venture of his own.  In Avoca, was a "sale barn" or establishment for auctioning livestock and other farm supplies and equipment.  It was owned by first generation immigrant, Morris N.  Morris had become the owner of a female hog or "sow" that was pregnant.   It was necessary to receive $5.00 for the sow…….. $5.00 that Lynn did not have.   He paid the local bank a visit to borrow the funds.  Unfortunately without other collateral, he was told "Lynn, we are sorry but we cannot make this loan to you".  Head in hands he went back to Morris N. to explain that he would not be able to purchase the "sow", explaining what had happened at the bank.
A bit crude in his talk, but big in the heart, Lynn found a reply from Morris "vell got dammit, you chust tak der sow and ven she has pigs, you chust brvink me bak der sow and vun pik as intlest.     The sow was indeed pregnant with 10 pigs.   Saving 9, and giving one to Morris as interest, he raised 8 to market.
Upon selling the pigs, he received a total of $60.00 for the entire group.  After paying for the grain, he used the balance to purchase a wedding ring for Mary.    After being engaged for two or three years, the couple eloped to Rockport, Missouri and was married by a Justice of the Peace.  The physical marriage lasted for 55 years until the death of Lynn, but continues spiritually to the day of this writing, nearly 70 years later.
A True Love Story.