On Valentine’s Day, Leland and Gussie Lacaze of Robeline were honored as this year’s longest known married couple in Louisiana. For 79 years, the Natchitoches Parish couple has been husband and wife. Louisiana Family forum president Gene Mills says the couple met in May 1945.
“He proposed to her, and three weeks later was being shipped off to World War II. She agreed to accept his proposal, but would not finalize the deal until he came back alive, two years later. And that’s when they got married,” Mills said.
Mrs. Lacaze said the secret to a lasting marriage with joy is patience and hard work. She says they took the slow steady route, and it paid big dividends. Despite their advanced years, Mills says the couple is talkative and alert.
“He was a guitar player and they loved to dance. And they love to speak of their faith and family and his time in Okinawa, Japan, as he fought for America’s freedom,” Mills noted.
Along with the honor of being recognized as Louisiana’s Longest Known Married Couple 2026, Mills says the couple receives recognition from the governor, cakes, and gifts. They will also receive a wish from Mr. Lacaze’s bucket list, a trip to the World War II Museum in New Orleans.
“We contacted the Lieutenant Governor’s office. Billy Nungesser says, ‘I’ll go pick them up in my limousine, drive them over and put them up overnight, if that’s what it takes to get them down there,'” Mills said.
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