Lesbian couple finally marry after 72 years together

Rev. Linda Hunsaker presides over the wedding of Vivian Boyack, left, and Alice 'Nonie' Dubes, center, in Davenport, Iowa. Photo / AP

A lesbian couple in their nineties have tied the knot after 72 years together.

Vivian Boyack, 91, and Alice Dubes, 90, were married last weekend on Saturday at First Christian Church in Davenport, Iowa.

The couple, who sat next to each other on wheelchairs through the ceremony, first met in 1942.

Surrounded by close friends and family, Miss Boyack and Miss Dubes held hands as they were married by Reverend Linda Hunsaker.

Reverend Hunsaker said: "This is a celebration of something that should have happened a very long time ago."

The women met while growing up in their hometown of Yale, Iowa.

Vivian Boyack and Alice "Nonie" Dubes grasp hands on their wedding day in Davenport, Iowa. Photo / AP

In 1947 they moved to Davenport, where Miss Boyack worked as a teacher and Miss Dubes worked for The Times and Democrat (a local newspaper) in the payroll office.

"We've had a good time," Miss Dubes said.

She continued saying the two have enjoyed their life together, over the years traveling to the 50 states in America, all the provinces of Canada - and even visiting England twice.

Miss Boyack said it took love and hard work to keep a relationship going for 72 years.

But friend Jerry Yeast, 73, who has known the women since he worked in their garden as a teenager, said: "I've known these two women all my life, and I can tell you, they're special".

Iowa first began allowing same-sex marriage in 2009.

- Independent