05 Mar 2024 A love story for the generations
By Mary Eggart
The Hubert and Louise Dold Family is a story of faith, love and legacy.
Spanning five generations with 127 members, the family thrives in and around Oppelo in Conway County, embodying a legacy marked by enduring bonds and a connection that goes beyond familial ties. The heart of their existence is encapsulated on Dold Road, which lies within a stretch of 40 acres of land, originally acquired by the family’s patriarch, German immigrant Englebert Dold, in the late 1800s. Today, multiple family members are still living on Dold Road, where matriarch Louise Zimmerman Dold still resides.
Richard Dold, one of Hubert and Louise’s sons, attributes the lasting connections to a simple yet profound belief — they all genuinely like each other.
While the family continues to prosper, the narrative is inevitably colored by the absence of Hubert, who passed away in 2006. At the age of 92, “Grandma” Louise Dold stands as a testament to strength and continuity, attributing her unwavering resilience to a profound faith that has guided her through both joyous and sorrowful times.
Louise’s early years in Saint Vincent (also in Conway County) were marked by tragedy; she lost her father at age 9 and her sister at 13. However, her mother Ann Zimmerman’s resilience and commitment to the family held firm. Ann drove a horse and buggy door to door, selling essential household items to provide for her children. In this challenging environment, young Louise took on the daily responsibility of sprinkling holy water on the graves of her father and sister, all while helping to care for her other siblings.
Louise’s journey took an interesting turn when she aspired to become a nun. Fascinated by the gentle ways, kindness and strong faith of the nuns at her school and church, she envisioned a life devoted to God. However, divine plans had a different course. With a touch of humor, Louise recalled, “God knew somebody had to have all these kids!” Indeed, her life unfolded into a tapestry of motherhood and family.
Presently, Louise is the proud mother of nine living children, comprised of five daughters and four sons, with ages spanning from 56 to 73. Beyond this, the family tree branches into 37 grandchildren, 71 great-grandchildren, and 8 great-great-grandchildren. Each Christmas becomes a testament to their shared blessings and devotion to familial bonds, a tradition cherished by Louise, who expressed, “I have been blessed and blessed and blessed.”
The love story between Louise and Hubert began when she was just 16 and he was 22. Initially unimpressed by Hubert’s reserved demeanor and age difference, Louise, a spirited lover of dance and fun, gradually found her heart drawn to him. A pivotal moment in their courtship came in the form of a letter written by Louise, which she still holds dear. Recalling the impact of that letter with a sly grin, she said, “That letter was the dynamite” setting off a blossoming romance that eventually led Hubert to her doorstep.
Louise warmly reflected, “The second he walked through the door, I started falling in love with him.” The culmination of their love story occurred on October 29, 1949, at Sacred Heart Church in Morrilton when they exchanged vows. Hubert, an only child, made it clear to Louise that he desired a large family. Soon after, their first child, Julie, was born.
Yet, the journey was not without its trials as the couple tragically lost two of their children — one at birth and another to a car accident at the age of 21. Remembering these painful moments, Louise remarked, “My faith in God and His plan was still strong, but after my son’s death I prayed: ‘Please God, don’t make me have to bury another child.’” Through these tribulations, her Catholic faith provided solace and strength.
Louise’s fondest memories of motherhood are enveloped in the sentiment that everything was special. Addressing the challenges of mothering a large family, Louise confidently asserted, “I really didn’t have any. They were part of every moment of my life, and I just feel blessed to have been with them and been their mother.” She added, “I was married to the most wonderful man who was so smart and could do anything. Together we raised a wonderful family.”
Her son, Richard Dold, and granddaughter, Alisha Dold Koonce, shed light on the values threaded through the generations. Richard highlighted the absence of arguing and yelling in their household, instead describing an atmosphere of disciplined yet quiet firmness, with clear expectations. Alisha underscored the value of hard work, reminiscing about warm summer days spent in her grandparents’ garden alongside her cousins. The distinct scent signifying pea-picking season remains etched in her memory. Childhood on Dold Road holds a special place for Alisha and her cousins, featuring playful escapades across the property.
When asked to describe his mother in a few words, Richard’s response was swift and poignant: “God-sent.” Alisha echoed the sentiment that faith, love, and strength capture the essence of Louise’s character.
Together with her late husband Hubert, Louise, an inspiring woman, crafted a legacy destined to endure throughout future generations. The Dolds’ story is a testament to the strength found in faith, the resilience of familial bonds and the enduring power of love.
