With effort, marriages can withstand pressures of poor economic times

Mel and Bobette Von Bergen have faced some hard economic times. As farmers, the Hebron couple’s livelihood is at the mercy of the weather and the market. From 2001 to 2006, times were especially tough because corn and soybean prices were down, but the costs for necessities such as fertilizer were up. But the Von Bergens are fortunate because they have been able to rely on each other for support for the past 42 years. For many couples, financial struggles can be so stressful that they lead to divorce. With the current economic downturn, more couples with marriage problems stemming from financial difficulties are seeing local marital counselors. Perhaps the counseling is working, because divorces are down statewide and appear to be holding st