Opinion ID: 1725117
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Existence of Affection

Text: Plaintiff, Lester W. Gorder, Jr., and Barbara Gorder, both apparently talented and well-educated, were married in 1955 after a courtship of about a year. They became the parents of one child, a daughter born December 21, 1960. During most of the marriage, plaintiff was employed as a stockbroker. They lived together in different homes in Edina while married, and, as late as January 1969, they purchased a new one at 5600 Woodcrest Drive in that city. Mrs. Gorder contributed $10,000, saved from her earnings, toward the purchase price. There is evidence which would support a jury conclusion that although Lester Gorder, Jr., used alcohol excessively at times, his relationship with his wife, while marred by occasional conflicts, was mostly affectionate and intimate until the events which led to the divorce and to this action. She not only maintained the home and did the cooking, the washing, and light household duties but, in addition, did remunerative work outside the home, sharing her earnings with her husband. The evidence supports a jury conclusion that the Gorders enjoyed social activities with one another and found mutual interest in vacation trips to distant places. There is also testimony indicating that plaintiff's drinking habits placed a strain on the family relationship and that the Gorders had sought legal and marriage counseling and advice from time to time with respect to the marriage. The jury could have found, on the basis of this testimony, that the affection of Barbara Gorder for her husband had terminated because of his drinking habits and his behavior toward her when under the influence of liquor. On the other hand, it could have found, and apparently did find, either that plaintiff's drinking habit was not as severe as defendant claimed or that Barbara Gorder's affection for her husband was so great as to remain unaffected by this weakness. [4]