In Re the Marriage of Muelhaupt

HARRIS, Justice.

This is an appeal and cross-appeal from the economic provisions of a dissolution of marriage decree. Substantial property rights are involved. Our de novo review leads us to modify and affirm on both appeals.

Frances Muelhaupt (Frances) and Joseph Muelhaupt (Joe) were married in 1966. They had three children: Elizabeth; Daniel; and Heidi. By a prior marriage Frances had a son, Aaron, whom Joe adopted. Frances, forty-four years old at the time of trial, never finished high school and had not worked outside the home for more than twenty years. Joe, forty-eight years old at the…