Cy Bryngelson, center, recently turned 101 years old. Having lunch with him recently at Iowa Veterans Home were, from left, friends Julie Carlson, Renee Aker, Kim Hanken and his niece Clarice Roseland. Photo by Andrew PotterMARSHALTOWN, Central Iowa (Times-Republican), January 28, 2008:
Cy Bryngelson has an infectious smile and a love of life. That is probably why he’s been living it for 101 years.
Bryngelson, a resident at Iowa Veterans Home, turned 101 on Jan. 18. After a 100th birthday party that saw 300 people visit last year, he decided for a more low-key party this time around with close friends.
He said he doesn’t know the secret to his longevity but it could be genetics. His sister Helen Marks just passed away at the age of 102.
“All of us had good Norwegian blood,” he said.
Just getting to 101 is an accomplishment but even more amazing is how he can still hold his own in a conversation.
“He’s sharp on everything that is going on,” said his niece Clarice Roseland.
Born in Dunbar, Iowa, his family moved to Canada where he spent much of his childhood. He served in the Navy from 1942 to 1945 on submarine chasers off the coast in New England.
It was in the Navy where he met Eleanor Tucker at a USO gathering. In their case it was love at first dance.
“It was a ladies choice dance,” he said. “She picked me and that was it.”
They were married for 53 years until Eleanor passed away in 1995.
Bryngelson moved back to Dunbar with Eleanor where he ran his own businesses and also worked in the automotive business in Marshalltown.
He has lived at IVH for 23 years has endeared himself to the staff and vice versa.
“I like it ever since I’ve been here,” he said.
Bryngelson is also well-known by residents at the home, often having a smile or a wave for those he comes in contact with.
“He knows everybody and everybody knows him,” Roseland said. “He’s very giving and very thoughtful.”
Bryngelson still has his quick-witted humor. When trying to remember the name of his old square dancing club in Dunbar, his niece said she thought it was called the “Dunbar Squares.”
Bryngelson confessed: “We were all squares.”
His friend Julie Carlson visits for lunch every Thursday and she said that his longevity may be due to how he treats people.
“It keeps you living when you reach out and care for others,” she said.
Copyright 2008 Times-Republican