Centenarians honoured at a "100 Club" party at the Lutheran Home included, from left, Karl Lueker, 100, Mildred Uelsmann, 101, and Max Neville, 100. Photo: Fred Lynch/SEMissourian.
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Missouri (Southeast Missourian), March 10, 2008:
A celebration was held at The Lutheran Home's Assisted Living West recently to honor residents age 100 and older. Three of the four centenarians at the facility were in attendance, with Howard Lively absent. The residents visited with family members and enjoyed a performance by Denny Reeves, music director at Centenary United Methodist Church, who played guitar and sang old hymns.
Activity director Pam Sharp shared some trivia about life 100 years ago, when the average life expectancy was 47. In 1908, only 8,000 cars were on the road in the U.S., there were only 144 paved roads and the speed limit was 10 mph.
In New York, the first ball was dropped from Times Square on New Year's Eve. Other firsts included the advent of the electric washing machine and the first holiday dedicated only to mothers, Mother's Day.
Two items of trivia that set the crowd of about 100 chuckling was when Sharp reported the 1908 average wage of 22 cents an hour and that 90 percent of all doctors had no college education.
Mildred Lydia Eifert Uelsmann, 101, wore a tiara for the first time at the celebration. She can't see or hear well anymore and said she sometimes feels her age — but not at the party. "There's too much going on to feel my age," she said.
Born: April 16, 1906, in Edna, Mo. (now Scott City)
Resides: At Assisted Living since 2002.
Family: Married Elmer Uelsmann on Nov. 2, 1924. She has two daughters, Jean of Conroe, Texas, and Barbara of Scott City, plus four grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandchild.
About her: She worked as a housewife and mother and was employed at the Eli Walker Factory in Scott City for 18 years. She used to enjoy sewing and crocheting, but now her hobby is playing Mexican dominoes with a group at the assisted living facility. She is a lifelong member of the Lutheran Church and goes to services on Sundays via the Lutheran Home van.
Secret to life: Hard work.
Karl Frederick Lueker, 100, said he didn't learn English until he went to school at age 6 or 7. "We spoke German at home," he said. Lueker was the oldest of five children; only two survive. His father died at age 45 after the family moved to Missouri. He promised his mother he wouldn't marry until he paid off the farm.
Lueker said, "Most people get their name in the paper early in life but I had to wait to be 100."
Born: Aug. 12, 1907, in Gallenbeck, Ill., delivered at home by a midwife.
Resides: At Assisted Living since 2003.
Family: Married in the 1940s to Elma Koenig after paying off the family farm. The couple had no children but Lueker has nieces and nephews. A sister, Bertha, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., and his "baby" sister, Laura, who lives on the East Coast, also survive.
About him: A farmer in his younger years, Lueker said his family "peddled milk from their 17 cows for 17 years." He worked in a meat locker plant in Ste. Genevieve, Mo. Lueker said he worked too hard to have hobbies but always found time for the Lord. He's been a lifelong Lutheran and reads the Bible daily. Anyone who knows Lueker comments on what a good sport he is. He attends planned activities, even if he is the only male.
Secret to life: Trusting in the Lord, getting married late in life and taking a dinner nap daily.
Max Twain Neville, 100, who said he felt about 70 years old, thinks being physically fit helped him to live this long.
Born: Dec. 18, 1907, in Sims, Ill. His mother chose his middle name after her favorite author, Mark Twain. Neville was often called the "prettiest baby you ever saw."
Resides: At Assisted Living since 2003.
Family: Married in 1939, to Della; a daughter, Sally, who lives near Chicago; a son, Micheal "Mickey," who lives in Zalma.
About him: Neville was quite an athlete in his day. He earned his tuition to Southeast Missouri State Teachers College by playing basketball, baseball and football. He was the first athlete to field the opening kick-off during the stadium dedication Oct. 3, 1930, at Houck Stadium.
He was employed as a salesman for most of his career. At one time he worked for the American Red Cross and traveled to Africa, France, England and Australia.
Also a great singer and dancer, Neville used to sing in quartets but now his talent is shared with residents at Assisted Living when he strikes up a tune in the hall.
Secret to life: A clean life with no smoking, not much drinking and a daily Hershey bar.
Howard Scott Lively, almost 100.
Born: Sept. 6, 1908, in Murphysboro, Ill.
Resides: At Assisted Living since 2005
Family: Married to Loretta Siebert; two sons, Donald, who lives in Chicago, and Gary, who lives in Cape Girardeau.
About him: Lively was a businessman his whole life. The four businesses he owned include a chicken farm, a dairy farm, a cattle farm and a feed store. His love for music is evident in his collection of CDs; big band and orchestra music being his favorites. Once a great ballroom dancer, Lively's favorite dances included the fox trot, waltz and swing, for which he won prizes.
Secret to life: Work like heck.
By Chris Pagano,Southeast Missourian
© 2008 Southeast Missourian
