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Celebrating a century of well-lived life

Presbyterian Manor celebrates its centenarians

By Jessica Crepps
Daily Journal Staff Writer

Sunday, September 21, 2008

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Of the estimated 305 million people living in the United States about 95,000 of them are centenarians, people who have lived at least 100 years.

Mary Berghaus, Abigail Rickus, Opal Osborne, Golda Thompson, Gladys Roux and Irma Tetley, all residents of Presbyterian Manor of Farmington, are among these centenarians or are soon to be centenarians.

Allison Sheets and the staff of Presbyterian Manor honored them as part of National Centenarian Day Friday. Complete with cake, punch and live entertainment by Thera Lopez, vocalist, friends and family from all around Missouri joined the celebration.

Irma Tetley will turn 100 June 17. She and husband Howard opened the jewelry store that is now Kreckler’s Jewelry in Farmington. She loves to play cards. Although Bridge has always been her favorite, she is enjoying canasta more and more. Her niece, who brought her a corsage, looks forward to helping her celebrate her 100th birthday with friends.

“My favorite memories are fishing with her,” says Gladys Roux’s nephew, Glen Roux. “She was a really good fisherman. We always had a huge fish fry afterward,” he said. Gladys enjoyed quilting in her spare time and has worked at a hat factory, grocery store and a small arms plant.

Opal Osborne, 101, has been all over the country selling encyclopedias and is now content living at Presbyterian Manor. Peggy Osborne, Opal’s daughter-in-law and “Ozzie” Osborne, visited with her during the event Friday evening. She taught first, second and third grade in Fredericktown for more than 40 years. To celebrate her 100th birthday, a former student, flew from Australia to celebrate with her.

Abigail Rickus is 101 years young. Abigail was a teacher and loved to play cards. Celebrating with Robert Manley, her brother-in-law. Robert married Abigail’s sister, Reba in 1950. “Abigail was always a very attractive, petite lady,” Robert said. “She still has pupils come here to see her.” She too, traveled the country selling encyclopedias and bibles.

Golda Thompson, 100, was the valedictorian of Bismarck High School. Golda’s son and daughter, Betty Singer and Charles Thompson came to celebrate with her. “She loves that cake,” Betty laughed as she watched her mother eat. Golda made her daughter’s clothes growing up.

Four generations came to celebrate 101 years with Mary Berghaus. Mary was a 4H leader for more than 30 years and a 75-year member of Eastern Star. She raised six children and is a lifelong member of Presbyterian Church.

The six women laughed, talked and listened as the room filled with familiar faces.

“Our centenarians bring a total of 600 years of wisdom and experience to Presbyterian manor of Farmington,” said Jane Hull, Executive Director. “Their stories are fascinating, their advice timeless and their experience unrivaled.”

A lot has changed over the course of the century. The price of a stamp has went from 2 to 42 cents. The now $3.65-average cost of gas was just 20 cents 100 years ago. These women have been through the changes, raised families, and created memories with friends and family members. A celebration was well deserved.