CELEBRATING A CENTURY OF WELL-LIVED LIFE
~~ Presbyterian Manor celebrates Its Centenarians ~~
By: J. Crepps / DailyJournal Staff Writer
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Presbyterian Manor of Farmington honored these six ladies Friday as part of
National Centenarian Day. Seated from left are Abigail Rickus, 101, Golda Thompson, 100,
Gladys Roux, 99, Mary Berghaus, 101; standing, Irma Tetley, 99 and Opal Osborne, 101. The
women ate cake and visited with friends and family throughout the celebration.
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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, who will turn 100 in June, visits with friends and family Friday
as part of Presbyterian Manor's National Centenarian Day.
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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.
Gladys Roux, center, smiles with nephew, Glen Roux, and great niece, Linda
Easter Friday as part of National Centenarian Day
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“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, seated, celebrates 101 years at Presbyterian Manor Friday with
family "Ozzie" Osborne and Peggy Osborne
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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.
Robert Manley, brother-in-law of Abigail Rickus, recalls how great a teacher
she was.
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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, enjoys a piece of birthday cake.
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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 of Mary Berghaus's family join her at Presbyterian Manor
Friday to celebrate 101 years. From left are Beth Wall, granddaughter; Sue Klingensmith,
daughter; Stacy Ely, great granddaughter and Gail Cole, granddaughter.
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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.
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