Ecumen Century Club: Happy 102nd Birthday Thelma Andersen

Ecumen honors Thelma Andersen, a resident of St. Mark's Living in Austin, Minn., who is 102.

Ecumen honors Thelma Andersen, who is 102.

Born: September 8, 1913, near Dows, Iowa.

Residence: St. Mark’s Living in Austin, Minn.                           

Hobbies/Interests: Gardening, crochet, needlepoint, sewing and cooking.  Especially loved cooking big family meals.

Family: 3 children, 7 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren. Married to Harold (Andy), now deceased, for 50 years.

Occupation: Homemaker and volunteer work at church.

Secrets to Longevity: Strong faith in the Lord.  Never smoked or drank.  Always kept a positive attitude.  Never critical.

Interesting Facts: Because her family was very poor, she went to work when she was in the 8th grade as a caregiver for a woman who was disabled.