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Minneapolis Covenanter Marks 100th Birthday
MINNEAPOLIS, MN (August 26, 2001) - Gertrude Anderson of Edina Covenant Church celebrated
her 100th birthday with about 100 others following church last Sunday (August 19).
Besides the presence of close family members and friends from church, eight other relatives surprised her with their appearance at the luncheon. Gertrude turns 100 on August 28.
Gertrude was born on a farm near Champaign, Illinois, August 28, 1901, to Erick and Rachel (House) Tweet, according to Eugene Anderson, one of Gertrude's sons. Gertrude's mother died when Gertrude was two and her father and two of the three children moved to a farm near Elliott, Illinois, when she was 10. An aunt and uncle in nearby Paxton raised her sister. Throughout her life, Gertrude and her family attended Pontoppidan Lutheran Church near Elliott. She has been a member there for 85 years.
After graduating from high school, Gertrude became a grade school teacher until marrying Edward Anderson in 1925. They raised two sons, Edward T. Anderson and Eugene Anderson (both became educators). Gertrude and Edward were married nearly 50 years when Edward died in 1975. At her 100th birthday party, Gertrude recalled the significant changes she's witnessed in her long life.
Before the automobile became the norm for transportation, she rode a horse and buggy to school, dropping off the horse at a local livery stable and then walking another mile. She also mentioned communication technology, contrasting the telephone with a crank handle receiver she used long ago to the cell phone and email she uses today.
Gertrude maintained her own home in Elliott until she was 95, but spent time each winter in Minnesota, attending Edina Covenant Church where Eugene and wife Judy have been members since 1970. Since moving in permanently with her son and daughter-in-law five years ago, she has enjoyed SkipBo, a card game, and crochets Afghans. She also follows a walking regimen three days a week and attends church and adult Sunday school regularly. Three grandsons and their
wives praised Gertrude for her quiet and steady faith, meek spirit, keen mind and memory and her positive attitude and lively sense of humor.
When asked what she appreciates about Edina Covenant, she said, "Of course, the services, the friendliness of the people and the coffee hour, where she has shared conversation around the table with a number of the ladies. What is the secret to her longevity? "Nothing special," she says. "I just put my life in the Lord's hands and thank Him for all of my blessings."
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