Six centenarians born between 1912 and 1918 are the founding members of the Wise Women Wisdom Club at the Langenburg Centennial Care Home.
Activity Director Carol Schaab recognized the collective wisdom the women brought to the care home and started the club to bring the group members together on a monthly basis to reminisce and share their life experiences.
"The oldest woman will be 108 on June 16 and the 'baby' will be 101 this July," Schaab said. “That is a lot of wisdom to share."
During the first meeting, each member was presented with a pearl necklace to symbolize the invaluable pearls of wisdom they offer through their shared experiences. Discussion included the current pandemic – they all lived through the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic - other tragic life events, what scares them, their best age, and their bad habits.
During their first conversations, the women offered sage advice on the secret to living a long and health life – be happy, agreeable, busy, and kind; love people, keep warm blankets, work hard, enjoy life, and trust in the Lord. “The best advice they offered was to treat others with respect and it will be repaid 100-fold," Schaab said.
Membership in the Wise Women Wisdom Club is restricted to residents that have the distinction of being 100 years or older. Founding members include (clockwise from top left): Elsie Wolfram, Zeyla Klopstock, Ruth Busch, Jean Cowan, Alma Miller, and Vera Betke. Miller, who turns 108 this month, is the oldest member.