MONROE - The secret, it seems, to living a long and fulfilling life is to shake off the worries that inevitably show up.
At least that's how Alyce Cleeremans has taken on all 100 years of her life. The Monroe resident celebrated her 100th birthday at the end of August in good health, and even wrapped it up with a trip to Lambeau Field on Sept. 3 for an NFL preseason game to watch the Green Bay Packers defeat the New Orleans Saints. A self-proclaimed avid sports fan, she has followed the Packers since the first game she attended in the fall of 1938 and enjoyed watching Thursday night's win.
Cleeremans still lives independently, taking care of herself while residing at the Churchill Woods apartment.
She's seen much in her lifespan.
"I never thought I would be 100," she said. "It wasn't something I planned on doing. Your time just goes and goes and goes and all of a sudden, you're 90 years old. Well, I figured when I got to be 90, I might as well try for 100."
Cleeremans did not start out in Wisconsin. Born in Canby, Minn., Cleeremans moved from her hometown and attended Marshall High School in Minneapolis. Then she spent a year at Duke University but had returned to Minnesota after the death of her 15-year-old sister.
In 1938 she married and had two daughters in following years. The marriage took her to Green Bay before eventually settling in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, making a pitstop for a year or two in Monroe when her children were young. Even though she said the death of her husband 28 years ago was a marker for her to follow not too far behind, the years have flown by and she has continued her life of independence, moving back to Monroe after her children insisted on a more secure building as her residence. Having "always liked the area," Cleeremans decided to settle in Monroe.
Now, Cleeremans spends days knitting, enjoying both crocheting and embroidery, all while absorbing current events on the news or catching a Milwaukee Brewers game in the evening.
Often on the move but with a standing church time each Sunday, she continues to make her apartment a home through everyday chores like laundry and fixing meals.
The time has passed quickly, but she said she has little to regret.
"I have had a happy life," Cleeremans said. "There really wasn't anything to be unhappy about. Don't forget, we're human, we have things that come up that aren't perfect. But I have had a very happy life, and I have had nothing to be unhappy about."
One thing she would do differently, however, is speaking more with older relatives before they had passed away. She expressed a sadness at not talking to them more when she had the chance.
Another path she wished she could have explored was a medical degree - it's not so much a regret, but an intriguing life not lived.
But she said the years as a housewife and mother were fulfilling themselves. Cleeremans smiled, boasting about her two daughters who have since gone on to have children and even grandchildren of their own. With five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren - and another expected in December - Cleeremans has felt the support of family through the years.
As the years have gone by, Cleeremans said, she has seen fads and popular items fall in and out of favor and cycle back to their beginnings yet again with fascination.
"Stuff from way back comes back, and it kind of tickles me," she said.
Even after 100 years, Cleeremans said she has never been one to fret over the uncontrollable parts of her life.
"Why get yourself in a stew?" she said. "Anything I have no control over; let it go. I never have worried, I'm not a worrier. And I don't dwell on it.
"I've had a good life."
At least that's how Alyce Cleeremans has taken on all 100 years of her life. The Monroe resident celebrated her 100th birthday at the end of August in good health, and even wrapped it up with a trip to Lambeau Field on Sept. 3 for an NFL preseason game to watch the Green Bay Packers defeat the New Orleans Saints. A self-proclaimed avid sports fan, she has followed the Packers since the first game she attended in the fall of 1938 and enjoyed watching Thursday night's win.
Cleeremans still lives independently, taking care of herself while residing at the Churchill Woods apartment.
She's seen much in her lifespan.
"I never thought I would be 100," she said. "It wasn't something I planned on doing. Your time just goes and goes and goes and all of a sudden, you're 90 years old. Well, I figured when I got to be 90, I might as well try for 100."
Cleeremans did not start out in Wisconsin. Born in Canby, Minn., Cleeremans moved from her hometown and attended Marshall High School in Minneapolis. Then she spent a year at Duke University but had returned to Minnesota after the death of her 15-year-old sister.
In 1938 she married and had two daughters in following years. The marriage took her to Green Bay before eventually settling in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, making a pitstop for a year or two in Monroe when her children were young. Even though she said the death of her husband 28 years ago was a marker for her to follow not too far behind, the years have flown by and she has continued her life of independence, moving back to Monroe after her children insisted on a more secure building as her residence. Having "always liked the area," Cleeremans decided to settle in Monroe.
Now, Cleeremans spends days knitting, enjoying both crocheting and embroidery, all while absorbing current events on the news or catching a Milwaukee Brewers game in the evening.
Often on the move but with a standing church time each Sunday, she continues to make her apartment a home through everyday chores like laundry and fixing meals.
The time has passed quickly, but she said she has little to regret.
"I have had a happy life," Cleeremans said. "There really wasn't anything to be unhappy about. Don't forget, we're human, we have things that come up that aren't perfect. But I have had a very happy life, and I have had nothing to be unhappy about."
One thing she would do differently, however, is speaking more with older relatives before they had passed away. She expressed a sadness at not talking to them more when she had the chance.
Another path she wished she could have explored was a medical degree - it's not so much a regret, but an intriguing life not lived.
But she said the years as a housewife and mother were fulfilling themselves. Cleeremans smiled, boasting about her two daughters who have since gone on to have children and even grandchildren of their own. With five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren - and another expected in December - Cleeremans has felt the support of family through the years.
As the years have gone by, Cleeremans said, she has seen fads and popular items fall in and out of favor and cycle back to their beginnings yet again with fascination.
"Stuff from way back comes back, and it kind of tickles me," she said.
Even after 100 years, Cleeremans said she has never been one to fret over the uncontrollable parts of her life.
"Why get yourself in a stew?" she said. "Anything I have no control over; let it go. I never have worried, I'm not a worrier. And I don't dwell on it.
"I've had a good life."