By Brian Gray
bgray@themonroetimes.com
MONROE - Surrounded by her family, Klara Talmage celebrated her 103rd birthday Wednesday at Community Living Home Options in Monroe.
Family came to Monroe to help her celebrate the milestone. Her nephew, Alfred Thomann, came from Fort Atkinson to wish her a happy birthday. Another nephew, Marvin Thomann, came from Black River Falls to spend time with her. Several of Klara's cousins also came to see her.
They celebrated with cake and punch.
Klara, who was born Aug. 18, 1907, was born in cheese factory near Wiota. Her parents moved to a farm by Albany before moving again to a farm near Attica.
Like many girls who lived in the country, Klara lived with a city family while she attended high school in Monticello. After graduation, she attended Green County Normal and became a teacher.
In 1927, she married her husband, Raymond. They moved to a farm on Silver Road near Belleville in 1930. They farmed until they moved to a new home in 1972. Her husband died in 1974. Her only child, Betty, died at the age of 12.
Klara's nephew, Raymond Thomann, who lives on the farm once owned by Klara's family north of Attica, said she only recently had to move to a nursing home. Until September she lived by herself in the home she and her husband built on County CC near Belleville, he said.
She got sick with pneumonia, Thomann explained, and had to move.
Klara didn't have a secret for living a long life. Maybe the secret is being surrounded by family.
bgray@themonroetimes.com
MONROE - Surrounded by her family, Klara Talmage celebrated her 103rd birthday Wednesday at Community Living Home Options in Monroe.
Family came to Monroe to help her celebrate the milestone. Her nephew, Alfred Thomann, came from Fort Atkinson to wish her a happy birthday. Another nephew, Marvin Thomann, came from Black River Falls to spend time with her. Several of Klara's cousins also came to see her.
They celebrated with cake and punch.
Klara, who was born Aug. 18, 1907, was born in cheese factory near Wiota. Her parents moved to a farm by Albany before moving again to a farm near Attica.
Like many girls who lived in the country, Klara lived with a city family while she attended high school in Monticello. After graduation, she attended Green County Normal and became a teacher.
In 1927, she married her husband, Raymond. They moved to a farm on Silver Road near Belleville in 1930. They farmed until they moved to a new home in 1972. Her husband died in 1974. Her only child, Betty, died at the age of 12.
Klara's nephew, Raymond Thomann, who lives on the farm once owned by Klara's family north of Attica, said she only recently had to move to a nursing home. Until September she lived by herself in the home she and her husband built on County CC near Belleville, he said.
She got sick with pneumonia, Thomann explained, and had to move.
Klara didn't have a secret for living a long life. Maybe the secret is being surrounded by family.