The Evasive 100 year plan

This Bank notes will be a little different than most. I think we are all interested in living as long as possible, are healthy and comfortable. Two of my friends passed away just days before they reached the age of 100, and we want to know how they lived that long.

HELEN PHILIPSEN almost made it to 100, but as happy as she was, she just couldn’t get over the stroke that ended her life suddenly. Helen and her husband Herman Philiipsen were our neighbors for several years when our kids were small. We were like one big family living across the street from each other, and of course the kids played together. Herman and Helen and Joyce and I were also very close. Herman was in partnership with his brother John in the Chevrolet and John Deere dealership until the economy changed and they sold the business.

DICK LAAGE almost made it to 100 too, but this new Covid struck him and he didn’t quite make 100 which ended his goal. Dick and I were in school together. He was a farm boy from a few miles northwest of Brooten. We were both into sports and had similar classes in school. We were both tall and lanky. Dick spent a lot of time working with his father on the farm as did his two brothers. After he graduated from high school, he went searching for work and found a government job near the Twin Cities area from which he provided a good living for him and his family. He found and married Elva Orton his lifelong partner. They purchased a very nice home in Brooten where they raised two kids, a boy and a girl. A great family. Dick was active and in good health, but sometimes something comes along that you can’t handle and no matter how you exercise and eat properly, and live a good clean life. There is no getting away from it. So it is with Covid, which ended his life suddenly. So sorry, Dick was a good guy.

JUANITA PLADSON Is our third very good friend. She is very alive and active.at age 98. She is a farm girl from south of Brooten who graduated from High school, married Roger Olson from Sunburg. They had seven children. They had a hardware store ln Walnut Grove Minnesota for years until suddenly Roger had an aneurism. Which ended his life and the store. Juanita then was a widow for 22 years, raising those children. She eventually move to Brooten to be with old friends. While there she married Harlan Hanson which lasted six years until he died. She then moved back to Walnut Grove into an assisted living complex where she now resides.  Juanita has lived a clean very active life. No bad habits or addictions. She is a very pleasant nice looking lady and promises to live to 100. We all cheer her on to help her reach her goal and be able to celebrate her BIG 100 and I hope I am here to help with that celebration.

OK, now for me. JOHN O. BOHMER I finally made it. There were times that made me wonder. The big 100 is a huge hurdle to reach, and I had to hold my breath to help along. Really I have been very healthy and had no worries except for the matter of falling. During the past few years I have fallen half a dozen times because of my VERTIGO (which is a case of instability),and every time I wonder why I survived the fall because a good friend of mine fell during this period, hit his head and died as a result. Lucky me.

I have had to use a cane or a walker at all times to avoid falling, and that has been successful because since then I have not fallen. There apparently is no cure for Vertigo, so I live with it. I have no other serious problems but anything can show up at my age which I must deal with.

I have been fortunate that my mind is clear and I have been able to remain the Chairman of the board of Directors of my bank and have been able to write my weekly column (BANK NOTES) for the past 72 years. I feel very lucky to have good health that permits this activity. Hopefully other people will attain the magic 100 to join in this exclusive group. Love you all!  Right Dave?