Ever wondered what events occurred on the day of your birthday?  Nothing earth-shattering took place on my birthday in 1952… Clarence Byrdseye marketed frozen green peas, but that was about it.  We have a neighbor whose birth month – October 1925 – was outstanding for several things… Mt. Rushmore was dedicated…John Logie Baird successfully tested a working television system…Johnny Carson was born…the Grand Ole Opry was launched… the list goes on and on.

So just which neighbor was born on October 25, 1925? None other than long-time Bermuda Run West resident Arlene Offerdahl Walter. Think about that for a minute… our neighbor will celebrate her ONE HUNDREDTH BIRTHDAY this year!  The changes she has seen over her lifetime… tremendous progress in medicine, communications, electronics, air and space travel, engineering… it’s mind-boggling.

Arlene was born in Paullina, Iowa and grew up with a sister – Alvina – and a brother, Wilbur who was better known as “Sonny”.  Arlene’s mother was a “war bride” and Arlene spoke only German at home until she started school.Arlene became an executive secretary after finishing business school, the first member of her family to attain a degree.  She spent most of her life in the Midwest, living at times in Iowa, Wisconsin and Illinois. 

Later, she became a stay-at-home mom for her three sons, David, Paul and Steve. She loved keeping house, saying that housework was therapy for her.  She loved animals – especially dogs -and was an avid gardener. Arlene’s surviving relatives include grandchildren; Erika ( spouse Ryan) in Scottsdale, AZ – Kyle (spouse Emily) in Portland, OR and great-grandchildren Oskar and Mae. Arlene also has a devoted stepdaughter Lynn (Grant) Emerich who lives in Clemmons and devotes a good deal of time to Arlene.  A loving daughter-in-law, Cindy Offerdahl of Gurnee, IL also takes an active role in Arlene’s care.  Another daughter-in-law – Michelle Offerdahl – resides in Illinois. Walt and Karen Myers and  Debbie Brenner have been wonderful neighbors to her as well.Until recently Arlene was still living in her Bermuda Run West home with her beloved little dog Farley.  Sadly, Farley “crossed the rainbow bridge” a while back and she misses him a great deal.  

To help Arlene celebrate this upcoming milestone birthday that only 0.03% of Americans attain, consider sending her a card for her big day! She would certainly appreciate it. Currently Arlene resides at Brookstone of Clemmons, 4430 Clinard Rd., Clemmons, NC 27012.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ARLENE!