|
|
|
January 30, 2000
111-year-old Frances Hale of Sleepy Eye diesBy GUY PRIEL Journal Staff Writer SLEEPY EYE -- On Jan. 1, 2000, Frances Hale of Sleepy Eye saw the calendar turn to double zeros for the second time in her lifetime. Hale, who died Saturday at Divine Providence Home at the age of 111, was one of the oldest residents in Minnesota. It could not be determined Saturday night if she was the oldest. When Frances Steinke was born Aug. 21, 1888, Grover Cleveland was president, the telephone, electric light bulb and automobile were still visions in the mind of their inventors and the year 2000 seemed like an eternity away. Throughout her lifetime, she has managed to survive the Great Depression, two World Wars, the rise of the auto age and the rise and fall of Communism in Russia. She has also survived 20 presidents. During the past few years of her life she has been blind and bed-ridden, but relatives and attendants describe her as having a strong heart and a great sense of humor. In her early years, Hale grew up in what she remembers as being a very happy home, although she admitted to being slightly spoiled. She grew up in Sleepy Eye, but she moved to Minneapolis in 1913 after marrying Al Hale. He preceded her in death in 1954. She returned to Sleepy Eye in 1983 and moved to Divine Providence Nursing Home, where her brother was living. Hale was well-known in Sleepy Eye as the person who played the piano at the theater in the era of silent movies. She was also very active in the community as a piano teacher and played the piano at parties, weddings and anniversaries. Hale's father, William Steinke, was a one-time mayor of Sleepy Eye and was the owner of Steinke's Lumber Comapny, which has been closed for many years. Her niece, Joyce Steinke of New Ulm said on the occasion of Frances' 111th birthday last August that Frances was always aware of the changes throughout the 20th century, such as the invention of the microwave oven and man's first step on the moon. Her most vivid memories, according to staff at Divine Providence, were of the assassinations of Robert and John Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. The beginning of the equal rights movement was also vividly recalled during conversations she had at Divine Providence. At her 111th birthday party Frances jokingly said she owed her longevity to Oil of Olay. Her daughter, Mary Katz of Michigan is 77 years old. She also has a grandson in Minneapolis, a grandson in Seattle and a grandson who preceded her in death. She has four great-grandchildren, one of whom recently married. Services are pending with Firle Funeral Home, New Ulm.
|