New Ulmites turn 100

Reiser reads, drinks beer; Martens says hard work helps her

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- Oak Hills Living Center residents William Reiser Sr. and Christine Martens have reason to celebrate this weekend.

Reiser celebrated his 100th birthday Friday and Martens turns 100 Sunday.

Here are their stories:

William Reiser Sr.

If you walk into his room, chances are good he'll be reading every word of The Journal with help from a magnifying glass and florescent light surrounding it.

When he isn't reading the newspaper, Reiser watches television, munches on popcorn and feeds the nursing home dog snacks. He hears very well and has a good sense of humor. His daily diet includes a can of beer at 2 p.m.

After finishing the seventh grade, Reiser was a machinist at New Ulm Manufacturing for several decades. He belonged to the New Ulm Volunteer Fire Department and enjoyed tinkering with mechanical things.

"I always wanted to make something as good as it could be," Reiser said. "It's cheaper to make something right the first time instead of having to make it twice."

He enjoys eating barbequed ribs. Before he entered the nursing home, he enjoyed drinking "high balls" (brandy and 7-Up). Now he has to settle for a can of beer each day.

"I knew when to stop," he said regarding his alcohol consumption.

Reiser still follows the Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Vikings on a television in his room. His wife Olivia died years ago.

Christine Martens

Born to German immigrants Carl and Christine Ulrich, Christine Martens was the ninth of 11 children.

She finished the eighth grade in a country school that was taught in German. Christine won the school Spelling Bee. She was known for organizing a revolt over the school rule that only girls had to walk a quarter mile for water. Thanks to her aspirations, boys later helped with the chores.

Martens enjoyed family trips to the Gibbon Ballroom, ice cream socials, hay rides, dances, card playing, concerts at Lafayette and free shows in Klossner and Courtland. Tending large vegetable and flower gardens were her other passions.

She learned to drive at a later age, passing her driver's test at age 57. Martens bought her first car, a 1968 Buick Skylark after her husband Henry died.

Her diaries documented her trips and social events from 1969-1988.

New Ulm Police stopped her once for speeding up the Center Street hill. She told the officer she couldn't be speeding because she was going up hill.

Martens' favorites include rice pudding, the "Ma Perkins" radio show, "As The World Turns," and Billy Graham television shows and Mogen David wine. She made wine for many years.

Christine said most of today's television is ruined by sex and violence.

She has nine children, 36 grandchildren, 70 great grandchildren and two great, great grandchildren with more on the way.

"I think God for my life, my health and keeping my family safe," Martens said. She attributed her long life to hard work and trusting in the Lord.