Louise Wilfahrt to celebrate 100th birthday on Sunday

Church, reading, bingo keep her going strong

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

SLEEPY EYE -- If a bingo game is being played at Divine Providence Community Home, don't bother visiting Louise Wilfahrt.

She's probably busy playing bingo herself.

Wilfahrt will turn 100 years old Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2002. She'll be celebrating a couple of days earlier, however, with an open house on Sunday, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Marian Conference Room at Divine Providence.

When asked about her longevity, she replied that she just "keeps going." She reads The Journal each day and enjoys the Pequot Lakes weekly newspaper The Country Echo.

Her son Eldor is quick to say that her religion is also important. She attends church services every morning and prays the rosary each evening.

Louise was born Sept. 17, 1902 to John and Margaret Tauer Soukup in Sigel Township. She attended a local one-room country schoolhouse and Holy Trinity High School, which later became New Ulm Area Catholic Schools (NUACS). Since she lived miles away from school in New Ulm, she boarded at St. Michael's Convent.

On June 23, 1924, she married Ernst Wilfahrt and moved to New Ulm. Ernst and Charlie owned and operated Wilfahrt Brothers Hardware on Second North Street and Broadway for more than 40 years.

A member of Holy Trinity Parish, she was active in the St. Elizabeth and Christian Mothers Societies and spent many hours at their quilting sessions. She was well-known for her crewel stitchery, embroidering many dish towels.

Her favorite food and popular Lenten meal was her homemade "doach," a Bohemian specialty made from grated potatoes and flour with drizzled butter, baked in an oven. Louise enjoyed them with applesauce.

Her Schmierkuchen, donuts, sugar cookies and orange rolls were also popular.

After Ernst retired, they spent summers at Gull Lake near Brainerd. She often walked to Grandview Lodge to buy a newspaper, get a cup of coffee and pick a few wild flowers on the way.

The couple lived at 208 North Franklin for many years. Ernst died in 1983 but Louise stayed in the house until 2001. She continued spending summers at the lake.

Louise walked by herself until 1997. She moved to Divine Providence Community Home in 1999. She can still walk with human assistance and a walker.

She isn't picky about what she eats, enjoying all types of food. Her favorite candy bars are Kit Kats. Her favorites include television show -- Wheel of Fortune and watching the Minnesota Twins win, bands -- Whoopie John and Lawrence Welk.

Louise never smoked but drank a little brandy and beer before entering the nursing home, where is it not allowed.

Her family visits her often.

"Thank God we have had her in our life to pray for all of us," said Diane Miller of Glendale, Calif., her only daughter. "We feel that is why she is still with us, to pray for all of us. We hope she still has clout."