106 and going strong

In Rubena Wenzel’s lifetime, she has seen two world wars, man’s first steps on the moon, the introduction of radio and television, and more recently has learned how to video chat with her family by phone.

Prince Albert Collegiate’s oldest graduate and a former “Mary” celebrated her 106th birthday on Wednesday, surrounded by a few close friends at the Good Shepherd Villa retirement home where she lives. Administrator Pat Chuey said Wenzel remains very sharp and has not lost her sense of humour.

“She had a little trouble blowing out the candles on the cake, and when she blew them out on the third try, she said ‘oh it didnt go out the first times, that means I’ve got two boyfriends,'” Chuey laughed.

Wenzel was born in Prince Albert, and eventually married an RCMP officer, Ernest Wenzel. Together the couple moved up north to a remote location which could only be accessed by plane or boat. The couple had four children, and after the eldest turned three, moved back to the city where they ran an insurance adjusting company. Wenzel was eventually certified as Canada’s first female insurance adjuster.

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The majority of Wenzel’s family now lives in the United States and so could not physically attend Wednesday’s celebration but did send flowers, and Chuey explained Wenzel was able to still talk to them by learning how to use Facetime, a concept she did not grasp right away.

“She was looking around the room trying to see where her family was hiding but she has seen a lot of changes. Can you imagine 106 years and the changes she has seen and she’s still going strong,” Wenzel said.

Even after her husband’s death in 1987, Wenzel remained active and celebrated her 100th birthday in Oklahoma.

While the secret to Wenzel’s long life remains a mystery, it may have something to do with her active lifestyle having participated in numerous sports and playing golf until she was 99. Wenzel also remains a competitive Scrabble player.

“I just totally admire her. She is a very kind, loving lady. We are so blessed to have her,” Chuey said.

In addition to her four children, Wenzel also has five grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

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nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell