One hundred ninety years
Friends Velma Larson and Freda Burns, both from Hendricks, share a special bond. They both turned 95 years old the first week in January.
By Violet Nelson
vanelson@yahoo.com
Freda Burns celebrated her 95th birthday Friday, Jan. 6, sharing memories and laughs with family and friends. The celebration was hosted by her daughter, Yvonne Burns. Long-time friend and acquaintance Velma Larson, who turned 95 on Jan. 1, was a special guest.
Both former Hendricks Main Street business employees, hard work and dedication kept them motivated. Velma started working at Larson’s Grocery Store in 1937 when she and her husband Ronald purchased the business from L.A. Larson. She quit five years ago, at the age of 90. Freda worked 16 years right across the street at Schulz Hardware. In 1974 she continued working at the business under new owners Wayne and Audrey Burns. She also worked at Vick’s Grocery, Carvell Johnson Clothing Store and Lovestrand’s dime store. “I remember a customer asking to buy a pacifier,” she said. “I had to ask her what that was.” She recalls selling bull nose rings at the hardware store. Velma and Freda would go out for lunch together. “We went to Arvid Pederson’s bakery until it burned down,” Velma said.
Born in 1917, the duo have seen a lot of changes throughout the years. Hendricks was only 17 years old when they were born and the price of gas was eight cents a gallon.
In other meaningful statistics, Woodrow Wilson was the President of the United States and America entered into World War I.
The world’s entrance into the computer age is the biggest change they have seen. “We used a lot of pen and paper,” they said, “and the memory in our heads.” Prices were written down on a slip and added up. Change was figured out by hand. “We didn’t have a cash register showing how much the customer was to get back from a 20-dollar bill,” Freda said.
Velma owes her longevity to eating good and keeping busy. Longevity runs in her family. “My mother died at the age of 101,” she said. She grew up on the farm where Doug and Linda Buller now live. “Every Saturday night the family got to go into Hendricks,” Velma said. “I got to play with other kids.”
Freda, who grew up byFishLake, credits hard work and humor to her long life. “I worked long hours,” she said, “but I enjoyed it.” Her sense of humor has effectively kept her young.
They both agree that life is wonderful and precious. “We should acknowledge that on a daily basis,” they added.
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