Grandma Veronica was one of the top 15 oldest Americans in the United States. “Slow down,” she’d often say, “and enjoy your ice cream!” Wise words from a woman who knew a lot about making the most out of life.
In 2005 and in 2010, President George W. Bush sent Grandma letters wishing her a happy 100th and 105th birthday. She passed in September 2015 at the age of 110 years, four months and 26 days old.
She had a great sense of humor, always saying, “Don’t take life so seriously.” Although she didn’t drink or smoke, she enjoyed cookies and Dairy Queens immensely. If you went to visit her, you'd get the thumbs up if you brought ice cream, especially if it was from Dairy Queen.
Every day, she prayed, wrote in her journal, and walked. And she was sharp until the very end! She remembered all of the names of the children in her lineage, including her great-great-great-great-granddaughter Eleanor.
Grandma often reminisced about Grandpa Frank, talking about how spontaneous he was and how he enjoyed life. They were farming neighbors growing up together as best friends in New Ulm, Minnesota.
Grandpa liked to take last-minute trips to places all over the United States. “Let’s drive to California!” he’d say out of the blue. When he finished planting the crop, he liked to explore the world.
I was 10 years old when Grandpa Frank passed away. He was planning another spontaneous trip with Grandma getting the Winnebago ready for a long drive, when a drunk driver hit him. It was only 10:30 a.m. in the morning. He died at the scene.
Grandma stopped journaling after Grandpa passed away. It took a few years before she picked it up again.
When I think of Grandma, I am reminded of her strength and her ability to carry on. To consider all that she had experienced in 110 years is truly amazing. She adjusted with the world as she witnessed each decade pass, and she lived through so many painful periods in life.
To name a few, she survived the Great Pandemic Flu while witnessing many close family and friends pass. She experienced two World Wars and the heartache of sending four sons to war, including World War 2 and Vietnam. She lost a number of family members in Germany during World War 2. She survived all of her friends who passed before her, often asking “Did God forget me?” She endured the pain of burying a son and a number of grandchildren and great grandchildren. She outlived her husband for 35 years.
Yet and still, she chose to carry on with a cheery disposition and a great sense of humor.
When I lost my sister and I go through painful times in life, I often think of Grandma and imagine her smile, her quiet strength and her resolve. She inspires me to keep moving on. Any heartache I feel is actually small in comparison to all she endured. “You will overcome it and carry on,” I hear her say. Considering her life of 110 years, along with her perseverance and continued ambition to enjoy life…she was an amazing role model.
So whatever you're going through in life, try to put things into perspective. You will overcome it and carry on! And remember my grandma's wise words about appreciating life: slow down and enjoy your ice cream!
Kay J - Clovis, California
Written and interviewed by Alyce Renee, Founder of Real & Inspiring
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