Happy 100th birthday to the legendary Addie Dorzweiler

 Addie Dorzweiler turns 100 years old in a couple of weeks, an impressive milestone for sure, but also – and more importantly to her – a reason to host a party.

Addie loves to socialize. She and her husband Don raised nine kids in a house that was always hopping.

“I always enjoyed people,” she said. “Our house was always full, and it wasn’t just kids, it was company too.”

These days, she maintains an active social calendar from her apartment at St. Paul Elder Services, where she has been living for the past six years.

“I’m not as busy as I used to be,” she said, and then rattled off an impressive daily schedule.

“I get up and dressed, make my bed, fix my breakfast and then, at noon, some friends and I go downstairs for lunch,” she said. “I might do some reading in the afternoon. We can exercise here, and sometimes I do that. A couple of evenings a week, a group of us get together and play cards. So, there are a lot of things going on.”

An avid Packer fan, Addie spends game day with her friends, cheering on the team she’s followed for most of her life. She’s also an active participant in the community’s book club and Bible study, and she enjoys attending mass.

Beyond her own activities, Addie still keeps close tabs on her her five sons, four daughters and their families. She has 16 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.

That is a lot of people to worry about, but Addie said she’s developed a system that combines practicality with spirituality.

“You have to teach yourself not to worry about every little thing,” she said. “You learn to roll with the punches. It’s easier than if you’re constantly fighting against something.”

“When the problem got too big and I couldn’t solve it, I tried to relax and let the Lord take care of it.”

“It’s easier to look up than to look down.”

Faith, optimism and a healthy curiosity have allowed Addie to thrive in a world that has changed dramatically since she first made her entrance in it.

She said she appreciates the technological advancements that allow her to keep in touch with her enormous brood.

“Communication is one way the world has improved,” she said. “It’s easier to get a hold of people now. Of course, that has led to a few other problems, but keeping in touch with people is easier now and that’s important too.”

Communication is also one way Addie’s friends and family intend to help her celebrate her big day. And you can help.

Please consider popping a card or note into the mail to wish Addie a Happy Birthday. The address is listed below.

She said she doesn’t feel 100 years old at all, and she sounds like a person much younger than that. But, a century on this old world is a milestone worth noting.

“I never thought I would live this long,” she said. “I really hung in there a long time!”