Gladys Edgerton to mark 100th birthday

Gladys Edgerton enjoys lunch while talking about her upcoming 100th birthday.

A party 100 years in the making will be at the Colfax United Methodist Church Saturday, Dec. 3, at 11 a.m. Gladys Edgerton, a Colfax resident of approximately 80 years, will celebrate her 100th birthday.

Bob Russell, a long-time friend of Edgerton's, has organized the celebration for local friends to be able to celebrate Edgerton's birthday. A separate family celebration will take place Dec. 10 in Spokane with her children.

Russell said he is planning “a normal birthday party” to mark Edgerton's 100th.

“We'll sing happy birthday to her, of course,” he commented. “Open to friends. There will be cake and punch. Everyone will be there when we sing happy birthday.”

Russell said the celebration will also include a memory book for people to write memories in as well as time to socialize.

“It will be a fly by the seat of your pants kind of birthday party,” he said.

There will be sheet cakes from Costco, and Russell said he plans to have Edgerton picked up around 10:30 a.m. so she can be there prior to the 11 a.m. start time to “talk and visit.”

Edgerton was born Dec. 12, 1916, in Lancaster near St. John. The daughter of Chris and Laura Oswald, she eventually relocated to Spokane, where she met her husband, Carl.

“I met my husband through my oldest daughter, Yvonne,” recalled Edgerton. “She was 3-and-a-half at that time.”

Edgerton and Yvonne were having dinner at a Japanese restaurant when Carl walked through an open door and picked up Yvonne, who was dancing.

“He picked her up and started putting more nickels in (the machine),” said Edgerton. “She was dancing up a little storm. That's how we met.”

The couple was married, and they had four more children: a daughter, Carlita (Rasmussen), and three sons, Carmen, Carl III and Christopher. Yvonne Morse now lives in Chewalah, Carlita lives in Vancouver, Carmen in Everett and Carl in Post Falls. Christopher passed away when he was 5-years-old in a drowning accident.

Of turning 100, Edgerton said she is excited.

“I'm glad I'm here,” she said. “I've enjoyed life.”

Among her favorite things to do have been walking and meeting people.

“It wasn't uncommon to see her around Colfax because she walked everywhere,” Russell commented, noting Edgerton never had a driver license. “I think that contributed to her health. I think walking's probably a good thing.”

“I walked an awful lot,” said Edgerton. “I like to meet people. I usually meet them talking to them on the street.”

Edgerton said she is not able to walk as much now, but she tries to when she can.

“I've been walking around and around Rosauers for my walk,” she said.

Edgerton said she has enjoyed long time friendships with Heather Stein and Deanna Leinweber.

“I go watch them every Friday night in Moscow,” she said, noting she enjoys watching them folk dance.

Edgerton has several grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

“I have a lot of them,” she said. “I enjoy all my grandchildren. I have had a nice family.”

Edgerton's birthday celebration in Colfax is open to friends and will be at the United Methodist Church Dec. 3 at 11 a.m. sharp, Russell said.