Woman dances into 100th

Family, friends mark well-lived life of Centertown centenarian

In honor of Gertrude Leonard's 100th birthday Saturday, Mayor Norris Gerhart proclaimed nov. 26 as Gertrude Leonard Day.
In honor of Gertrude Leonard's 100th birthday Saturday, Mayor Norris Gerhart proclaimed nov. 26 as Gertrude Leonard Day.

Young Gertie Hodler looked out with delight on the Centertown countryside surrounding her home.

She loved riding in the horse-drawn buggy driven by her father. The weekly trips with her eight brothers and sisters made her so happy.

And she particularly loved the memories of their outdoor dances held on a homemade platform set up at the end of a country road. She loved dancing all her life.

But little did she know back in 1916 what her life would bring.

She grew up on a farm and has remained in the Moniteau County area all her life.

She walked to her Sweet Spring school with her brother until she left school after the eighth grade.

She first got a job working at the local turkey plant.

During her lifetime, she had seven children, five of who still live, as well as and 26 grandchildren 20 grandsons and six granddaughters; 49 great-grandchildren; and 12 great-great-grandchildren. At age 100, the baby of the family, Gertrude is the only one of her siblings still living.

Her loving husband, John, would die in 1981 at the age of 71, and she would live on her own for 35 years.

She become a renowned quilter, known for fashioning high-quality, handmade quilts. She worked on them diligently all year, every year, so she could lovingly give to all her family every Christmas.

Gertrude became even more renowned for her delectable baking talents, passing down her genetic abilities and learning her technical skills from her mom, Lena. And Nic Nac Café and its customers benefited for years from Gertrude putting her talents to work, especially known for her coconut pie. Everyone always asked her to make her coconut pie.

She cooked until she was in her 90s. And she quilted and baked until a cruel turn of fate caused her to fall, causing permanent harm, and a change in her living arrangements.

The mom of seven lived independently until the age of 97.

At 100, she lives her life at the Moniteau Care Center in California.

And, at 100, on her century-mark birthday, the city of California proclaimed Nov. 26 as Gertrude Leonard day.

But back when she was just a youngster, little Gertie never thought of any of these.

Although fond, many of these memories are part of a by-gone day, from a world that doesn't exist any longer. But the warm memories are still fresh and alive and warm in Gertrude's heart, remembering everything of her life lovingly.

And fresh and alive and warm were the loving thoughts and well wishes Saturday for the kind heart and well-lived life of birthday gal Gertrude Leonard. She became a centenarian on Nov. 26. And much of the area turned out to celebrate with her more than 200 at last count crying and cheering, shaking her hand and caressing her shoulders.

"No, no, no," Miss Gertrude shook her head and raised her hand in protest, too much fuss, too much to-do.

But the family and friends who came to honor Miss Gertrude disagreed.

"She has worked hard all her life," said 61-year-old daughter Rita Percival. "She didn't have it easy But she's from the old school."

"We're really blessed," said 62-year-old daughter Bev Cain, to still have mom.

"I'm glad she is still with us," said son John Leonard, 65.

And Gertrude's advice on how to live a long and happy life: "Enjoy," she had been heard saying throughout her life. "Enjoy your life Live life to the fullest And work hard."

Her lifetime of hard work and her attitude toward life may explain her longevity and her sharp mind to this day.

But she still has lots more living to do today.

"Ready to dance?" she was asked by folks in the crowd this past Saturday.

"Yeah!" she said, with a mischievous glint in her eye and a tap of her toe.