It’s hard to imagine what 100 years on this earth looks like. But our sweet Bert has now seen it,and we think her story is one to tell. In July, we had the pleasure of celebrating Bert Fieber turning 100 years-old with multiple parties at Charles Ford. Despite the strict COVID-19 safety measures, it was still one heck of a party. Here is a little about Ms. Bert and the 100 years she has lived.
Bert was born on July 29, 1920 on a 100-acre farm in Posey County. Growing up she loved working in the cornfields with her father, tending to their flower and vegetable garden, playing with her siblings and running track. As she reminisced about her days on the farm, she shared, “I always loved when mom would make fried chicken, and then, we would all head to the ball field for a game.”
Times were much simpler back then, but she wouldn’t trade her days on the farm for anything. In fact, the farm is where she met her husband, Ray. Ray helped her father on the farm for many years, but then later went to work at the Farm Bureau. The couple had 2 sons together, and as a mother, she enjoyed playing baseball with them and watching the Red Socks play. Bert recalls, “I remember when we got our first television actually. I was probably about 20-25 years old, and I always loved to watch Lucille Ball and listen to Dolly Parton and Frank Sinatra.” In her younger days, she enjoyed dancing, especially the waltz, and always enjoyed spending time with family. “One thing that I specifically remember being worried about was polio.” Bert recalls. “I know myself, along with several other mothers were always fearful of our children getting it, since they didn’t develop a vaccine until the 1950s.”
As for her life these days, she tells us she couldn’t imagine being anywhere else but the Charles Ford Retirement Communities. “Everyone here is so nice, and there is always something new and different to do,” Bert says. “My personal favorite is taking golf cart rides. I love to cruise downtown and down by the river — it brings back memories of when my family used to have picnics by the Wabash River in New Harmony.”
When we had the pleasure of celebrating Bert earlier this summer, we had a special party planned just for her, starting off the day by presenting her with a sash embellished with “100 years loved,” followed by a symbolic release of 100 butterflies just outside the Charles Ford Retirement Communities doors. We were also able to host a socially distant celebration with her friends and family, where we shared her favorite meal, watched a compilation of videos from her life, presented her with a large stack of birthday cards from friends of the community, and of course, enjoyed some birthday cake.
When we asked Bert to offer some advice after her 100 years on this earth, she said, “Watch your spending. Be nice to everybody. And, friends are a good thing to have.”
To see more on Bert Fieber’s 100th Birthday Celebration, check out the photos below. And, from all of us at the Charles Ford Retirement Communities, we hope you had a beautiful birthday, Bert. We feel so blessed to get to care for you each day.
