“Do not complain about growing old. It is a privilege denied to many.”

     - Mark Twain

Marie Eilers is the only 101 year old person I know. You would never guess her age. She lives in her own apartment at Benedict Court in southeast St. Cloud.

I had a chance to sit a spell and visit with Marie recently. What a blessing that she was able to celebrate her 101st birthday with her family on July 13, 2022.

Marie was born in 1921 to Joe and Elisabeth Blommel. Marie’s mother died the day before her 10th birthday and her Aunt Mary ended up marrying her dad and raising her. Marie told me her Aunt Mary treated her fantastic and was such a blessing after the loss of her mother. As with my own family, Marie’s faith is an integral part of her life.

Marie grew up in Freeport. She attended a Catholic school in Freeport and had six kids in her class. She often played games such as ball, tag and Annie Over, to name a few.

Marie finished school and worked as a housekeeper and nanny for a family in the Twin Cities briefly and then moved back. Marie met Ambrose Eilers at a dance hall. Marie and Ambrose were married June 12, 1948 in Freeport.

Marie referred to Ambrose fondly as Amby, as did many family and friends. The couple raised five kids at their rural Clear Lake farm: Diane, Loren, Allan, Glen and Jeannie. Marie enjoys time with her five children, nine grand children, nine great grandchildren and 10 step grandchildren.

They quit milking cows in 1971 and continued to raise beef cattle. After they sold their dairy cows, Marie and Ambrose enjoyed several bus tours including trips to Canada and Washington. Ambrose passed away July 28, 2000 at the age of 80.

My dad thought a great deal of Ambrose and Marie and was their milkman in the 1950’s and delivered fuel for them in the 1960’s. Marie is just a year older than my own father, who would’ve turned 100 in August, if he were alive.

One of Marie’s sons, Allan, shared a few favorite memories about her. “She was always in a good mood. She was a great cook. Anyone who was around at noon was welcome to stay for dinner (noon meal terminology).”

Marie’s son, Loren, shared: “Salesmen often stopped by the farm and they would be invited in for a meal. I have the best mom a son could ever ask for.”

Local resident (and lifelong friend of the Eilers) Carol (Hemmelgarn) Lucius shared these sentiments about Marie: “My family has known Marie for a very long time. We both attended St. Marcus Church. Marie is such a wonderful, caring, loving Christian woman who always has a smile on her face. She would always ask about my brother Kenny, as he used to work at their farm. Kenny was one of the teenagers/hired men enjoying a hot meal at Marie and Ambrose’s dinner table all those years ago. Marie would come into the bank in Becker where I work  and hug me and ask about my family.”

My son, Alex recalled a story my dad shared with him about how clever Ambrose was: “Ambrose rigged up two plows behind an Allis Chalmers D-19 and a Farmall M and just one steering wheel to get field work done more efficiently.”

In December of 2017, Marie moved to Benedict Court apartments in St. Cloud.

Allan and his wife Judith, along with their sons Anthony and Joe, continue to farm on Ambrose and Marie’s farm north of Becker. They have 1,000 beef cattle.

When asked what she attributes her long life to, Marie shared this: “I have tried to keep a positive attitude. I have a wonderful family that has taken good care of me. My philosophy has been that I should not sit down and die!”

Marie’s life hasn’t been easy. Nevertheless, she has a very sunny disposition and a wonderful outlook on life. Marie has managed to reach the age of 101, probably because of her servant’s heart and the fact that she is always helping others.