Fair Oaks Lodge resident Marie Willan (née Neuerburg) celebrates her 110th birthday April 29, adding her name to the list of less than 50 supercentenarians in the United States - or those who are at least 110 years old.
But this exceptionalism isn't the least bit uncharacteristic of Marie, according to her family. "Marie is a rare and special gem," said her 92-year-old brother Herb Neuerburg, also of Wadena. "She is more accomplished in her later years than a lot of people are when they're young."
In fact, just nine years ago, at the age of 101, Marie earned her GED and walked with the Wadena-Deer Creek High School Class of 2007, receiving an honorary diploma. Marie had left school in 1920 after completing eighth grade so she could help raise her eight younger siblings and work on the family farm.
Farming was also how she and Harry Andrie, her husband of more than 50 years, spent their lives and raised their son, Roy. After retiring from the farm and her part-time work at the Singer Shop in Wadena, Marie and Harry spent winters fishing in Texas. Marie was married to Lloyd Willan from 1984 until his death in 1997. She is a proud grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother.
"What I love most about Grandma is her appetite. Literally. Whenever one of us is eating or drinking something, Grandma will always say 'Just give me a little bit,'" said her granddaughter, Karen Andrie. "And a little bit was all she ever wanted."
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Marie has been a Fair Oaks Lodge resident since 2013, and enjoys her Thursday manicures and attending Mass, as she is a devout Catholic who attended St. Ann's in Wadena.
"It has been a joy to have Marie as a member of the Fair Oaks community," said Michele Pederson, Admissions Director of Fair Oaks Lodge. "It is our goal to provide exceptional care in a beautiful setting so that lifelong Wadena residents like Marie can continue to call Wadena home."
