Celebrating a century

RHONDA SIEBECKER/STAR-TIMES

Mayme Kingsley has seen a lot of changes in her 100 years. She said she was very happy to see all of the people who attended her birthday celebration at Oak Grove Senior Community. Above, Kingsley, third from left in front, poses with members of her family: in front, Tim Bruenn, great grandson; Julie Dorn, granddaughter; Lynelle Selchert, granddaughter; back, Erin Zweck, great-granddaughter, Beth Selchert, granddaughter, Jim Selchert, grandson, Kavia Kreitel, great-granddaughter, Michael Selchert, grandson and Neil Gowda, great-grandson. Carmelo Edwards, great-great grandson, tries to run out of the picture in front.

By Rhonda Siebecker
Star-Times

Mayme Kingsley was surprised that so many people traveled to Necedah to attend her 100th birthday party on Sunday.

"There are so many people here that I haven't seen in years," she said. "This, I'll never forget."

Kingsley had her 100th birthday on Friday, May 2.

Her granddaughter, Susan Selchert, was one of six children of Mayme's only daughter, Janet. "I get here as often as I can," Selchert said, adding that she used to go dancing with her grandmother, "here, there and everywhere."

She said she took Kingsley to the thrift shop in Mauston, where she used to volunteer and served on the auxiliary board. "She met a few old friends there," Selchert. She said her grandmother also visited with several friends at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Mauston at a reception for her Thursday morning.

Selchert said Kingsley used to "love to walk," often walking from her home on Sara Lane in Mauston to the thrift shop.

Now, Kingsley said her life is not so busy, but she has one favorite pasttime.  She said, "I like it when my friends come and visit me."