Lorraine Beler celebrates 100th birthday
The many birthday celebrations and greetings from across the community are a testament to how much Lorraine Beler is loved and adored. She turned 100 years old on Wednesday, February 6th. Beler has had a few busy days of late, as the community and family members have joined together to celebrate the centenarian.
“It hasn’t sunk in yet that I am 100 years old,” Beler said with a smile, as her friends celebrated her at the Cosmo Seniors Center for two days. “I still enjoy coming out to meet up with my friends every week. I can’t believe I am 100 already! I’ve had three celebrations since the beginning of the week and my family is coming for the long weekend to celebrate with me again. It has been great.”
The canasta group at Cosmo, as well as TOPS, hosted mini celebratory parties for Beler’s special day. She also received birthday greetings on the air and won flowers to be delivered to her. The TOPS group met last Wednesday to make special presentations to Beler. She continues to be an active member of the group and meets with them every Wednesday morning for coffee. Her friends at TOPS describes Beler as loving, loyal, resilient, outgoing and authentic, as they showered her with love and gifts. Beler’s parents came from the USA to settle in Mankota in 1919, the year she was born. She is the oldest of three siblings; her youngest brother still surviving, as well.
She married Robert Beler in 1941 and they farmed, having seven (7) children (four girls and three boys).
After their youngest went off to school, Lorraine went to work providing cleaning services in a school and at the RCMP station. Her husband Robert passed away in 1993 and in 1997, Lorraine sold their farm and moved to Moose Jaw.
Since then, she has lived here in the community and continues to be an active member of various groups. Lorraine enjoys bowling, curling, needlework, playing card games and reading. HAPPY BIRTHDAY LORRAINE!