A Wonderful Wisconsin Whirlwind

Sooo… I had a new experience recently, and I wanted to share the details with all of you. 

I don’t know about you, but I’d never been to a birthday party for someone who was turning 100 years old. Actually, I don’t think I’ve ever even met anyone who was in their 100’s. I know they have (or used to have…?) a segment on the Today Show for those entering that stage of life, but I didn’t know anyone personally… until now. 

My father turned 100 this week. My sister (Cheryl) and I started throwing around the idea of hosting a party for him, several months prior. We decided to make it a surprise, not so much to really “surprise him” exactly, but more because we thought he’d worry himself silly with negative scenarios of why we shouldn’t have a party, or how it might not work out because of… well…whatever his reason might be. 

Me, my siblings, and our spouses

She and I brainstormed potential dates, and then ran the idea past our brothers, who both thought it was a good one. The four of us decided we’d split the costs equally. We settled on Sunday, October 16^th, during the afternoon, and would incorporate the Green Bay Packers game into our day. Sure, the date we chose was two weeks before Dad’s actual birthday, but at the same time we didn’t want his big day to arrive, and then not have a party until much later. 

The guest list would consist of more than 50 people, including a fair amount of children. That’s a LOT of people to party with in a house. For that reason, I started making some inquiries about renting a room at a restaurant. We decided to use a local pub/eatery called “Club Paragon”. We’d attended parties there in the past, and agreed they’d done a nice job. 

I created a flier with all of the who’s, what’s, where’s, when’s, why’s and how’s. Cheryl addressed all of the envelopes and got them into the mail. RSVP’s started to roll in, and believe it or not, almost everyone could make it! Amazing! Initially, my daughter (Megan) and her family didn’t think they could come. Now that she’s a teacher in the public schools, taking off on school days didn’t seem like a real possibility for her. Two weeks before the party, she contacted me and asked if it was still possible for them to make the trek. She’d worked things out with her principal, and their family’s attendance could now be a “go”. “YES!” I said. “Of COURSE!” That news made me very happy. 

Theo, Jake and the cake

Cheryl, her husband (Jack), and I drove over to the venue, and met with the planner. She suggested some of their best party foods for our shindig: pizza, wings, pretzel bites with cheese, taco dip, a veggie tray… and also said that we could bring in our own cake. Cheryl and I thought that would be a good idea. She ordered (from Sendik’s) the most delicious chocolate cake with chocolate frosting. I often find that people merely tolerate big cakes, but this one was a hit! I took care of ordering helium-filled balloons and picked up the crepe paper and "Happy Birthday" signs. 

Cheryl also arranged for her son (John) to call our dad a few days before the party, and invite him to a little Packer gathering at his house the day of the event. John and his wife often host get-togethers of that nature, so it wouldn’t seem odd at all. My dad accepted. We had decided that if Dad called and said he didn’t feel up to it, or didn’t want to go, then we’d have to tell him about our scheme, but… that never happened! On the day of the party, Jack and Cheryl picked him up as though they were going to their son’s house. Little did Dad know that 50 guests awaited his arrival at his 100^th birthday surprise party. 

Dad arriving at the party - Tony opens the door

Cheryl texted me when they were a few minutes away. I asked everyone in the room to grow quiet, thinking it might be best to not shock our “dear old daddy” by shouting. The room we rented had its own entrance door, so when the trio arrived, they simply needed to ask him to get out of the car. He didn’t know why, but he did it willingly. My son, Tony, pushed open the door for him, and he said he didn’t understand why Tony was at John’s party. Once he got his bearings, we sang “Happy Birthday”. He was honestly sooo surprised. 

Grandkids, their spouses, and great grandchildren

Most of us had tears in our eyes watching him say hello to his grandkids, his great grandkids, and other extended family members he hadn’t seen in a couple of years, mostly due to the pandemic. It was truly a blessed reunion. We got him seated, and people started to file by to talk with him, kind of like visiting Santa! 

As you know, both of my own children and their families live out of town, and both families drove up. Tony, Lesleigh (who is very pregnant) and Theo live near Nashville, Tennessee. Megan, Joe, Jake and Annie live near Tulsa, Oklahoma. One of my brother’s kids flew up for the weekend from Florida. Some live near Sheboygan, some near Madison. Only one grandson couldn’t make it, but his 15-year old daughter attended. It was a blessed reunion that day, all of us celebrating his 100 years of life. 

About a month before the party, one of my nieces volunteered to make a slide show of Grampa’s life. Most of us contributed photos we’d taken through the many years. Some of the shots included my mom (of course) and overall, it was so moving to watch his life reeling past. So many good times. 

Our family with my dad

Everyone ate, drank, and conversed, catching up with our dad, and also with each other. I had such a good time, I almost hated to see the day end… but of course it had to. Thankfully, both of our kids were staying with Todd and me, so our family was able to go back to our house and de-brief about the fun day we’d all just experienced. On Monday morning, both families were up at the crack of dawn, and heading back to their homes. The weekend was such a whirlwind – a wonderful Wisconsin whirlwind! 

On our dad’s actual birthday, a few of us got together for a small luncheon. The weather was so spectacular (a rare 70-degree November day) that we sat outside in the yard. As we ate subs, chips, pickles, and cake, we bantered about past family vacations, times spent up north at the cottage, good old days when Mom was still alive, and other special topics. Most importantly, we toasted to our dad’s past 100 years, and wished him another 100! (LOL)

Celebrating at dad's on his big day

All of those years have created quite a legacy: four children (all with spouses) nine grandchildren (most are married) and 11 great grandchildren (one more to arrive soon!)  Plus, the family is still growing!

Dad has shared so many stories about his upbringing, his youth, his army/WWII years, dating our mom, and becoming a father. He even participated in my book, “From This Day Forward…” You can read his story there! He’s experienced most of what the world could throw at him. He had to quit school to help out his family, but he’s smart and well-read. He deeply cares about our government, so I took him to “early vote” this week; that way he wouldn’t have to fight the crowd next Tuesday. He knew exactly who he wanted “in”. He’s wise. He still cares. And one of his biggest fears is that something will happen to one of us before he passes. He feels that would be way out of order. But… mostly… he trusts in God and knows that all of that is out of his control. He takes things as they come – one day at a time.

And so, I simply wanted to share with you what we’ve been experiencing here over the past months, weeks, and days. Watching our dad approach, and now reach 100, somehow feels like “a goal” we’ve reached; not by anything we actually did, but just that it happened in general. He’s a special guy and this is a very special feeling. 

As always, thanks for reading! 

God's Blessings, 

Katie

Katie Kolberg Memmel is the author of three books: “Five Fingers, Ten Toes: A Mother’s Story of Raising a Child Born With a Limb Difference”; “Silly Stories and Sentimental Stuff”; and “From This Day Forward…” All are available in paperback as well as electronic versions. For more information, visit her website at www.KatieKolbergMemmel.com