On Jan. 22, Gertrude Anderly joins the ever-growing population of Centenarians as she prepares to celebrate her 100th birthday with a family gathering on Jan. 14 hosted by her daughter-in-law and granddaughters. There will also be a celebration hosted by the Bickford Cottage on Jan. 22 for family and friends and an ongoing card shower hosted by the parishioners of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Marshalltown. Cards may be sent to Gertrude at 101 Newcastle Road, Marshalltown, Iowa, 50158.

Born and raised in Poweshiek and Tama counties, she was the fifth child of 12, attending a one room schoolhouse through the eighth grade, walking three miles to and from every day.

Living through 10 decades creates a lot of memories; world events as well as family events. She is the last living of all her siblings. She married at age 19 to Joseph Spickert on Sept. 15, 1937. They had only one son, Edward Joseph Spickert born Sept. 1, 1939. Her husband went off to war in 1944 and she went to work for the Egg Plant in Tama County. Joe returned and they lived their lives in Marshall and Tama counties. When the news broke that the war was ending, little Eddie overheard the adults talking and wanted to know, Who Won! One of her favorite stories.

She later worked for Fisher Controls in the paint booth as well as keeping house for long-time resident Anna Forney, Dr. Carpenter and Dr. Noonin’s families. The stories she could tell!

Gert and one of her sisters, Louise, married brothers and for some time they ran the nursing home in Tama after purchasing it from other family members in the early 1950’s. Joe died at the VA Hospital in 1958. Ed was serving in the U.S. Navy at the time, but was granted leave to return home for his father’s services. Gertrude would be widowed and on her own for seven more years until she was united in marriage to Douglas Anderly, of Chelsea, on Sept. 4, 1965, at the historical Binford House in Marshalltown. They made their home and many memories in Cedar Rapids. Doug made sure she had everything she needed until he passed away on April 11, 1984.

In the following years, she would continue to serve God and the Catholic church, take care of others and make time for her family. She sewed with a group of ladies at the church regularly. She loved to talk on the phone with all her sisters and loved having family reunions. She enjoyed watching her three grandchildren grow up, marry and have families of their own. She now has eight great grandchildren.