Local resident celebrates 104 birthday

Meadowlark Care Home 

 

The story of Maggie began when her parents,  Andrew and Kathryn Rieffenstien married in Denmark. Shortly after their marriage they moved to Iowa, where they had 13 children (7 girls and 6 boys). Maggie was the 9th child.

The family moved from Iowa to a farm southeast of Standard, in 1915. Maggie was 9 or 10-years-old. 

For several years school teachers boarded at the Rieffenstien home. Two of the sons each married one of these young teachers. As the family grew older they all married and stayed within 10 miles of their parents farm. Maggie liked being with her mother helping out. At 16 she would go to other homes to help with housework and children.

April 7, 1926 Maggie and Rex Gregory were married at St. Rita’s Church in Rockyford. The reception followed and was at her parent’s home and due to almost impassable roads, the bride and groom, and their attendants Milford (Rex’s brother) and Vivian (Maggie’s sister) were late getting to the reception.

Maggie and Rex moved onto their farm, a three room shack, six miles southeast of Hussar. Rex farmed with horses for a few years and then bought a tractor. The early 30’s were dry, crops were almost nil, things were tough. When their neighbours moved to Calgary, Maggie and Rex rented the house and farm buildings.

The following years the crops were somewhat better and finances improved. In 1938 Rex installed a ‘home electric system’ 32 Volt. Maggie now had a washing machine with an electric motor. The house was crowed, they had seven children by this point, so Rex built a new two story full basement home on their property, with running water and sewer drainage. Two more children were born. Over the years all nine children married and there are grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Special occasions were large and happy gatherings.

In 1972 Maggie and Rex decided to retire from the farm. They moved into a new home in Strathmore. Together they enjoyed visits with family and friends and the Happy Gang. They had a holiday trailer and frequently went for short trips for fishing and enjoying the sites. One summer they went on a big trip to Alaska. Shortly after moving into a condo, Rex passed away suddenly in 1991. Maggie lived there for 10 years before moving into the Lodge in 2001.

Maggie was a member of the Sacred Heart Parish and helped with the CWL functions for more than 50 years. Maggie enjoys good health, she has not had to be in the hospital except for child birth!

Today she lives at Meadowlark Care Home – Everyday she continues to enjoy her ‘fancy work’ crocheting doilies along with a good cup of coffee. Commenting often on how happy her younger childhood days were, they always got along and had good times. Very proud to have been a farmer’s wife and having had nine children. As she says, ‘She did her part’. 

Maggie and Rex’s Children: Margaret – 1927, Frances – 1929, Ralph – 1930, and Catherine – 1933. Marilyn – 1938, Barbara – 1941, and Ron – 1942. Gilbert – 1948 and then Theresa – 1953, the ninth child.