Vera Gienapp is amused by a card given to her by her friend Ellen Phelps while celebrating her 103rd birthday during a special luncheon on March 8 at The Meadows in Manchester, Iowa.
Vera Gienapp is amused by a card given to her by her friend Ellen Phelps while celebrating her 103rd birthday during a special luncheon on March 8 at The Meadows in Manchester, Iowa.
MANCHESTER, Iowa — Vera Gienapp turned 103 on March 8, making her the oldest resident of The Meadows in Manchester.
A lunch honoring her was followed by an afternoon concert performed by Darrell, Jacque and Connie, the band that Gienapp requested.
Leticia Timmerman, recreation director at The Meadows Assisted Living Center in Manchester, was emotional talking about Gienapp on her 103rd birthday.
“To know Vera is to love her. She is such a woman of simplicity. She’s funny. She likes jokes. She recycles cards. How many of you, with a raise of hands, have received a beautifully, handmade recycled birthday card from your friend Vera? About everyone here,” she said to rolling laughter from the audience. “What an ovation you deserve, my dear, an honor and a salute. You have been a blessing to all of us, and today, we celebrate you.”
“This is too much,” Gienapp said, closing her eyes while being honored. But it was clear she was enjoying every minute.
Vera’s early life
Vera began teaching in a country school when she was just 18 and taught until 26. She married at 25 and then taught one more year before stopping shortly before giving birth to her first child.
“I was a country school teacher. I got $64 and a half (each) month, and I was tickled to death to get that money,” she said.
Born in Masonville, Vera Taylor married Bud Gienapp, and the couple raised three children — two sons and a daughter. Eleven years ago, the couple moved to The Meadows. Five years later, after more than seven decades of marriage, Bud passed away.
Clothed in gratitude
Quick-witted, soft-hearted and armed with an endearing sense of humor, if Gienapp is ever in a bad mood, few see it.
Recommended for you
“You got to be positive,” she assured. “I had a rough start in life and had to be positive.”
She lost a sister at a young age from scarlet fever, and then tuberculosis took her mother when Vera was only 8.
“That was hard,” she admits.
Though her father worked to keep the rest of the family together, eventually the children were taken from him and placed in foster care, which Gienapp believes helped her develop a positive spirit.
“Well, what’s the point of not being positive?” she asked.
A long life
A believer in God and the Bible, Vera said she believes her faith in God came early from her mother when she was little.
Asked if she would change anything or do anything different if she had her life to do over, she thought long before answering.
“Well, I would let people know that I appreciated them more,” she said “... I had so many people over the years help me and do things for me, and did I show my appreciation like I should have? I had a foster family and they were so good to me, and I was just a kid, and I don’t think I showed them enough. And I can’t now because they are gone.”
She sighs, “You know, you just can’t undo what’s been done. You can’t do that over again. I will wait until I am in heaven, and I will tell them then.”
What I See is an occasional feature through the eyes of photographer Dave LaBelle.
