Shared 100th birthday worthy of a special celebration
By Penny Gruetzmacher
Correspondent
Florence Proctor and Emma Baehr celebrated their 100th birthdays on March 16, at Golden Years in Walworth and were treated to a special celebration in honor of their big day.
The birthday celebration at Golden Years featured cake, coffee, lemonade and a party attended by fellow residents, family members and friends.
Special guests included Hazel Schuth, who is 109 and the oldest resident at Golden Years. Smith welcomed Proctor and Baehr as the newest member of the club of residents at Golden Years over the age of 100. Morgan Wolfe, from Channel 15 out of Madison was also in attendance.
Richard Austin, the owner of Golden Years, congratulated the two ladies on their occasion and several residents and employees of Golden Years shared special stories about the birthday girls, including the fact that Behr won seven ribbons at the Senior Olympics. A video of the two women was also played for attendees.
Ed Proctor, Florence’s son, said his mother moved to Golden Years about 17 years ago and even though Baehr didn’t move in until a few years ago, the two women were “like minded and both enjoyed thread work such as knitting and crocheting so they began to spend some time together.”
The two women began to compare their lives and spend time together and discovered they shared the same birthdate.
Baehr has lived in several areas of Walworth County and has family in Darien that continue to farm. She had four children, three of whom are still living.
Proctor had six children, five of whom are still living.
Chris Lynch, the activity director at Golden Years, reflected on the similarities between the two women.
“Both Emma and Florence are Walworth County ladies for many years. They met in the Golden Years Retirement Village a few years ago. Both were born on March 16, 1917,” Lynch said. “Both lived on farms, gardened, were very involved with community events plus have knitted and crocheted many items over the years.”
