Caledonia Argus

Active and healthy at 100

Posted: 10/14/03

By David Heiller
Argus News Editor

Julia Schroeder has a lot to be thankful for, and sheíll be the first to admit it.

The Caledonia lady is turning 100 on Sunday in amazing shape, both physically and mentally.

Julia still lives with her daughter and son-in-law, Jeri and Joe Lee, and there isnít much she canít do or remember.

She plays Bridge in a card club, plays Scrabble, reads, watches television, and likes to take drives on Sunday with Joe and Jeri.

ìItís hard to realize,î she said about her milestone birthday. ìI donít feel like Iím 100.î

Julia gives a lot of reasons for her good health. ìBecause I have a good home, I guess,î she said in an interview on October 7. She and Jeri have always lived together. ìI think that helps a lot, when youíre not alone.î

Jeri agrees with that. ìShe takes care of herself,î Jeri said. ìSheís probably healthier than I am.î

Jeri said her mother is interested in things, and likes to watch good programs on TV.

ìWe get along fine,î Jeri said.

ìAnd we have lots of friends,î Julia added.

Genetics play a part too. Her sister, Gina Blegen, lived to the age of 98, and her sisters Cora Muller and Alma Hagen are 97 and 90. Plus her mother lived to age 92 and her grandmother to age 93.

ìI guess Iím really blessed,î Julia said. ìItís all by the grace of God.î

Julia also appreciates how nice Joe is to her. He drives them to where they want to go, she said.

Long-time librarian

Julia may be best remembered for her 27 years as the Caledonia librarian, from 1957-1984. ìI really enjoyed that work, working with books and meeting people,î she said. She is proud of it too, of being able to help people.

She and her husband, Hugo, also owned the Caledonia Bakery from 1927 to about 1950. Hugo died in 1941. Julia sold the bakery to Joe Hemmer.

Times were tough at the bakery during World War Two. Some of her vital products, like sugar and flour, were rationed because they were in short supply. ìMr. Albert was so good to me,î she recalled. ìHe would lend me some till I could get another allotment. Because the bakery meant a lot to Caledonia.î

She has fond memories of her childhood. It started in Cheyenne, North Dakota, where her parents, Lars and Christine Sylling, had moved from Spring Grove to buy land.

It didnít work out, and they decided to come back home. ìWhen we left there, they didnít want us to leave,î Julia recalled. Some ladies even got on the train and rode to the next stop with them.

She remembers that they received some going away gifts: a living room rug, a set of silver, cups and saucers, and a croquet set for the kids.

They moved back to a farm four miles east of Spring Grove on Highway 44. Thatís where Julia and her four siblings grew up. Her brother, Arnold, took over the farm when her father died. Her niece, Barbara Arnold, and her husband, Frank, now own the farm.

Transportation was by horse and buggy or sleigh. They attended the Hendel School for eight months of the year. It was 1-1/4 miles away. They walked there and back, except for in bad weather.

While attending Spring Grove High School, they stayed in rented rooms so they wouldnít miss school.

They would always go Trinity Lutheran Church on Sunday. Julia was confirmed there. All the instruction was in Norwegian. ìAnd now I canít even talk Norwegian,î she said.

Julia graduated from Spring Grove High School in 1921. There was a bad flu epidemic at that time, so students had to wear masks over their faces to prevent it from spreading.

After that, Julia attended Winona State Teachers College. There was a shortage of teachers, so some school board members asked her if she and her sister would be teachers. They agreed, and Julia did that for the next four years, until she and Hugo got married and bought the bakery.

Julia is highly regarded in Caledonia. The City even wrote up a proclamation in honor of her 100th birthday. It is signed by mayor Robert Burns, and reads: ìBe it known to all citizens of Caledonia Minnesota that on the 19th day of October, 2003, this day will be known as Julia Schroeder day. A day for all of us to be reminded of a wonderful person who devoted 28 years of her life to helping this community as our City Librarian. Inspiring all with her energy, enthusiasm and community spirit. 100 years young and looking forward every day. Congratulations!!!!î

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