Edith Schmidt has seen a lot of changes in her life, but the biggest change might surprise most people. It’s electricity.

Perhaps that’s no surprise. Edith just turned 100 and celebrated her birthday August 18 at The Garden Club in Bellevue.

Friends and family traveled from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Missouri, California, Nebraska, and Colorado to note the date. One guest was particularly special – Esther Rusch, who was the flower girl at Edith’s wedding – more than 70 years ago.

Looking back, Edith describes her life was “ordinary.”

Born in Verdon, Neb., she was the second of five children. When she was 20, at the height of the Great Depression, she and her sweetheart, Ted, had to put off their wedding for eight years until times were better. From their wedding in 1938 to Ted’s passing, they enjoyed 60 years of marriage.

Virginia (Ginny) Crowder, Edith’s only child, remembers a mom who was a fantastic seamstress and a fabulous cook, known for her fried chicken and being able to cook up deliciously whatever Ted brought home from hunting.

After Ginny graduated high school Edith went to work for JC Penney as a retail clerk and also worked in the catalog department for many years.

There also are lots and lots of memories of their church friends, a blonde cocker spaniel named Suzie, trips to visit family in Nebraska, and lots and lots of pinochle games.

Her family now includes Ginny, who married Ken and had two children; two grandchildren, Elizabeth (who married Troy) and Brian, and four great grandchildren; McKenna (12), Eden (10), Elaine (10), and Koa (4).

Oh, and she has a sister, four years older and still living in Falls City, Neb.