Velma Lang with her children, Douglas and Beverly.
Resident Velma Lang celebrates 102 years
On March 15, resident Velma Lang turned 102 years young and is the oldest in her family, the oldest in her church and the oldest in Clay Center Presbyterian Manor!
What’s her secret to living a long life?
“She would say her faith, her family and I think her health,” said Beverly Lang, Velma’s daughter.
Longevity also runs in the family. Velma’s sister passed away at 101 and a half, her father lived to 99 and her mother passed at 102 and a couple months. “My brother and I don’t think we’ll make it that long,” joked Beverly.
Velma is one of five kids and was born and raised in the Lutheran church just five miles south of Clay Center on a farm. She and her first husband –who was killed in World War II – had a son, Douglas Fowles. When he was four, Velma met and married her second husband, and they had Beverly. The family of four lived about 14 miles north of Clay Center on a farm until 1965, when they then moved to town. Velma was a nurse’s aide
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Editor’s Note: In a nod to our Presbyterian heritage, we regularly feature a column from a PMMA® chaplain in our newsletter. This month’s column comes from Rev. Richard Russell, chaplain at Lawrence Presbyterian Manor®.
God’s Nearness
As I write this article, I am sitting by my wife’s bed in the local hospice house. She is nearing the end of her battle with cancer. She and I have spoken a lot recently about how God is very near to us. This made me think of a familiar old hymn, “Nearer My God to Thee.” In the first stanza, it says “Nearer my God to thee, nearer to thee, even though it be a cross, that raiseth me, still all my song shall be, nearer my God to thee, nearer my God thee.” We have certainly had a difficult cross to bear throughout these months. But God’s nearness has been the thing to help us through. He says in His word, as you draw nearer to me, I draw nearer to
Chaplain – continued on page 3
Memorial Day – More than just the unofficial start of summer
For many of us, Memorial Day means a fun three-day weekend to celebrate the unofficial beginning of summer. But at heart, Memorial Day is a somber day to honor and remember those who died fighting for their country.
Memorial Day used to be known as Decoration Day – it was established in 1868, three years after the end of the Civil War, with the purpose of having people place flowers on the graves of family members and friends who died during the war.
Decoration Day gradually became Memorial Day. At first, it only recognized fallen solders of the Civil War until World War I when the holiday evolved to honor Americans who died in all wars, now including World War II, The Vietnam War, The Korean War, and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Originally observed on May 30th, it wasn’t until 1968 when Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, establishing Memorial Day as the last Monday in May, giving federal employees a three-day weekend.
Nowadays, cities and towns across America hold Memorial Day parades and the tradition to decorate cemeteries with flowers and wreaths continues. Because of the long weekend, it’s also become a more fun day with road trips, barbecues, and other celebrations for the summer ahead.
Sources: www.history.com
The Library of Congress u
John A. LoganMajor John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic declared May 30, 1868 as Decoration Day which eventually became Memorial Day. The first national celebration took place at Arlington National Cemetery where both Confederate and Union soldiers were buried.
Chaplain – continued from page 1
you.
In the second stanza, it says, “If like the wanderer, the sun goes down, darkness be over me, my rest a stone, yet in my dreams I’d be, nearer my God to thee, nearer my God to thee.” In our dark days that we have journeyed through, it has been the tenderness of God’s care and love that has been our support. The psalmist said, “He loves you with everlasting love, and underneath are His everlasting arms.” We truly have sensed Him holding us in His love.
The third stanza says, “There let the way appear, steps unto heaven, all that thou sendeth me, in mercy giveth, angels to beckon me, nearer my God to thee, nearer my God to thee.” We
know because of faith and God’s promises that He has gone to prepare a place for us. And we can look
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forward to the wonderous things that will bring.
In the last stanza, the old hymn says, “Or if on joyful wing, cleaving the sky, sun moon and stars forgot, upward I fly, still all my song shall be, nearer my God to thee, nearer my God to thee.” My wife looks forward to hearing those words from Jesus Himself, “well done my good and faithful servant, enter into all that I have prepared for you.” We know that will bring perfect healing, perfect joy, and perfect peace. So, our hope for you dear reader is that you too would draw nearer to the Lord, and
before she worked at the Soil Conservation Service Office as a district secretary for 31 years.
“She liked to bake, and she liked to make pies. I can remember coming home from church and she’d ask what kind of pie we’d want for dinner. She’d then go home and make that pie and we’d have it for dinner. They were all good!” said Beverly. “She also likes to go to garage sales, do puzzles and adult coloring when her eyesight would still let her.”
After Velma’s husband passed away in 2003, she continued living in their one-bedroom apartment in independent living until about five years ago when she decided she needed more care.
“She likes living at Clay Center Presbyterian Manor. Her dad lived and died here, her older sister lived here after mom got here, her niece and her husband lived here and passed away here, and her sister-in-law lived here,” said Beverly.
To celebrate her birthday, Velma’s children joined her for lunch in the dining room and Velma gave the residents on the third floor some candy.
Happy 102nd birthday, Velma! u
Sunday, May 14
MAY 2023
