Kathleen Keefer, seated, celebrates her 101st birthday on Wednesday, Jan. 17 with her Fit and Feisty classmates at the Traer Public Library. Also pictured are Kathleen’s daughter-in-law and son, Dotti and Pastor Mark Keefer (fourth and fifth from left), librarian Laurie Schafer (second from right), and library director Diane Panfil (far right). PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

TRAER – If the number of candles on Kathleen Keefer’s birthday cake this year is any indication, the Traer Public Library might just hold the secret to longevity.

As part of last Wednesday’s ‘Fit and Feisty’ library session – a thrice-weekly low-impact exercise class geared toward those in their ‘wiser’ years but open to all – a special celebration took place to mark participant Kathleen Keefer’s 101st birthday.

Kathleen has been attending Fit and Feisty for at least three years, librarian Laurie Schafer said, and is one of the group’s most dedicated members.

Seated front and center on Wednesday beside her son – retired Pastor Mark Keefer who also participates in the class – Kathleen and close to a dozen other participants spent close to 30 minutes that afternoon practicing yoga as an instructional video played on a large TV set up in the Talen Community Room.

Just before the class’s start time, Pastor Keefer and his wife Dotti Keefer surprised their family’s matriarch with a chocolate cake featuring candles spelling out ‘101.’

Traer resident Kathleen Keefer, 101, smiles as she is surprised with a cake by her son Pastor Mark Keefer on her birthday last week Wednesday at the public library. Kathleen was at the library to attend the thrice-weekly Fit and Feisty exercise class. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

While her exercise “family” – as Pastor Keefer refers to the class participants – sang “Happy Birthday” to their beloved friend, Kathleen’s eyes sparkled and a smile spread across her face.

“I’ll have to have a birthday every year!” she said when the group finished singing.

Several of her friends then asked what the secret to her longevity was to which she quipped, “I wouldn’t know. It’s a big surprise to me as well!”

Kathleen’s determination to remain active in her later years – both physically and mentally – has more than likely contributed to her long life.

“She’s pretty much as active as she was last year.” Pastor Keefer said. “She doesn’t drive but she still lives independently in her own apartment. When the weather is nicer, we walk to the end of the block and back.”

Kathleen Keefer smiles at the camera while participating in a Fit and Feisty exercise class on her 101st birthday on Jan. 17 at the Traer Public Library. Kathleen’s son Pastor Mark Keefer is also pictured. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Her son also said she continues to enjoy reading – checking out books from the library to use with her desktop magnifier – and drinking a cup of espresso every morning plus a “nice cup of scotch and water in the afternoon.”

‘Highlight of the year’

During her 100th year, Kathleen – a farm girl from Nebraska – was able to fulfill a childhood dream by attending a Creighton University men’s basketball game.

“We lived about 10 miles from the campus,” Kathleen explained, “but we could never afford to attend a game.”

Growing up, Kathleen’s dad would load the family up and drive to town to watch the Bluejays play football.

Kathleen Keefer, center, participates in a Fit and Feisty exercise class on her 101st birthday last week Wednesday, Jan. 17 at the Traer Public Library. Kathleen’s son Pastor Mark Keefer, right, and several other class participants are also pictured. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

“We would sit outside the football field to watch.”

And while football is Kathleen’s favorite sport – baseball was her dad’s – she said she loves watching sports in general including basketball because it allows her to be just like everyone else with or without her hearing aids.

“I don’t necessarily need to hear it [to enjoy it].”

Last Nov. 11, Kathleen, Pastor Keefer, and Dotti were able to not only watch the Bluejays beat the North Dakota State Bison, but they were also able to attend the morning’s shoot-around as special guests of head coach Greg McDermott – a native of Cascade, Iowa, and friend of the Keefers’ neighbor.

“Oh, boy, she was fired up,” Pastor Keefer said of his mom upon meeting the coach. “If there was any reason to live to be 101, it was that. She’s been a big fan of Coach McDermott for a long time – bigger than Creighton.”

Kathleen Keefer, right, pictured with Creighton University mens basketball head coach Greg McDermott last fall. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

During the game’s first media timeout, the announcer asked the fans to turn their attention to the jumbotron.

“The whole place just went nuts,” Pastor Keefer said when Kathleen – watching the game from center court – was beamed onto the screen. “One of the highlights of her year.”

Following her exercise class last Wednesday, Kathleen enjoyed a slice of cake while recalling the excitement of the Creighton game as her son showed photos on his phone from the special day.

Kathleen’s smile looked just as wide – and beautiful – in the photos taken on Nov. 11 as it did when her cake was presented.

“She’s an inspiration to us all,” a Fit and Feisty classmate proclaimed. “An amazing lady.”

Traer Public Library’s Fit and Feisty low-impact exercise class pictured last week Wednesday. Following the class, Kathleen Keefer (front, second from right) celebrated her 101st birthday. Kathleen has been attending the thrice-weekly class for the last three years. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Happy 101st birthday, Kathleen, from all of us at Tama-Grundy Publishing!

Fit and Feisty meets three times a week Monday, Wednesday, and Friday beginning at 1 p.m. in the Traer Public Library’s Talen Community Room. The 25-minute low-impact exercise class is free and open to the public. Birthday cake (usually) not included.

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER