Garnetta Boughton showed up early for her 104th birthday party — it’s what she’s done for all of her past birthday parties, after all. Since she started living at Independence Village in Waukee in May 2012, she’s become a part of the fabric of the community.
A room full of residents and family members gathered for her birthday celebration, where they enjoyed birthday cake and chocolate ice cream. Originally from Van Meter, Boughton has been a farmer’s wife, homemaker, teacher and Cub Scout leader for her sons’ troops.
When asked about reaching 104, Boughton typically laughs and shakes her head, according to a news release. She credits her long life to exercising her mind and continuing to do things independently.
This is the fifth milestone birthday that Independence Village has celebrated alongside her and her family. She’s known for her “sharp wit, competitive spirit and active involvement in daily life.”
Boughton still competes on two Wii bowling teams to keep her mind sharp. She regularly plays Rummikub and enjoys her afternoons working on puzzles. She proudly talks about the years she spent quilting for loved ones.
Independence Village staff say celebrating her milestone birthdays has become a tradition of its own — a yearly marker not just of time, but of the close-knit relationships she has helped stitch together inside the community.
Lucia Cheng is a service and trending reporter at the Des Moines Register. Contact her at lcheng@gannett.com or 515-284-8132.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowan celebrates 104th birthday by showing up early to her own party
Reporting by Lucia Cheng, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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