Luella Holle’s 100th birthday open house is set for Nov. 2 from 1 to 3 p.m. at
Holle’s graduation photo from 1942.
Luella Holle lived on her own for the last several years. She cooked, did her own laundry and tended to her garden. This might not seem impressive, until you consider that she is approaching her 100th birthday.
While she now resides in an assisted living home in Seymour, Holle is as sharp as ever and more than willing to share stories about her life.
Holle, the sixth child of Martin and Anna Darlage Benter, was born at home on Nov. 1, 1924, at the Benter family farmhouse in the Sauers area. She can recall milking cows before walking more than two miles to St. John’s Sauers Lutheran School every morning as a child.
She said she did not have a favorite subject in school, but she certainly had a least favorite.
“I didn’t like history,” Holle said.
After graduating from Brownstown High School in 1942, Holle did housework for younger couples as they raised their first children. She then worked at the Excello Shirt Factory for several years before marrying her husband Lawrence Holle on Sept. 4, 1955.
Lawrence, who passed away eight years ago, and Luella lived on his family farm in Waymansville for the entirety of their marriage.
Luella said she and her husband both had jobs outside of the farm. Lawrence worked at the A&P Grocery stores in Columbus and Seymour, and he was also a school bus driver for the Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. for more than 40 years. Beginning in the mid-1980s, Luella served as a cook at Camp Lakeview in Waymansville for 21 years.
“We loved to travel,” Holle said. “I liked every place … I guess I went to Kansas City the most. My husband’s brother lived in Kansas City.”
Holle’s niece, Karen Metz, said Luella and Lawrence were very good to their nieces and nephews as they were growing up.
“We just had a wonderful childhood going out to visit them and we have such good, good memories,” Metz said.
“They had a place at Lutheran Lake in Waymansville and they would bring their nieces and nephews out there … That’s where I learned to water-ski,” said Janet Barnette, fellow niece of Luella and Lawrence.
“They didn’t have any children, but they were good to all of us,” Metz said.
Holle still has plenty of hobbies at her age.
“I like to crotchet, that’s the main thing,” Holle said.
She said she also loves to read novels written about the Amish community and that she is a big fan of IU sports.
Holle has one piece of general advice for people.
“Live a decent and honest life,” Holle said.
When asked how she has managed to live to 100, and if she has any tips for longevity, Holle said, “Only the good Lord knows that.”
Holle’s 100th birthday open house is set to be held the day after her birthday from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, at Zion Lutheran Church, 1501 Gaiser Drive, Seymour.
In lieu of gifts, if anyone is inclined to give, Holle would like people to donate to their favorite charity in her honor.