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Celebrating Christmas for the 105th time
Published 07:04 a.m., December 24, 2009
Sadie Nundahl’s earliest Christmas memories go back nearly 100 years, when she and her siblings would race to blow out candles on the family Christmas tree.
“We used to have real candles on the tree,” said Nundahl, who at 104-years-old is this year celebrating her 105th Christmas.
Nundahl has seen many changes over the years, especially in the types of presents children receive and the way people choose to decorate for the season.
“Oh mercy, I couldn’t even begin to tell you the changes I’ve seen,” she said.
Now it’s all about the electronics — from high-tech toys to fancy lighting systems.
Nundahl can remember when the household telephone was the talk of the town.
But the changes haven’t dulled Nundahl’s enthusiasm for life — they’ve only made things all the more interesting.
“Now they’ve got those little phones they carry,” Nundahl said with a giggle. “My goodness.”
Food preparation has also been altered to fit the fast-paced lifestyle, said Nundahl, who enjoyed the art of cooking her entire life.
“It’s easier for people to cook now,” she said, in reference to ready-to-make box recipes and microwaves.
Nundahl, who now resides in Perham, spent most of her childhood in southern Minnesota and South Dakota. In 1945, she moved to Perham with her husband, Bernie Sr., who began Nundahl Oil Company.
It was in Perham where Nundahl and her husband raised their four children, an experience Nundahl describes as the time of her life.
“That was a great part of my life,” she said. “They kept me busy.”
Two of her children, Vernon and Bernie Sr., still reside in Perham.
The number of children she has, including grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren has reached a whopping 75. That’s made the task of remembering birthdays a bit more challenging than it used to be.
“God has been good to me,” Nundahl said.
One of Nundahl’s great-great grandchildren was born on her 100th birthday, making that the most memorable birthday present of all, she said.
Though that happens to be a highlight, Nundahl said her life, on a whole, has been full of blessings.
“It’s been a wonderful life,” she said.
And it continues to be as she’s able to celebrate yet another Christmas with family and friends.
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