By Chad Koenen

Publisher

Alvina Shaw recently had a birthday celebration few people will ever realize—the Henning resident celebrated her 102nd birthday. 

“I don’t know why I am still around. The good Lord must have a plan for me,” she recently joked. 

In November Shaw, who officially turned 102 on November 3, celebrated with her extensive family and friends at a birthday party at her residence at Our Home Your Home. The weekend coincided with the deer hunting opener across the state, which meant even more people were in the area to help her celebrate her second birthday in her second century on Earth.

  “It was during hunting season and all the kids came and it was full,” said Shaw of Our Home Your Home.

Originally from the Almora area, Shaw graduated from Henning High School and other than a two year stint where her and her husband lived in Windom, the Henning resident has lived in Otter Tail County her entire life. She is the last living member of the Henning High School Class of 1941 and has been happy to remain in the area her entire life.

Shaw remained in her home until she was 100-years-old in rural Henning, a few miles south of the Highway 29 and 210 junction. 

“I’m a little old lady who lived on a hill,” she joked.

When Shaw celebrated her 100th birthday she had a large party at her home in rural Henning. 

Shaw was married for over 50 years and milked cows and farmed with her late husband Tim. They had seven kids and now the family has grown to 19 grandchildren, 41 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. Many of her family members stopped by Our Home Your Home earlier this winter for a special 102nd birthday party. 

While Our Home Your Home may have been filled with members of her family, Shaw said Jody and Beno Lohse and the staff at Our Home Your Home were tremendous and may the day special. 

“She is just so good. She is like my mother,” joked Shaw of Jody Lohse at Our Home Your Home.