JEFFERSON TWP — Living more than 100 years presents a unique perspective, especially regarding what it meant to grow up in the early part of the century during difficult times.

Two spry and articulate Concordia Lutheran Ministries residents looked back through the fog of time to provide insight into what life was like back then and to share stories and wisdom passed down from their mothers.

Lois Lyons Lindstrom recalled countless stories about her mother, Clara Hughes, born in 1901, who was depicted as tough but loving.

“Mom was wonderful,” Lindstrom said. “She was tough and did everything around the house — from cooking to cleaning to grass cutting — while Daddy operated his business. But Mom was always in your corner.”

For example, when pregnant with her first daughter, Lindstrom said she faced a decision that jeopardized the lives of both herself and her baby, but her mother “wouldn’t accept anything but the best care for her Lois,” she said.

“Mom took me home to Carnegie to see a doctor who delivered the baby through a cesarean section,” Lindstrom said. “Me and my baby are alive because of my mother.”

While growing up, Lindstrom said Hughes was willing to take on any task.

“Mom wanted the house painted, but she didn’t like the work the painters were doing, so she bought overalls and finished painting the house,” she said. “She went to work when I was 7 years old. She worked at night and cared for the house during the day.”

Another example of her mother’s tenacity included being told to return a coat their family couldn’t afford. But instead of complying, Hughes got a job at night.

The salary Hughes earned also helped to support the family business.

“She could do anything she made up her mind to do,” Lindstrom said. “She always accepted what she was given but did it better than anyone else.”

Her mother’s toughness extended to caring for Lindstrom during illness, whether it was a stomach ache or the flu.

“You could be sick for two days,” Lindstrom said. “After that, Mom said to get over it. Her grandfather was an herbalist from England, and she didn’t believe in medicine. Her mindset was to tough it out, and it would pass.”

The arduous and determined mindset Lindstrom recalled about her mother was likely a result of how she was raised.

Contrary to Lindstrom’s status as an only child, her mom was one of 16 children, 13 of whom survived childhood.

“They called her the mother bell because Mom was always responsible, and Grandma knew she could count on her,” Lindstrom said. “Mom took care of everyone, and there wasn’t anything she couldn’t do.”

Living through the struggles of the Great Depression required a different mindset, and Lindstrom said her mom could stretch anything to make sure they always had enough to eat.

“Daddy had a business, and we got what was left after he paid the workers. That bought our meat for the next week.”

Chuck roasts were often used because Hughes could make sandwiches, meat pies and other dishes from one cut of meat.

“Her pies were my favorite,” Lindstrom said. “Aside from her meat pie, she made the best apple pie.”

It is clear that Lindstrom adored both of her parents, describing them as prolific and strong people.

She credits these qualities for enabling her to live such a long and vibrant life.

At nearly 101 years old, Lindstrom exercises three days per week and still drives.

“You are what you come from,” Lindstrom said. “Daddy always said to live the best you can.”

Emily June Bollinger also shared tales of her mother, Selena Mildred Powell Myers, born in 1903 and mother to four children.

One story Bollinger shared was how she got her name.

“I have an Aunt Emily, so they started calling me June when I was 2 years old. When I first went to school, the teacher called me Emily, and I was confused.

“I went home and asked Mom why she didn’t tell me my name was Emily,” Bollinger said. “I’m still June to the family.”

She described Myers as a good mother, and recalled some of her favorite recipes her Mom made.

“We ate a lot of potatoes,” Bollinger said. “Dad built boxes in the cellar and filled them up with potatoes each winter. My favorite dish was fried potatoes with green peppers and onions.”

Aside from potato dishes, Bollinger said Myers was known for her baking skills.

“She baked wonderful pies, bread, cookies, anything really,” she said. “Mom also made Johnny Bull Pudding (plum pudding). I liked that a lot.”

Some of Bollinger’s favorite memories with her mom include her family’s bond and resourcefulness.

“We didn’t have much money growing up — it was the Great Depression. We had to cancel our 12 cents-per-week newspaper subscription because we couldn’t afford it.

“I remember sitting around the dining room table at night with one lamp lit to do my homework. We saved every way we could,” Bollinger said.

“One year, we couldn’t afford the license for our car, so it sat on bricks in the garage. Dad walked to work for an entire year,” she said.

Still, her parents did their best to provide their children with everything they could.

“If we couldn’t get something, our family was resourceful,” she said. “I wanted a Monopoly game, but we couldn’t afford it, so my brother copied the entire game, and that’s what we played with.”

Bollinger recalled another example of her mother’s enterprising spirit.

“The color in our linoleum flooring was wearing off, so Mom sat on the floor and painted it to look better,” she said. “I remember her painting it for a long time.”

Despite the hardships the family faced, Bollinger said her mother did her best to retain her positive attitude.

“Mom always looked on the bright side, even if we only had $5 or $3 per week — she made it work,” Bollinger said. “She had a strong faith and prayed a lot during those hard times.”

Bollinger carried on her mom’s positive attitude as she raised her five children.

“My life wasn’t as tough as my mother's, but I remained resourceful and kept the mindset that there is always something you can do,” she said.

Bollinger celebrated her 100th birthday in March 2024.

She continues to exercise alongside Lindstrom, and enjoys crocheting and donating many of her creations to her church.