Alma Schmid turns 100

May 10, 2013 at 11:01 a.m. | Updated May 10, 2013 at 11:01 a.m.

by Elyssa Mann

Alma Schmid celebrated her 100th birthday April 20 at the Portland Community Building. Cake and punch were served to many friends and relatives and the afternoon was spent visiting while looking at old pictures and a friendship quilt that was made by Alma and her grandmother in 1928. Her family sends thanks to everyone who came and joined in the fun of Alma's celebration, as well as to the people that sent cards.
Alma Schmid celebrated her 100th birthday April 20 at the Portland Community Building. Cake and punch were served to many friends and relatives and the afternoon was spent visiting while looking at old pictures and a friendship quilt that was made by Alma and her grandmother in 1928. Her family sends thanks to everyone who came and joined in the fun of Alma's celebration, as well as to the people that sent cards.

Alma Schmid of Portland, Mo. just passed a major milestone: she turned 100 years old on April 18.

Schmid, to put it mildly, has lived through quite a bit in her time. She saw both World Wars, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Great Depression, the invention of the television and the dawn of cell phones.

Her daughter, Nancy Hinnah, attributes her mother's longevity to her personal traits.

"She has a very positive outlook on life," Hinnah said. "For the age she is, she's very vital."

Schmid still lives at home, unlike many her age, and takes care of her own household, cooks and cleans. To this day, she is very involved in the Portland community--she still takes part in almost every event that involves the Portland Community Building. She is also active in her church community at the Mokane Methodist Church.

After Schmid married her husband of 72 years, Herbert Schmid, she worked in her home, taking care of her two children, Nancy and Charles. She and Herbert were married in 1939 in Steelville, Mo. - a surprise to their families. They didn't tell anyone they were going to get married, because neither of them liked to make a big to-do about things.

To help the tornado-stricken people of Dumas and surroundings, donations can be made to the Delta Area Disaster Relief Fund, care of the Delta Area Community Foundation, P.O. Box 894, Dumas, AR, 71639, or through the Arkansas Community Foundation, 700 S. Rock St., Little Rock, AR, 72202.