Irma Ruppel, a resident of Prestige Assisted Living at Kalispell, celebrated her 100th birthday Monday with family and friends and a personal concert from Lena Shelt, her granddaughter-in-law and a concert violinist.

She shared a simple secret for her long life and continuing good health.

“I always had good friends,” Irma said. “I never had an enemy.”

 Her granddaugher-in-law Brenda Lee Shelt describes Irma as nonjudgmental and completely loving. Irma was once even known as “the candy lady of Toledo” for the candy she bestowed on neighborhood children or even strangers with a sweet tooth.

Born Irma Gable on Jan. 3, 1911, she grew up with two sisters and three brothers in Toledo, Ohio, where her father worked for the Ann Arbor Railroad.

“My father was an engineer,” she said. “My sister and I would walk to the railroad everyday because we knew he saved something in his lunch for us when we walked home with him.”

Irma met her husband, Garfield Alvin Ruppel, in school where he was a year ahead of her. She said everyone called him Al.

“He hated that name Garfield,” she said with a laugh.

She and Al were sweethearts at Waite High School. Al was anxious to put a wedding ring on Irma’s finger as soon as he graduated.

“He wanted me to not stay in school and get married but I said ‘no’ so he said ‘OK, I’ll just have to wait,’” Irma recalled. “We got married right after I graduated from high school.”

During that year, Al prepared for married life by saving money from his new job as an accountant for glass manufacturer Owen Illinois, now called O–I. He saved enough money to trade his savings for one of his bank’s many foreclosed houses during the Depression.

After their wedding on June 15, 1931, the couple moved into the home in East Toledo. About two years later, their only child Ann was born.

Irma said the experience proved more traumatic for Al than for her. He insisted on watching the painful birthing process then decided he never wanted Irma to suffer like that again.

“He said ‘I’ve got news for you — we’ve got one and there’s no more,’” she said.

Irma worked in the home raising Ann, while keeping an eye on the other neighborhood children. She earned her “candy lady” title with a bottomless supply of candy stocked on her front porch.

“All the kids came after school and got candy — I loved all those kids and they knew it,” Irma said. “They watched who came on the porch. I was protected by those kids.”

When Ann got older, Irma worked for a while as a receptionist for a company that made catsup, pickles and other spices. But for most of her life, she took care of her husband, her daughter and her home.

“I kept busy in the yard and helping other people,” she said.

Her attentions were returned by neighbors after tragedy struck just as she and Al were looking forward to retirement years together. In preparation, Al had bought a new car and decided to have surgery to repair a hernia now that he had time to relax.

The surgery was successful and he went to recovery.

“I went to see him the next morning and they wouldn’t let me in,” Irma recalled. “He was dead.”

Al suffered a fatal heart attack, ending more than three decades of happiness together. Her Toledo neighbors rallied round to help her in the decades that followed.

“My neighbors in Toledo still haven’t forgotten me,” Irma said, pointing to a bouquet of flowers sent for her birthday.

In her years alone, she enjoyed traveling with a women’s group to Europe, Mexico and other locations. In 2001, she moved here to live with her daughter Ann and Ann’s husband, Paul, who has since died.

She and Ann both moved to Prestige Assisted Living about six months ago where Irma continues to work her magic, making friends of her new neighbors and the staff.

“We have good talks with people,” she said.

Brenda Lee added that many on the staff “spoil her” and call Irma “Ma Ma” or “Grandma.” Irma has two official grandsons, Nick and Bruce, plus two great granddaughters and two great-great granddaughters.

As a birthday surprise, Nick and Brenda Lee surprised their grandmother by completely decorating her room with new curtains, linens, towels, photos, a new bed and some more of her furniture.

At 100, Irma still enjoys a variety of activities including attending Bible study, playing Bingo, reading, watching television, making crafts and participating in the many group activities at the assisted living center. She and Ann attend Community Congregation Church, where a party was held for Irma on Sunday.

“I try to go every week,” she said.

According to Irma, her landmark birthday sort of snuck up on her. She said she never imagined that she would live this long but then she never paid much attention to her age.

Her gift of longevity comes in part from good genes. Her father and mother both lived into their 90s and also lived a positive life.

Irma said she learned her people-friendly ways from her mother, who was always gracious and kind.

“My whole family never had too much trouble,” she said.

Along with gathering friends instead of enemies, Irma’s advice for how to make 100 included living a healthy lifestyle. She has always stayed active, remained slim, moderated her alcohol intake and never inhaled cigarette smoke.

“When we would go somewhere I would pretend to be a big shot and have a cigarette,” she said with a laugh. “I never really learned how to smoke.”

Reporter Candace Chase may be reached at 758-4436 or by e-mail at cchase@dailyinterlake.com.