Anna K. (Evenson) Retter, 100, went to be with the Lord on Oct. 3, 2014, four days after celebrating her 100th birthday.

Anna was born on Sept. 30, 1914, in Hamar, Norway, and immigrated to America in 1916 with her parents and older brother. Retter grew up on her family's farm in Wibaux, Mont., and went to school in a one-room schoolhouse.

Anna met and married her first husband, Clarence Coldwell, in 1938. They divorced in 1948.

Anna later moved to Kellogg, Idaho, where she met Everett Retter at a local cafe. The couple married in 1950 and lived in Kellogg until Everett retired, and then moved to Post Falls.

Anna got a job as a janitor at Seltice Elementary School in Post Falls and worked until she was 73. Her husband died in 2001.

Anna said her most rewarding life achievement was graduating from high school and serving on the board in the Pythian Sisters lodge in Kellogg. She attributes her positive attitude of always looking on the bright side, along with not dwelling on the bad things, to helping her live a long and healthy life. She says her sense of humor and her loving friends and family have also helped.

Her most memorable moment in the past 100 years was when Franklin Delano Roosevelt was elected president in 1932.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Everett Retter; and three children: Everett Retter Jr., Judy Craver and Edward Retter. She is survived by two children, Gene Retter of Post Falls and Joyce Sonnabend of Spokane, Wash.; 12 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren and 10 great-great-grandchildren.

The family requests that donations in her memory be sent to St. Luke Lutheran Church, 9706 N. Division St., Spokane, WA 99218 or Horizon Hospice, 123 W. Cascade Way, Spokane, WA 99208.

A memorial is planned for 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 11, 2014, at St. Luke Lutheran Church, 9706 N. Division St., Spokane. Please view and sign Anna's online registry at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.