On Jan. 5, 1917, a baby was born during a blizzard in eastern Montana to a large family of 13. That woman, named Mildred, celebrated her 100th birthday last Thursday surrounded by friends and family.

“I’ve had such a wonderful life and have been surrounded by wonderful people,” she said.

Being born on the end of World War I, just before the Russian Revolution, during Woodrow Wilson’s presidency, she’s lived to see four other wars, 16 other presidents, the rise and fall of the Soviet Union, and has seen the world’s population multiply by seven.

Her parents, she said, were the “most amazing parents you could ever ask for,” but in a family of 13 children, the kids helped out quite a bit.

After moving to Libby in the 1930s-1940s, she was married to Glen Lucas, who with she had one son. Not long after, Lucas died in an accident. She then married Duane Whitehouse, and through their 67 years of marriage, they had two children.

Mildred also worked at JC Penny’s for 29 years.

Since then, she’d been alive through seeing 30-40 nieces and nephews, three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. She’s outlived her husband, Duane, after he passed away in 2012 and nine brothers and sisters. She’s also the oldest member of Christ Lutheran Church.

According to her daugher, Sarah, Mildred is always doing very well for her age — “always doing something” whether it’s gardening or doing laundry.

Mildred’s secret, she tells people, is eating oatmeal everyday.

Bethany Rolfson is a reporter at The Western News and can be reached by phone at 293-4124, or by email at [email protected].