Family, friends honor Elmarie Waterhouse with 100th birthday party

POST FALLS — As Elmarie Waterhouse celebrates turning 100 years old, her family points out she still has her driver’s license.

She still manages her finances.

She still rises at 6:30 a.m.

She still prefers to give help rather than receive it.

And she is still very feisty.

When asked if she has time for an interview Saturday afternoon, just before leaving to attend her drive-by birthday party outside Post Falls City Hall, Elmarie says emphatically, “No. It’s time to go.”

But after some convincing by her children, she relents and sits back on her front porch.

So, what’s the key to doing so well as she turns a century old on Tuesday? How is it that she is still sharp, healthy and spry?

Elmarie looks around and then smiles. There is a joy in her eyes.

“It’s got to be the Greek and Norwegian mix,” she said.

On this day, she is feeling “wonderful.”

She looks after two indoor cats, friends start calling by 8, and she still does daily chores.

“I don’t sit too long. I make sure I get up and exercise,” she continued, then added, “but when you have 100-year-old knees, you can’t do much because they just keep saying they’re old. So what do you expect?”

When it comes to her birthday wish, Elmarie pauses.

“One hundred and one,” someone shouts from the front yard.

Elmarie nods in agreement.

“One hundred and one. Maybe that’s it,” she said.

It’s time to go.

Elmarie, wearing a tiara and a sash that says “100 Years Loved,” settles in to a wheelchair for a ride to City Hall. There, she takes her place in the seat of honor.

A large banner reads “Happy 100 Birthday Elmarie.” And soon, cars and trucks and SUVs and even fire trucks drive by, some decorated with balloons. Horns honk. Sirens sound. People wave, shout greetings, offer gifts and hold signs offering congratulations.

It’s clear that Elmarie Waterhouse, as her sash says, is well loved.

Georjean Kuntz, with son Kevin driving, is among the guests.

“She’s an unbelievable lady. She raised some awesome kids,” she said.

Kuntz grew up with Elmarie’s kids.

“Her house was the place to gather,” she said.

Well-wishers and neighbors Carolyn Wickenkamp and Kathy Brotnov describe Elmarie as “wonderful.”

“She’s got spunk,” Wickenkamp said. “Nothing keeps her down.”

Daughter Cathy Williams said her mom left no doubt what mattered when she was raising three children.

“Everything was for the family,” she said.

Son Mike Waterhouse said the drive-by party at City Hall came about when they decided not to take any health chances with the coronavirus by having the usual family gathering. His mom, he said, impressed him growing up and still does today. She has lived in the same home 65 years.

“She is quite amazing at 100 years old,” he said.

Daughter Sandi Anderson said her mom was involved with all her kids as they grew up and welcomed having their friends over to the house.

“She’s my rock. She has a bond with all of us and each one is a little different,” Anderson said. “She’s there for me. She’s always there for me. Night or day.”

Asked if there was one lesson she learned from her mom, Anderson said it was to “be strong.”

But Elmarie didn’t just tell that to her children.

“She showed us how to do it,” Anderson said.

Elmarie, not surprisingly, is still living it, too.

She points out that while she accepted a wheelchair ride to the party, it wasn’t necessary.

“I use a walker,” she said. “And my cane. I can get around on my own.”