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February 2011
Reader Submitted News
99 Years Young
Violet with her 99th birthday cake.
Photo Submitted
interrupted the wedding by coming in to clean the
church.
Age certainly hasn’t slowed her down. She has had
both knees replaced in the years following her 90th
birthday. “I remember what she said after her first knee
replacement surgery,” mused Harold Gingerich. With a
twinkle in her eye Violet said, “The doctor really didn’t
want to do my second surgery, but I said, ‘Look here,
you’re going to do it. You need the practice and I’m
gonna live!’” And live she has.
Violet still lives in her home with assistance from
Becky Klingenberger and others who stay with her on
nights and weekends. Those gathered for her 99th
birthday celebration have already started talking about
when Violet hits the century mark.
Phone: 260-463-4901 • Fax 888-439-6528 • The Hometown Treasure
Topeka’s oldest resident, Violet Hanshew, was
honored by more than 30 of her family and friends at
a luncheon at Tiffany’s Restaurant on Friday, January
7th. Among those present was surprise visitor, grandson
Eric Hanshew from Scottsdale, Arizona. A short video
has been posted on YouTube at “Happy 99th Birthday
Violet”.
Born on January 9, 1912, in Lexington, Illinois
to Homer and Bessie Brummett, Violet moved to the
Topeka area in 1923. The family farm was located on
what is now State Road 5. When the Brummetts moved
to SR 5 it was still a dirt road lined with maple trees all
the way to Ligonier. During the Depression (1930s),
Violet and her mother regularly served dinners to
raise extra money. A five course dinner cost 25 cents.
Eventually the price was raised to 35 cents, which was a
sizable amount in those days.
On May 11, 1941, she married Elmer Hanshew. The
couple would enjoy 59 years of marriage. Most of those
years were lived in Topeka on Harrison Street where
Elmer was the local TV repairman. The Hanshews have
one son, Steve, who lives in the Hudson area and a
grandson Eric. Eric who lives in Arizona has two children.
For many years Violet served as the janitor of the
Topeka United Methodist Church. Doris Haggard
reminded the group of the day Violet walked in on
the Haggards’ wedding, cleaning bucket and mop in
hand. “We (Doris & Red) were up front getting married
when you came clunking in the door!” Evidently Violet
LaGrange, IN
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