Happy Birthday! Greensburg woman turns 106-years-old

She shares her advice for a long, happy live

(GREENSBURG, Ind.) – A longtime resident of New Alsace and Greensburg reached an incredible milestone this week. 

Luella Knueven celebrated her 106th birthday on Tuesday, March 10! 

She’s a resident of Aspen Place Health Campus in Greensburg and her family and many friends celebrated her birthday on Friday. 

Luella was born in Indianapolis in 1920 and moved to New Alsace during the Great Depression. 

The Guilford High School graduate married a classmate of hers, Clifford, in 1946 after he had served in World War II.  

In 1971, Clifford and Luella moved to Greensburg where they opened up the Greensburg IGA. 

“Mom worked there until she retired in 1986 when she was 66-years-old and she’s been retired ever since,” her son, Bob, said. 

Despite being 106 now, Luella continues to get around the nursing home on her own and stays involved in several activities. 

Watch: Aspen Place staff members sing 'Happy Birthday' to Luella on Friday

She can often be found winning Euchre games, building puzzles, and socializing with friends. 

Lindsay DeBolt serves as Director of Sales and Aspen Place and says Luella is a blessing to have in the facility. 

“It’s incredible to have someone like her to share their knowledge and just be able to listen to her life and all the wonderful things she’s done. She also still plays Bingo and has a band of buddies that all sit together at lunch,” DeBolt said. 

One thing is very noticeable about Luella. She does not look or act like she’s 106! 

“Some say she looks as young as 80,” Bob said. 

Her daughter, Mary, added that Luella went to beautician school in Indianapolis which might be one of the reasons she's aged so well. 

“She has always been hard-working, a very Catholic girl who says the Rosary everyday, and a very social person who did a lot of crafts over the years,” her daughter, Mary, said. 

We asked Luella what her advice is to others:

“Nowadays, I think people sit around too much and don’t have enough activity going on when they retire,” Luella told The 812. 

She added, “When we retired, Clifford and I walked two miles a day so that is one way we stayed active.” 

Staying both physically and mentally active have been two keys to Luella's happy and healthy life.

Luella admits that she prefers peace and quiet at her age but was glad to see her family, friends and staff members all attend the special party on Friday.

Her cousin, Irene Hoff, is a member of the Sisters of St. Francis in Oldenburg and will soon celebrate her 100th birthday.