Douglas County woman celebrates 100 years

Apr. 25—SUPERIOR — A day before Doris Spencer celebrated her 100th birthday at Harmony House II, she took a look back through the years.

How do you live to be 100?

"No secret, just ordinary living," Spencer said.

Her daughter-in-law Tami Susens hinted that it may have to do with Spencer's daily walks when she was younger.

"You still have some of those track suits in your closet here," said Susens, administrator for Harmony House.

Spencer, whose maiden name was Peterson, was born April 25, 1924. She grew up on a farm in the Pattison Park area of Douglas County, the youngest of three children. Her parents were immigrants from Sweden, and her first language was Swedish.

"I used to walk to the Black River School, back and forth, a mile and a half," she remembered.

Birthdays weren't a big event during her childhood though.

"I don't think we did much," Spencer said.

There were cows and chickens on the farm, but Spencer said her brother cared for them. She helped her mother, who couldn't walk due to crippling arthritis, with household chores.

One of her siblings had a top-secret job during World War II.

"My brother was a scientist. He helped develop the atomic bomb," Spencer said.

She graduated from Central High School and took classes at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. Her first job, reporting for the Telegram, was found by chance.

"My dad says, 'You start on 15th and Tower and you go into every business place and ask if they need somebody to work.' That's how I got my first job," Spencer said.

She was hired as a temp.

"You remember Siinto Wessman? I took his place when he was gone in the service," Spencer said. "And they said when he comes back, when he gets out of the service, you have to give up your job. So I did. So when Siinto came back, I gave him his job back. Siinto was a big-time reporter, but he was a nice guy."

Once Wessman returned, she moved on.

"I like being a reporter, but they don't pay anything," Spencer said. "I couldn't live on it. You can't live on something just because you like it."

Spencer found her niche as a librarian at the Jim Dan Hill Library on the University of Wisconsin-Superior campus, a career she relished for 30 years.

"It was wonderful," she said. "We just had a lot of fun. Everybody worked well together."

She lived for many years in a Hammond Avenue duplex, often renting out the upper half to UWS professors.

"I rented to the teachers and the kids. And we were all like one big family. It was wonderful," Spencer said.

People she worked with at the college still keep in touch.

"You'll hear from them after these years. They still write," Spencer said.

Spencer and her husband, William, raised three children — Pam, Bill and Jimmy, who has passed away. The couple later divorced. In addition to her children, Spencer has three surviving grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and a "great grand puppy" named Potato.

Scrabble and traveling are among Spencer's passions. She traveled as far as Wyoming in a renovated school bus with her children.

"We had fun in that bus," Spencer said.

The centenarian traveled to Sweden with a group from Pilgrim Lutheran Church and was able to connect with her last remaining relative there. Son Jimmy accompanied her on a trip to New York. He skated in Central Park and they met Katie Couric. Spencer has also taken many bus tours with senior groups.

Ballroom dancing was another of Spencer's activities.

"I went to Arthur Murray (lessons). ... Some people only remember me from there," Spencer said.

The Superior woman's days are filled with family. In addition to Susens, her grandson Cody Spencer is the house manager for Harmony House II.

"He's a wonderful grandson," she said.

Her best friend, Patsy, is also a resident, and the two often play Scrabble together.

"She's the only one I could find to play with," Spencer said.

Susens planned the Swedish-themed birthday party for Spencer, complete with 100 blue and yellow decorations. The centenarian said she didn't have a favorite birthday cake flavor.

"I'm not great for sweet stuff," Spencer said.

"You're sweet enough," her grandson said.

"Thank you," Spencer replied.