Information provided by Carol Shaab and Alma Miller.
Alma Mitschke was the second born child to Paul Mitschke and Eleanora Schappert on June 16, 1912 at the old homestead located 3 ½ miles NE of Langenburg. She had seven siblings.
Growing up, Alma attended the Hoheloe School and had to walk three miles to school. We are not sure if it was uphill both ways, but I am sure Alma will tell you that it was.
Her dad then bought the hardware store in Langenburg and moved the family to town in 1920. She went to the Langenburg School which is located where Conversation’s Cafe used to be located.
Alma was always interested in sports and outdoor activities. She was an avid speed skater, tennis player, basketball player, curler, tree climber, and fence walker. When Alma was 12 she entered a speed skating contest. She won her age category receiving a red toque for first prize and then proceeded to enter the ladies category – winning that too.
In 1929 she graduated and then went to Regina in 1930 to Normal School to train for a teacher. She received her first teaching position at the Landestreu School in 1932. That year she had 25 students and earned a whooping $450 for the year. Her next teaching position was at Lisgard School which was SW of Churchbridge.
In the summer of 1936, Alma married Robert Miller. In January of 1946 (after 10 years of marital bliss), Robert and Alma decided to expand their family. The birth of their daughter, LaVonne Roberta would begin a new chapter in their lives. For the next 12 years, Alma’s teaching career was put on hold to raise their daughter. Throughout LaVonne’s childhood much time was spent around the family’s love of music. LaVonne married Roy Graham of Binscrath in 1968.
In 1961, Alma returned to teaching Grade 2 at Langenburg School. Her grandson, Sheldon, recalls a story about a little boy who got 21 words wrong on his 20 word spelling test. She always chuckled about this as the 21st misspelled word was his own name.
For the next 17 ½ years, Alma taught primary and elementary grades in Langenburg. She enjoyed her students and still tells classroom anecdotes to this day. She retired from teaching in 1975. In her retirement, they enjoyed gardening and flowers, and wooden crafts.
In 1974, Bob and Alma welcomed their only grandson, Sheldon.
Alma took every opportunity to share her love of education with Sheldon as he grew up. She loves to spend time reading, playing a game or telling interesting stories to him and continues to share her stories with Sheldon’s wife, Pam and their children, Garret, Brandon and Reese.
In 2006, Bob passed away and Alma continued to reside at South View.
In 2015, Alma moved to Langenburg Centennial Care Home. She has lived through both World War I and II, the Spanish Flu, the Great Depression, Vietnam, the Gulf War and the War in Iraq. Alma is not defined by her age but her wisdom and grace. She shares her stories with the Wise Women’s Club of residents over 100 years old. This past year on Remembrance Day, she recited In Flanders’ Field by memory.
She is always the first to participate in activities and is still very competitive. Whether it is bowling or beach volleyball or board games, her zest for life is contagious. She recently has taken up Scrabble and usually wins. The teacher in her still comes out as she likes to express herself through painting and crafts and helps with the care home bulletin boards.
I am sure you are all wondering her secret to longevity. We aren’t sure if it’s her love of chocolate or beer, whatever her secret, we are honoured to celebrate her 109th birthday. Cheers to you, Alma!