A century of memories, milestones and service was celebrated on April 18 as Reta Scholz of Langenburg turned 100 years old.
Born on a farm four miles north of Langenburg, Reta, originally named Henrietta after her father Henry, reflected on a life shaped by rural roots, hard work, and a deep commitment to her community. The youngest in her family, with brothers 12 and seven years older, she described her early years as somewhat solitary.
Scholz attended Hohenlohe School until Grade 9 before continuing her education in Langenburg, bicycling four miles into town each day. By 1939, she had completed her schooling and quickly entered the workforce, taking a job at the local creamery calculating payments for farmers and writing cheques.
She worked there for two years before marrying her late husband, Walter, in 1946. Their wedding plans were repeatedly delayed due to early snowfall that disrupted harvest. When the local hall closed unexpectedly, just weeks before their rescheduled date, the reception was moved to the local hotel’s dining room.
The couple began their life together in a modest rental home, paying $15 a month. The house had no running water and was heated by a kitchen stove and living room heater. Winters were harsh, with water freezing indoors and laundry done in a porch area. Scholz raised three children in that home over 16 years.
“I got married when I was 20. I didn’t really know how to cook or anything, but I learned,” she said.
Eventually, after asking Walter to build them a new home multiple times, Reta told him that she would go to work to fund a new home if he didn’t get on the task sooner-than-later. Sure enough, soon after that comment was made, a new house was built for the young family.
Her life spans remarkable technological and societal changes. Scholz grew up in a home powered by early battery-operated electricity systems and recalls always having access to electric lights and a vehicle which was not always common at the time. She witnessed the arrival of television when her eldest daughter was a child and adopted modern technology herself, getting her first iPad in her 80s. The family phone operated on a party line, with their designated ring of 6.
She also carries vivid memories of the start of the Second World War. In 1939, transient workers arrived by rail seeking employment. Her family frequently welcomed them into their home, offering meals, shelter, and clean clothing.
“My mother never made them sleep out in the granary. They always had a warm place to stay in the house,” Scholz recalled.
Community involvement became a defining feature of her life. Scholz served as a 4-H leader for seven years, held multiple roles on church council, and spent 13 years on the home care board, helping establish services in the area. She also contributed to agricultural boards, supported figure skating, and was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion for approximately 50 years, serving in leadership roles.
“I was a busy lady,” she said.
In addition to her volunteer work, Scholz was known for her generosity and craftsmanship. She estimates she has made around 2,000 quilts over her lifetime, many of which were donated to organizations such as Lutheran World Relief and the Lutheran Association of Missionary Pilots.
“I made quilts for everybody in the family,” she said, noting she wishes she had kept count of all those donated over the years.
Her life also included gardening, preserving food, and supporting her husband’s hunting activities, often canning venison for family meals.
Reflecting on her longevity, Scholz credits strong family genetics, noting several aunts lived well into their 90s. Despite reaching the century mark, she maintains a grounded perspective.
“I’m just an ordinary person,” she said.