One woman's century of life to be celebrated

It's a party 100 years and four days in the making.

Family members of Mabel Hansen, an Elginite who turns 100 today will host an open house Sunday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at 1222 Iroquois Drive, Elgin.

Hansen has six children, 18 grandchildren, 38 great-grandchildren and 13 great-great grandchildren.

And they're all coming, said Hansen's daughter Carol Hipple.

"She's really excited. She's received so many cards," Hipple said of her mother, who has lived with Hipple the past 11 years.

Relatives say Hansen is still sharp as a tack and Mayor Ed Schock even issued a proclamation congratulating her for turning 100.

"We think it's pretty special," added granddaughter Janice Hansen. "My grandmother knows everybody. She's so coherent."

The eldest Hansen was active in the Elgin Area Historical Society, the Elgin Women's Club and is a lifelong member of St. Paul's United Church of Christ in Elgin.

She worked as a nurse's aide at the old St. Joseph's Hospital and at two publishing houses. Hipple said her mother basically raised her five kids - one died at birth - by herself because she divorced.

Despite the large gathering, don't plan on seeing 100 lit candles on the cake.

"I don't know if she could blow all them out," Hipple said with a laugh, adding that "100" will be in the frosting instead.