100 Years And Going Strong: Brick Fetes Resident Bea Renner

BRICK, NJ — Bea Renner says there's nothing special she did to reach this milestone.

"I never tried to do too much," she said Friday, as she was feted by family, friends and the township for her 100th birthday. "Some people try to do too much all the time," and wear themselves out, she said.

Renner, a resident of Brandywine Senior Living at the Gables, turns 100 years old today, Nov. 19. She's taking life a little easier these days — she lived on her own until she was 96 years old, maintaining her home in La Cresent, Minnesota, for 20 years after the death of her husband, George, in 1990.

"I had a lot of neighbors and we were all good friends, and helped each other," Bea said in an interview Friday. And because she was born and raised in LaCrosse, Wisconsin, on the Mississippi River, the cold weather was second-nature for her.

"I used to shovel the snow when I could," Bea said. "I didn't mind the cold."

She lived in Minnesota for about 30 years, but moved in with her daughters, Nancy Renner Caulfield, of Brick, and Joan Renner Callahan, of Stephens Springs, Virginia, when she decided caring for the house by herself was too much. She moved into Brandywine a year ago, Nancy said.

"I love it here," Bea said. "There's lots of little games and there are great people. We have fun."

In a biography shared during the birthday celebration, Nancy wrote that her mother was very adventurous: She once flew with a stunt pilot back in the 1930s, and Bea and George, who were married for 52 years, traveled extensively around the United States, visiting various national parks, Cape Cod, Disney World, and even the World's Fair in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Bea was the oldest of four children born to Charles and Catherine Opitz. Charles was a bookkeeper at a local brewery when Bea was born, and lost his job when Prohibition went into effect in 1920.

"He became a bookkeeper at a local grocery store, riding his bicycle to work and often bringing home donuts from the store," Nancy wrote, "so often, in fact, that to this day Mom hates donuts."

Longevity runs in the family, Nancy noted: Bea's parents both lived into their 90s and her brothers all have as well: Kenneth is 98, and Don, the youngest, is 92, while Greg died four years ago.

In addition to her three children, all of whom were in attendance at the Brandywine festivities, Bea has seven grandchildren: Sean and Brian Callahan; Daniel and Emily Caulfield; and Ben, Nate, and Joe Renner, and five great-grandchildren. Peter and his wife, Sandy, traveled from Seattle for the festivities.

Brick Mayor John Ducey saluted Bea, presenting her with a proclamation declaring Saturday, Nov. 19, "Bea Renner Day" in Brick Township.

Check out the video of Bea's birthday celebration here:

Karen Wall photos