She lives alone in the house where she has lived all of her life after arriving by stage coach when she was 8. She sleeps on the top floor, does her laundry in the basement, walks all over town, carries her own groceries home “unless I’m carrying a heavy gallon of milk, then I will accept a ride”, rows her boat on the lake hollering greetings to folks on the shore, works out daily on the Nordic track in her living room “it keeps my bones strong”, and scurries about town “visiting the shut-ins” and cheering them up!” She even shovels her own snow! She no longer ski’s, ice skates or hurdles fences however--“I might break a bone, besides, there’s no competition!” Once she ran over her foot with the lawn mower and “bunged up” her toes, but was never hospitalized in her life until the age of 96 when she was taken to the hospital because she was “shivering” with “a stomach ache.” When asked who her doctor is and what medications she takes, she objected, “I don’t have a doctor or take medications, I don’t have any health problems! Amazingly, she had a necrotic appendix, underwent an appendectomy, recovered heartily, and the only residual effect was that her hair (finally) began to turn silver. “Really, the gray delayed because I massage my scalp every day-like this-and use a good brush; Fuller’s the best.” She added that during her appendectomy recovery it was frustrating to watch the young neighbor man shoveling her walk as she prefers to do that herself.

Her other secrets to happy healthy hundreds living?

Her genetic background includes Norwiegan heritage, and a father and brother that lived vigorously into their 90’s. Her lifestyle consists of enjoyment of family and friends (caring for many of them), living in a small town, “living a simple life, eating simple foods—two slices of Rye bread daily, lots of cheese--I like Roquefort and Gjet Osp which is a Norweigian cheese--be sure and get the spelling right, broiled meat, fish, green vegetables, fruit too- but I avoid chocolate because I used to have Diabetes" (?). "Occasionally I will have a tiny Martini with my nephew when he visits.”

Also, faith, community and varied interests are her longevity keys; “I heard about Jesus loving children when I was 8 and His Spirit has guided me ever since.” She is an active member of her church and the Historical Society. “Although I have a good memory, I don’t dwell on the past. I learned when I was about 70 that if someone hurts my feelings, I consider what I might have done to cause it. That way I can learn from it and move forward. Oh, and I learned when I was about 80 to be even more observant, like a detective, like Jessica Lansbury, it keeps my mind agile.” She reads voraciously about everything. “I love good jokes, positive people, and I like to notice and include the wallflower-- because I used to be one." When? Maybe when she was 50?

When considering her own longevity she quipped, “I think God let me live so long until I came to.”

Our best years may be still ahead!

When teased that her Centennial Birthday Card from President and Laura Bush means she’s famous, she charmed, “I don’t know if I’m famous, but I am notorious.” (Has Oprah met her?)

Just think, Haley’s Comet has seen her twice and she may still have another 20 years in her!

Does this positive ball of enthusiasm have any regrets?

“Only one", she says, "I had an opportunity to walk across the 5 Mile Mackinac Bridge and didn’t do it.” (Yet!)

Beo is a wonder to behold, and sets an inspiring example for those of us who want to follow the spring in her step and the light in her heart---if we can keep up!