Ebenezer honors Alida Thompson, our senior member
"Showing us how to live well for 104 years!"
May 16, 2010 — May 7 was officially “Ebenezer Day” in the City of Minneapolis—a day honoring the 93-year-long ministry of health care to senior adults. When friends and residents of the Minneapolis campus gathered under a large tent on Park Avenue on Ebenezer Day, they honored one of Central’s own—Alida Thompson—proclaimed the annual Ebenezer Resident Ambassador. The accompanying certificate carried these words: “Showing us how to live well for 104 years.”
Alida celebrated her 104th birthday just a few days later on May 11. She is the senior member of Central Lutheran Church and has fond memories of a lifetime spent in service to this congregation.
Alida Anderson was born in Lacrosse, Wisconsin. When she was in the fifth grade, her family moved to Minneapolis. Her parents operated a grocery store at 23rd Street and Sheridan Avenue North. The family joined Central January 8, 1924. Alida was 18 and immediately joined the young people’s group and met her future husband, Lewis. Following their wedding at Central, they moved to Chicago, where her husband found work, and eventually to Galesburg, Illinois. After less than eight years of marriage, Lewis died. The couple had no children, but Alida would spend the next three decades offering love and care to hundreds.
Six months after her husband’s death, Alida moved back to Minneapolis; was reinstated as a member of Central on November 3, 1943, and became deeply involved in the life and mission of the congregation. She believes her greatest investment was as a Sunday School teacher and always cherished a handwritten letter from the Rev. J. A. O. Stub, Central’s founding pastor, as one of her prized possessions. She also felt very fulfilled when parents of her students would tell her—even years later—that she had
been a positive influence and was well remembered.
At this year’s Ebenezer Day celebration, the Rev. Don Knutson, chaplain, told the guests that Alida “has been a model of resiliency, determination, faithfulness and grace throughout her long life. She is a great example of vital aging, living each day to the fullest.” Although she can’t get to Central very often, Alida stays in touch, receives our communications, regularly requests a copy of the annual report and says that her pledge for the coming year is in the mail!
"Showing us how to live well for 104 years!"
May 16, 2010 — May 7 was officially “Ebenezer Day” in the City of Minneapolis—a day honoring the 93-year-long ministry of health care to senior adults. When friends and residents of the Minneapolis campus gathered under a large tent on Park Avenue on Ebenezer Day, they honored one of Central’s own—Alida Thompson—proclaimed the annual Ebenezer Resident Ambassador. The accompanying certificate carried these words: “Showing us how to live well for 104 years.”
Alida celebrated her 104th birthday just a few days later on May 11. She is the senior member of Central Lutheran Church and has fond memories of a lifetime spent in service to this congregation.
Alida Anderson was born in Lacrosse, Wisconsin. When she was in the fifth grade, her family moved to Minneapolis. Her parents operated a grocery store at 23rd Street and Sheridan Avenue North. The family joined Central January 8, 1924. Alida was 18 and immediately joined the young people’s group and met her future husband, Lewis. Following their wedding at Central, they moved to Chicago, where her husband found work, and eventually to Galesburg, Illinois. After less than eight years of marriage, Lewis died. The couple had no children, but Alida would spend the next three decades offering love and care to hundreds.
Six months after her husband’s death, Alida moved back to Minneapolis; was reinstated as a member of Central on November 3, 1943, and became deeply involved in the life and mission of the congregation. She believes her greatest investment was as a Sunday School teacher and always cherished a handwritten letter from the Rev. J. A. O. Stub, Central’s founding pastor, as one of her prized possessions. She also felt very fulfilled when parents of her students would tell her—even years later—that she had
been a positive influence and was well remembered.
At this year’s Ebenezer Day celebration, the Rev. Don Knutson, chaplain, told the guests that Alida “has been a model of resiliency, determination, faithfulness and grace throughout her long life. She is a great example of vital aging, living each day to the fullest.” Although she can’t get to Central very often, Alida stays in touch, receives our communications, regularly requests a copy of the annual report and says that her pledge for the coming year is in the mail!
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