80 and Counting

Cal Ryder always has an eye out on his place near Noxon for a tree that has blown over during a storm.  When that happens, he cuts it for firewood, but he doesn’t even attempt to stack it.  Irene, his wife of 62 years, stacks firewood so a log can be lifted without the whole stack falling apart.  Both Cal and Irene are 83 years old.

Along with the Ryders, many other Montana octogenarians have found effective recipes for good health into old age.  Here are examples from Great Falls.

Julia Stevenson, 82, took home three gold medals and one bronze in bowling from the Montana Senior Olympics last summer.  In addition to bowling, she enjoys the out of doors and works either in her yard or golfs on a summer day.  She raised three children and worked for a time out of home.  In retirement she has been active with hobbies. 

During John Lewis’ career he had a job where he traveled and ate away from home for a number of years.  He started smoking while he drove, and he ate fattening foods.  One day he decided to change that.  He quit smoking and started running.  He ended up running a marathon.  At age 81, he doesn’t run marathons anymore, but he is an avid hiker and walker.  He and his wife, Linda, are often seen walking near their home.  This last summer he and another much younger hiker did Glacier Park’s strenuous Ptarmigan Tunnel Trail. 

Bill, 87, and Shirley, 82, Rammer have been married 60 years.  Ignoring their age, they continue to kayak, fly fish, walk, and hike together.  

These octogenarians are still active and enjoy each day because they are healthy.  Although far from being a scientific account, hearing what these people have to say sheds light on the common elements that keep them healthy and fit.

They are all walkers.  John Lewis and the Rammers make an effort to spend time each day walking.  Stevenson walks her dog at least a half-mile daily, and the Ryders walk while doing their daily chores on their acreage.  For example, they walk five blocks round trip to pick up the morning newspaper.  In the winter the Ryders continue to get in their walking exercise when they go south to bird watch.    

Cal Ryder noted the different attitudes people have about walking, “Some people drive around and around, trying to find a parking spot close to their destination while others realize that parking and walking to a store can be part of daily exercise.” 

None are avid television viewers.  “I don’t care much for television, but I do sometimes watch the public broadcasting station,” said Bill Ramer.

No one in the group was overweight.  Bill Rammer said that years ago someone came into his office and asked for him.  Pointing in Rammer’s direction, one of the employees responded, “That little, fat guy is right over there.”

“That was it. I didn’t want to be considered fat,” said Rammer.  “I lost 20 pounds and have maintained my weight since.”  

All of these octogenarians volunteer.  John Lewis is a VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistant) representative who prepares income tax reports for the low-income taxpayer.  Lewis also has worked at the Great Falls Visitors’ Center.  Also a VITA volunteer, Bill Rammer has been president of an AARP chapter and does the newsletter for his condominium association.  Shirley Rammer has listened to second grade schoolchildren read.  Working through RSVP (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program), Julia Stevenson has worked at flu clinics, processed mailings, and volunteered at the Charles Russell Museum complex.  Cal Ryder, who has a keen interest in environmental affairs, volunteers on four different committees, including a conservation district of supervisors and a management committee for relicensing utilities through the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

“Volunteering is a way to stay involved and maintain your self-esteem,” said Ryder.

Everyone in the group starts out the day with breakfast.  For most, it is light, such as a banana and milk or a bowl of oatmeal.  Everyone drinks coffee with only Irene Ryder saying that perhaps she drinks too much.

Interestingly, all sit down at the end of the afternoon and before dinner to have a glass of wine or a mixed drink.  This relaxation time is a ritual in their busy lives.

Someone in each family cooks from scratch.  Shirley Rammer buys and mills wheat and follows that up with making homemade bread.  

“My daughter, who works, lives next door,” said Julia Stevenson.  “I cook a balanced meal each evening.  I think I’m doing it for her, but I know that it is advantageous for me too.”

When asked about junk food, interviewees had to think about what they liked that might be considered junk food.  John Lewis said that he liked pizza.  The Ryders had to consult each other and finally came up with homemade cookies that they enjoy with their coffee.

All find that they value relationships more as they grow older.  Bill and Shirley Rammer said that there is nothing more precious in life than family and friends.  Lewis and Stevenson concurred.  Cal Ryder pointed out each individual’s responsibility by saying, “You have to be the one to make the effort if you want friendships.” 

These octogenarians have learned to use computers and have email accounts.  “In the evenings, I write emails and letters to friends and family,” said Cal Ryder.  Both he and John Lewis often write letters to the editor of various newspapers on topics dear to their hearts.

“I wished I had learned to ski,” was Julia Stevenson’s regret.  The Ryders lament that they haven’t traveled more.  John Lewis wishes he had gone to another college over the one he graduated from, and the Rammers have no regrets that they can recall.  All together the group recognized that their regrets were minor.

Everyone has a positive attitude about his or her age.  John Lewis knows he is going to be around to enjoy his home, so he spent last summer remodeling the living room by adding onto it.  He project-managed the job and did a lot of the work himself.  “Old age offers a bunch of new opportunities,” he said. “I would have never had time to do this remodeling before I retired.”   

Bill Rammer agrees.  He said, “Old age is worth waiting for,” and after raising ten children his wife, Shirley, adds, “I like the calm.”

Stevenson sums it up, “Being elderly is a real benefit
I have things I want to get out and do every day.  I’m glad that I have the energy to do them.”

Improve your well-being by training for and taking part in the Senior Olympics

   Having a definable reason for staying fit helps a person roll out of bed to exercise on a dark morning or to head out the door for a run after a long day at work.  For those who are age 50 or older, preparing for the Montana Senior Olympics might just be the reason to get going.

     The winter games with events in the Nordic 5K and 10K Classic and Free Style Races will be held February 9 at the Bohart Cross Country Ski Center near Bozeman.  The Ice Hockey Tournament is tentatively scheduled to be held at the Haynes Pavilion on the Gallatin County Fairgrounds the last weekend of March.  The summer games with a swath of events, such as table tennis, swimming, and track and field events, are usually held early in June.  Along with the games, often there are social events for having fun.

   Montana residency is not required, so participants often invite friends from out of state to join them.  Every other year preceding the National Senior Games, people who earn qualifying times at the Montana games are invited to participate nationally.    

 Learn about this organization by going to www.montanaseniorolympics.org.  Events, dates, and locations for events are posted at the Web site. George Geise, Executive Director, can be reached at [email protected].

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Famous for being longest living man in the world, Walter Breuning of Great Falls served as an ambassador for Montana until his death at the age of 114.  Every day he put on a white shirt, tie, and suit, which set him apart.   He was also known for his quotable remarks, such as, “Keep working until you can’t work anymore and then keep working some more.”  He also told people how good they would feel if they would eat only about 1200 calories every day.  The way to do this, according to this super-centenarian, was to eat only breakfast and lunch.  Also, he recommended pushing away from the table while still hungry.  “All things in moderation will lead to a long life,” he often said.  Because Breuning believed it was important to lead an active life, he held a job until age 99.  He died of natural causes on April 14, 2011, after a brief illness.