March 14, 2026 — At 102 years old, Jeanette Olsen has a simple philosophy for living a long and happy life.
“I never sit still,” she says with a bright smile. “I keep moving.”
That mindset has carried Jeanette through more than a century of history, family, and unforgettable life experiences — and it still guides her days today at Lakewood Pines assisted living in Staples.
With a twinkle in her eye and a sing-song warmth in her voice, Jeanette greets everyone she meets with genuine curiosity and kindness. Her laughter comes easily, and her positive spirit fills the room, something both tenants and staff quickly notice.
“She has so many unique life stories and accomplishments,” said Felicia Johnson, Activities Specialist at Lakewood Pines and Lakewood Manor. “She did a lot of traveling around the U.S. and other countries, and loves sharing those special memories with us.”
Looking back on 102 years
Jeanette was born on July 17, 1923, in Estelline, South Dakota, a small community she remembers fondly for its beautiful marble courthouse and childhood adventures, including games of hide-and-seek around the building.
Her early years were shaped by family and a simpler time. Her dad worked in road construction and maintenance, but he was home every night. And sometimes, Jeanette and her siblings were thrilled to find half a sandwich left behind in his lunchbox, she recalls with a laugh.
Jeanette grew up in a big family with eight children: five girls and three boys. Today, she still has two younger sisters living — Bonnie, 90, in Owatonna, Minn., and Eileen, 88, in Texas, and the sisters continue to keep in touch.
Some of Jeanette’s favorite memories include time spent at her grandparents’ farm in Highwood Township near Estelline, following a creek through the pasture, chasing tiny blue butterflies, and enjoying fresh peas right out of her grandma’s garden. She even remembers a storm cellar in the garden, built for the wicked windstorms common on the prairie.
In high school, Jeanette was tall at 5’9”, and she loved playing basketball. In those days, girls’ basketball rules were different, she said, and she was required to stay in her designated area of the court.
Even now, her love of the game hasn’t faded. “Oh yes, I still try to watch basketball every night.”
In addition to her beloved Minnesota Timberwolves, she keeps up with the Minnesota Twins too.
Jeanette (in red plaid) joins her fellow Lakewood Pines tenants/friends at her usual spot for bingo each week.
Wartime work and a letter-writing romance
After graduating from Clear Lake (S.D.) High School in 1941, Jeanette worked during the war years in manufacturing, inspecting fabric on large rolls and marking flaws with a needle and thread so they could be identified later. Her work took her to Minneapolis and to Albert Lea, where she spent an important chapter of her life.
It was there in Albert Lea where her love story would begin with her future husband, Norman Olsen.
Norman served overseas for nearly four years during World War II. Jeanette said he was a secretary for a chaplain, traveling wherever the chaplain needed to go, including places like Germany, Belgium, France and London.
Jeanette and Norman began corresponding through letters, a connection that deepened over time. The handsome soldier came home at Thanksgiving 1944, and they didn’t wait long.
“We got married on March 9, 1945. We didn’t waste much time,” Jeanette said warmly.
The Pines activities staff provides tenants a daily exercise class in the commons area, Monday through Saturday, and Jeanette rarely misses. She's pictured here participating at a recent class.
Raising five children and baking traditions
Together, Jeanette and Norman raised five children, including twin girls born in 1959, a detail Jeanette still shares with pride.
When she thinks back on those years, Jeanette’s memories often return to the heart of the home — the kitchen.
“Chocolate chip cookies,” she said quickly when asked what she loved to bake. “I baked every Wednesday and every Saturday.”
Other favorites included date-nut bread and pecan pie, made the old-fashioned way. “I used lard,” she said matter-of-factly. “That’s what we used.”
Faith has been an anchor throughout Jeanette’s life too. She taught Sunday school, and Norman sang in the choir at their large Lutheran church in Albert Lea.
Today at Lakewood Pines, she appreciates the spiritual support she receives, including communion visits, church services, and pastors who come to share encouragement.
Her secret? Keep moving!
If you ask Jeanette her secret to living a long life, she doesn’t mention anything fancy. “I kept moving,” she said.
Even later in life, Jeanette made movement a daily habit, walking miles at a time at their family cabin at Lake Shamineau. That philosophy continues today.
At Lakewood Pines, Jeanette participates in exercise class Monday through Saturday mornings, enjoys bingo, and rarely misses an activity. Whether it’s a gathering, program, or special event on the calendar, Jeanette is usually there — visiting with friends, sharing stories, and enjoying each day.
“She’s a breath of fresh air, truly living life to the fullest," said Nikki Mollner, CRA/TMA, at Lakewood Pines.
Another Lakewood Pines staff member, Nina Ecker, CRA/TMA, agrees. “Seeing someone 102 years old still so active and engaged is amazing and inspiring.”
Jeanette is also proud of her family, which has grown through the years to include many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Jeanette has also experienced loss. One son, Steve, passed away from cancer. She speaks of him with quiet tenderness, as she does with so much of her life, holding both joy and sorrow with grace.
Outside her apartment door, Jeanette displays a framed photo of her handsome husband in his uniform and patriotic decor.
A treasured chapter at Lakewood Pines
Jeanette has been a resident at Lakewood Pines for two years now, and she has embraced this chapter of life with the same spirit that has carried her for more than a century.
She is also quick to give credit to The Pines care team around her. “The staff here is wonderful,” she said. “They help me stay independent and keep me active.”
Whether she’s watching the buses pass by her window, cheering on the Timberwolves, sharing stories of travel and family, or heading off to her next activity, Jeanette continues to live by the philosophy that has served her well for 102 years.
Keep moving. Keep smiling. Keep enjoying the moments.
And in doing so, she continues to inspire everyone lucky enough to know her.
To learn more about senior living at Lakewood Health System, go to: https://www.lakewoodhealthsystem.com/care-services/senior-living/