By Norma Dittman On a bedside stand is a small notepad with each coming day handwritten on it. Below the day is a number which is getting smaller each time the top sheet is removed. It is a countdown calendar specifically marking the days until Arlene Oolman’s 100th birthday. She will become a centenarian on August 18th.
Born in 1926, Arlene is one of five children born to William and Olga (Gehl) Duerr. The family lived south of Fulda on a farm. “My dad farmed the land with horses,” Arlene said. She recalled the work that was done on the farm, commenting that it was what needed to happen. “We raised a lot of our food, but we bought items like coffee, flour and sugar in town. Those were the war years and we got along without a lot of things.”
When daughter Julie Sandhurst asked if the family had a car, her mom replied, “Oh, yes, we had a car. We used it to go to church every Sunday at St. Paul’s Lutheran in Fulda.” (Arlene is currently the longestliving life-time member at the church.)
As a girl, Arlene attended a country school that was within walking distance of home. “We walked to school. The school was just a short distance from our house. Everyone walked to school – some of the students coming more than two miles. I attended high school, too.”
In her early twenties, Arlene worked as a bookkeeper at Jensen’s Garage in Fulda. Her wages were set at $20.00 per month. She lived in a rooming house owned by Susie Haberman, paying $7.00 per month for room and board. “I had stayed at home for three years after high school, but I didn’t like being there. It was a lot more fun living in town. There were other girls who lived at Susie’s, too, and we had fun.”
On a Saturday night, in uptown Fulda, Arlene met Everett Oolman. He had returned to Fulda after being a prisoner of war for 44 months. Everett had been working as a member of the civilian contractors on Wake Island for the Contractors Pacific Naval Air Bases. He and Arlene met at Jack’s Cafe, and their courtship spanned two years. Recalling their meeting, Arlene’s face lit up with a happy smile. “We were married at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church on November 28, 1948.”
The couple lived on a farm north of Fulda. Nine children were born to Arlene and Everett: Ronald, Wayne, Lynn, Luann, Larry, Julie, Dale, James, and Diane.
Visiting about the years between birth and reaching 100 years, Arlene said that one of the utilities that made work easier was electricity. “My folks got it right away because they lived in Nobles County and Nobles County was ahead of Murray County in getting the poles installed and the electricity functioning. When World War II came, the building of the electric lines stopped. When Everett and I married, there was already electricity on the farm,” Arlene stated. “We milked the cows by hand. I remember it being so hot that we had to put the cows outside under the trees. To milk them, you would lay your head against the cow’s side. They were so hot, you could hardly stand it!”
With a multitude of chores always needing to be done, Arlene mentioned walking beans, picking rock, tending a large garden, and preparing eggs to be packed for sale.
Arlene explained that cold food items were stored in a tank outdoors. Water from the well was pumped over those items to keep them cold. “That’s where we kept the milk and butter. You had to keep the cream cool somehow because the milk truck didn’t come every day.”
“I would have liked to have indoor plumbing sooner than we did,” Arlene said, grinning. It wasn’t until 1966 when the Oolman’s built their new home that indoor plumbing became a reality on their farm. “That was such a blessing!”
In 1980, Julie married Daryl Sandhurst, and in 1981, Arlene and Everett moved into Fulda. Daryl took over the responsibility of farming the Oolman land, (Daryl and Julie still live on the family farm today.) and Arlene enjoyed living in town again. She continued vegetable gardening and planted lots of pretty flowers.
Arlene and Everett took every opportunity they could to travel. They visited every state in the United States except Delaware. They also visited every state park in Minnesota. “My favorites were Hawaii and Alaska. It’s so pretty there,” Arlene said.
Everett passed away in 2007. Arlene continued to live in their Fulda home until 2024 when she moved into Maple Lawn Senior Care Assisted Living. She moved into the nursing home in September of 2025.
A family party on August 16th is planned to celebrate Arlene’s 100th birthday. “Who would have thought that I would make 100 years? Isn’t that something?” When asked if there is a “secret” to her longevity, Arlene just smiled and said, “I guess God meant for it to happen.”
The Arlene and Everett Oolman family now includes 17 grandchildren and 12 greatgrandchildren.
Arlene has received an official centenarian birthday card from President Donald Trump which has been posted under her bulletin board that features many treasured photos of her family members. When the large collection of photos was mentioned, Arlene responded with a gently spoken, “Aren’t they something?”
Happy 100th Birthday, Arlene!
