by Melissa Theisen - Forest Republican Editor - mtheisen@forestrepublican.com

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Ruth Hansen, a resident at AGI Healthcare Center in Crandon, better known as the Crandon Nursing Home, celebrated a mile-stone on Friday, November 9, her 99th birthday.

Born in Connecticut, Hansen has been a resident at the assisted living facility since April of 2005, and has made many friends amongst the other residents and staff.

Given the grand title of “Queen for the Day” Hansen was surprised by all the fuss the residents and staff were making over her but said she was having a “wonderful” birthday.

There was no doubt that she was enjoying her big day as she was all smiles throughout her entire birthday celebration.

The staff at AGI wanted to do something special for her birthday, and so blew up 99 helium balloons, one for each year of life, and released them outside, creating a sky full of bright reds, blues, greens and yellows.

After a rousing verse of “Happy Birthday,” staff began to cut and distribute the birthday cake while Hansen began to open her presents and cards.

But Hansen was in for another birthday surprise because her granddaughter, Kerrie Smithburg and her children and Hansen's great-grandchildren, Caleb and Katie, came all the way from Chippewa Falls to attend the celebration.

“Caleb got out of school early to come to the party,” said Smithburg, who added that when Caleb told his class about going to his great-grandmother's 99th birthday, his whole class was very excited.

Smithburg went on to say that her grandmother had two children, four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, of with four were born after Hansen was in her 90s.

When asked what she wanted for her birthday, Hansen said she only wanted all her friends to be there for it. Besides a room full of guests at her party, Hansen received chocolates, lotion, balloons, a deck of cards, a magic wand, a beanie baby, Santa pin, cards, a white blouse and two birthday cakes.

“I feel great,” said Hansen, taking a sip of soda. Hopefully, next year AGI will be celebrating a 100th birthday.

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