A ‘Living Treasure’ becomes a centenarian

One of Shawano County’s “Living Treasures” turned 100 on April 22.

Ann Block has lived in Wittenberg for 75 years and celebrated her 100th birthday with her friends at the Homme Home. She operated a beauty shop in town for more than three decades, said her daughter-in-law, Linda Block.

In 2009, the Shawano County Aging Unit honored Block as one of seven local “Living Treasures” during May Older Americans Month, and the Wittenberg Enterprise and Birnamwood News carried the write-up from the program:

Ann Block was born April 22, 1921, near Symco in Waupaca County. When she was 8, she knew she wanted to be a beautician. By age 12, she started working by doing housework in the neighborhood. She was also taught how to cook, iron and sew. Her parents wouldn’t let her go to high school, so she continued to work and also farm. Ann met her husband Ben in New London. They were married in 1940 and moved to Tomahawk. In 1946, they moved to Wittenberg. They had two boys, Randy and Wayne. Ann has six grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. (Now 13 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.). Ann did fulfill her dream and took the high school equivalency test, went to school to become a beautician and passed her state boards. She owned her own business as a beautician for 31 years. Ann and Ben used to make and decorate cakes for the grandchildren and for funerals. They had great teamwork.

Ann is very active at Redemeer Lutheran Church where she is ready to clean, bake and sew. Ann enjoys making quilts for Lutheran World Relief and for Homme Home for the Aging. The quilts are sold to raise money to benefit the residents. Last year, she helped make 48 quilts for Homme Home. Ann also enjoys visiting the residents and, in the past, she would drive others to doctor appointments. Ann has sewn quilt toys, made grapevine wreaths and used to do sewing and alterations for friends. Ann enjoys golfing and used to walk the course up until this year. Ann and Ben used to travel to many different states to golf. Ben has been deceased for nine years. She continues to play canasta with her friends. She is also known for her sweet rolls and cream puffs. Ann loves to bake and shares with family and friends.

Ann is a caring person who continues to touch many lives in the community. She “loves to work and enjoys doing this for others. That’s my life.” It is easy to see how Ann is truly a Living Treasure!