Margaret Curtis took a moment out of her 100th birthday celebration to tell The News that she credits her “genes and the good care she gets from the friendly staff at Pleasantview Home” as the reason she has lived to be 100.

She explained that her parents and grandparents all lived into their late 90’s. She has enjoyed the care she gets from the nice younger nurses and other staff at Pleasantview Home since 2003.

Margaret said she was born in the country home of her parents near Lucas, Iowa. She said the family lived atop of a hill and fortunately there was a railroad track in the valley below. She was born during an April 2 snowstorm in 1921 and the only way a doctor could get to the house was to use a handcart on the railroad to get to the valley below their home, where he was met by a family member to take him up the hill to assist in bring Margaret into the world. The next day a neighbor had a child on a nice bright sunny day — Margaret’s cousin, Donald McCauley.

Margaret was raised on a farm and got her education in a nearby one-room country school. Following graduation from Liberty Center High School (now part of Southeast Warren county schools), Margaret married W. Bernard Curtis. They lived on a farm for a while. During World War II Bernard worked at the Burlington, Iowa Arsenal plant making explosives for the American soldiers fighting on the front line of battles in Europe and the Pacific fronts.

Following the war, Bernard worked as a truck and farm machinery mechanic in Osceola, Iowa while Margaret worked as a cook in the Osceola school district.

“I especially enjoyed doing baking for the schools,” she said. She also enjoyed working as a waitress.

“We raised three wonderful children,” she said. Gary Curtis was a counselor and coach in the Mid-Prairie School District and his wife was the Middle School band teacher.

Her son Alan lives in North Carolina with his family. Daughter Sue lives in Kalona.  She has helped out at the Kalona Chamber of Commerce and Kalona Historical Society.

Margaret has seven grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren and two great, great grandchildren.

Most of her extended family were on hand to help her celebrate her 100’s birthday.

Margaret’s family wishes to extend many thanks to all who sent cards to Margaret for her birthday. When she was told she received over 100 cards, she said, “I can’t believe it! I loved every one! I wish I could see all those people!”

“You made our mom, grandma and great-grandma very happy,” said the family.

Margaret and Bernard enjoyed square-dancing. They were members of a square-dancing club in Osceola for about 20 years. Whenever there was a square dance in the area, Margaret and Bernard were there enjoying the event.

Over the years Margaret has enjoyed knitting, crocheting and quilting.

After they retired, Margaret and Bernard became Arizona snowbirds spending winters in Apache Junction. They moved to live there year-round in 1981 until Bernard passed away in 2001. 

Margaret said she is pleased to be at Pleasantview and being near two of her children. Gary lives north of Kalona near Iowa City and Sue lives in Kalona. 

The phone interview with Margaret came to end when ice cream was served to the family members who had already arrived Wednesday afternoon.

Margaret is hopeful that when the COVID-19 pandemic subsides she can resume her weekly ice cream with Gary, Becky and Sue.