Celebrating a century of life

From near and far, friends and family came Saturday afternoon to the Fontanelle Community Building to wish Shirley Tannatt a happy birthday.

It was a party befitting of a 100-year-old in size of the crowd, decor, the cake and more. After all, it’s not every day that somebody celebrates a milestone like a 100th birthday. But, Tannatt is happy to have reached that point. Her mother lived to be 99, she said.

“I’ve never really thought I’d reach 100,” Tannatt said. “I’ve lived a clean life and worked hard.”

Shirley grew up in Fontanelle and married Elvin Tannatt Aug. 10, 1944, shortly after they graduating high school. Elvin was drafted into the Army to be a part of World War II before he was out of high school.

The couple began farming in 1947, and with no children, the couple became a dynamic duo in life and on the farm. Shirley raised chickens, then later was the one who farrowed the sows.

“About the only thing I didn’t do was cultivate corn. I baled hay and ran the combine,” Shirley said. “I drove the truck, but I told Elvin I thought I had harder work driving the truck, so he took over driving the truck and I took over the combine. And, I never let him get back in the combine. That was a nice, easy job.”

The Tannatts moved into a home they had built in town in 1993. Throughout their marriage, they enjoyed squaredancing and rounddancing, going on fishing trips and flying as part of the local flying club.

Elvin passed away in 2021. Shirley enjoys tending to her flowers and mowing the lawn. She goes to the beauty shop each Friday.

Shirley was thankful for the party put on by neices Connie Harris and RaeJean Lorenz, as well as numerous other family members. One notable visitor was Shirley Lahey of Greenfield, one of Shirley’s friends, who turned 100 in June.

“There’s no words for this,” Tannatt said. “I’ve got a wonderful family. The work they’ve done, my two neices and family outdid themselves.”