State looks to honor Iowans with a century or more of experience

There are hundreds of Iowans who have reached the milestone of living more than one hundred years, and the state is trying to recognize all of them. Carolyn Danielson is maintaining the computer database for the Iowa Department of Elder Affairs. She says the list is up to 771 Iowans who are at least 100 years old or who will be 100 by the end of May. Danielson says any of the centenarians who wish to can attend a ceremony in their honor on May 21st in Des Moines. The oldest known Iowan is 111-year-old Nellie Cross of Des Moines who credits her long life to not smoking or drinking. About 80-percent of the Iowans over 100 are female. Danielson says people who don’t think they’re on the list should call her office. The toll-free number is 800 532-3213 to be included on the Iowa Centenarian Registry.