Centenarian

Arleen Marie Schmidt Ostness celebrates her 100th birthday today.

She was born Aug. 28, 1907, in Eau Claire, Wis. She has been a resident of Eastern Washington for 92 years.

Ostness married her husband, Alfred, in 1932. He died about 30 years ago.

Ostness was a bailiff at the Spokane County Courthouse. She was a local and state officer in the PTA. She says her most rewarding life achievement was traveling for 30 years and reaching all the continents.

She attributes living a long and healthy life to walking almost everywhere and never driving a car. Ostness was a member of the Hobnailers hiking club, hiking 5,800 miles after the age of 65.

Ostness has two children: Karin Drinkard and Al Ostness, both of Spokane, five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.