Centenarian

Werner Schmitt

Spokane

Werner J. Schmitt is celebrating his 100th birthday today with a celebration at the Chic-A-Ria Restaurant at 6:30 p.m. Born March 23, 1906, in Nez Perce, Idaho, he has been a resident of North Idaho and Eastern Washington his entire life.

He met his wife of 60 years, Leona Schmitt, at a picnic in Chewelah. She died earlier.

Schmitt worked as a driver for City Lines Bus from 1935 to 1971.

He said his most rewarding life achievement was the birth of his five children and attributes his long and healthy life to “being a steady worker, outdoor exercise (gardening), and the support of family and friends.”

Schmitt still attends Mass every Sunday, and plays pinochle.

The death of his mother from an influenza epidemic in 1918, the bombing of Pearl Harbor during World War II in 1941, and the eruption of Mount St. Helens in 1980 are vivid moments over the last 100 years, Schmitt said.

His children and spouses are Bob and Leslie Schmitt, Don and Sandy Schmitt, Sharon Schmitt, and Mike and Vicki Schmitt, all of Spokane, and Betty Ross of Mead.

He has four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.