Leader honoured Ella Eichorn’s 100th birthday with a parade

By Joan Janzen
joanjanzen@yahoo.com

January 25th, 2021 was a very special day for Ella Eichorn from Leader, Sask. A century ago, on that day in 1921, Ella was born in the Leader area. In 2021, residents of Leader got together to honour Ella on her special birthday.

The Town of Leader organized a parade to drive by Ella’s home. It was one of the coldest days experienced in January 2021; nevertheless Ella bundled up in warm attire and watched the parade. Ella was accompanied by her daughter, who had arrived from Kelowna to spend time with her on her birthday. Ella was thrilled!

Her niece, Sharon Dieno, had posted Ella’s photo on social media, and the birthday wishes began pouring in. When Sharon started reading all those wishes to Ella, she could hardly believe it! Sharon said Ella remembered and recognized every person who had sent her birthday greetings.

Ella was the fourth youngest of nine children, who lived on a farm in the Leader area. After she married, she and her husband lived in Leader. Ella worked at several businesses in Leader throughout the years, including Schneider and Wenzel Lucky Dollar Store, the Leader Meat Market, and the senior citizens’ home, which was then located in the old brick hospital.

Ella has always been a very busy lady. She has been a long time member of the United Church Women (UCW) and is a member of the Leader Friendship Centre. During Wild West Daze, Ella and other seniors, were busy making “Grebble”, as Ella taught many others how to stretch the dough to perfection.

She also loved having fun and wouldn’t miss an opportunity to dress up for a parade or clown around. As the oldest volunteer at the Friendship Centre, she would help bring food or help out however she could.

Ella never missed a tea and bake sale and attended every community bridal shower. She loved to go for coffee with her friends and was an avid bridge player, playing bridge in the afternoon and the evening.

In 2019 Ella broke her hip, which sadly ended her role as an exercise instructor at the Friendship Centre. While Ella was recuperating at home, Sharon arranged for Meals on Wheels to be delivered to Ella’s home. However, after five days, Ella cancelled that arrangement and made her own meals once again.

Today Ella lives by herself and is very independent. She loves to bake and garden. She has a huge raspberry patch in her yard, and shares the bounty with others. She loves to go for walks, does all her own shopping, gets her mail, and is still driving.

She is loved by her two daughters who live in Kelowna, two grandsons and two great-granddaughters.

“She’s an amazing lady, she really is,” Sharon said. “She doesn’t seem old at all and is still quite capable of doing a lot on her own.”

Ella thoroughly enjoyed her 100th birthday and thanks everyone for the birthday wishes, cards, gifts and phone calls that she received on her extraordinary 100th birthday. She said the parade was awesome, and all who took part in it meant so much to her.

Photo: Ella Eichorn looks fantastic in her 100th year! PHOTO COURTESY SHARON DIENO

Photo: Everybody loves a parade! PHOTO COURTESY SARAH ANDREAS