Wisconsin woman rides fire truck on her 100th birthday: ‘Queen of the day’
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Fidalia “Dale” Breunig celebrated her 100th birthday in style – by riding in a fire truck.
Breunig, of Sauk City, Wisconsin, told Fox News Digital she wasn’t sure her birthday wish would come true.
But when it happened, she said she had a fantastic time.
“I loved it,” Breunig said. “We drove and people were on the sidewalk and they were all waving and it was like some parades.”
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Her four children also joined her on the journey. She also has seven grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
She added of her family and friends, “They really gave me a good time.”
100 years celebration
Breunig turned 100 on April 6, the same day she drove through her town in the fire truck.
Fidalia “Dale” Breunig celebrated her 100th birthday on April 6 by racing around town in a fire truck.
(Courtesy of Eileen Ripp-Emerson)
The centenarian told Fox News Digital that she wanted to ride in a fire truck because of her family ties.
Her son is a retired fire chief and her nephews and nieces are volunteer firefighters.
“They made quite a fuss for me,” Breunig said of his birthday celebration.
“Keep busy and keep moving.”
Breunig’s daughter, Eileen Ripp-Emerson, told Fox News Digital, “She was the queen of the day.”
Breunig’s birthday events didn’t stop with the fire truck ride, either.
The care center where Breunig lives hosted a cake party and she was able to spend time with other residents, friends and family, including her four siblings who all visited her.
Dale Breunig is one of seven siblings. Although two of her brothers are deceased, she still has four living siblings who are all younger than her. The four of them visited him for his 100th birthday in April.
(Eileen Ripp-Emerson)
Because the party was so packed, Breunig said she wasn’t able to talk much with her siblings on her birthday – but they all came back another day to have dinner together.
Of Breunig’s six siblings, four are still alive and they are all younger than her, Breunig told Fox News Digital.
His grandfather fought in the Civil War
Long life clearly seems to be a recurring theme in Breunig’s family.
She told Fox News Digital that her father was just three months away from his 100th birthday when he died. and her father – who fought in the Civil War – died at the age of 84, which was old for the time.
Breunig celebrates her 100th birthday with a cake and a party at the nursing home where she lives.
(Courtesy of Eileen Ripp-Emerson)
“It’s in my family, I guess,” Breunig said.
Throughout her 100 years, Breunig survived breast cancer, a heart attack and the loss of her late husband.
He died 24 years ago at the age of 80.
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Her personal secret to a long life is simple: “Keep busy and keep moving,” she said.
“I always had something to do,” Breunig added. “I had a house with a big garden and I love flowers, so I had lots of them.”
Breunig said she and her husband have kept busy during their 52 years of marriage by dancing outright and traveling around the country.
“Don’t get in trouble… And, of course, eat well.”
Breunig has also volunteered for various groups and organizations, including his library and the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul.
“I tried just about everything,” Breunig said. “Whoever needed help, I participated if I could.”
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“I loved it,” she added. “I like to be with people.”
When it comes to living a good life, Breunig’s advice is also quite simple.
Breunig said people should help others. “It makes you feel better,” she said.
(Courtesy of Eileen Ripp-Emerson)
“First of all, don’t get yourself in trouble,” Breunig said. “And, of course, eat well.”
Breunig added that to live a good life, people must help others. “It makes you feel better,” she said.
‘I’ll try to stick around’ for a while
Today, Breunig continues to keep busy by walking the halls of the care center, monitoring his plants and spending time with his family, who often visit him.
“We are very close,” Breunig said of her four children. “I’m enjoying my kids and we’re having a great time.”
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Ripp-Emerson explained that she, her sister, and one of her brothers live near Breunig’s nursing home, so they visit her all the time.
Her other brother lives on the East Coast, but visits her as often as he can.
Breunig’s four children (pictured) accompanied her in the fire truck as they drove through Sauk City, Wisconsin.
(Courtesy of Eileen Ripp-Emerson)
“It’s pretty important that we have this,” Ripp-Emerson told Fox News Digital. “As we all look around, we know we are so blessed and blessed and blessed.”
“I’ve spoken to so many classmates and family members who no longer have parents and I think we have a real winner here,” she added.
“We know we are so lucky and blessed and blessed.”
Breunig told Fox News Digital that while there are some challenges — she has macular degeneration and can’t see or read very well — she’s content and comfortable.
“I’m enjoying life,” Breunig said, adding, “I’ll try to stay as long as possible.”
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“Let’s put it this way,” added her daughter, Ripp-Emerson, with a laugh.
“She still saves seeds for next year. So what does that tell you?