North Dakota woman celebrates 103rd birthday as marshal in homecoming parade

WATFORD CITY, N.D. — A longtime North Dakota resident celebrated her 103rd birthday in fashion, serving because the grand marshal within the homecoming parade for the highschool she graduated from 86 years in the past.

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Olga Marsten Hovet, of Watford Metropolis, beamed as she rode in a convertible as Watford Metropolis Excessive College’s oldest residing graduate, KFYR-TV reported.

“I simply thought it was thrilling,” she informed the tv station.

Hovet was born in McKenzie County on Oct. 14, 1919, the daughter of Thorvald and Emma Marsten, in response to on-line very important information on Ancestry.com. She grew up on a farm about 15 miles south of Watford Metropolis after which lived on a farm after marrying her husband, Walter Hovet, on Sept. 21, 1941.

Olga Hovet attended nation faculty for a number of years, however when she went to highschool in Watford Metropolis, she needed to transfer to city, the McKenzie County Farmer reported.

When she was 9 years previous, Hovet broke her leg whereas following behind a horse on a sleigh, the newspaper reported in 2019, when she turned 100.

”I needed to sit out for some time after that,” Hovet informed the McKenzie County Farmer. “We have been on our method to a birthday and having a lot enjoyable.”

After graduating from Watford Metropolis Excessive College in 1936, Hovet attended Minot State Lecturers Faculty for 2 years, in response to on-line information. The 1940 census lists her as a trainer at a rural faculty, however by the 1950 census, she and her husband have been on a farm elevating their kids.

Olga and Walter Hovet raised 10 kids. He died in June 1997.

Six of their sons performed soccer at Watford Metropolis Excessive College. One in every of her sons drove the convertible throughout the Oct. 14 homecoming parade, KFYR reported.

College students from her alma mater got here to the Good Shepherd House, the place Hovet lives, to want her a cheerful birthday and sing to her.

“I’m an previous, previous woman,” Hovet informed KFYR with fun.

Kristin Rhone, the exercise director at Good Shepherd, stated that Hovet “simply beamed.”

“She beamed your complete time. She was waving like a queen. She ate it up,” Rhone informed the tv station. “She was lovely and radiant, it introduced tears to your eyes as a result of you may see what pleasure it introduced her.”

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