A local man turns 100 years old on Wednesday and credits good living for his longevity.
"I've had a lot of fun in my life and I had the best wife anybody could have," said Jim Neu at Gateway Lodge Assisted Living on Monday. "We had a big time."
Jim and his wife of 70 years, Paula, who passed away three and a half years ago at the age of 91, had four children, who gave them 11 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.
Jim is very proud he raised Karen, a teacher; Sylvia, a nurse; Randall, a doctor; and Byron a teacher.
"They all got an education and are all in good shape," said Neu. "So we did all right. Me and Mama were busy scraping up the money to get the kids educated but we did it."
Neu had a variety of jobs including dairy farmer, baker, a mental healthcare practitioner and retired with a pension and all the while he had a farm to work along with his full time jobs.
Daughter Sylvia Light said she had the best childhood.
"Because he was the man he was, as a kid, if I could just hang onto his hand and walk across the field I could feel everything that was good for me coming from him because I knew who he was and he's such a good guy," said Light, her eyes shining with affection as she looked at Jim. "I have the best dad."
