On Jan. 14, 50-year La Mesa resident Alma Jaeger celebrated her 100th birthday. She was joined by seven of her surviving 11 children, and many of her 31 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren, and three great-great grandchildren, as well as other relatives and friends. The party was held at the El Cortez-Don Room, 702 Ash St. in San Diego.
In total, 109 friends and family from Wisconsin, Michigan, Texas, Illinois, Florida, Washington, and Oregon attended the birthday celebration. Guests enjoyed five birthday cakes and an authentic three-course German meal.
In honor of Jaeger’s birthday, her family dedicated a Pacific Coastal Oak tree to symbolize her as the family matriarch, with 76 “little acorns.” The tree was dedicated at the Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, 9191 Fletcher Parkway, La Mesa, following their worship service.
Jaeger came to La Mesa in 1957 after her husband Edward was offered a job at Convair. The family — including 10 children and the family dog — took the trip to California from Chicago by way of a 40-hour trip on the Santa Fe Super Chief train.
