Connie Jo Discoe/McCook Daily Gazette

Relatives from Sweden surround Torsten Anderson of Benkelman, as Torsten celebrates his 100th birthday with a barbecue and picnic on his ranch northwest of Max Sunday. "He has so many, many friends," said Torsten's great-niece, Annette Westling, impressed by the hundreds who joined Torsten for the celebration under a red-and-white-striped big-top tent. Seventeen-year-old Torsten and his older brother, 21-year-old Carl B., came to America to work for their uncles on their ranch near Max in 1925. Torsten stayed on after Carl died of a burst appendix 3 1/2 years later, and Torsten eventually inherited the ranch. Torsten never thought of returning to Sweden. "They have Socialism," he said for a Gazette news story in October 2003. "I certainly don't believe in that." He paused, thinking. "And I was just a kid. I was only 17, when I moved here. I grew up on this ranch." Torsten retired just before his 99th birthday last year, and moved into the Hester Memorial Home in Benkelman. Helping Torsten celebrate were: front, from left, Anna Götesson, Torsten, Malin Götesson. Back, Thomas Mattsson, Annette Westling, Sonja Edgren, Lennart Andersson, Siv Ström, Sten Andersson, Solveig Mattsson, Nils-Olov Andersson, Roine Andersson, Per-Olov Andersson and Lena Berström. Five other relatives were en route to Max; one was returning to Sweden. Annette explained that in Sweden, Andersson is spelled with a double "s." The spelling of Torsten's last name was "Americanized" with a single "s" at some point, she said. Birthday cards will reach Torsten at the Hester Home, P.O. Box 646, Benkelman, NE 69021.