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Anderson birthday
MAX -- Torsten Anderson of Benkelman, formerly of Max, will celebrate his 100th birthday with a hog roast and potluck supper Sunday, July 13, at 5 p.m. MT, at his ranch northwest of Max.
Nineteen of Torsten's relatives from his native Sweden plan to attend, joining Torsten's American friends and family for visiting and supper.
Meat will be prepared by Benkelman-area rancher Kelly Raichart; visitors are encouraged to bring a favorite salad, vegetable or dessert.
A 17-year-old Torsten and his older brother, 21-year-old Carl B., came to America in late 1925 to work for their uncles, Frank and Sanford Stoneberg, who had homesteaded a ranch near Max in 1886. Torsten remained in America despite his brother's death 3 1/2 years later.
In October 2003, Torsten, then 95 years old, explained for a news story in the McCook Daily Gazette that he never thought of returning to Sweden.
"Well, I've been here 78 years. If I decide I like it, I think I'll stay," he said, with a grin. Torsten said then that he'd thought about retiring. "I've thought about it. I just never got around to it," he chuckled.
He finally got around to it on April 11, 2007 -- just before his 99th birthday -- when he moved to the Hester Memorial Home in Benkelman.
Cards will reach Torsten at Hester Memorial Home, P.O. Box 646, Benkelman, NE 69021.