Evelyn Ruhnke

ALGONA — Evelyn Ruhnke, of Algona, will celebrate her 100th birthday with an open house from 2 to 4 p.m. on May 23 at Trinity Life Center, 520 N. Garfield, Algona.

Cards may be sent to her at Van Buren Terrace, Apt #106, 520 S. Blackford St., Algona, IA 50511.

Her family includes Dave and Jane Ruhnke, Austin, Minnesota; Linda and Randy Fingarson, Chanhassen, Minnesota; Ken and Tara Ruhnke, Davis, Oklahoma; Allan and Susan Ruhnke, West Des Moines; and Judy and Bill Iwen, Persia. She has six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Her husband, Wilbert, died in 2012.

Evelyn Dau was born on May 28, 1926. She married Wilbert Ruhnke on April 4, 1948. They farmed and raised five children. He retired in 1989 and they moved to Algona in November 1994. She actively pursued different art forms through the years with oil painting, reverse painting on glass, quilting, and has stayed focused on her pressed flower creations. She has been an exhibitor at the Blanden Memorial Art Museum and participates in their Art Festival, along with the farmers market in Algona, and other area craft fairs. Stinson Prarie Arts Council in Algona is sponsoring a solo show this month featuring her pressed flower art at the public library from May 18 to May 30.