On December 11, 2019, Jessie Lingenfelter achieved a mark that only a very few people will ever reach. On that day, she celebrated her 105th Birthday.
Born on December 11, 1914 in Perkins, Oklahoma, Jessie grew up in Pryor and has lived in Claremore since the age of 19.
She has been a productive and exemplary citizen of Rogers County serving beside her beloved husband, Ralph, who passed away in 1971, as a wife, mother and homemaker before going to work for Lowrance Electronics and then J.M. Davis Gun Museum, and with her husband operating Lingenfelter’s DX Service Station at 301 W. Will Rogers Blvd. in Claremore from 1934 to 1970.
They were blessed with three children, sons Jerry Lingenfelter and Tom Lingenfelter and a daughter, Carol Jones.
She is the oldest living member of the First Baptist Church of Claremore and lived in the same house from 1957 until moving into the Brookfield Assisted Living after reaching the age of 100.
As a little girl, she remembers Christmas always being a special time. One fond memory is going to the schoolhouse and singing, and getting to wear the pink silk dress her mom made for her. She says she had the prettiest dress at the program.
The whole family would go to the creek and cut a tree down. They would drag it home and decorate it with popcorn and cranberries.
One year, her grandma got her and her sister a pretty china doll. She named her doll Pansy.
“I’m happy with my life and what I’ve done. I had a good husband and good children,” she said.
Regarding one piece of advice she could give to the younger generation, she said, “Be good to your mother.”
A surprise birthday party was held in her honor at the Brookfield Assisted Living. Celebrating with her were her children, Jerry and Lathricia Lingenfelter, Tom and Judy Lingenfelter, and Carol Jones, grandchildren, extended family, dignitaries and friends. She has six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
In celebration and recognition of her birthday, she received several acknowledgements from federal, state, and local officials, including President Donald Trump, U.S. Representative Markwayne Mullin, Governor Kevin Stitt, State Senator Marty Quinn, State Representative Mark Lepak, and Rogers County Commissioners Steve Hendrix, Dan DeLozier, and Ron Burrows. Jessie also received a proclamation signed by Claremore Mayor Bill Flanagan naming December 11, 2019, as Jessie I. Lingenfelter Day in the City of Claremore.
