Neligh Resident Celebrates 107th Birthday In Unique Way

A lot of history happens in a century, and Eva McGee knows that better than anyone. The Neligh woman spent her 107th birthday on Wednesday with family, some in person and some on a computer screen.

Due to unfortunate events and a bad snow storm in the west, several of her family members couldn't make it to help her celebrate. But through the use of technology, McGee still was able to see them. Several family took her to the Neligh Public Library, so they could use the wifi to Facetime her niece in Wyoming.

"I enjoyed every bit of it, because it was different," Eva said about the celebration. 

Eva's grandparents were immigrants from Oslo, Norway, and settled west of Center, Neb. 

"When they came over here to the United States and saw the Statue of Liberty, they were very happy," McGee said.

Eva (Halverson) McGee grew up on a farm in the Winnetoon area, living with her parents until she was in her mid-thirties. As a young girl, she learned to sew and crochet, and she enjoyed making doilies and quilts. 

"I was so thankful for all the things I learned, that my mother taught me," she said.

For six years, she worked for a teacher in Niobrara, cleaning the blackboards and doing other chores. She said the experience taught her a great deal, including the sport of volleyball. 

She married Earl McGee in 1944 and together they settled on a farm south of Creighton, where he raised sheep and she tended to 500 laying hens.

"He raised sheep because he didn't like cattle and he didn't like pigs," McGee said. 

The chickens kept her very busy between feeding and picking up eggs, which they sold in Neligh.

"I had to go out about thee times a day and get eggs," McGee said. "And I'd have a whole pail full."

The two sold their farm in the late 1960s and moved to a little house in Neligh, where she still resides. Although her husband died more than 20 years ago, McGee still lives independently. 

She spoke of the struggles she faced after his passing, knowing she would "have to do a man's work and a ladies work."

"But I had to do it," she said, "so I accepted my role and have been living here ever since."

McGee says she's been helped by many friends, neighbors and relatives and is grateful to them all. 

"I'm thankful for what I have," McGee said, "and that my good spirit guides me each and every day."

McGee said she never thought she'd make it to 107 and is thankful for every day she has. Eva is the fifth oldest living Nebraskan.

"I think I have done pretty well to have kept going by myself and that's the way I want it," she said.

McGee recounted much of her history, including her memories of the 9/11 tragedy, a day she spent with her sister. 

"I've seen a lot of things, some that didn't effect me, but the whole country," she said.

Despite the many hardships she went through, McGee remains positive and said she feels blessed.

"I've had many real happy things that happened to me, and that's what I live on now," McGee said. "As long as I am living, I have to make the most of it."