Watertown woman is S.D.’s oldest living resident   

Adelia “Dea” Thorn is an amazing 108 years old. Born in January 1918, she holds the distinction of being the oldest current member of the South Dakota Health Care Association’s Century Club.                     

Born in Faulkton to Clark and Maud Thorn, she grew up in a lively household with six siblings: sisters, Winnie Chase, Norma Sievers, Fay Thorn, and Coralea Richmond, and brothers. Bert and Earl. She graduated from Henry High School in 1936.

In 1942, Dea moved to Minneapolis, where she built a long and dedicated career at Woolworth’s, working there for 39 years before returning to Watertown in 2002, where she currently lives at Jenkins Living Center. Known for her humor and independence, Dea often joked that her remarkable longevity might be due to never marrying.

Family has always been an important part in Dea’s life. She is cherished by her goddaughter and POA, Paulette Hanlon, Paulette’s husband Mike, and 14 nieces and nephews who adore her.

Throughout her life, Dea has had many vibrant interests. She was an avid reader and a passionate bowler, spending many winters on the lanes with her sister Fay, where the two were known not only for their enthusiasm but for their skills. Together, Dea and Fay also traveled extensively, visiting family and friends across numerous states and cities.

The South Dakota Health Care Association created the Century Club to recognize South Dakotans aged 100 or older, both for their longevity and their contributions to our state. Nearly 1,500 South Dakotans have been inducted into the Century Club since its founding in 1997. The Century Club is, as its name states, a club. Therefore, there may be older people in the state that have not yet been inducted by a family member or loved one into the Century Club. The Century Club is open to any resident of South Dakota upon the celebration of his or her 100th birthday. There are no dues, and each inductee receives a specially designed certificate and membership card. Once a year, the current oldest living Century Club member is recognized as the “Centenarian of the Year.” Submit names for the Century Club by visiting www.sdhca.org and downloading a Century Club application or call LuAnn Severson, Century Club coordinator, at 1-800-952-3052.