Someone celebrated 100 years of living on this great planet of ours. Gertie Lizak, a Lake Station resident, turned 100-years-old on March 21, 2016, the first day of spring. And this was appropriate because Gertie is filled with energy and verve.
Gertie’s party was at the Lake Station Senior Center the day after her birthday. This was actually her fourth party so Gertie was quite a celebrated woman.
"I never knew how amazing of a person she was until I met her that day," Patricia Hall, Outreach Coordinator for NorthShore Health Centers said. "I came in to do bone density screenings at the Lake Station Senior Center and I met her for the first time and it was at that point I realized how amazing this woman really was. To be able to live 100 years... Can you even imagine? I only hope that if I do live to be her age that I am is active and as alert as she is."
Gertie had signed up with NorthShore for a bone density screening that day. She knew that she needed to take care of her body and that NorthShore would help her with that using the many services that they offer.
As people age, their bodies go through bone loss. This is gradual, but if left unchecked, bones can become brittle and weak, leading to osteoporosis. Osteoporosis can lead to bone fractures, which cause pain, deformities, limited mobility, and unwelcome medical expenses.
Osteoporosis has no symptoms, so that’s where bone density tests come in. A bone density test measures how strong our bones are. They can alert someone about osteoporosis before a real problem occurs, and that someone can take preventative measures.
Gertie was smart to take preventative measures. In fact, she’s smart all around. She loves to garden, crochet, feed birds, bake and volunteer as much as she can at her church, St. Francis Xavier Church in Lake Station.
She enjoys the single life, too. When asked if she ever wants to get married again she replied with a laugh, “I don’t want any boys spending my money!”
What words of wisdom would Gertie like to impart as to leading a long and happy life?
“I take it one day at a time,” Gertie said. “I’ve always kept pretty busy. It’s nice to wake up every day and see the sun.”