Hildegarde Lund

At age 104, Hildegarde Lund is believed to be University Heights' oldest resident. When she was born Dec. 29, 1906, in Cleveland, Theodore Roosevelt was president of the United States. She has lived through a total of 19 presidents and two world wars. She grew up on a farm in Kirtland, Ohio which now belongs to the Herb Society. Although hard of hearing, Lund is still alert and greeted Mayor Susan Infeld warmly Jan. 31, when Infeld visited Lund's home on Traymore Road to present her with a proclamation congratulating her on her recent birthday. The proclamation honored Lund as "an exemplary citizen" of the city, where she has lived at least 80 years, and described her as "a cheerful, pleasant, community-minded good neighbor to all and a convivial block-party participant." "She's a fighter; she's very feisty," said Rosina Lovelace, one of Lund's two caregivers at her home. "She has a strong personality." "She knows what she wants," added Kelly Strickland, Lund's other caregiver. "She enjoys very simple things; she doesn't complain." Lund was in reasonably good health until she suffered several bouts of pneumonia this past year, her caregivers said. The most recent episode was in January and caused her to be hospitalized for several days. On Traymore since 1937 She and her husband, Jeffery Lund, built and moved into their home on Traymore Road in 1937, according to building department records. The Lunds were married May 16, 1931, at Kirtland Congregational Church. According to the marriage certificate, Hildegarde, whose maiden name was Ulmann, was living on Ashurst Road in University Heights at the time. It is believed Jeffery Lund, an electrical engineer who was five years older than his wife, died May 17th, 1980, and ownership of the home on Traymore transferred to her name. The Lunds had no children. Hildegarde had two brothers: Michael, who had three children: Robert, Joni and Jim, all of Florida and Martin, who also had three children: Michael Ulmann of Mentor, Ohio and two sisters: Vera, who had one child who was a doctor in Kentucky, but has passed away. Vera married Ernest Conerth and Gertrude, who had two children: Norman of California and Eleanor of Bainbridge. Eleanor died two years ago and David Sawyer is her widower. Steven Loepprich was Gertrude's husband, Sawyer's late brother in-law. Russell Baron, a Cleveland Heights lawyer, was appointed Lund's guardian by the Probate Court of Cuyahoga County six years ago. 'Gracious and refined' Lund graduated from The Andrews School, now Andrews Osborne Academy, in Willoughby in 1925. She was a business major at what was then an all-girls boarding school. Lund went on to become president of the Andrews School Alumni Association and was a member of the school's alumni board for many years, said Barbara Whidden, a current board member. "She was a very articulate woman, gracious and refined, and meticulous in her dress," Whidden said. "She was a very energetic and enthusiastic person and just a delight to know." Lund received a special award for philanthropy from the Rev. Norman Vincent Peale, a minister and author of "The Power of Positive Thinking," many years ago, Whidden said. Every year for the past several years, the Andrews School Alumni Association has visited Lund at her home and presented her with a bouquet of flowers in recognition of her being the school's oldest living graduate, Whidden said. "She was very generous to Andrews School," Whidden said. "We need more Hildegardes in the world to show us about life." Lund worked as an accountant for General Motors and was an active member of Fairmount Presbyterian Church in Cleveland Heights for many years. Stepfather was 'marshal' Lund's stepfather, George Zakel, was marshal Ñ the equivalent of police chief Ñ of Idlewood Village in the 1920s, according to University Heights Police Chief Gary Stehlik. Zakel later became police chief when Idlewood changed its name to University Heights in 1925, when John Carroll University moved to its current location. Lovelace said until recently, Lund was able to walk the stairs in her home and often walked up and down her street. "She enjoyed gardening and exercising," Lovelace said. Strickland said watching her diet over the years has likely helped Lund to live a long life. "She avoided fatty foods and didn't overindulge," Strickland said, adding Boston Market was among her favorite restaurants. Walter Stinson, the city's senior services manager, was also on hand when Infeld presented Lund with her proclamation. When Stinson approached Lund afterward, she called him by name and thanked him for coming. "She's quite a lady," Stinson said. Credit to Ed Wittenberg, Sun News


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