​Ira Berndt of Tiverton celebrates her 100th birthday

Ira Berndt says hard work and getting up every day with something to do, is the way to live a long and happy life.

And she should know as the Tiverton woman celebrates her 100th birthday on Monday.

Born Ira Belle Johnston at home on Concession 10 (former Kincardine Township), March 18, 1924, she is the daughter of George and Birdie (Bell) Johnston.

Since the family had no telephone, her father had to hook up the horse and cutter to go to another farm and call Dr. Tucker of Paisley who came, bringing a nurse with him. Ira remembers her mother saying that the clothesline was buried in snow at that time.

She grew up on her parents’ farm with her sisters, Eva (deceased in 1979), and Georgina (Don MacDermid) of Sauble Beach. They attended Egypt School, walking to the schoolhouse with other neighbourhood girls. In the winter, if it was heavy going, a farmer up the road would break a trail for them to walk in when he was going to do chores. There were about 30 pupils in the one-room school and they used slates, scribblers and blackboards.

At home, she and Georgina played a lot of catch and ante-over. She often attempted to ride one of the horses but it wanted nothing to do with her and always bucked her off.

Her mother was a hard worker, going to the barn to look after the hens, helping in the fields and milking cows. She also sewed all the girls’ clothes. Ira remembers her first store-bought coat, because with an older sister, she wore a lot of hand-me-downs. They lived off the farm at that time.

As a teenager, Ira worked for some rural families and then for the Malcolm family in Kincardine. She remembers polishing the silver in preparation for a dinner party.

“We didn’t have any brothers, so my sister and I were the hired help,” says Ira.



Ira Berndt (centre) greets family and friends at her 100th birthday party, Saturday afternoon, at Tiverton Park Manor

She met her husband, Louis Berndt, at a dance. It was wartime and the ladies in Glammis had fund-raisers that consisted of cards, a meal and then a dance. At that time, Louis was playing in a band. He played guitar, banjo and harmonica and they met at one of these functions.

They were married June 16, 1945, at the Berndt farm on Lot 17, Concession 4, Bruce Township. Together, they farmed this property, primarily milking cows, raising pigs and hens. In later years, they switched to beef cattle and pigs and growing crops to feed the livestock.

They moved into Tiverton Park Manor, Nov. 1, 2007. He died Sept. 7, 2008, but Ira continues to enjoy her home at the Manor where she has been a resident for the longest, and is the oldest at 100 years young!

Ira has three children: Ron and Beverly of Culross Township, Arnold and Roberta of Tiverton, and Sharon (Gary Woods) who passed away in 1995.

She also has seven grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

In honour of her 100th birthday, the family hosted a Come-and-Go, Saturday, March 16, in the activity room at Tiverton Park Manor. More than 100 family members and friends turned out to help her celebrate this special occasion.

So, how does it feel to be 100?

“I never really thought about being this old,” says Ira, with a laugh. “They take good care of me at Tiverton Park Manor.

“I get up every day and I’m so thankful that I can take care of myself and get out and do what I want to do!”



Ira Berndt (seated) of Tiverton Park Manor, with her sons, Ron (left) and Arnold



Ira Berndt gets ready to cut the cake at her 100th birthday celebration, Saturday afternoon, at Tiverton Park Manor