After living 103 years there probably isn't much that could surprise Emma Grief of Perham, but a birthday party thrown for her Thursday surprised her.
Grief, who now lives at the Prairie View Group Home, told friends that she wished she could have a party to mark her 103rd birthday. When Joanne Flom, who lives just a few houses away from Grief, heard about her wanting to have a birthday party she agreed to hold the event at her home.
After all the arrangements were made, Grief was surprised a day before the event to learn about the party.
"It was a big surprise," said Grief. "I didn't know anything about it."
Where else but in Perham would people who did not know or barely knew Grief would agree to throw a party for someone who is 103 years young?
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Besides the surprise of the party, Grief was also surprised when she received flowers from the city. Another surprise awaited her at the party - who was in attendance. The mayor, a member of the city council and the city's chief of police took time out of their busy days to attend and wish Grief a happy day.
Grief, who is a 1926 graduate of Perham High School, attributes her long life to "eating three square meals a day and getting to bed early each night."
Grief lost her husband Leo about 29 years ago, but says she still has many good friends.
Flom, who hosted the party, and prepared many of the goodies, did not want to give herself credit for the event.
"We just wanted to make her (Grief) happy," said Flom. "That's all the recognition we need."
