Former Ekalaka resident celebrates 100th

Ione (Parks) Anderson was born in Ekalaka, June 19, 1924 to Jess and Marie Parks. On Wednesday, Anderson celebrated her 100th birthday.

Anderson's family lived on a homestead in the Chalk Buttes where she attended grade school. Her family eventually moved into Ekalaka on the property Dean and Gloria Parks now reside at.

"Her lifestyle was not easy. It was a rugged, tough existence," said her son-in-law Jim Stoltz about her early years on the homestead.

Anderson then moved to Edgemont, South Dakota where she worked for the Army Corps of Engineers and drove Italian prisoners of war in a bus to work at the defense plant during World War II. She was a career woman and worked hard well past retirement age.

Current Ekalaka resident Dean Parks is Anderson's younger brother. Anderson graduated from Carter County High School in 1943. She now resides in Billings with her husband Dave and continues to enjoy a healthy life.

Happy 100th, Ione!