Philisene Probasco celebrates 105th birthday

Philisene Probasco lived in a world, or rather a time that most of us have never seen. She walked home from school in the dirt storms of the Dirty Thirties. She saw the men in her family go off to fight in World War II. She remembers learning to drive in a '49 Ford coupe.

Philisene celebrated her 105th birthday at Ascension Living Via Christi Village in Hays on Thursday, September 28th, with her surrounded by her family, who also gathered on Saturday for another celebration.

Philisene was born and raised in Stockton, Kansas.

The school sent the children home early one day because a dirt storm was coming in. Her brothers' school was closer to home, but Probasco recalls struggling to get home as the storm hit.

'I had a heck of a time getting from the west end of Stockton,' she said.

She said the dirt storms were terrible. They scared her. Her grandmother put wet bath towels at the bottom of the north-facing window to keep the dust from blowing in the house.

Her parents struggled during the Depression with four children at home to feed.

Her husband, Carl, was nine years her senior, and she met him when her parents threw her a party for her 16th birthday.

'We kind of eyed each other up good,' she said, 'and ended up getting married.'

Carl courted Philisene for four years.

He was patient and waited until Philisene was 20 before the two married.

The family lived on a farm west of Stockton. Probasco, the daughter of a truck driver, had lived in town as a child, but on the farm, she learned to milk cows, dress chickens and drive a tractor.

When Carl and Philisene were married, Philisene didn't know how to drive. The two loaded up in their '49 Ford coupe, and Philisene drove down a dirt road to the “crick” and back. Carl insisted that she learn because he didn't want to drive her to church on Sunday anymore. Philisene and her daughter both chuckled as they recalled the story.

Philisene attended St. Thomas Catholic Church in Stockton, where she originally attended Mass in Latin.

Although Carl did not serve in World War II, both of her brothers, Carl's brother and one of Philisene uncles, all served in the Armed Forces. Fortunately, all came home alive.

Carl and Philisene worked on the farm through the war, feeding themselves and others through their work.

Neither of the Probasco children was born in a hospital.

Her son, George, was born at home, and her daughter, Barbara, was born at a nursery run by a local midwife. Barbara weighed nine pounds. Her mother, the midwife and two local doctors attended the birth and were finally were able to deliver Barbara. Philisene almost bled to death.

To pass the time on the farm, the couple played cards with friends.

Carl and Philisene owned a camper and loved to travel. They traveled across the country and Canada, although Philisene said their favorite spot was Webster Lake, located west of Stockton.

'We did [have a lot of adventures],' she said. 'We really enjoyed life.'

When they went to Canada, they were told they couldn't cross the border because Carl had a gun in the camper. They parked the camper, stowed the gun in the camper and went into Canada with bedding that they used to sleep in the bed of the pickup.

Philisene made scores of quilts and crocheted afghans, as well as did handy work until her eyesight deteriorated.

'Everyone in the family has a quilt and an afghan,' Barbara said.

That family continues to grow. Philisene has one grandson, three granddaughters, two great-granddaughters and one great-grandson.

On Saturday, all of her grandchildren were in Hays to celebrate her 105th birthday.

She said she thinks the younger family members are all doing well so far, and she encourages them to be happy.

'They're stayin' out of trouble,' she said.

Philisene has been a resident at Via Christi in Hays for years now. When she was in assisted living, she walked more than 100 miles with the aid of a walker. A staff member helped her measure the distance in the halls, and Philisene kept a daily log of her progress.

She walked until her knees gave out. Today, she has to use a wheelchair. Her eyesight has further deteriorated. However, her daughter said she still loves to talk about the comings and goings of her hometown of Stockton. She still remembers much of her life on the farm.

For years, even in nursing care, she has kept up on the commodity prices and the weather via radio. She said the weather has changed significantly since she was on the farm. She expressed the need for rain and her sadness at the recent fires that affected so many area farmers.

Although it's difficult to read because of her eyesight, she listens to audiobooks.

She said she sleeps soundly through the night. Her daughter laughed. 'I don't sleep that good,' Barbara said.

Philisene said she never thought she would live to be 105 years old. Her husband, who was almost a decade older, died 20 years ago. They were married 64 1/2 years.

Philisene said she has no idea what has helped her achieve such longevity.

'When my husband got to 94, I thought that was wonderful,' she said, 'and here I am clear up to 105. It's hard to believe. I feel great.'

(Taken from the October 2nd Hays Post written by Cristina Janney. The Stockton Sentinel wanted to print the story in its entirety to celebrate Philisene and “A Life Well Lived.”)