The Search Is On for the Oldest South Dakotan

Anyone lucky enough to live to 100 deserves to be celebrated.

It is such a rare occurrence that only about one-quarter of one percent of Americans ever get to be a centenarian.

The most recent numbers (from 2021) show that out of nearly 370 million people in the nation, less than 90,000 are 100 years of age or older.

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Now, one local organization is working on a very special honor for a South Dakota centenarian.

The South Dakota Health Care Association (SDHCA) is trying to identify the state's oldest living person for the 2023 Centenarian of the Year award and they need your help.

The SDHCA is looking for the names of any South Dakota residents born in 1914 or earlier, making that person at least 109 years old.

They are also attempting to recognize all South Dakotans aged 100 or older for the South Dakota Health Care Association's Century Club. The club is free to join, and each inductee receives a specially designed, framed certificate and membership card.

Since it was founded in 1997, the Century Club has inducted over 1,400 members.

You can an application to the Century Club online by providing the nominee's name and birthdate, and photo, as well as other personal information like:

• Number of Children
• Number of Grandchildren
• Number of Great Grandchildren
• Number of Great Great Grandchildren
• Hobbies
• Favorite Foods
• Advice To Others Who Wish To live Long And Rewarding Lives
• Advice From Your Parents Or Grandparents That Stands Out In Your Mind?