The Sun Sunnyvale's Newspaper Photograph by Skye Dunlap Marjorie Knapp whispers a few words to her mother, Amanda Loken, at a party in honor of Loken's 100th birthday. Staying active is key to her longevity By Justin Berton Sunnyvale resident Amanda Loken doesn't smoke, doesn't drink and has never received a speeding ticket. Never, not once. On Thursday, for the 100th time in her life, friends and family gathered to partake in the annual tradition of singing her "Happy Birthday." Though Loken will not officially turn 100 until Saturday, her fellow members in the Sunnyvale Bayview Seniors club chose their monthly meeting as a chance to show their affection for their centenarian friend. One admirer sang, Amanda, Amanda She's our ideal, On your 100th birthday We just wanted to show you How we feel "I've always kept myself busy," Loken said, shortly after her party concluded in the Presidential Ball Room at the Sunnyvale Community Center. "I've always done something with my time." Loken was born Jan. 23, 1899, in Fargo, N.D. She and Allen, her husband of 66 years, ran the Loken General Store until they sold it and moved to Los Angeles in 1946. Shortly after, Amanda Loken became a member in her first senior citizens' club. Loken was honored in 1982 for her 17 years of service as the tour chairman. Loken planned group tours worldwide, boasting that she kept costs reasonable for her peers and kept them fun, too. Ralph Contioso, who planned the birthday celebration, said Loken had a special touch when it came to organizing group trips. "Her patrons were always treated with individual bags of cookies and goodies, and [she] told humorous stories that kept them rushing for her tour sign-ups." Loken has guided tours to places such as Mexico, New Zealand, the Fiji Islands and Japan. "Japan was my favorite," she recalled. Closer to home, some of Amanda's friends in the club were astonished to see how strong she is at her age. "I tell her, 'It's real nice that you're turning 100,' " said fellow club member Bud Potosky. Potosky also calls the numbers for the club bingo games. Amanda, who has trouble with hearing at times, compliments Potosky on his distinct voice. "She tells me when I call [ out the bingo numbers], she can hear my voice real clear," he said. Loken's Sunnyvale Bayview Seniors' club is the city's largest club of senior citizens. She is the third Bayview member to become a centenarian. The club separated from the Sunnyvale Seniors after that group grew too large. But members from both clubs were on hand for the party, which drew more than 100 friends and family members. "My mother has spent her life helping other people," said daughter Marjorie, 75. Loken was escorted to the party by Sunnyvale Mayor Manuel Valerio. Some in attendance ribbed the mayor about his boyish looks, forcing Valerio to cough up his driver's license to prove he was of voting age. "I assure you," Valerio joked, "that I am old enough to drive a car." Amid the good humor and high spirits that punctuated the event, Loken gave her advice for living a full, long life. "Stay active," she said. [ Back to Contents Page | Sunnyvale Sun Home Page | Archives ] This article appeared in the Sunnyvale Sun, January 20, 1999. ©1999 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.