West Michigan woman turns 110

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - A Grand Rapids woman is celebrating her 110th birthday Wednesday.

Helen Lettinga was born Feb. 6, 1903 and has lived in West Michigan all her life. She is among the oldest people in the nation and may be the oldest in Kent County.

Lettinga is still mobile, talkative and cracking jokes at 110. While many would marvel at her age, she doesn't seem to.

The world has changed drastically in Lettinga's lifetime. She was born before World War I started, lived through the Great Depression and World War II.

She also witnessed women's suffrage firsthand.

"Everybody was against it," she recalled.

And though she has watched technology move forward in leaps and bounds in recent years, she said she doesn't need a computer.

"I don't know the first thing about them," she said.

She has seen incredible things shape the world, but what Lettinga sees as life's most incredible moments are the simpler ones.

"I guess probably getting married is the most exciting," she said.

So what's the secret to living to be a supercentarian?

"I have no idea," Lettinga told 24 Hour News 8. "Taking care of yourself. Do as best you can."

She has lived a long life and there is no telling how much longer she has to go.

"How do I want to be remembered? It depends on the person who knew me," she said.

And at 110, that is many people.