Friends, family honor Celeste Menees

A retired Puxico, Mo., businesswoman observed her 100th birthday Thursday with more than 40 friends and relatives in the activity room of Chateau Girardeau Health Center.

"This is great," said Celeste Menees, who operated the Puxico Mercantile Store for more than 60 years before moving to Chateau Girardeau retirement community in the late 1980s. "It means so much to me. I appreciate you all."

Menees was born Jan. 10, 1902.

On hand for the celebration were Joan Detmer, a niece, and her husband, Carl Detmer of St. Louis; and Kenneth Kleeman, a nephew, and his wife, Connie Kleeman of Hoyleton, Ill.

A brother, Alton Sutter of Cape Girardeau, was unable to attend the party.

Stopping by to offer birthday greetings were the Rev. Clayton Smith, pastor of Centenary United Methodist Church of Cape Girardeau, and numerous neighbors from Chateau Girardeau.

Providing the birthday music were Dr. Earl Johnson, a resident of Chateau Girardeau Estates, and his daughter, Tina Johnson.

"Celeste is a delight here," said Joyce Stacy, activities director at Chateau Girardeau.

Menees obtained the Puxico Mercantile Store from her father in the early 1920s. She owned and operated the store through the mid-1980s, when she sold it to her brother and moved to Cape Girardeau.