100-Year-Old Greenfield Resident Share's Secret of Life

Geraldine Brusk says the secret of life is taking one day at a time and being happy with what you have.

Geraldine, who turns 100 years old Saturday, May 25, was treated to a short reception at the Cloisters of Greenfield condominium atrium Friday to celebrate her birthday.

Greenfield Mayor Michael Neitzke, Greenfield Fire Chief Jon Cohn, Milwaukee Fire Chief Mark Rohfling and members from both departments paid a visit to Geraldine, whose late husband Elmer was a Milwaukee firefighter for 40 years before retiring as a captain in 1976.

Geraldine was born May 25, 1913. She and Elmer, who died 18 years ago, had two children, Joanne and John, 12 grandchildren, six great-grand children and five great-great-grandchildren.

Geraldine worked in the war effort in WWII and was the first female inspector in a steel mill in Milwaukee. She also worked at Schuster's for 25 years.

She and her husband were original owners at the Cloisters of Greenfield, where Geraldine still lives after buying a unit there with Elmer in 1975.