(Karen Klenke photo) Luella R. Mendini is pictured with eight of her 10 children at her 100th birthday party. From left, in front are Diane Lindberg, Bruce Mendini and birthday girl Luella Mendini; in back are Ted Mendini, Berni Booher-Thacker, Mark Mendini, Martee Trepanier, Cris Hamlin and Kelly Mendini.

IRON MOUNTAIN — A gathering of family and friends took place to honor Luella R. Mendini on her 100th birthday Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021.

Luella was born in Crystal Falls on Aug. 31, 1921, the daughter of Binger and Anna (Zoll) Lindholm. The family moved to Iron Mountain’s Northside when she and her six siblings — Edwin, Bernard, Beatrice, Lucille, Arline and Harold — were young.

This beautiful event, which was a catered “Sunday Dinner,” was in Luther Hall of First Lutheran Church in Iron Mountain where Luella has been a member for more than 90 years. The décor for the event honored her Swedish heritage.

Luella became the bride of Camillo Mendini on Nov. 30, 1939, and they went on to be blessed with 10 children, six boys and four girls: Dan, Allen, Bruce, Diane, Ted, Cris, Mark, Martee, Kelly and Berni.

Luella is lovingly called “Gramma Nort’side” by many of her 23 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren and 10 great-great-grandchildren.

In her younger years, she found the time to be very active in her children’s school and church events.

She has continued to instill in all her children and grandchildren a faith-filled life. She also has a beautiful flower garden that is enjoyed by many as they go by her home.

Luella loves music and she passed that passion on to her children, not just by listening to music but by enjoying the dances at the Iron Mountain Senior Center and the C & R Bar with her friends and ice skating to music at the Northside and Eastside ice rinks.

She enjoyed keeping active well into her 90s with playing bocce (of which she won many trophies), water aerobics, walking and playing badminton at the camp with her children and grandchildren. Much laughter is shared at the camp.

Luella, or “Red” as her friends call her, was the first in her family to graduate from high school, a proud 1939 graduate of Iron Mountain High School. She treasures all the friends she has made over the years.

Luella greeted more than 100 family members and friends at the party and was truly happy to see everyone.