Menifee resident Marcella Rusch celebrates 105th birthday

Marcella Rusch, who turns 105 on Sunday, was visited by Menifee Mayor Neil Winter and family members in her Sun City home. Menifee 24/7 photo: Kristen Spoon

Marcella Rusch was born on March 26, 1912 -- about three weeks before the sinking of the Titanic, to put it in perspective.

She's still with us today, and will celebrate her 105th birthday Sunday in the residential care facility in which she lives in the Sun City community in Menifee. She is believed to be the oldest living resident of Menifee.

As family members and her caretakers prepared for her birthday party, Mayor Neil Winter dropped by on Saturday with flowers and well wishes for Rusch, who has lived in Sun City for 45 years. Her husband of 59 years, Walter, passed away several years ago, but Rusch didn't slow down. According to her son Morris, she played golf on North Course regularly until the age of 96 and took walks without assistance daily until she was 103.

As visitors surrounded her bed on Saturday, Rusch smiled and clapped her hands in joy. She smiled even bigger as those in the room sang Happy Birthday to her, joined by Menifee residents watching on a live Facebook feed on Menifee 24/7. As of Saturday night, about 9,500 people had viewed the video of the live broadcast, with more than 1,000 people posting "likes" and more than 250 people leaving birthday wishes in the comments section.

Rusch was born in South Dakota on a farm that had no running water or electricity.

"Everything was natural," her son said. "She was living organic before the word was used. She was very careful to take care of herself."

A teacher at one point in her life, Rusch remained active in retirment in Sun City. She was president of the Woman's Golf Club and the Woman's Club. She was honored by the Menifee City Council on her 100th birthday five years ago.

Although she didn't say much on Saturday, when asked if she was enjoying the birthday visit, she said, "I certainly am."

Here is a recording of Saturday's Facebook Live broadcast: