ALAMOSA — Valley residents celebrated a special kind of birthday on Friday, May 18. Six people were honored at Adams State University for turning 100 years old, or older, within the past year and received a special certificate signed by Gov. John Hickenlooper marking the occasion.

Hosted by the Colorado Commission on Aging, the centenarian event tours the state each year. Last year it was in Greeley and in 2016 was in Durango.

Before recognizing each centenarian, CCOA Chair Jody Barker read aloud Hickenlooper’s signed proclamation designating May 18 as Centenarians Day.

“Colorado’s centenarians, during their long and productive lifetimes, demonstrated in countless ways their dedication to the welfare of others and have earned the respect and affection from people from all walks of life,” read Barker.

Colorado Commission on Aging Chair Jody Barker reads Gov. John Hickenlooper’s proclamation declaring May 18 at Centenarians Day during CCOA’s luncheon on Friday. The annual event honors Coloradoans who recently turned 100 years old or older.

“The Centenarians we today honor have played a vital role throughout their lives by positively influencing their families and friends and by bringing goodness and kindness to Coloradans everyday.”

Alamosa resident Ferris Malouff, pictured above with his children Karl Malouff and Andrea Rydgren and who celebrated turning 101 just days before the centenarian luncheon, was honored first. He was born in Trinidad after his grandparents emigrated from Lebanon and moved to Alamosa in his 20s for a fresh start.

He was married to Virginia Malouff for 70 years before she passed away in 2017 and the two had four children who went to Adams State University along with eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Ferris opened the Sands restaurant in 1957 and before that he ran the R&M Cafe, both located on Main Street. Ferris is also a Korean War veteran and one of the oldest Elks members in the region.

Ophelia Espinoza, 102, also worked in the restaurant business for 20 years. Born in La Sauses, she lived in Fort Garland for most of her life with her husband Joe Espinoza. Currently she spends most of her time singing, playing bingo and spending time with her three children.

Debra Herrera, left, from the Colorado Commission on Aging, reads from a certificate that honors Ophelia Espinoza at Friday’s centenarian event. Espinoza, 102, has lived in Fort Garland for most of her life.

The final presentation highlighted the life of 101-year-old Monte Vista resident Blanche Krell. Born and raised in Fort Pierre, South Dakota, she graduated as the valedictorian of her high school in 1934. After moving to Mitchell, South Dakota for business school she worked at the local Ford Motor Company and met her husband Sylvester, a mechanic, there. They married in 1945 after he returned home from World War II and they raised three children. She would periodically work for a local Catholic grade school, managing the library and helping students with their reading—a service she provided until her mid-90s.

When Sylvester died at the age of 101 in January Blanche moved to Monte Vista to be with her daughter. In her spare time she sends letters to family and friends across the country.

Connie Ring from the Colorado Commission on Aging, left, gives Blanche Krell, centenarian certificate at Adams State University on Friday. Krell, 101, grew up in Fort Pierre, South Dakota but now lives in Monte Vista.

Not present at the event, but still recognized, were Cora Hribar and Joseph Clark. Hribar, 101, grew up on a family ranch near Rouse. In 1946 she married her husband Jake and they’ve raised two children, eight grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and two great-great granddaughters. Her favorite pastimes were working on their ranch and taking care of the animals along with making applesauce, baking bread and cooking with wild ingredients.

Joseph Clark, 101, grew up in Sargent and worked on his father’s farm. He spent 19 months in the Southwest Pacific with the Army Air Corps during World War II as a typist and cryptographer. After the war he worked odd jobs in Salida.

Clark married twice and has one son from his first wife and three from his current wife. He enjoys gardening, fishing and playing cards.

Charles Elliott was listed in the program, but didn’t attend and the CCOA didn’t receive his biography.