At 9 a.m. on a Tuesday at Le Sueur Community Center, KrisAnn Krause was working on getting her SliverSneakers® class fired up.
Talking over an upbeat playlist of ’60s pop hits, she asked the class of 25 older adults to greet her with a “good morning.” Unsatisfied with the response, she turned to a veteran of the class, Marion Peck. Peck pursed her lips and shook her head in disapproval. So Krause asked again, this time getting a much more enthusiastic reaction.
“She brings that energy into the room, that motivation,” says Krause, a fitness professional who has led courses and coached in Le Sueur for 14 years. “We’ll always look to Marion when something isn’t good enough, and she helps us do it better. In class, we try to emphasize that age is just a number, and she really is an amazing example of that.”
For Peck, a nominee for SilverSneakers Member of the Year in 2024, that number is a remarkable 101 — though you’d never guess it from the way she carries herself and lives her life. Still fully independent, she is committed to staying active and healthy, enjoying each day to the fullest and serving as an inspiration for others to do the same.
Maintaining Mobility
The SilverSneakers Classic class that KrisAnn Krause leads at the Le Sueur Community Center focuses on simple exercises to boost and manage mobility. Participants use chairs, light weights and resistance bands to help with everyday movements, like getting up from a seated position or avoiding tripping hazards.
We incorporate that reasoning into the class, to explain why we’re lifting our toes — to be able to step over a curb — or why we’re reaching over our head — to be able to pull stuff off the top shelf,” Krause says.
Everyone is welcome and activities can be modified for anyone at any age or ability. It’s an excellent opportunity for members who are just getting started with an exercise routine, or those who want to stay mobile and independent as they get older.
SilverSneakers is included in your health plan.
Keys to longevity
When asked about her secret to healthy aging, Peck shrugs and says it’s likely a combination of factors — genetics, regular exercise, eating a balanced diet and staying social.
“I’m sure it’s probably a lot of things,” she says. “I’ve lived most of my life in a small town; I had a good upbringing, good food, no real worries, a good family and I was always busy with something.”
Research agrees that many elements influence healthy aging. Though genetics are beyond our control, other factors can help ensure good health and a long life. According to the National Institute on Aging, here are a few core considerations:
Physical activity is vital for both feeling well and staying healthy. Whether you engage in short bursts of activity throughout the day or carve out some dedicated time for daily exercise, it’s important to get moving.
Many chronic conditions, such as type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure, are linked to obesity. Both obesity and being underweight can lead to loss of muscle mass, contributing to feelings of weakness and fatigue, and increasing risk of falls and fractures.
Peck participates in the SilverSneakers Classic class four times a week. The class focuses on simple, low-impact movements that help with mobility and everyday activities, such as standing up from a chair, avoiding tripping hazards, pushing a vacuum cleaner and reaching into cupboards. Several other classes are available at different fitness levels.
“I want to be there; I like being with my friends,” Peck says of her participation, which dates back to when KrisAnn started teaching the class 14 years ago. “And I just like to be moving. If I get bored, I’ll start walking down the halls.
Did you know?
The number of Americans ages 100 and older is expected to quadruple during the next three decades.
SOURCE: U.S. CENSUS BUREAU
Proud to Serve
Since high school, Marion Peck wanted to serve in the military. So when the Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES) program was created in the early 1940s, she enlisted. She served stateside in the Navy during WWII and considers it among the greatest honors and periods of her life. Today, Marion is a member of the local American Legion and plays the bugle during services for area veterans.
Healthy eating is important not only for maintaining a healthy weight but also for preventing certain conditions and improving brain health. The 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend a diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats and lean proteins like chicken and turkey breast.
Peck starts each day with cereal and juice, and she eats a banana daily. Her lunch and dinner routines are less consistent, but she always has balanced meals. She makes sure to eat even though she has less of an appetite than she used to.
Sleep is also essential for good health. Older adults should aim for seven to nine hours of sleep per night. Insufficient sleep can lead to irritability, depression, forgetfulness and an increased risk of falls or other accidents. Factors like pain and medications can impact sleep quality, so be sure to consult your doctor if you’re having trouble sleeping.
Peck has this covered. “I sleep like a log from evening to morning,” she says, noting that she typically gets 10–12 hours of sleep each night.
Staying social, engaged and living with a sense of purpose can help manage mood, stress, depression and other mental health issues. Research has shown that older adults who are socially isolated are at a higher risk for heart disease, cognitive decline and other conditions.
Staying active and engaged have been important to Peck throughout her life. She served in the U.S. Navy during WWII and stayed in touch with her fellow servicewomen throughout the years. She has traveled to 72 different countries, doing volunteer work in many of them. She meets friends for coffee every day. She plays bridge most afternoons and joins a group for Sunday dinners at local restaurants.
A mother of five, Peck is also a grandmother and great-grandmother who loves spending time with each generation. At home, she enjoys reading, particularly books with international intrigue. She also likes movies, with one of her all-time favorites being “Lost Horizon,” an action/fantasy film from 1936.
Seeing your doctor for annual physicals, annual wellness visits, vaccinations and preventive screenings is another good way to stay ahead of chronic conditions.
Peck has never missed an annual physical and has kept up with her health screenings.
She has been fortunate to live a life free of major health complications. Although she had a knee replacement at age 100, she said she recovered quickly and experienced minimal pain.
Lifelong Learning
Throughout her life, Marion Peck has pursued her passions and maintained a keen interest in learning new things. She took flying lessons, learned how to paint, traveled the world and attended four different universities before earning a degree in Open Studies from Mankato State University at the age of 77. “I enjoyed art history the most,” Peck says. “I got a lot more out of my travels because of what I learned in art history.
Live with purpose
Doing something that provides real meaning to your life can be great for your health. Research has shown that people who live with a strong sense of purpose tend to adopt healthier lifestyles and live longer.
SOURCE: MAYO CLINIC
Looking ahead
Even at 101, Peck says she’s still looking ahead and has plans for future adventures. She wants to go to Egypt, one of the few places she hasn’t yet visited. She understands her limits but maintains an adventurous spirit. If the U.S. Navy would accept someone who is 101, she says she’d be on an aircraft carrier tomorrow.
The hardest part of growing older, Peck notes, has been losing many friends and family members along the way. That includes her husband, who she met in the Navy decades ago. Despite these losses, she has always kept a positive outlook. Plus, she has no shortage of friends and admirers in her community. Earlier this year, Le Sueur Mayor Shawn Kirby went so far as to declare October 3 Marion Peck Day.
“Since we’re such a small town, it is pretty easy to know everyone,” says Jennifer Trimbo, recreation programming specialist at Le Sueur Community Center. She partnered with Krause to nominate Peck for the SilverSneakers award. “When you get to be up in that age and you’re still doing everything on your own, you’re pretty famous. She’s a great motivator for everyone.”
But Peck doesn’t show up to her workouts for the fame.
“Oh my gosh, I get up in the morning and there are always things to do and people to see,” she exclaims. “I just love to live.”
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