‘Just wonderful’: Missouri woman celebrates turning 90 with skydiving

MILLER, Mo. ( KODE ) — They say age is just a number, and when you are nearly 100, you start checking items off your bucket list.

“You’re kind of close to heaven while you’re up there,” said Eleanor Mann.

About 10,000 feet closer, to be exact.

And for Mann, her 90th birthday seemed like a great chance to experience this thrilling ride one more time — she already went once, about 20 years ago.

Mann promised herself she would do it again if she lived to be 90.

“I just thought it was an interesting thing to do, and I loved it. Before just floating down through the air, it was just wonderful,” said Mann.

So she geared up, parachute set, ready to jump out of a perfectly good airplane.

Her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were cheering her on until she stuck the landing.

“We love it. As much as we enjoy sharing the sport with everybody, we love to see those folks come out. It’s kind of a special thing for them,” said Bryan Wolford, owner of Ozarks Skydive Center. “And when we can share it with somebody at 90, that’s pretty pretty neat.”

Wolford told Nexstar’s KODE the oldest person they’ve had jump was 96.

Mann said she’s glad she got to enjoy this year’s adventure with support from her family.

“Well, [it’s] a blessing that they love me so much that they would take their time and drive so far,” said Mann. “I just appreciate it so much.”

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