Mayor declares Marion Peck Day in honor of 101-year-old SilverSneakers finalist

In recognition of the many accomplishments of 101-year-old Navy veteran Marion Wieland Peck, Le Sueur Mayor Shawn Kirby delivered a mayoral proclamation on Monday declaring Oct. 3 Marion Wieland Peck Day.

The day will serve to recognize Peck’s lifelong commitment to fitness, wellness and community service. The local centenarian’s devotion to healthy living was recently recognized by SilverSneakers, with the national fitness program naming her a finalist for SilverSneaker’s 20th annual Member of the Year award.

For more than 40 years, Peck has been a regular at SilverSneakers classes at the Le Sueur Community Center, attending the hour-long sessions three to four times a week.

Peck was also recognized by the city for her service in the US Navy during World War II. In 1943, she became the first woman from Le Sueur to enlist in the military, serving in the payroll office of the Naval Midshipman School at the University of Notre Dame at the age of 20.

Speaking from his experience as funeral director at Kolden Funeral Homes, Kirby said Peck has spent many years volunteering to play taps during funerals for veterans. Noting that Peck remains active beyond her years, he recalled walking out of church one winter day to see her confidently walking across the ice.

”I was amazed at the grace you had walking over the ice,” Kirby told Peck at Monday’s City Council meeting. “You walked over the ice like Christ did on water, so I was really amazed at how well you do on ice at 100 years old.”

From 6-7 p.m. on Oct. 3, SilverSneakers will be throwing a party for Peck at American Legion Park, weather permitting. If the weather is poor, the festivities will be held in the Merrick Room at the Le Sueur Community Center.