Centenarian Honored for a Lifetime of Kindness at the Annual Snowfall Ball
At The Preserve of Roseville, four extraordinary residents were formally knighted by the Royal Guard of the Saint Paul Winter Carnival at the senior living community’s annual Snowfall Ball.
Among the honorees was 100-year-old Katie Wright, who was celebrated for her century of kindness.
For Wright, the honor was a complete surprise. Her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and longtime friends were in attendance, having carefully guarded the secret until the Royal Family entered in full regalia.
The Winter Carnival has long been woven into Wright’s life story, making the moment the ceremonial sword gently tapped her shoulders deeply meaningful to her. Growing up, her family faithfully attended Carnival festivities, and her longtime employer — where she worked for 43 years as the company’s very first employee — once served as the Carnival’s King Boreas, the mythical “King of the Winds.”
To be knighted by the very tradition she cherished for decades brought back a flood of memories.
Keeper of Fellowship
Wright’s certificate honored her as a “Centurion, Keeper of Fellowship and Bearer of the Weekly Blessings of Donuts” because each week, after attending church, she returns to The Preserve with bags of cookies, donuts, and cakes to share with her neighbors. She makes her rounds with purpose, ensuring everyone feels welcome and enjoys something sweet.
For her, generosity isn’t a chore — it’s instinctive. Raised in a small Minnesota town during difficult economic times, that spirit was formed early.
“When mom was a little girl, she came home from school, and she didn’t have her mittens,” explains Wright’s daughter Kimberly. “And her mother, my grandma, said, ‘Katherine, where are your mittens?’ And she said, ‘Well, I have pockets, but there was this girl at school who didn’t have any mittens, and she didn’t have any pockets. So, I gave her my mittens.’ Mom’s always just been that kind of person, always giving to everybody.”
Her positive attitude has made making new friends at The Preserve easy, though she still goes to her church and maintains friends in the greater community, too. After living in her longtime home for 73 years, Wright decided to make the move to The Preserve after a fall made the stairs unsafe. Her family searched carefully for somewhere that would feel personal and attentive — not simply a residence, but a home.
“My husband, my brother, and I looked at various communities, but they just didn’t seem very personal,” explains Kimberly. “And then we came here, and everyone was just fabulous.”
From that first meeting, staff members at The Preserve have made the transition feel easy and welcoming.
“I watched both of my grandmas be in facilities, and I didn’t want that kind of life for mom,” Kimberly continues. “She’s so happy with the friends she’s made here and knows everybody by name. And she’ll talk about all the different aides who come in and are so caring.”
“They are so gentle with me,” Wright says.
“Hearing that brings tears to my eyes, because I am just so thankful,” her daughter says.
Honoring Four Remarkable Residents
Wright was not alone in being honored by the Royal Guard at the Snowfall Ball. Fellow centenarian Bob Bernards was also knighted as a national treasure. Residents Aleina Lorenz and Bob Houck were recognized for their outstanding volunteerism and for giving their time and compassion to fellow residents in need.
Together, the four honorees represent the very best of life at The Preserve at Roseville: longevity, wisdom, warmth, and connection.
When asked the secret to a long, happy life, Wright offered simple advice.
“Just be a caring person.”
Learn More
The Snowfall Ball is just one of The Preserve of Roseville’s beloved special events. The community offers its residents a full schedule of activities, games, classes, parties, performances, club meetings, and trips to enjoy at their own pace.
To see if The Preserve is a good fit for you or a loved one, visit https://preserveofroseville.com/community-info/ or call 952-952-6720 to schedule a tour.