TOP MONTANA RIDES MOTORIST TIPS NEWS
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By ROB CHANEY of the Missoulian
Posted: Saturday, August 15, 2009 11:30 pm
Centenarian Helen Self gets a tour of downtown Missoula on the back of son-in-law Dwayne Fowler’s Harley Classic motorcycle Saturday to celebrate her 100th birthday.
The last time Helen Self got on a Harley-Davidson motorcycle was five years ago. But after a spin around downtown Missoula Saturday morning, she was ready to commit.
"I'm learning how to ride now," Self said as she climbed off her stepson Dwayne Fowler's Harley. "I think I'll buy one."
It could be a birthday present. Self has about 30 relatives in town this weekend, ready to party for her 100th birthday. They've come from Hawaii to Alabama, with Fowler and his wife Marsha motoring down from Wasilla, Alaska. They've come to see the girl who remembers riding to dates in Missoula on horseback from Lolo.
"She can still dance the night away," said son-in-law Bill Gunter. "I'm 77 and I can't keep up with her."
Monday is Self's birthday, and Mayor John Engen has proclaimed it Helen Self Day in her honor. The family was braced for 200 guests at an open house and dance in the Orchard Homes Country Life Club Saturday night, followed by a barbecue for 30 or 40 at grandson Rob Reesman's house on Sunday.
There should be plenty of stories from the woman who remembers her parents' covered wagon, the enactment and repeal of Prohibition, cleaning aircraft parts in a World War II factory in Bremerton, Wash., and the passenger train that used to run between Hamilton and Missoula. She rode it to the big city when she was 14 to look for work door to door. Shortly thereafter, she was the first nurse's aide employed at the Northern Pacific Hospital, then spent 10 years at Eddy's Bakery. Another decade was spent working at the Press Radio Club, where the Top Hat now operates.
Self was the youngest of nine siblings. Brother Joe lived to 101, and she's planning to beat his mark. Two other sisters made it into their 90s, but the rest passed in their 60s. She said there isn't much of a secret to long health except to keep living.
Since she outlived three husbands, Self's extended family had a lot of introductions to make amongst themselves as they watched her take a black-leather ride through downtown Missoula Saturday morning. Grandson Casey Gunter asked if it would be OK to put her picture on his Web site. She said it was fine, and asked him to mention she was single.
And busy. Self lives with her granddaughter, Diane Gunter, and helps the younger woman look after five children. She does most of the cooking and laundry.
"Diane has one more year studying at the university," she said. "I'm hoping to live to see her through, and then I'm going to pass out. I'll be standing up going down."
Reporter Rob Chaney can be reached at 523-5382, or .
