100-year-old visits Aase Haugen

Aase Haugen Home residents on Wednesday got a visit from someone who is more than 100 years old.

"Anna Belle" was the focus of attention on Wednesday--at a program given by Phyllis Leseth of Decorah about antique dolls.  The German-made doll was owned by Leseth's mother and is over 100 years old.

Like anyone that age, Anna Belle has had some problems.  Once the doll fell off a shelf in a closet, landing on its head.  The doll was sent to a "doll hospital," where is head was glued back together.  It also got new hair--although the replacement hair was black, turning her into what Leseth's daughter, Cam Forde of Decorah, refers to as "a dark Norwegian."

Then there was the time Anna Belle's shoes needed fixing.  The doll was taken to former Decorah shoe repairman Jim Burreson, who used a few stitches to make the shoes just like new.

Leseth says Anna Belle has spent much of her life sitting in a rocking chair that originally belonged to Clara Hoyt of Decorah.  She says there's a reason for that--"the chair is very comfortable."