AUBURN, Wash. — Frances (Lumbert) Hren came to America at the age of 13 with her mother, Josephine Lumbert. They came from [the part of] Austria, which became [Jugoslavia, and then] Slovenia at the beginning of WWI, aboard the Rotherdawn. They were stranded on the ship for a week before they could set sail because of the war in Holland. Her father Vincent and brother Frank were already in the United States. Their family then settled in Montana and ultimately made their home in Diamondville, Wyo. Her father and brother both worked in the coal mines until her father opened a saloon "Vancells Place" a few years later. In 1936, her parents returned to their farm in Slovenia and remained there the rest of their lives.
Frances attended school and worked for the mining superintendent as a housekeeper and nanny. At 21, she met and married Frank Hren, who worked in the coal mines. Once the mines closed they had a business butchering pigs, chickens and making sausage, and later expanded to produce and floral supply. They ultimately became the wholesale supplier to the company stores in Kemmerer, Frontier and Rock Springs [, Wyoming].
Frank built their home behind the SNPJ Hall in Diamondville and was very active in the SNPJ Lodge. Frank played the button box accordion for many picnics and dances while Frances made poticas and strudels.
At the start of WWII, Frances and their children moved to Seattle. Frank always wanted to return to Washington, as he first lived in Black Diamond when he came to the United States. Frank worked in the shipyards during the war, then went on to build homes. Frank passed away in 1970 at the age of 75.
Frances is still healthy, alert and still shops with her children. She keeps up with the everyday news, is very independent, and does her own cooking. In recent years she has made many afghans for her family. She looks forward to each day and enjoys her family, home and flower garden. Her doctor said she is a remarkable person and will live many more years.
Frances has three children; Frank V. Hren (deceased), Frank J. Hren and Frances (Hren) Peterson of Seattle; six grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren and two nieces, Mary (Lumbert) Carotta and Gloria (Ball) Lumbert. She is a life member of Lodge 11 in Auburn.
The original article was accompanied by a photograph of Frances with a cake and two of her family and captioned: "FRANCES HREN (11) will celebrate her 100th birthday March 3."
Page Created: March 9, 2003
Last Updated: March 9, 2003
©Copyright 2003 Gary L. Gorsha
