MARSHALL — Having a party may not have been possible this year, but Dolores Rans’ family and friends were still finding ways to celebrate her 105th birthday.

“I got seven cards in the mail from people I don’t even know,” Rans said Friday. It was nice to see people were thinking of her. “There are a lot of good people in the world.”

Rans’ daughter Lynne McLaughlin said they usually would have a family gathering to celebrate her birthday. However, COVID-19 made that harder to do. Instead, McLaughlin said she was spreading the word about her mom’s birthday and asking people to send cards.

“It’s fun if you can think of something special,” McLaughlin said. “We’re hoping she will get lots of greetings. A lot of people do think of her.”

Today is Rans’ 105th birthday. She grew up in Canby, before marrying and moving to Marshall. A lot has changed in the world since she was young, Rans said.

“We didn’t have the conveniences we have now,” she said of growing up in Canby. “We walked everyplace.” Going swimming with friends meant walking a couple of miles, she said.

There were some difficult times during the Depression. Rans said when she attended Canby High School, they weren’t able to have occasions like formal dances or prom because of it.

“Nobody had anything during the Depression,” she said. “Times were tough, but then I think we kind of got out of that in the 40s.”

One of the things Rans remembered about the community at that time was how safe it was.

“Everyone took care of everyone else,” Rans said. “We never locked our doors.”

Over the years, Rans said she has enjoyed getting to travel to places around the world, including Norway, Australia and Turkey.

“We were visiting a foreign exchange student from Turkey,” she said, and the student’s family acted as hosts and guides during the trip. “Turkey is a very ancient place.”

Rans said she keeps a travel log of the places she’s been to. Reading through it, “It’s like I’m right there again,” she said.

In life it’s important to be positive and have faith, Rans said.

“The big thing is to love your spouse, love your parents, love your friends, love your kids and love your pets,” she said.