ABOVE: Five generations appear in one photo with 104-year-old Erma Saggau, her great-granddaughter Rachael Bender holding her great-great-granddaughter Miriam Bender, her son Dave Robbins, and her granddaughter Davina Ethridge coming together for Saggau’s birthday. Submitted photo.

FAIRMONT – Erma Saggau celebrated her 104th birthday on Feb. 13 with a brand new reason to celebrate.

Saggau’s great-granddaughter Rachael Bender recently gave birth to a baby girl, named Miriam Bender. After Saggau’s birthday, she met her great-great-granddaughter, and the whole family took a photo of all five generations represented in one photo.

Her daughter-in-law Dori Robbins said the different generations came from four different cities to be with Saggau on her birthday. To hold her great-great-granddaughter was a sensation Saggau said was thrilling.

Currently, Saggau said she enjoys looking at photos and reminiscing. She resides at Woodland Manor Assisted Living in Fairmont, which she said has been a very nice experience. To make it to 104 is an experience Saggau said has been special to her.

“I just accept it and ask the Lord that it be a blessing to me and my family,” she said.

In the modern day, Saggau said she enjoys her surroundings, family, and friends the most. Her son Dave Robbins said she also appreciates how far phones have evolved. From the past, she said she misses her husband and traveling. Saggau said she still remembers Arizona and various mountains and oceans.

It also means a lot to the family that they can continue seeing Saggau. Granddaughter Dawn Groth said she isn’t able to see her as often as she would like, but it is always special for her and her four children.

“It’s very special they get to know their great-grandma,” she said. “I told them before not everybody gets to meet their great-grandma. They know she prays for them, and that’s very special and important in our family. We know that when we come to see her, we get to have a big, long road trip. It’s never as often as we want, but we come when we can.”

As for what Saggau is hoping for next, she said she is looking forward to making it to Heaven.