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Denver woman gets avalanche of cards for 108th birthday

DENVER — When you turn 108, you can ask for just about anything. A Colorado woman asked for 108 birthday cards to mark her birthday, and she already has received four times that amount.

Gertie Abkes, of Denver, was born Aug. 4, 1912, in Iowa. After making her request, Abkes has enjoyed a constant flow of birthday cards to the Clermont Park Life Plan Community, KUSA reported.

She enjoys the love and said that is part of her life’s philosophy.

“I believe you shouldn’t get into hate,” Abkes told the television station. “Treat everyone the same and love everyone -- I love all people.”

Abkes, an avid Denver Broncos fan, was born in Madison Township, Iowa, according to Iowa birth records. She worked for her father, Joe Fecht, in his grocery store in Monroe during the Great Depression, KCNC reported. Abkes played basketball while in high school, before marrying Leonard Abkes in September 1939.

The couple moved to Denver in 1942, and Gertie Abkes was still driving when she was 100, KDVR reported. She also worked at Rose Medical Center after graduating from medical school, KUSA reported.

Leonard Abkes died in 2001.

She no longer has her husband, but Gertie Abkes found comfort in all the birthday cards she received.

“She’s ecstatic about the response from your viewers and it made this a birthday she will never forget.” Chuck Montera, of Clermont Park, told KDVR.

Montera said people can still send cards. Send them to:

Gertie Abkes

Clermont Park Life Plan Community

2479 S. Clermont St.

Denver, CO 80222

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