SLEEPY EYE - The millwright at New Ulm's Eagle Roller Mill Co. turned 100 years old Wednesday at Sleepy Eye Care Center.
Born in Goosetown, the part of New Ulm near the Minnesota River, Roman Zangel designed and erected machinery at the New Ulm mill where he worked for 46 years.
Destroyed by fire in 1982, the mill produced rye flour, blended custom-made barley mixes and ground spring and durum wheat.
Zangel played baseball and did farm work in his younger days.
He enjoys watching Minnesota Twins baseball games on television.
Zangel made spinning wheels and did woodworking. He sold tables and other wooden items from his Goosetown home.
Roman's wife of 69 years, Sylvia, said he "eats just about anything," but really likes sauerkraut and dumplings, even more so when listening to polka music, which the couple still enjoys together at the Sleepy Eye Care Center.
How did he live so long?
"He never smoked and never drink much," Sylvia said.
A resident at Countryside Retirement Community, assisted-living apartments attached to the Care Center, Sylvia can often be found at the Care Center with Roman during the day.
One of 18 children, Zangel and two of his sisters are the survivors of his siblings.
Roman and Sylvia have five children who often enjoy Care Center events with their parents.
(Fritz Busch can be e-mailed at fbusch@nujournal.com).
