Julia Medved was born March 7, 1910, in Kiev, Russia.
She has one daughter, Ludmilla; three granddaughters, Lorraine, Jennifer and Cheryl; 13 great-grandchildren; and 16 great-great-grandchildren, along with their spouses.
Life in Russia in the early 1900s was very hard. Freezing weather and starvation for most of the yearwere common.
Julia married at age 14 to escape poverty and starvation. She had daughter Ludmilla at age 15.
In 1943, during World War 11, Julia took her daughter and fled Russia on foot. With bombs being dropped, surrounded by Russian troops, they thought the journey would end. Then a miracle happened: A German tank arrived and the soldiers allowed Julia and Ludmilla to ride inside the tank to safety.
They eventually made it to Germany, where the Americans had come to occupy. Both met American soldiers, married and became war brides. Julia married John Kluz in 1947.
Moving to Maryland and eventually to Long Beach, they remained married for 18 years, until his death.
Speaking broken English and in need of money, Julia was determined to find a job. Never having learned to drive, she took the bus to downtown Long Beach, where she got a job at Manning's Café. It was here that she would meet the man of her dreams, Al Medved, who owned New York Men & Hats.
In 1970, Al proposed marriage, to which Julia said no -- not until she was able to pay her bills off and come into marriage free. They married in 1972, working side by side in the store for 23 years. They enjoyed trips to Las Vegas and numerous cruises. Al died at age 98.
Julia considers herself lucky; her many wonderful friends provide transportation to attend social functions. In February, she was in Laughlin with her friends from the Elks club. They surprised her with a dinner in her honor.
Julia resides in Lakewood independently, cooking and gardening. Her neighbor Ron takes her to the market.
She enjoys going to Katella Deli, where she adds sales slips in her head, then raises her hand in triumph, saying, "Yes, I still have it."
She will challenge you with political discussions and current events. Clearly a feisty, vibrant woman, she does not consider herself old. Julia is 100 years young.
She has one daughter, Ludmilla; three granddaughters, Lorraine, Jennifer and Cheryl; 13 great-grandchildren; and 16 great-great-grandchildren, along with their spouses.
Life in Russia in the early 1900s was very hard. Freezing weather and starvation for most of the yearwere common.
Julia married at age 14 to escape poverty and starvation. She had daughter Ludmilla at age 15.
In 1943, during World War 11, Julia took her daughter and fled Russia on foot. With bombs being dropped, surrounded by Russian troops, they thought the journey would end. Then a miracle happened: A German tank arrived and the soldiers allowed Julia and Ludmilla to ride inside the tank to safety.
They eventually made it to Germany, where the Americans had come to occupy. Both met American soldiers, married and became war brides. Julia married John Kluz in 1947.
Moving to Maryland and eventually to Long Beach, they remained married for 18 years, until his death.
Speaking broken English and in need of money, Julia was determined to find a job. Never having learned to drive, she took the bus to downtown Long Beach, where she got a job at Manning's Café. It was here that she would meet the man of her dreams, Al Medved, who owned New York Men & Hats.
In 1970, Al proposed marriage, to which Julia said no -- not until she was able to pay her bills off and come into marriage free. They married in 1972, working side by side in the store for 23 years. They enjoyed trips to Las Vegas and numerous cruises. Al died at age 98.
Julia considers herself lucky; her many wonderful friends provide transportation to attend social functions. In February, she was in Laughlin with her friends from the Elks club. They surprised her with a dinner in her honor.
Julia resides in Lakewood independently, cooking and gardening. Her neighbor Ron takes her to the market.
She enjoys going to Katella Deli, where she adds sales slips in her head, then raises her hand in triumph, saying, "Yes, I still have it."
She will challenge you with political discussions and current events. Clearly a feisty, vibrant woman, she does not consider herself old. Julia is 100 years young.
Submitted with love and admiration from the family of Julia Medved.
Julia Medved, center, "100 years young," is joined by her daughter, Ludmilla "Lucy" Wardlaw, to her right, and her granddaughters, from left, Jennifer Gregory, Cheryl Randal and Lorraine Andrews.
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