By: NICOLAS FIERRO
Salina Post
106-years old never looked this healthy, as Pauline VanDerbur is still going strong.
Salina Post had a chance to speak with VanDerbur, her two daughters/twins (born 5 minutes apart), Cheri Harp and Carol Reed alongside grandson, Dave Harp. VanDerbur used to live at the former Pioneer President's Place apartment complex, which is now being renovated as the "RL Lofts."
VanDerbur along with other senior residents were required to move out last Fall due to renovation.
Read more: Former Roosevelt-Lincoln school, now apartment complex under $20 million renovation
Life of VanDerbur
Born in 1919 (which was the same year the Roosevelt building was built, south of Lincoln building) on a farm north of Riley County. After she graduated high school, Vanderbur moved to Manhattan and worked at the College Inn restaurant.
Manhattan is where she met her beloved husband, Everett. Both were married for 67 years.
Pauline also moved to Abilene, where she helped fried 200 chickens for the community when Dwight D. Eisenhower was elected president in 1953.
Not only did Pauline cook great meals for her family, the College Inn and South Middle School, but was also a hairdresser and a brownie scout leader.
Her daughters told Salina Post she also loved to knit, crochet and play cards but has not lately due to Macular Degeneration.
Despite that, frequent hospice care visits tell Pauline her vitals are great and still remains in good health as well as memory.
"We are just amazed she is doing good," said Cheri. "We always joke, when she is dead her vitals will still be good."
"I am grateful to be healthy and I am ready to be with Jesus," said Pauline.
VanDerbur has lived at the former Pioneer President's Place apartment complex for 18 years, before remodeling took place.
Her grandsons: Dave, Dayna, Denise, Chad Reed and her great-grandchild, Brandon Clark attended middle school at Roosevelt-Lincoln.
RL Lofts
The construction for the remodeled apartment complex, RL Lofts is slated to be completed October 2026, according to Tony Krsnich of Flint Hills Holdings Group (FHHG).
FHHG bought the complex from Pioneer Property Group to conduct a $20 million renovation.
The former Pioneer President's Place, was an apartment complex that housed 61 units only available for 55 and older residents.
RL Lofts once completed will now be available for all ages.
According to Krsnich, all seniors who used to live at the complex before renovation will have a right of first refusal.
"If the express interest in coming back, they are on top of our list," he said.
"I would plan to go back if I was not too old," said Pauline.
However, Carol expressed that she would like for the apartment complex to stay at senior living, instead of opening it up to all ages.
Krsnich stated the complex will be a mixed income of affordable and market rate.
FHHG was awarded $17 million in tax credits by the Kansas Housing Resource Corporation (KHRC) for renovation. The City of Salina also awarded FHHG with a 95% tax rebate, making this project to be around a $20 million investment.
Krsnich stated the reason they received these funds was to keep the complex at affordable housing, with 80% of it being affordable for an additional 30 years, once the renovation is complete.
The VanDerbur descendants consist of 4 daughters, 10 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren and 19 great-great grandchildren.