Howard Lingerfelt celebrated his 100th birthday this month, surrounded by several generations of family and by long‑standing community connections in the Yukon. The centenary gathering included children, grandchildren, great‑grandchildren and even a great‑great‑grandchild, along with cake, cards and the telling of stories that span a century.
Service, family and community
Lingerfelt served in the United States Navy during World War II aboard the USS Kingsbury. The ship was part of operations that contributed to the capture of Iwo Jima in 1944. He was born in Stillwater in 1926 and over the decades has been a familiar figure in local social life.
Family members at the celebration included his son, Howard Lingerfelt Jr. — who also served in the U.S. Navy — and daughters Gloria Evans, Linda Nunn and Bonnie Jones. The event was attended by multiple generations, reflecting a deep family presence in the territory.
| Family member | Relationship |
|---|---|
| Howard Lingerfelt Jr. | Son |
| Gloria Evans | Daughter |
| Linda Nunn | Daughter |
| Bonnie Jones | Daughter |
| Multiple grandchildren and great‑grandchildren | Descendants |
| One great‑great‑grandchild | Descendant |
Interests that have lasted decades
At 100, Lingerfelt still enjoys quiet, focussed pastimes. He plays the piano, fills in crossword puzzles and does colouring — activities that family members say keep him engaged and connected to the present.
- Music: Longtime involvement in community singing and performance.
- Puzzles and pastimes: Crosswords and colouring as daily habits.
- Social life: More than 40 years with the Silver Chords at the Dale Robertson Centre.
He has been a member of the Silver Chords at the Dale Robertson Centre for over four decades, a commitment that underscores his continued involvement in community arts and events.
Recognition and context
According to family accounts, Lingerfelt also received an acknowledgement marking the milestone from President Trump. The recognition was one element among many of the celebration, which prioritised family storytelling and shared memories.
Centenarian celebrations often offer a living link to the past, and Lingerfelt’s life touches on several moments of 20th‑century history — from his birth in 1926 to his wartime service and his long postwar life in the North. For many in the community, those personal histories are an important part of local memory and identity.
Why these anniversaries matter in the North
In Yukon communities, multi‑generational gatherings hold particular weight. Families that have lived through decades of change carry stories about movement, employment, wartime service and cultural life. Lingerfelt’s family‑centred celebration provides a chance for younger generations to hear first‑hand accounts and for neighbours to reaffirm social ties.
Local centres such as the Dale Robertson Centre provide spaces where those ties are maintained. Longstanding groups like the Silver Chords create continuity for performers and audiences alike, and their membership rosters often become records of community life across generations.
As residents and neighbours extend congratulations, the emphasis is on gratitude for presence and participation. Celebrations of longevity in the Yukon are frequently quiet affairs — gatherings that combine modest ceremony with familiar comforts: shared food, music and storytelling.
For a man who served aboard a warship in the Pacific and then spent decades participating in community life, that combination seemed fitting. The family photograph from the celebration — a simple record of the day — underlines what matters to many Yukoners: family, memory and continuity.
— Kaylee Johns is the Yukon correspondent for WE NEWS. Reporting here pairs Indigenous insight with careful fact‑finding and community context.
