Happy 90th Birthday to Mrs Addie Paschke

On Wednesday, 10 January 2024, staff and residents came together at Resthaven Murray Bridge to wish Mrs Addie (Adeline) Paschke a very happy 90th birthday. ‘I never thought I’d get to 90!’ she said as she cut the cake – a strawberry and cream sponge baked by the Resthaven cook. On Wednesday, 10 January 2024, staff and residents came together at Resthaven Murray Bridge to wish Mrs Addie (Adeline) Paschke a very happy 90th birthday.

‘I never thought I’d get to 90!’ she said as she cut the cake – a strawberry and cream sponge baked by the Resthaven cook.

Born on 10 January 1934 at Eudunda Hospital, South Australia, Addie lived at Neals Flat for the first three years of her life, before moving to a small farm in Aldgate Valley, and then on to Lobethal. The youngest of six children, Addie had twin brothers, and three sisters.

She attended Mylor Primary School until the family moved to Lobethal, then went to Lobethal Lutheran School, and onto Oakbank Area School for a further three years. Soon after, she got a job working as an Office Assistant at Klose’s Supermarket, where she stayed for six years until she was married.

On 9 January 1954, Addie married Mel (Melvan) Johannes Paschke at Lobethal. Together, they had three children — Karen, Janelle, and Peter. Their first home was at Mount Barker, and the couple ran their own transport business. Addie also found a job working at the ANZ Bank in Mount Barker, but in 1963, the family moved down the hill, first to Cumberland Park and then Bellevue Heights.

‘It wasn’t long before we realised we weren’t “city people”,’ Addie says. So, they moved to Kadina where Mel became the manager of M.S. McLeod’s, a bicycle and tyre store.

The family lived at Kadina for more than 17 years, with Addie working part time for the Inspector of Schools, the Education Department District Office and TAFE.

The large house block had many productive fruit trees and a large vegetable garden, so each year Addie would make homemade jams, chutneys and tomato sauce. ‘I enjoyed spending time in the garden and growing vegetables at each home we had,’ Addie says.

She also took up sewing and knitting, making many of the children’s clothes when they were young, including costumes for the calisthenic competitions her daughters took part in.

‘When the grandchildren came along I enjoyed making toys and rugs for them, too,’ Addie says.

Throughout her life, Addie has been active in the local Lutheran Church, taking a role on community committees, participating in different activities and teaching the Sunday School, Christian Education, Ladies Fellowship and Ladies Choir. She was also a member of different community groups, including the Edwardstown Kindergarten, Kadina Primary and High School, Edwardstown and Kadina Calisthenics, Kadina Spastic Centre, Kadina Golf Social Club, and Meals on Wheels. Mel was very involved with the Lions Club and he and Addie hosted two international (Japanese) Lions Exchange Students in 1978 and 1982.

It was around this time that Addie and Mel journeyed overseas to Hong Kong, the United Kingdom, the Greek islands, Norfolk Island, Canada, Alaska and Malaysia.

When Mel retired from M.S McLeod’s, he and Addie moved to Wallaroo North Beach where Mel went back to coach-driving for Acacia Tours, and Addie accompanied him as a hostess.

‘We did many state and interstate trips together which we enjoyed and called them our working holidays,’ Addie says. The couple retired to Victor Harbor Lutheran Harbor Village in 2003, and swapped caravanning for house sitting.

‘We would often house sit in Caboolture and Hervey Bay, Queensland, visiting our son and grandchildren who lived in the state,’ Addie says. ‘I always enjoy seeing my children, grandchildren and great grandchildren; however, we had always lived quite a distance apart.’

On Thursday, 11 January, Addie’s family came together to celebrate her birthday, with grandchildren travelling to Murray Bridge from Germany, Queensland, Sydney, Canberra and all across South Australia. The party was held in the Resthaven Murray Bridge café. Happy birthday Addie!