Elma Gust, a retired musician born two years before the outbreak of the 1918 influenza, celebrated her 106th birthday on May 26.

The Courier-Herald profiled Elma last year for her her 105th birthday. In that article, she recounted a lifetime of playing music, exploring the sea and making people laugh.

She continued her knack for the latter this Tuesday. When a Courier-Herald reporter asked Elma what she thought about being 106, she answered with a smile: “Too much.” It earned a round of laughter from her friends at the Living Court assisted living community.

For her 106th birthday, Elma was paid a visit from local first responders. While the firefighters had to leave early to handle a call for service, Elma got some waves from Enumclaw PD officers.

Elma Gust celebrated her 106th birthday with friends, family, and residents and staff of Living Court. Photo by Alex Bruell

An Enumclaw Police Officer waves to Elma on her 106th birthday. Police and firefighters stopped by the assisted living community she lives at to wish her a happy birthday May 26, although the firefighters had to leave early to respond to a call for service. Photo by Alex Bruell