Like mother like daughter: Never miss an election

CLAREMORE, Okla. – Jessie Ligenfelter has never missed an election. Since she came of voting age, it’s a right the 105-year-old Claremore resident has taken very seriously.

Ligenfelter’s mother was on the election board, and the second she was old enough to register, she did. Since that time, she has voted in every single election.

“Never missed a one,” she said.

The election of President Jimmy Carter was the most exciting and memorable for her, and she feels it’s important for women to vote.

“Women have just as much right as anybody,” said Ligenfelter.

In a month marked by the 100th anniversary of women obtaining the right to vote, she reflected on what the milestone meant.

“It meant mama saying, ‘I’m going to go vote,” she said. “She never missed a vote, and neither have I. It’s a privilege.”

Ligenfelter, a self-proclaimed “diehard Democrat,” was born in Perkins, Oklahoma, on Dec. 11, 1914. She grew up in Pryor, Oklahoma, graduating in 1933, and moved to Claremore at age 19. She has lived there ever since.

But ever the rebel, from time to time through the years, she has been known to wear Pryor’s blue and gold colors to Claremore homecoming games.

Until she was 100, Ligenfelter lived in the house she and her late husband, Ralph, had owned since 1957. The couple raised three children – Jerry, Tom and Carol – while operating their small business, Ligenfelter’s DX Service Station, which sat on Will Rogers Boulevard from 1934 to 1970.

She is also the oldest living member of First Baptist Church.

In December, in honor of her 105th birthday celebration, Ligenfelter received letters of congratulations from every level of federal, state and local government.

The first was a birthday card signed by President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump.

“I didn’t know the president knew me,” Jessie said, shrugging but smiling as she was handed the birthday card with the official White House letterhead.

A letter from Gov. Kevin Stitt read: “What an amazing milestone. It is my great honor to join your family and friends in offering you my very sincere wishes on this momentous occasion. May your days be filled with an abundance of joy.”

“That’s wonderful,” she said.

State Rep. Mark Lepak presented a commendation from the Oklahoma Legislature. When he leaned in to shake her hand, Ligenfelter told Mark that although she is a lifelong Democrat, once in awhile, she will vote for a Republican. But she didn’t vote for him.

“It’s funny you mentioned that, because this November, you’ll have another chance,” Lepak jokingly told her.

Rogers County Commissioner Dan Delozier presented a commendation from the Board of County Commissioners, recognizing Jessie’s longevity, knowledge, experiences and contributions to Rogers County. And Mayor Bill Flanagan announced in a letter that from here on out, Dec. 11, 2019, would be recognized in the city of Claremore as Jessie Ligenfelter Day.

Cydney Baron is managing editor of the Claremore Progress. Kayleigh J. T. Harrison contributed to this story.