Some say she’s amazing, others say she's a wonder woman, but one thing for certain is Yvette Gunther is an energetic and caring mother, grandmother and friend. 

To celebrate her 101st birthday, many of her closest friends came together at Northridge Park in Highlands Ranch.

“She means a lot to us,” said close friend Sue Jude. “She always has the sweetest, warmest greeting.”

There was a lot of food to go around at the celebration as Gunther had a large birthday cake and guests brought other treats for a large potluck.

Wearing a purple happy birthday tiara, Gunther was joined by two of her daughters, Barbara and Susan, and her friends from her aerobics class. 

Gunther goes to aerobics class three times a week where the other participants say they have to keep up with her. 

 “She’s very energetic,” said Barbara. 

Since she can remember, Gunther has always been physically active. 

While attending an all girls boarding school in Vancouver, Canada as a child, Gunther said there was not much to do, so she and some friends decided to stay active. In addition to walking and running around the school, she also played soccer. 

One of her fondest childhood memories is the First of July events in Vancouver where there were fun activities all day long. Some of her favorites were running in races and swimming. 

“I’ve always been athletic,” said Gunther. “Since I’m older now, I still try to keep some of it.”

To stay active, Gunther plays with her grandkids when they come to visit and takes her dog, Toby, on a walk everyday. 

Gunther also cherished Christmas at her grandmother’s house. And now, Gunther gets to continue to experience that love every holiday and birthday with her own growing family.

With her husband and five children, the family would adventure on many road trips across the country and up to Canada. 

“I loved every minute of it,” said Susan, Gunther’s eldest child. 

Gunther met her husband Carl - who was a Navy Officer - on a blind date 

“I would tell him I fell in love with his white uniform,” said Gunther. 

Having lived in Seattle, Washington, the two had traveled to Colorado where he proposed to her in the mountains, followed by 59 years of marriage before Carl passed. 

When they first moved to Highlands Ranch, there were only a few houses on their street with an open view to watch the sunset every night. 

Every year, the couple would go on an international trip, going all around the globe to places like Japan to see Mount Fujiyama as well as Portugal and England.

Gunther said the only places she hasn’t gone are Russia, India and South America.

With beautiful clear blue water, Gunther said the South Pacific was her favorite destination. She and her husband went there on their 50th anniversary. 

While in China, she fell in love with the art of traditional Chinese ribbon and fan dancing. 

“That’s where I saw this Chinese dancing,” said Gunther. “I saw those fans and those beautiful ribbons.”

Gunther knew she had to learn that style of dance.

She performed the style of dance for the talent portion of beauty pageants - where she tied for for Ms. Senior Colorado one year- and performed at her 100th birthday party.

Gunther’s life so far has been filled with loving people and amazing memories from around the world and she does not want to stop. 

No matter what it is, Gunther encourages others to never stop moving. 

“I offer everybody the choice to do something all the time,” said Gunther. “Don’t just sit around, look at TV, you want to live life.”