Eva Bilet, a daughter of Norway, became an Alaskan

Editor's Note: National Centenarian's Day is Sept. 22.

The day honors those who've celebrated 100 birthdays or more. We're publishing profiles of people who have hit this milestone. The Alaska Commission on Aging is working with the Governor's Office, Pioneer Homes and Long Term Care Ombudsman to celebrate Alaska's centenarians. If you know someone who is 100 or older and would like us to profile them, contact editor@seniorvoicealaska.com.

You can take the girl out of Norway, but you can't take the Norwegian out of the girl.

That's the life story of Eva Bilet, a centenarian who has met three Norwegian kings, but mostly enjoyed a quiet life in Alaska.

Eva, who turned 100 last December, has lived most of her adult life in Anchorage. Born in 1925 in Trondheim, she met her first Norwegian king, King Haakon VII, when she was 5 years old, possibly when he was marking his first 25 years on the throne. Then she lived in Oslo with her mother; her father was taken prisoner by the Germans during World War II. She moved here as a young mother with her husband, Tor, and daughter, Toril.

The couple built a home in what is now east Anchorage and settled into life in the Last Frontier. Son Rolf was born in 1952. Eva liked needlecrafts, cooking and photography. She remembers doing the shopping and tending to her children. Then she took an office position at Northern Commercial Company and later at a pediatric clinic.

Eva also remembers the 1964 earthquake, when she drove home and took the key out of the ignition, but was surprised that the car was still rumbling. That's when she realized the earth was moving, rolling her way. It stopped before it got to her car. Another memory is meeting her second Norwegian king, Olav V, when he came to the United States in 1975 to commemorate 150 years of Norwegian immigration.

"I had the honor of hosting him for lunch at my home," she said.

He enjoyed himself so much that he asked his staff to stay awhile longer.

"That meant a lot to me."

Eva was deeply involved in the Sons of Norway. The Bernt Balchen Lodge based in Anchorage has promoted the heritage and culture of Norway for more than 80 years in Alaska. She served as president for more than a decade.

For her many contributions to the Norwegian community she later received the St. Olav's medal from the king. She also had the opportunity to meet Harald V, the current king, in May 2015 when he visited Anchorage.

Even now, the Sons of Norway's fellowship is part of Eva's life. The Norwegian Seamen's Churches are commissioned by the Norwegian Parliament to serve Norwegians abroad. This includes offering comfort to local and travelling Norwegians with religious services and conversations for people during their time of need. A couple of years ago, Pastor Jofrid Landa was in Alaska for a day and had a couple of hours available. She met with Eva, and they ended their conversation with the Lord's Prayer, which they said in Norwegian, according to a Sons of Norway newsletter.

Regular visitors are friends, many of whom are also of Norwegian descent. On a recent sunny day, friend Marit Kristiansen was there. They catch up on what's happening with friends in common. Eva's blue eyes blaze with a perceptiveness uncommon in people half her age. Getting around isn't easy, but she likes company.

They visit her in the assisted living home where she keeps mementos from her life-a Norwegian flag, photos of family and her many beloved dogs, and a watercolor commemorating Olav V's time on the throne.

She attributes her longevity to a healthy diet and good genes-her mother lived to be 99. The current Norwegian king is 89. Could Eva possibly get the chance to meet a fourth Norwegian monarch?