Courtesy of Friendship Village
Rudi Heider, one of the oldest people to have contracted COVID-19, celebrated his 107th birthday in recovery at Friendship Village Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Chesterfield on Wednesday.
Heider is a resident at Friendship Village. When he contracted the virus, the nurses on staff were able to treat him.
Feeling healthy in time for his birthday, Heider indulged in his favorite treat—a slice of lemon meringue pie with his family gathering outside the window to celebrate.
Heider's family and others close to him know just how much of a trooper he is: He survived a stroke at age 100 and overcame a fractured vertebra after turning 104.
Since recovering, Heider is back in his room at Friendship Village, continuing the activities he enjoys, such as staying cozy with a hand-knit sweater from his late wife while reading business magazines.
“I’m really missing all of the nice things from people because of this disease. Each person is so different. I like people and all their different talents,” Heider in a statement.
Once the number of COVID-19 cases decreases and the St. Louis area returns to a bit of normalcy, Heider hopes to celebrate his recovery and 107th birthday in person with the rest of his family.
