Montana Honored More Than 40 Centenarians
The 57th annual Governor's Conference on Aging recognized residents aged 100 and older in Kalispell.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Senior Health
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More than 40 centenarians were honored for their long lives at the 57th annual Governor's Conference on Aging in Kalispell. Governor Greg Gianforte presented official recognition proclamations to each of the attendees during the event.
Why it matters
This annual conference serves as a key resource for Montanans to gain guidance on critical topics such as estate planning, dementia, and caregiving. The event underscores the state's focus on supporting its aging population as it currently ranks as the sixth-oldest state in the nation.
The conference recognized 40 individuals who have reached the age of 100 or older. Montana maintains a demographic status as the sixth-oldest state in the United States.
The players
Greg Gianforte
He is the Governor of Montana and provided official recognition proclamations to the centenarians in attendance.
Earl Jensen
He is a 102-year-old Montanan who was honored at the conference for reaching the centenarian milestone.
Marie Trodick
She is a 101-year-old attendee who received recognition at the 57th annual Governor's Conference on Aging.
The details
The event in Kalispell featured educational programming focused on essential aging topics, including scam protection, aging in place, and support for caregivers. Attendees Earl Jensen, 102, and Marie Trodick, 101, were among those celebrated for their long lives.
Timeline
The 57th annual Governor's Conference on Aging took place in October 2026.
Earl Jensen, who was honored at the event, was born in 1924.
The Big Picture
The conference's focus on aging support follows the documented trend that Montana is the sixth-oldest state as measured by the U.S. Census Bureau's state-level median age rankings.
The conference provides residents with direct access to professional guidance on long-term care, estate planning, and dementia support. These resources help families better prepare for the logistical and medical realities of aging in place.
The takeaway
Focusing on proactive estate and health planning allows individuals to maintain independence as they age. Attending community resources like this conference can help families navigate the complex challenges of long-term caregiving.
Further reading
Learn more about support for the elderly by visiting our Senior Health section.
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Should your local government increase funding for programs that help the elderly age in place?
