A perfect landing; Austin 90-year-old sky dives to celebrate birthday
Published 11:17 am Monday, May 11, 2015
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- Isabel Ollman prepares for her jump Saturday.
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- Isabel Ollman rides in a plane before her sky diving adventure near Waseca on Saturday.
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- Isabel Ollman and her instructor jump from the plane Saturday.
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- Isabel Ollman and her instructor fall during their sky dive Saturday near Waseca.
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- Isabel Ollman smiles and looks at the landscape near Waseca as she and her instructor sky dive on Saturday.
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- Isabel Ollman and her instructor fall during their sky dive Saturday near Waseca.
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- Isabel Ollman looks at the landscape near Waseca on Saturday after her instructor’s parachute opened.
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- Isabel Ollman and her instructor start to get ready for their landing.
Isabel Ollman took the jump of a lifetime Saturday by sky diving at the Waseca Municipal Airport Saturday to celebrate her 90th birthday.
“It was just awesome,” she said. “I’m so glad I did it; it was the best experience in my life.”
Ollman, who turned 90 May 4, said she was a bit scared to go, but it was worth it.
“I was afraid initially going out the door, but after that it was a breeze,” she said. “I’d be a fool if I wasn’t a little bit afraid. You overcome that fear and it was a wonderful experience.”
Ollman’s jump was in tandem with an instructor, and the duo had a Go-Pro camera attached to capture Ollman’s adventure.
“The only thought that went through my head was, ‘Why am I doing this?’” Isabel laughed. “But I know why I was doing it, I like adventure and I just had the best time ever.”
Isabel was inspired by former President George H.W. Bush, who went sky diving to celebrate his 90th birthday last June. She thought, if he could do it, so could she. It was an adventure she always wanted to take.
Two of Ollman’s grandchildren also jumped — Katherine Ollman, 23, and Zach Ollman, 38. Ollman said they also had a great experience. She encouraged anyone thinking about skydiving to do it.
“Please try it; it will be a wonderful experience,” she said.
Isabel enjoys many other hobbies and stays busy. Along with walking, she volunteers at the Mower County Senior Citizen Center, plays cards, is on a bowling league from September to March and works out with some weight-lifting.
Ollman, who’s lived in the Austin area since 1947, said her family was shocked when she first told them her goal to sky dive, but they accepted the idea. Many of Ollman’s family and friends were there to support her and see her float through the sky. They celebrated her birthday with a party Sunday.
Isabel said she doesn’t know what the next adventure will be, but she is certain there will be more projects over the horizon. As for now, she is just relaxing after her journey back to the ground.
“I’m just trying to recuperate after this one,” she laughed.
