Milestone: Five generations, 98 candles

By Sequim Gazette staff • January 28, 2026 1:30 am
Sequim Gazette photos by Monica Berkseth Donna Medlen, seated center in red sweater, is surrounded by family members who gathered in Sequim to celebrate her 98th birthday. Five generations are represented in this photo.
Sequim Gazette photos by Monica Berkseth Donna Medlen, seated center in red sweater, is surrounded by family members who gathered in Sequim to celebrate her 98th birthday. Five generations are represented in this photo.

Donna Medlen of Sequim had plenty of family on hand to help her celebrate her 98th birthday.

Five generations of family members (with Medlen representing the oldest generation) gathered at Sunland on Saturday, Jan. 24 to celebrate, two days ahead of Medlen’s actual birthday on Monday, Jan. 26.

Now just two years shy of the century mark, Medlen was born when Calvin Coolidge was president and the flying exploits of Charles Lindbergh were making news. The same month she was born, “The Circus,” a comedy featuring silent film star Charlie Chaplin, debuted in New York City. Also that month: General Electric Company and NBC made their first television broadcast.

Two days before her 98th birthday, Donna Medlen, seated, marked the occasion by celebrating with four younger generations of her family. Pictured standing, from left, are Byron Cole (second generation), Melissa Sistar (third generation), and Breanna Moyer (fourth generation). Little Samson Azariah, three months, shown being held by his great-great-great grandmother, represents the fifth generation.

Two days before her 98th birthday, Donna Medlen, seated, marked the occasion by celebrating with four younger generations of her family. Pictured standing, from left, are Byron Cole (second generation), Melissa Sistar (third generation), and Breanna Moyer (fourth generation). Little Samson Azariah, three months, shown being held by his great-great-great grandmother, represents the fifth generation.