Myrtle Bunting, 109, of Milbank has been named South Dakota's oldest resident, earning her the title of "2008 Centenarian of the Year" from the South Dakota Health Care Association's Century Club.

The former oldest resident, Neva Gist of Madison, died in May at 109.

Bunting, a resident of St. Williams Care Center in Milbank, was born Feb. 28, 1899.

When Bunting was 11 years old, her mother died and her father moved their family to New York. As a teenager during World War I, she worked at a munitions plant making artillery shells. She later moved back to South Dakota, got married and farmed.

After her husband, Frank, died in 1987, Myrtle moved to Milbank and lived on her own until she was 102. Myrtle has no children, but a 90-year-old niece visits her often.

Bunting has no secret for living a long life, but says oyster stew is her favorite food. "The good Lord has willed me to live," she said. As for next February when she turns 110, Bunting says, "I'll just kick up my heels."

The South Dakota Health Care Association's Century Club and has recognized more than 850 South Dakotans since its beginning in 1997.

People can submit names for the Century Club by visiting www.sdhca.org and downloading a Century Club Application, or call LuAnn Severson, Century Club coordinator, at 1-800-952-3052.