Herbert Wolding | |
![]() Wolding at the age of 109 | |
Birth: | 15 October 1912 Portage, Wisconsin, USA |
Death: | 17 November 2023 Portage, Wisconsin, USA |
Age: | 111 years, 33 days |
Country: | ![]() |
Validated |
Herbert O. "Herb" Wolding (15 October 1912 – 17 November 2023) was an American supercentenarian who was, at time of his death, the oldest known living man in the U.S. state of Wisconsin from the death of 108-year-old Benigno Velazquez on 7 April 2020, the oldest known living man born in the United States from the death of 110-year-old Raymond Monroy on 7 January 2023, and the second-oldest known living man in the United States (behind Francis Zouein). He was also the founder of H.O. Wolding, Inc., a Wisconsin-based trucking company operating in the continental United States. His age is validated by the Gerontology Research Group (GRG).
Biography[]
Herbert Wolding was born in Portage, Wisconsin, USA on 15 October 1912. His parents were Hans Oliver Wolding and Hannah Egeland, both born to Norwegian parents.
Wolding attended Amherst High School, but he never graduated. After earning his eighth grade certificate, he left school to help his family with their business. He was married to Evelyn (née Henke) Wolding. The couple had two sons: Dick and Don. Evelyn died in 2011 at the age of 93.
In 1935, during the Great Depression, Wolding started a single-truck operation which ran daily milk deliveries in Nelsonville, Wisconsin, now known as H.O. Wolding, Inc. The headquarters would later move to a larger facility in Amherst, Wisconsin, where it is currently located today. His company went from having just one truck to having more than 350 tractors in its fleet. The company shipped more than 70,000 truckloads in 2018.
At the age of 106, Wolding still visited his company's headquarters on a frequent basis to make sure it was still doing well. His two sons, Dick and Don, have served as officers of the company, and his grandson, Marc, is currently the president of the company.
On his 108th birthday in 2020, Wolding was not able to celebrate his birthday with his relatives as he normally would, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, he celebrated by having his relatives drive by his house to congratulate him for his milestone (some of whom even dropped off cupcakes for him).
On his 109th birthday in 2021, as COVID-19 restrictions were easing, Wolding had a large birthday celebration in his hometown of Portage with many friends, neighbors, and family members, though they remained outside as they wouldn't have to worry about COVID-19 spreading. One of Wolding's family members drove him to the celebration.
In October 2022, Wolding celebrated his 110th birthday and became a supercentenarian. In his honor, the Amherst High School congratulated him for reaching this milestone, and its STEAM Center was also named after him, as he and his family are longtime supporters of the school.
Herbert Wolding died on 17 November 2023 in Portage, Wisconsin, USA at the age of 111 years, 33 days. At the time of his death, he was the second-oldest known living person in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, behind Ruth Stryzewski. He is also the oldest known man ever from Wisconsin and the only man born there to reach the ages of 110 and 111.
Gallery[]
External Links[]
References[]
- 2023 validations Gerontology Research Group
- Herbert O. Wolding, born 1912 Ancestry.com
- Evelyn R. Wolding | 1917 - 2011 | Obituary Voie Funeral Home
- Herb Wolding - HO Wolding - 102 Years Young H.O. Wolding on YouTube, 16 October 2014
- On the Road and Close to Home Business In Focus Magazine, May 2019
- Portage Co. Man Celebrates 108th Birthday News 9 WAOW, 16 October 2020
- Herb Wolding turns 109 H.O. Wolding on YouTube, 15 October 2021
- Herbert Wolding, the founder of H.O. Wolding, says thank you to all drivers. Bison USA on Facebook, 13 September 2022
- Amherst High School names new center after man who turns 110 WAOW, 30 September 2022
- Tomorrow River School District names new STEAM Center Stevens Point News, 2 October 2022
- 110th birthday Peggy Parker on Facebook, 15 October 2022
- It was a delight to visit with Herb Wolding and present a citation of commendation to him from Senator Testin and me. Rep. Katrina Shankland on Facebook, 6 January 2023
- 111th birthday Morgan Glodowski on Facebook, 15 October 2023
- https://cdllife.com/2023/founder-of-trucking-company-h-o-wolding-passes-away-at-age-111/