Herta Oeser | |
Herta Oeser at 110 | |
Birth: | 24 June 1905 Reutlingen, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany |
Death: | 13 March 2016 Pfullingen, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany |
Age: | 110 years, 263 days |
Country: | GER |
Validated |
Herta Oeser (née Kleinfeldt; 24 June 1905 – 13 March 2016) was a German supercentenarian who was Germany's oldest living person until her death on 13 March 2016. Her age was validated by the Gerontology Research Group (GRG) in 2022.
Biography
Oeser was born in Reutlingen on 24 June 1905. Her father, a director of Reutlingens gas and waterworks, died when she was four years old. In consequence of World War I and a missing bread-winner, Oeser was raised in poverty and frugality, being the youngest of five siblings. Thereafter, she worked at a local finance office.
She married Werner Oeser, an engineer, in 1935. They lived in North Rhine-Westphalia for almost 10 years. After World War II, her husband was appointed as professor of engineer sciences. The couple had two daughters called Heide and Lieselotte. In 1962, the family moved to Pfullingen. In consequence of being frugal, Oeser was able to travel a lot. The couple visited Tunisia, China, Uzbekistan; they travelled to Egypt three times and visited Tenerife 15 times. Also there Oeser celebrated her 100th birthday. She widowed in 1988.
In 2010, Oeser was reported to have been using an exercise bicycle for training, covering two kilometres a day. When she turned 109, she achieved a tricot of favorite soccer club FC Bayern Muenchen and forecasted Germany would not win 2014 FIFA World Cup. Despite being a fan of soccer for decades, Oeser was wrong in that particular prediction. On her 110th birthday, she was reported to have been using the local bus to visit Pfullingen's downtown and the market place. Reportedly, she was still living in her own house together with her daughter Lieselotte and her son-in-law.
Upon the passing of Else Ronsch on 5 October 2015, Herta Oeser became the oldest living person in Germany at the age of 110 years, 103 days. Oeser held the title for at least 5 months. In addition, she was the first person since Elisabeth Schneider to become Germany's oldest inhabitant at the age of 110.
Oeser died on 13 March 2016 at the age of 110 years, 263 days.
References
- Täglich auf den Heimtrainer Reutlinger General-Anzeiger. 24 June 2010
- 109. Geburtstag im Fußball-Trikot Reutlinger General-Anzeiger. 25 June 2014
- Froh, freundlich, gelassen Reutlinger Nachrichten. 25 June 2015