BIOGRAPHY

Lankenau was born in the district of Friedensheim in Vollersode, Lower Saxony, Germany, on 27 March 1913. Both of her parents passed away when she was young. In 1938, she married Hinrich Lankenau, and the couple had three children, including Horst. They moved to Lesumstotel (Ritterhude). She was widowed in 1971. She stayed in Lesumstotel until she was 101. After that, in 2014, she relocated to the Haus am Hang nursing home in Osterholz-Scharmbeck. Until moving to the nursing home, she managed her household entirely on her own.

At the age of 110, it was reported that she didn’t want to draw much attention to herself or her longevity, as she was never interested in seeing such topics in the newspapers.

At the age of 107, Lankenau made the news for adapting to something new—she learned to use Skype so she could stay in touch with her son, daughter-in-law, three grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren during the lockdown. Gardening was one of her favorite pastimes, and even at 95, she still rode her bike around Lesumstotel. Regardless of the weather, she made it a point to go out every day. She remained active in both her gymnastics club and choir well into her later years. When asked about the secret to her longevity, she said she didn’t have one, adding, “Life is too short to be angry!”

Adele Lankenau passed away in Osterholz-Scharmbeck, Lower Saxony, Germany, on 6 October 2024, at the age of 111 years, 193 days.

RECOGNITION

Lankenau was known to researchers from the age of 106 but was not reported in the media until her 110th birthday in 2023.

On 23 July 2024, following the passing of 113-year-old Erna Brosig, she became the oldest (known) living resident of Lower Saxony, at the age of 111 years, 118 days. Upon her own passing, she was succeeded by Ida Enthof.

Her age has not been validated.

ATTRIBUTION

* “Premiere am 107. Geburtstag: Skypen mit dem Sohn“– Weser Kurier, 27 March 2020

* “Älteste Frau im Landkreis Osterholz feiert ihren 110. Geburtstag” – Weser Kurier, 27 March 2023

* Traueranzeigen von Adele Lankenau – Weser Kurier Trauer, 19 October 2024

GALLERY