Evelyn Kleine

BIOGRAPHY

Evelyn Kleine was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, on 11 July 1907, to parents Anna and Gus Holm. Her parents were Swedish immigrants. She had four siblings: Esther Burns, Ruth Nelson, Adeline Bixler, and Leonard Holm. The family moved to Columbia Heights when she was eight years old. In her youth, she created fond memories of winter sledding, growing vegetables in the family garden, and picking hazelnuts in the woods. At 16, she learned to drive in the family’s Model T Ford, practicing along Reservoir Blvd—an activity that foreshadowed her remarkable independence, as she continued driving until the age of 99.

In 1925, Evelyn graduated from Vocational High School in Minneapolis as a trained seamstress and dressmaker. Sewing remained a lifelong passion; she not only enjoyed making and altering clothes but even crafted her own outfit for her 100th birthday celebration.

In her younger years, Evelyn embraced the outdoors, enjoying fishing, hunting, golfing, and hiking. She was an active member of the Minneapolis Hiking Club, where she met her first husband, Thornton McCurdy, whom she married in 1932. She later met her second husband, Charles Kleine, while attending the Methodist Church in Pittsburgh. Throughout her two marriages, she lived in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Florida, and Minnesota. She had no children.

A fiercely independent woman, Evelyn lived in her own apartment until the age of 104, when she moved to St. Anthony Nursing Home. She was a long-time member of Community United Methodist Church, the Golden Age Club, and the Columbia Heights Senior Center. One of her greatest joys in life was playing cards.

Kleine attributes her longevity to clean living, taking plenty of vitamins, never smoking or drinking alcohol, and avoiding unnecessary stress. In an interview with WCCO reporter Reg Chapman, she advised young people to have fun and cherish their time together.

Evelyn Kleine passed away in St. Anthony, Minnesota, USA, on 7 December 2019, at the age of 112 years, 149 days.

RECOGNITION

Kleine became the oldest known living person in the U.S. state of Minnesota following the passing of Lena Dick on 27 February 2018. Upon her own passing, she was succeeded by Erna Zahn.

Kleine’s age was validated by the Gerontology Research Group (GRG) on 5 November 2019, and later recognised by LongeviQuest.

ATTRIBUTION

* “A super Tuesday celebration for a supercentenarian (aka a 110-year-old)” – TwinCities.com, 11 July 2017

* “At 110, long life is in the cards for Evelyn Kleine” – Northeaster, 19 July 2017

* “Minnesota’s Oldest Person Celebrates 111th Birthday” – CBS Minnesota, 11 July 2018

* “Evelyn Kleine Obituary” – Star Tribune, 11 December 2019

GALLERY

[crp limit=’4′ ]