Florence Krietenstein

BIOGRAPHY

Florence Krietenstein was born in Posey County, Indiana, USA, on 14 November 1905, to parents John Dickhaut (1871–1955) and Mary F. Wulf (1872–1974). She had eight siblings: Esther Louise Heneisen (1894–1964), Alvin (1896–1937), Alice Grabert (1899–1989), Lillian Carolyn Rhoads (1901–1994), Walter (1903–1997), Olivia Mary Dickhaut (1908–2007), Helen Aylsworth (1911–2019), and Emily (1916–1916). She was of German descent.

Florence graduated from Mt. Vernon High School in 1923 and attended Evansville College for teacher training. She taught school for three years while also assisting her husband, Theodore A. Krietenstein (1898–1980), on their farm. After retiring from teaching, she served as the director of the school lunch program in the Mount Vernon district for 23 years, providing meals not only for students but also for community events. She had three children: Martha Schmitz (1926–2024), Donald Ted Krietenstein (1931–2017), and Phyllis Wright (1934–2023).

Her mother passed away in August 1974, aged 102. Her sister Alice passed away at 90, Lillian at 92, Walter at 93, and Olivia at 99. Her sister Helen lived the longest, passing away in September 2019 at the age of 108 years and 262 days. Additionally, her niece, Edith Ruth Seifert (1915–2017), lived to be 102.

A dedicated member of the First United Methodist Church, Florence had a collection of her favorite recipes published in a church cookbook. In her free time, she loved cooking, playing golf and bridge, and walking to Mt. Vernon’s football and basketball games.

Florence Krietenstein passed away at Deaconess Hospital in Evansville, Indiana, on 22 December 2015, at the age of 110 years, 38 days.

RECOGNITION

At the time of her passing, she was the oldest (known) living person in the U.S. state of Indiana. Upon her own passing, she was likely succeeded by José Hernandez Ayala.

Her age was verified by Eli Logan and Jimmy Lindberg, and validated by LongeviQuest on 3 February 2025.

ATTRIBUTION

* Florence Dickhaut Krietenstein – Find A Grave

* Florence Krietenstein Obituary – Schneider Funeral Home

GALLERY

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