Gertrude Ness

BIOGRAPHY

Ness was born in Westline Township, Redwood County, Minnesota, USA, on 22 April 1906, to parents Noble Dee Sherwood (1876–1963) and Eliza O’Brien (1878–1975). She had five siblings, including Dwight E. Sherwood (1903–1981) and Ruth Rupp (1911–2010). Before getting married, she worked in educational music and served as the director (drum major) of Bemidji’s Children’s Drum and Bugle Corps. As the drum major, Gertrude and her students traveled and participated in many parades.

In 1934, she married Peder Ingvald Eliason Ness (1905–1991), a Norwegian immigrant, and together they raised two daughters, Diane and Jo. At the time of their marriage, her husband was working in banking. After getting married, she stopped teaching. The family moved to Glendale, California, in July 1941, where she worked at Lockheed in Burbank, assembling bomber doors to support the World War II effort. After the war, she developed a daycare system in the Glendale School District for single mothers and opened several nursery schools. By the end of her career, at age 76, she was working in administration with the Glendale School District. Her husband continued his career in banking and passed away from cancer in July 1991.

After her husband’s passing, she continued living in Glendale in the house they had rented upon their arrival in California and later purchased. She only stopped driving at the age of 104. At the age of 109, she was still living independently, with assistance from neighbors and visiting nurses a few times a week. At that time, she also continued to visit the hair salon once a week for hair and nail care.

Ness passed away in Glendale, California, USA, on 28 August 2016, at the age of 110 years, 128 days. She was survived by her two daughters, two granddaughters, three great-grandchildren, and step-grandson.

RECOGNITION

Her age was verified by Stefan Maglov and Jimmy Lindberg, and validated by LongeviQuest on 11 September 2024.

ATTRIBUTION

* “Gertrude Ness Turns 109 Years Old” – The Fillmore Gazette, 29 April 2015

* “Gertrude Ness Passes Away at 110 Years Old” – The Fillmore Gazette, 8 September 2016

* “Gertrude (Sherwood) Ness” – 22 September 2016

* Gertrude Sherwood Ness – Find A Grave

GALLERY

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