BIOGRAPHY

Gudrun Nymoen was born in Osen, Åmot, Innlandet County, Norway, on 26 October 1910, as the sixth of nine children. She and the youngest, Agnes, were the only girls among the siblings. She spent most of her life in Osen. She was weak at birth, so her family wanted to baptize her immediately in case she didn’t survive. However, she regained her strength. She first attended Ulvevadet School in Osdalen for two years before continuing her education at Vika School in Nesset. After finishing school, she stayed home to help her mother. Later, she took on various jobs, including house cleaning, assisting with mowing, and baking flatbread, working around Osdalen and Slemdalen.

In the late 1940s, Gudrun and her husband, Jørgen, built their home in Osen, where they raised four children: Paul, Astrid, Liv, and Karin. Their previous home burned down in 1944. After Jørgen’s passing in 1993, Gudrun was left a widow, but she continued to live independently until she moved into the nursing home in Osen at 100. She traveled extensively with Jørgen and later with friends, enjoying trips both within Norway and abroad.

Her 100th birthday was celebrated with a large party in the church hall in Osen. Around 70 people attended, including her four children, seven grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. She celebrated her 104th birthday still active, solving crossword puzzles, reading newspapers, and enjoying time with her large family.

Nymoen passed away in Osen, on 8 July 2021, at the age of 110 years, 255 days.

RECOGNITION

On 23 May 2020, following the passing of Petra Høgetveit, she became the oldest living person in Norway, at the age of 109 years, 210 days.

Nymoen’s age was verified by Jimmy Lindberg and validated by the ESO on 23 January 2021.

Upon her passing, Gunhild Lyse (7 August 1913 – 27 April 2022) succeeded her as the country’s oldest living resident.

ATTRIBUTION

* “Sprek 100-åring” – Østlendingen, 26 October 2010

* “103 år og like sprek” – Østlendingen, 28 October 2013

* “Fyller 104 år i morgen, men er fortsatt klar og sprek” – Østlendingen, 25 October 2014

* “Gudrun (110) føler seg ikke gammel” – Lokalavisa Trysil Engerdal, 26 October 2020

* “Hun begynte på skolen i 1918” – Aftenposten, 22 July 2021

GALLERY