BIOGRAPHY

Katie Bodenbender was born in Marburg, Hesse, Germany, on 19 April 1905. She was the third of six children born to Christine Klee and Otto Zschocke. She had five siblings: Hans, Kurt, Arthur, Anna, and Marie. In addition, she had a sister and twin brothers who died in infancy. As a teenager and young adult, she worked in the household of a prominent German surgeon, where she began developing her skills in homemaking, child care, and cooking. Before immigrating to the United States, Katie was employed in the home of an English countess. It was during this time that she furthered her abilities by learning to read and speak English.

In 1930, Katie immigrated to Moline, Illinois, where Henry Bodenbender—originally from Niederweimar, Germany—was awaiting her arrival. Henry had come to America the year prior. Within her first week in Moline, Katie searched the help-wanted ads and responded to an advertisement for a cook. She was hired by Charles Deere Wiman, with Wiman serving as the President of Deere and Company.

Katie and Henry were married at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Rock Island and later became members of Trinity Lutheran Church in Moline. The couple worked for the Wiman family for approximately eight years. Eventually, they purchased a grocery store located at 10th Street and 14th Avenue. Katie managed the store daily, serving the local community, while Henry continued working at Overlook as Wiman’s personal valet.

In 1938, Katie and Henry built Katy’s Grocery Store. Together, they raised four children: Reinhardt, Katherine, Arthur, and Andrew. Katie remained actively involved in running the store until the age of 80.

She had a wide range of interests and talents. Among her passions was cultivating a professionally maintained flower garden in the yard adjacent to the store. She also enjoyed preparing special meals for her family, as well as knitting, crocheting, and creating hooked rugs. Katie learned to drive at the age of 72 and purchased her first car following Henry’s passing in 1977. She continued to swim and travel well into her 90s, remaining active until the age of 95. Katie lived independently in her own home, despite facing some mobility challenges later in life due to hip fractures at ages 100 and 105.

Katie Bodenbender passed away in Moline, Illinois, USA, on 16 April 2017, at the age of 111 years, 362 days. She was survived by three of her children, eight grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren.

RECOGNITION

Bodenbender’s age was validated by the European Supercentenarian Organisation (ESO) on 21 March 2020.

ATTRIBUTION

* “At 110, Katie Bodenbender’s days are filled with prayer, music and laughter” – The Quad-City Times, 23 April 2015

* Katherine Bodenbender Obituary – Wendt Funeral Home, 16 April 2017

* “Katherine ‘Katie’ Bodenbender” – The Quad-City Times, 20 April 2017

GALLERY