BIOGRAPHY

Lena Dick was born on a farm northeast of Mountain Lake in Cottonwood County, Minnesota, USA, on 5 August 1905. Her parents were Isaac D. Schultz (1872–1950) and Kornelia “Nellie” Peters (1878–1960). She had four siblings: David Isaac (1903–1995), Albert Isaac (1907–2002), Willard (1910–1976), and Susanna (1916–1916). When she was about a year old, she became seriously ill and was not expected to survive. She attended German School—now Mountain Lake Christian School—as well as a local country school, and later spent a year and a half at the public school. After a few years, she enrolled at the Bible Training School (now Crown College), where she studied for two years and graduated in 1927.

In 1934, she married Jacob L. Dick (1902–1987). A hardworking farm wife, she took on daily chores such as feeding the pigs and chickens, gathering eggs, and preparing hearty meals for her family. In addition to managing the household, she was a devoted mother to two sons, Alvin (1935–2015) and Willard, and a daughter, Dorothy. In her spare time, Lena enjoyed gardening, cooking, baking, and sewing. She continued crocheting well into old age, until she was 110. The family was actively involved in their church community, serving on the relief committee, assisting with MCC meat canning, teaching Sunday School, and participating in the Christian school’s auxiliary. Her husband, Jacob, passed away in 1987, just two weeks before his 85th birthday.

After leaving the family farm west of Mountain Lake, Lena moved into a home in town, where she lived independently until nearly 106. She then transitioned to The Lodge, an assisted living residence operated by the Good Samaritan Society in Mountain Lake. Around the age of 110, she moved just down the hall to The Village, the facility’s skilled nursing care center.

Dick passed away in Mountain Lake, Minnesota, USA, on 27 February 2018, at the age of 112 years, 206 days. She was survived by her son Willard, her daughter Dorothy, eight grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, two step-great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandson.

RECOGNITION

On 29 September 2015, following the passing of Veronica Forstner, she became the oldest living person in the U.S. state of Minnesota. Upon her own passing, she was succeeded by Evelyn Kleine.

Dick’s age was validated by the Gerontology Research Group (GRG) on 16 August 2017.

ATTRIBUTION

* “1905 was a very good year” – Cross-Counties Connect, 6 August 2015

* “Happy 112th birthday, Lena Dick!” – Cross-Counties Connect, 5 August 2017

* Lena Dick Obituary – Sturm Funeral Home

* Helena “Lena” Schultz Dick – Find A Grave

GALLERY