BIOGRAPHY

Curley was born in Chicago, Illinois, USA, on 21 November 1880, to parents Friedrich Martin Gottlieb Redieske (Redeske) (1837–1898) and Henriette Albertine Wolfe (1843–1916). She had at least one brother, Charles W. Redeske (1868–1934). Her parents were immigrants from Pomerania.

At some point, she married Thomas B. Curley (1863–1934), a native of England. The couple at least two daughters: Bernice Howard and Lucille Mae Conway (1912–1981).

Curley passed away in Waseca, Minnesota, USA, on 29 May 1994, at the age of 113 years, 189 days.

RECOGNITION

On 8 July 1990, following the death of 111-year-old Alice Barwise of Minneapolis, she became the oldest living person in the U.S. state of Minnesota.

On 22 April 1992, at the age of 111 years, 153 days, she surpassed Barwise’s final age, becoming the oldest known person to ever live in Minnesota. She subsequently became the first person in the State to reach the age of 112 and 113. She held this record until her final age was surpassed by Catherine Hagel on 5 June 2008.

Her case was researched by the Kestenbaum Study, and validated by the Gerontology Research Group with the birthdate of 21 November 1882, and the final age of 111 years, 189 days. However, in November 2023, following a thorough review of documentation uncovered by Jimmy Lindberg, the Global Validation Commission reached the conclusion that Curley’s claimed date of birth (21 November 1880) was accurate.

ATTRIBUTION

* Mary Fredricka Redeske Curley – Find A Grave

* Fred Gottlieb “Father” Redeske – Find A Grave

* Thomas B. Curley – Find A Grave

* Obituary of Lucille Mae Conway – The News-Messenger, 19 March 1981

GALLERY