Supercentenarian Profile

Miriam Weseman

Born:

1916-04-28

Ste. Genevieve, Missouri

United States

Current Residence:

Washington, Missouri

United States

✔ Age Certified by LongeviQuest

Miriam Weseman (née Kiefer) is an American supercentenarian whose age has been validated by LongeviQuest.

BIOGRAPHY

Miriam Weseman was born Miriam Kiefer in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri, USA, on 28 April 1916 to parents Peter Kiefer and Monica Mary Bieser. She had two sisters: Helen and Bernice, and one cousin, Bill, who was raised as a brother in their home.

She graduated from Valle High School in Ste Genevieve, Missouri in 1934. She left home at age 18 to venture to jobs in St. Charles and St. Louis, Missouri. Eventually, Miriam would work as a nurse aide at St. Joseph Hospital in St. Charles, there she would also end up meeting her future husband, Wells Weseman with whom she married on 17 February 1941. The couple had five children: David, Janice White, Arthur, Mary, and Roberta. From the marriage, she also got six grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren.

Miriam later worked at Sporlan Valve Co. from 1943 to 1946 while Wells was stationed overseas during WWII. Later she also worked in nursing homes for 25 years. She always worked night shift 11pm–7am. She used to said she liked that shift. Because of that, she never missed making all of the special family times (birthdays, Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter, etc.), very special for her family with amazing meals and good times. In addition, she never let her job interfere with attending her children’s important events.

When asked the secret of her longevity she responded immediately with “keeping moving” and “having good family support”. A remark she says often: “What I don’t know, I make up”. Her personality was described by her family as “a wonderful sense of humor. Always able to laugh at her own foibles, always sees the best in others and gives them the benefit of the doubt”. She never wanted to be a burden to her children.

Among her hobbies she loves to watch TV, especially the local news/weather, CNN & EWTN, Catholic network. She also loves to read, especially books by religious authors.

On her 110th birthday, local kindergarten through eighth-grade students visited her home to present her with cards and sing ‘Happy Birthday.’ Currently, she still does her own cleaning and cooking, including making the gravy at Thanksgiving..