BIOGRAPHY

Knelman was born in Brooklyn, New York City, USA, on 21 May 1910. She had two siblings. Her father worked in the fur business. She spent her early years in Canada, specifically in Hudson Bay Junction, Saskatchewan, before moving with her family to Winnipeg, Manitoba.

At some point, she married Edward Knelman in Winnipeg, and they eventually relocated to Grand Forks, North Dakota. In the early 1950s, they moved to Minneapolis. The couple had a son, Kip.

Despite her age, she maintained an active lifestyle, attributing her longevity to her positive outlook and staying busy with friends. In her final years, she stayed mentally and physically active, living independently and engaging with her community through Zoom during the COVID pandemic. She was deeply involved in her community and volunteered at local organizations, including Mt. Sinai Hospital, Hadassah, and Jefferson Community School, as well as the Temple Israel early childhood center, where she served for over 30 years. She was a fixture at Temple Israel for 70 years. She attributed her longevity to avoiding stress, maintaining a positive outlook, and staying busy with friends.

Knelman passed away at her home in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, on 16 May 2022, just days before her 112th birthday. She was survived by her son, three grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter.

RECOGNITION

At the time of her passing, she was the second-oldest (known) living person in the U.S. state of Minnesota, after Erna Zahn.

Her age has not been validated.

ATTRIBUTION

* “Meet ‘Grandma Ruth,’ the 108-year-old Mpls. superstar volunteer” – MPR News, 24 May 2018

* “ On 111th birthday Minneapolis resident credits longevity to ‘thinking happy’ ” – StarTribune, 21 May 2021

* “111-year-old ‘Grandma Ruth’ of Minneapolis dies just before turning 112” – FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul, 16 May 2022

* “Ruth Adler Knelman” – StarTribune, 18 May 2022

GALLERY