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BIOGRAPHY

Stefanie Kürner was born in Sankt Peter am Wimberg, Upper Austria, Austria on 7 December 1911. She had six siblings. Her father died in World War I when she was just six years old. The family received his death certificate on the same day her youngest brother was born. Ten years later, she left her family home, first moving to St. Johann am Wimberg and then to Linz. She worked as a waitress and cared for other families’ children, some of whom remained in contact with her even later in life. During World War II, she worked as a maternity nurse and later as a cook. After the war, she continued cooking in various settings, including the town hall canteen, a kindergarten, and during the summers at a trade union hall in Bad Aussee. It was there that she met her future husband, who was a guest at the time.

At the age of 50, she married and enjoyed 30 years of a happy marriage, though the couple had no children. Nevertheless, she became a cherished figure to the many children she cared for throughout her life, who continued to visit her well into their adult years. She traveled extensively with her husband, visiting destinations such as France, the Spanish islands, and even taking a trip to Ecuador aboard a banana cargo ship.

Kürner lived independently until the age of 97, initially moving into the Caritas assisted living facility in Linz and later the Caritas Karl Borromäus retirement home in Linz. Known for her sharp mind and well-groomed appearance, she managed her own appointments and stayed socially active, maintaining close ties with friends and family. Even in her later years, she remained deeply engaged with current events, keeping up with the news through newspapers and television, assisted by special devices.

When asked about the secret of her longevity, she said: “Get plenty of exercise and don’t be whiny, even when you’re in pain.” At the age of 105, despite her deteriorating eyesight, she continued reading the newspaper with the aid of a special magnifying glass and listened to television to stay informed about current events. Even then, she had a clear message for the younger generation, warning them not to become radical, as “radicalism only leads to wars.” She also observed that “solidarity is no longer as strong” and that “there used to be more harmony.”

Stefanie Kürner passed away in Linz, Upper Austria, Austria, on 11 April 2023, at the age of 111 years, 125 days.

RECOGNITION

At the time of her passing, she was the oldest known living person in Upper Austria, and the second-oldest known living person in the country overall, after Margarete Tröstl.

Her age has not been validated.

ATTRIBUTION

* “Petringerin feiert im Seniorenheim 105. Geburtstag” – MeinBezirk.at, 14 December 2016

* “Herzliche Gratulation zum 105. Geburtstag” – MeinBezirk.at, 14 December 2016

* “Stefanie Kürner, 106: “Jede Zeit hat ihre guten Seiten”” – nachrichten.at, 11 December 2017

* ““Klub der über Hundertjährigen LinzerInnen” wächst” – MeinBezirk.at, 13 January 2022

GALLERY

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