BIOGRAPHY

Lund was born as Ulla Valborg Vistisen in Sparkaer, Midtjylland, Denmark on 25 July 1907, as the third of eight children to Knud and Anine (née Pedersen) Vistisen. Some of her fondest childhood memories include the sound of her father’s spurs scraping against the stairs, her mother making her clothes and preparing delicious meals, and singing carols with her family around the Christmas tree.

At the age of 16, in 1924, Lund attended a party where she met her future husband, Svend Erik Lund. Svend emigrated to Boston, Massachusetts, in 1925, and Ulla followed soon after. They married in 1927 and had their only son, Peter, in 1937. Ulla became a U.S. citizen in 1930 and participated in every U.S. presidential election from 1932 until her death. In 1936, she visited Denmark with her husband and returned in 1950 with their son. For many years, the Lund family rented an apartment in Arlington before moving to Lexington, Massachusetts.

During World War II in 1942, after receiving confirmation from the Red Cross that her family in Denmark was safe, Ulla began volunteering as a blood donor to show her appreciation for the organization’s efforts. During the Great Depression, her husband went door-to-door cleaning gutters before later becoming a roofer. He passed away in 1976 from cancer after 49 years of marriage.

At the age of 103, Ulla moved into the Meadow Green Rehabilitation and Nursing Centre in Waltham, Massachusetts, upon her physician’s advice. There, she enjoyed doing crossword puzzles with her son Peter, who often mentioned that she usually beat him. He also recalled that she would bake over 500 Danish cookies every Christmas for her neighbors. Ulla abstained from alcohol and never inhaled cigarette smoke.

Just days before her 110th birthday, Ulla celebrated with more than 20 family members, some of whom traveled from as far as Alaska and Hawaii to attend the celebration. At that time, she had five grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Ulla Lund passed away on 23 August 2017, at the age of 110 years and 29 days.

RECOGNITION

Lund was first noted for her longevity on her 104th birthday, and again on her 109th and 110th birthdays. She became the oldest living Danish-born person three days prior to her 110th birthday after the death of Ellen Brandenborg.

Lund’s age was verified by Jimmy Lindberg, and was validated by the ESO and LongeviQuest on 28 May 2024.

ATTRIBUTION

* “What’s the secret to living to 110?” – The Boston Globe

* “Har ikke set Danmark i 67 år – nu er hun den ældste danskfødte i live” – TV 2, 29 July 2017

* “ULLA LUND Obituary” – Legacy

GALLERY