Hazel Schultz

BIOGRAPHY

Schultz was born as Hazel Mary Anthony in Mozart, Saskatchewan, Canada on 12 January 1913 as the eldest child of Clarence Joseph Anthony (1892 – 1990) and Dagmar Iwerson (1891 – 1993). Her Wisconsin-born father had French-Canadian ancestry, while her mother was born in Iceland. They lived to the ages of 98 and 101 respectively. She had a younger brother, Floyd Joseph, who died in 1952, eight days short of his 38th birthday.

After a tornado swept away their Saskatchewan farm, Schultz moved with her family to the United States in 1922, settling in Bellingham, Washington. She married Herbert Philip Schultz, 9 years her junior, on 16 May 1941 and had three children: Douglas, Gary, and Cheryl. Her two sons both became doctors.

She drove her car until she was 100. At the time of her 106th birthday, Schultz had four grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. She claimed that the secret to her longevity was “positive living”, as well as “good Scandinavian genes.” By her 109th birthday, she was living with her daughter in Post Falls, Idaho. Shortly thereafter, she began living in a small nursing home in Coeur D’Alene, of which she is one of nine residents. At the age of 110, she was reported to be in good health, albeit hard of hearing.

Schultz can still walk as a supercentenarian. She is one of the top 10 oldest people ever to reside in Idaho.

RECOGNITION

Schultz was first noted for her longevity on her 106th birthday in the Coeur d’Alene Press. She was reported again on her 109th birthday, and for her 110th birthday, she was congratulated by the salon she frequents. In June 2023, she was reported as being the oldest member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Schultz is currently the second-oldest known living person in the U.S. state of Idaho, behind Sara Ashman.