BIOGRAPHY

Beck was born as Marie Emilie Ilse Peitz in Dresden, Saxony on 5 October 1906. She worked as an office clerk.

Beck survived the bombing of Dresden in February 1945 with her son, Rainer, who later became a respected gynaecologist. He died in 2002.

Beck moved into a nursing home in Harpersdorf, Thuringia, in 1999. She never took any medication, and got along with everyone she met. Beck also enjoyed tracking the weather in Harpersdorf. She celebrated her 107th birthday singing folk songs with fellow nursing home residents. She attended church services until the age of 109.

At the time of her 110th birthday, Beck had three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. She died on 29 March 2018 at the age of 111 years, 175 days.

RECOGNITION

On every birthday since her 95th, Beck was visited by Kraftsdorf District Administrator Martina Schweinsburg. On her 110th birthday, she was congratulated by Kraftsdorf Mayor Bernd Becker, and Pastor Christian Kurzke.

Beck’s age was verified by Marco Wikkerink, and validated by the ESO on 15 February 2020.

ATTRIBUTION

* “Frau Ilse Beck feierte ihren 106. Geburtstag” – Kraftsdorf.de, November 2012

* “Älteste Frau in Thüringen feierte 110. Geburtstag” – Thüringer Allgemeine, 6 October 2016

GALLERY