BIOGRAPHY

Lisl Schaaf was born in Dietlingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, on 16 October 1906, to parents Gustav Heinrich Bürkle and Rosine Wilhelmine Augenstein (1882–1919). She had at least three siblings, Wilhelm Friedrich (born 1905), Karl and Fridl. Growing up in Germany, she worked in her aunt’s watch factory, but times remained difficult after World War I. Determined to seek a better future, she bought a ticket to America and traveled in steerage with a cousin aboard the S.S. Columbus. She arrived in the United States on 4 June 1928.

At first, she worked as a housekeeper and cared for children. She recalled those as difficult times, with few job opportunities and average wages of just $8 or $9 a week. A cousin in Chicago sent her the money to move to the Midwest, where she found a vibrant community of German athletic organizations. It was through one of these clubs that she met her husband. She often liked to say she first saw Erwin Schaaf (1905–1992) “on the soccer field.” Erwin was a starting player for the Schwaben Athletic Club soccer team. They married on 24 April 1931. A skilled baker, she had a simple philosophy: as long as she had flour, milk, eggs, and butter, everything would be fine. Her husband worked in Bellwood at the Chicago Rivet & Machine Co. In the 1930s, many Americans didn’t own cars, and during World War II, when gasoline was rationed, he and his coworkers carpooled.

She stayed home while their children were young but later worked part-time packing chocolates at the Andes Candies shop at Damen and Lincoln Avenues. Since she never learned to drive, she walked or took the bus to work. She also worked as a cook at the Hapsburg Inn on River Road in Des Plaines, where her husband moonlighted as a bartender. The Schaafs raised their family in a home near Belmont and California Avenues before moving to Norwood Park in 1959. Schaaf didn’t return to Germany until 1952.

Lisl Schaaf passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA, on 25 April 2020, at the age of 113 years, 192 days. In addition to her children, Ruth and Henry, she was survived by four grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and nine great-great grandchildren.

RECOGNITION

On 28 July 2017, following the passing of 112-year-old Mildred Salk, she became the oldest known living person in the U.S. state of Illinois, at the age of 110 years, 285 days. Upon her own passing, she was succeeded by Stella Lennox.

Schaaf’s age was verified by Dr. Andrew Holmes, and was validated by the ESO on 24 January 2020.

ATTRIBUTION

* Louise Wilhelmine Schaaf (Bürkle) – Geni

* “Louise Schaaf, dead at 113, was Illinois’ oldest resident, oldest known immigrant to the U.S.” – Chicago Sun Times, 5 June 2020

GALLERY