A birthday party was held Feb. 20, 2024 at Park View Health Center in Oshkosh in honor of Ruth Stryzewski, who turned 112 years old. PC: Fox 11 Online
OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Ruth Stryzewski already holds the title of the oldest resident of Winnebago County, but that didn’t stop her from tacking on yet another year.
A birthday party was held Tuesday at Park View Health Center in Oshkosh in honor of Stryzewski, who turned 112 years old. Family, friends and staff gathered for cake, ice cream, popcorn and sharing stories.
“She’s just been such a strong, vibrant woman. It’s been really fun to be with her and I’m so happy that she was able to enjoy this day,” said Marjorie Sutter, Stryzewski’s niece and goddaughter. “She leads a rather solitary life, being both deaf and blind, and it’s nice to have her out with people, being touched and loved.”
Stryzewski was born in Waushara County in 1912 as Ruth Winter. She was one of eight siblings and also had two foster siblings. Longevity runs in her family — Stryzewski’s mother lived to 96 and her sister reached 103. Two other siblings lived into their 90s, and one of Stryzewski’s cousins hit 100 years old.
Stryzewski married her husband, Elmer, in 1937 and the pair moved to Oshkosh, spending 66 years together before his death in 2003. Although they could not have children, the couple doted on their beloved nieces and nephews.
Stryzewski often recalls how she was one of the inaugural employees of Miles Kimball, typing on the first typewriter the company owned.
She says the secret to living a long life is wine, chocolate, prayer and spending time outside. Stryzewski has always loved music, especially singing and playing piano; traveling the world, being with family and cheering on the Green Bay Packers.
Ruth’s positive outlook on life and resilient spirit serve as an inspiration to all who know her. The Winnebago County community joins together to wish Ruth a very happy birthday and more years filled with love, happiness, and good health.
To put into perspective how remarkable Stryzewski’s age is, consider these facts:
- She has lived through two world wars, the Great Depression and two global pandemics.
- Ruth was about two months old when the RMS Titanic departed England and when Fenway Park opened in Boston.
- The Packers were founded by Curly Lambeau when she was 7.5 years old.
- She is six days younger than the State of Arizona, which became the 48th U.S. state on Feb. 14, 1912.
- She was born during the presidency of William Howard Taft.
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