Julia Tharnish

Julia Teresa Tharnish (née Huigens; 6 June 1897 – 14 December 2007) was an American supercentenarian whose age is currently validated by the Gerontology Research Group (GRG). At time of her death, she was the oldest living person in Nebraska.

Biography
Julia Tharnish was born in Creighton, Nebraska, USA on 6 June 1897. Her parents were John Huigens and Mary (née Fitzler) Huigens. She moved with her family to Creighton when she was 8 years old. She attended St. Ludger's Academy and graduated in 1914.

Julia clerked in several stores in Creighton and also worked at the Liberty newspaper. She played the piano in an orchestra, led by her brother, Ed, for silent movies. Her husband-to-be played coronet and violin in the same orchestra.

She married Ernest P. Tharnish on 21 May 1918, in St. Ludger's Church. The couple had 14 children: 8 girls and 6 boys. They lived on farms around Creighton until 1954 when they bought a home and moved to Creighton. Julia and Ernest sold Raleigh Products for 13 years in Knox County. She was widowed in 1983, after 65 years of marriage.

She belonged to several organizations including Royal Neighbors, Helping Hand Club, Altar Society and The Catholic Daughters of America. She had held offices in most of these clubs. She was a member of St. Ludger Catholic Church.

Julia Tharnish died in Creighton, Nebraska, USA on 14 December 2007 at the age of 110 years, 190 days. She is survived by 12 children, 76 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.