Maria Laqua

Maria Laqua
Birth:	12 February 1889 Reydt-Odenkirchen, Prussia (Rhine Province)
Death:	9 February 2002 Bad Hönningen, Rhineland Palatinate, Germany
Age:	112 years, 362 days
Country:	GER
Validated

Maria Laqua (12 February 1889 – 9 February 2002) was a German supercentenarian who remains the oldest validated person ever to be born and die in Germany (although Gustav Gerneth and Mathilde Mange claims to be older), having a life span of 112 years and 362 days.

Biography

Maria Laqua was born in Reydt-Odenkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, on 12 February 1889. She was one of 13 children. She worked as housemaid, married and gave birth to two children in the 1920s. Her husband Karl died in 1958. Their both sons fell in the Second World War.

Laqua became Germany's oldest living person following the death of 110 year-old Wilhelm Schorner on 29 March 1999. Laqua lived for 35 years in a retirement home in Bad Hönningen, Rhineland-Palatinate and died in her sleep, three days before her 113th birthday. She was only survived by a great-niece who attended her regularly. It was reported that Laqua was in need of care, bedridden and not accessible during her last years. Nevertheless there were also good days when Maria Laqua had a flash and spoke. During a visit of a bishop for example, she had spoken at once and told a lot. She enjoyed listening radio, drinking wine and eating ice cream.

Maria Laqua died in Bad Honningen, Rhineland Palatinate, Germany, on 9 February 2002.

Laqua was succeeded as Germany’s oldest person by 112 year-old Rosalia Hasenkampf after holding the title of being Germany's oldest citizen for 2 years and 323 days.

References

• Die älteste Deutsche wird 112 RP online. 12 Februay 2001
• Älteste Frau Deutschlands gestorben Die Welt. 12 Februay 2002

Germany's Oldest Living Person Titleholders (V • E)

Margarethe Sauer • Katharina Braun • Leni Matthaei • Mathilde Schulz • Petronella Wansleban • Agnes Gerrath • Anna Fleinert • Bertha Brandes • Wilhelmine Heister • Gertrude Schmalohr • Maria Corba • Elfried Libbert • Paula Baumgartner • Gertrud Pannwitz • Ottilie Aleith • Karolina Kruger • Franziska Umrath • Pauline Spyra • Wilhelm Lehnen • Marie Stegmann • Wilhelm Schorner • Maria Laqua • Rosalia Hasenkampf • Magdalene Regener • Anna Stephan • Lina Zimmer • Hermann Dornemann • Frieda Muller • Irmgard von Stephani • Elsa Tauser • Frieda Borchert • Emma Joisten • Alwine Werner • Zhenya Broytman • Frieda Schmidt • Berta Zeisler • Charlotte Bauch • Karolina Grober • Elisabeth Schneider • Gertrud Henze • Frieda Szwillus • Johanna Klink • Charlotte Klamroth • Margarete Dannheimer • Else Ronsch • Herta Oeser • Gustav Gerneth • Mathilde Mange • Katharina Hagemeyer • Adele Rodenstein • Josefine Ollmann • Anna Cernohorsky • Charlotte Kretschmann