Elisabet Ekenæs

NORWAY supercentenarian data

  • Full name: Elisabet Julie Ekenæs
  • Lifespan: 26.12.1904 – 04.01.2017
  • Age: 112 years, 9 days
  • Birthplace: Øymark Municipality (now Marker MunicipalityØstfold fylke (now Viken fylke), Norway
  • Last residence: Oslo, Oslo fylke, Norway
  • Application date: 28.12.2014
  • Validation date: 11.01.2016
  • Validation source: Thor Kleppe/Jan Erik Aas/Waclaw Jan Kroczek

Biography

Elisabet Julie Ekenæs, originally from Oymark in the current Marker municipality, was born on December 26, 1904. She faced early challenges as her father passed away when she was young. Alongside her mother, Mathilde Amundsen, they relocated to her mother’s sister’s farm, Hønstvet, in Skiptvet. Despite being born with a club foot, Elisabet, along with her sister Karoline, excelled academically, particularly in mathematics and Norwegian language.

Later in life, Elisabet moved to Oslo, residing in the Valerenga neighborhood for an extended period. She had the companionship of her niece, Jorunn Elisabeth Kleppe, who lived with her for over a decade. Additionally, Elisabet’s mother joined her in the 1950s. Elisabet dedicated herself to education, working as a school teacher for Mollergata’s church.

Devout and disciplined, Elisabet never smoked or drank alcohol. On December 26, 2016, she celebrated her remarkable 112th birthday, making her only the second person in Norway to achieve this extraordinary milestone. (Maren Bolette Torp held the distinction of being the first person in Norway to reach the age of 112.) Elisabet’s life is a testament to resilience, academic prowess, and a commitment to a virtuous lifestyle.

Elisabet Ekenæspassed away on January 4, 2017, aged 112 years, 9 days. She was the first validated supercentenarian death of 2017. She had been Norway’s oldest person for more than four years.

Longevity Recognition

Elisabet Ekenæs was the oldest living person in Norway since August 16, 2012 after the death of Ragndid Slotfeldt-Ellingsen and all of the Nordic region since the death of Selma Tuominen of Finland on March 13, 2015.

In addition, Elisabet Ekenæs was the second person in the history of Norway to eclipse the lifespan of 112 years since Maren Bolette Torp in 1988.

Elisabet Ekenæs at the age of 110.

Elisabet Ekenæs as supercentenarian; undated.

Elisabet Ekenæs at the age of 112, approximately a week before passing away.

Photo courtesy of Mr. Thor Kleppe.

Elisabet Ekenæs at age 110.

Longevity Recognition

  • Doyenne of Norway (16.08.2012 – 04.01.2017)
  • Oldest living person in Nordic Countries (13.03.2015 – 04.01.2017)

Validation

Elisabet Ekenæs’s age was meticulously examined and verified by Thor Kleppe, Jan Erik Aas, and Waclaw Jan Kroczek, and validated by the Gerontology Research Group (GRG) as of January 11, 2016.

Elisabet Ekenæs (aged 8-9) as a young girl in 1913 (right).

Elisabet Ekenæs at the age of 25.

Elisabet Ekenæs as a young woman.

Elisabet Ekenæs at the age of 108.