OSHKOSH, Wis. — Ruth “Esther” Stryzewski recently celebrated her 112th birthday this year. She is Wisconsin’s oldest living resident and the 16th oldest in the nation. 

What You Need To Know

  • Ruth “Esther” Stryzewski recently celebrated her 112th birthday 

  • She is Wisconsin's oldest living resident

  • Stryzewski spent nearly four decades as an organist and a member of a local singing group

  • Despite battling COVID-19 twice, Stryzewski’s birthdays continue to impress those around her each year

Stryzewski was born in Bloomfield, Wis., and raised on a farm.

Despite battling COVID-19 twice, Stryzewski’s birthdays continue to impress those around her with each passing year. 

“When she was 109 for her birthday and received over 200, 300 greeting cards from around the world,” said Ingrid Garrison. “I was like, ‘This is it, this is the big party,’ but here we are at 112 years old. She’s just an amazing, amazing woman.”

When asked about her secret to longevity, she replied, “It was easy.” 

Garrison said Stryzewski’s love for the Green Bay Packers, family and faith remains strong. 

“She truly is just driven by her faith and, of course, a little bit of chocolate she shared with me and wine, so got to kind of incorporate that,” said Garrison. 

Every day, Garrison joins Stryzewski in prayer. Garrison has formed a close bond with the 112-year-old resident of Park View Health Center in Oshkosh, Wis. It’s a bond that’s lasted throughout Garrison’s entire tenure at Park View. 

“She is just a remarkable, remarkable woman,” said Garrison.  

Garrison said Stryzewski also has a passion for music. It’s a passion that grew out her nearly four decades as an organist and a member of a local singing group.

“Ruth has always had music in her life, so it was a really nice steppingstone, and it was a great way for us to connect,” said Elizabeth Pupeter, a music therapist at Park View. 

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