Walter Breuning facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Walter Breuning
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Walter Breuning at age 113 in 2010
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| Born | September 21, 1896 Melrose, Minnesota, U.S.
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| Died | April 14, 2011 (aged 114 years, 205 days) Great Falls, Montana, U.S.
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Agnes C. Breuning (née Twokey)
(m. 1922; died 1957)Margaret Breuning (née Vanest)
(m. 1958; died 1975) |
Walter Breuning (born September 21, 1896 – died April 14, 2011) was an American man who lived for a very long time. He was 114 years and 205 days old when he passed away. At that time, he was the oldest living man in the world. He was also the third-oldest man whose age was officially checked and confirmed. As of 2023, he is the fourth-oldest confirmed man ever.
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Walter Breuning's Early Life
Walter Breuning was born in Melrose, Minnesota. His parents were John and Cora Breuning. He had two brothers and two sisters. In 1901, when Walter was five years old, his family moved to De Smet, South Dakota. He went to school there for nine years.
In 1910, when Walter was 14, his family faced tough times. He called this period "the dark ages" because they lived without electricity, running water, or indoor plumbing. Walter's parents died at younger ages, but many of his other family members lived very long lives. His grandparents lived into their 90s, and his siblings lived to be 78, 85, 91, and 100 years old.
Walter's Work Life
In 1910, Walter left school and started working. He scraped bakery pans for $2.50 a week. In 1913, he began working for the Great Northern Railway. He worked there for over 50 years! When he first started, he was only 17. He had to hide from the railway owner, James J. Hill, because Hill didn't want employees under 18.
Walter worked for the railway until he was 66. He also managed a local club called the Shriner's club until he was 99. During World War I, he signed up for the military but was not called to serve. When World War II started, he was too old to join.
In 1918, Walter moved to Montana. He kept working as a clerk for the Great Northern Railway. There, he met Agnes Twokey, who worked as a telegraph operator. They were married from 1922 until Agnes passed away in 1957. They did not have any children. Later, it was found that he married Margaret Vanest in 1958, and she died in 1975. Walter was also a Freemason, which is a member of a social and charitable organization. He was a member for over 85 years.
Walter's Later Years
Walter Breuning lived at the Rainbow Retirement and Assisted Living Center in Great Falls, Montana, for 32 years. He moved there in 1979 when he was 83 years old. The place was originally a hotel and later became an assisted living center.
Walter used to smoke cigars for most of his life. He said he quit in 1999, when he was 103, because they became too expensive. Walter had a very sharp memory. He could remember his grandfather talking about the American Civil War when Walter was just three years old. He also remembered the day President William McKinley was shot as the day he got his first haircut.
On his 112th birthday in 2008, Walter shared his secret to a long life. He said, "If you keep your mind busy and keep your body busy, you're going to be around a long time." He was interviewed on CBS by Steve Hartman in 2009.
Public Appearances and Recognition
On his 110th birthday in September 2006, Walter Breuning was recognized as the oldest living retired railroader in the United States. The Governor of Montana and the city mayor attended his birthday party.
In February 2009, Walter appeared on the News Hour with Jim Lehrer. He shared his thoughts on the economy and the new president, Barack Obama. Walter said the first president he ever voted for was Woodrow Wilson. He also said the most memorable news event he heard about was the Wall Street Crash of 1929. He described what life was like during the Great Depression.
On his 113th birthday in September 2009, Walter shared some wise words. He said, "Remember that life's length is not measured by its hours and days, but by that which we have done therein." He believed there are "greater and better things in us all" to discover.
The BNSF Railway honored Walter by naming a part of their new railway line "Walter Junction" after him. He was there for the dedication of this new line in September 2009. In February 2010, he was also honored by Montana Ambassadors for bringing positive attention to the state of Montana.
Walter's Health and Habits
Walter was generally in good health for most of his life. In 1960, when he was 64, he had colon cancer, but it was successfully treated and never came back. He didn't have other major health problems until he broke his hip when he was 108. He recovered fully in just 21 days. He also got hearing aids when he was 111.
Walter believed his diet helped him live so long. He ate two meals a day: a big breakfast and a hearty lunch. He skipped dinner and instead snacked on fruit. He drank a lot of water throughout the day and some coffee with his meals. He woke up every day at 6:15 AM and had breakfast at 7:30 AM. After breakfast, he would walk around his retirement center for exercise. He enjoyed chatting with other residents and visitors in the lobby. In the afternoon, he would listen to the radio and read the newspaper or letters from people around the world.
Walter's weight stayed about the same for the last 50 years of his life, around 125 to 130 pounds. He was 5 feet 8 inches tall. For many years, he took a baby aspirin every day, but he eventually stopped because he felt he didn't need it. He took no other medicine. Walter also believed that keeping his mind and body active was key to his long life. He didn't fully retire until he was 99! He did daily exercises almost until the end of his life. In his final years, his eyesight was not good due to cataracts, but he kept his mind busy by listening to the radio.
Walter's Final Days
In an interview in 2010, Walter said he was not afraid of death. He believed that "We're all going to die. Some people are scared of dying. Never be afraid to die. Because you're born to die."
On March 31, 2011, Walter was taken to the hospital in Great Falls because he was not feeling well. The Governor of Montana visited him in the hospital. Walter Breuning passed away peacefully in his sleep from natural causes on April 14, 2011, at 3:30 PM.
When he died, Walter was the third-oldest living person in the world. He was also the second-oldest living American, and the oldest living man. After Walter, a Japanese man named Jiroemon Kimura became the world's oldest living man.
Before he died, Walter shared a prayer with his pastor. He said he had an "agreement" with God. When his pastor asked what it was, Walter said, "If I'm not going to get better, I'm supposed to go now."
See also
