The state’s longtime slogan, “Iowa, a place to grow,” might need to be amended slightly to say, “Iowa, a place to grow…old.” A Georgia woman who was said to be the world’s oldest person died Tuesday afternoon in a nursing home at age 116.
An official with the Guinness Book of World Records says the title now falls to a central Iowa woman: Dina Manfredini of Johnston is 115. She’s now the oldest living person on the planet. Around 200 Iowans became or will become centenarians this year.
The Census Bureau says there are 846 Iowans who count their age in triple-digits. Manfredini will turn 116 in April.