Molly Schmidt celebrates 111th birthday

Ritzville resident Molly Schmidt celebrated her 111th birthday on July 22.

This monumental occasion also marked the opportunity to celebrate her not only as Ritzville’s longest living resident, but also the state of Washington’s oldest citizen.

Schmidt became the oldest citizen in the state after the passing of Emma Otis of Poulsbo in October of 2015. Otis was 114 years old.

Schmidt is currently the 15th oldest United States citizen in the country, and is among a long list of supercentenarians.

On July 24, Schmidt’s family gathered at Rose Garden Estates, where she currently resides, for a traditional birthday celebration.