Cora Hansen

Cora Hansen (née Clausen, 25 March 1899 – 18 April 2012) was an American-born Canadian supercentenarian of Norwegian descent who, at the age of 113 years, 24 days, was the oldest validated living person in Canada, a title she had held following the 2011 death of Sum Ying Fung, who died at 112 years and 313 days old.

Biography
Hansen was born in Minnesota on March 25, 1899 to Elling Clausen Skjelbreid (born 1852) and Else Marie Jensdatter Grønnøy (born 1856), farmers who emigrated to the United States from Drangedal in Telemark, Norway. In 1912, Hansen and her family moved on to Jenner, Alberta.

She married Richard Hansen, and they both retired in Elkwater in 1972. She moved into the Valleyview Care Centre in Medicine Hat, Alberta in her 90s. Hansen had one daughter (Eleanor), two grandchildren (Jim and Allyson), and one great-grandson (Brooks). She also had two nieces (Else Sharp, who was 99 at the time of Hansen's death, and Emma Clausen, who was 94 at the time of Hansen's death) and a nephew (Alfred Clausen, who was 97 at the time of Hansen's death).

In May 2010, Hansen became bedridden and had serious vision and hearing problems, though she was active, alert and lucid from time to time. When asked, Hansen "credited her longevity to good genes, regular walks and a lifestyle that avoided cigarettes and alcohol."

Hansen died in Elkwater on April 18, 2012 at the age of 113 years, 24 days. After her death, Merle Barwis became the oldest Canadian living person.