Wisconsin’s Oldest Superior Native Passes Away at 108
Wisconsin mourns the loss of one of its eldest residents, Isabel Tusin, who passed away last Tuesday at the age of 108. Her life spanned an incredible 108 years and 246 days, as noted by gerontology.fandom.com. Throughout her long life, Tusin bore witness to numerous transformations in her hometown of Superior, as well as nationwide advancements, especially in opportunities for women.
Known as the “Miracle Mom” by her son Barry Tusin, Isabel shared her experiences and insights during a conversation celebrating her 102nd birthday in 2019. Her reflections provide a vivid depiction of a bygone era in Superior.
Life in Early Superior
Isabel Tusin fondly recalled Superior as “a nice, safe place to grow up in,” bustling with activity on Tower Avenue, which was lined with stores and restaurants. “You could hardly walk Tower Avenue on Thursday nights,” she remarked, highlighting the vibrancy that characterized the area during her youth. The city was markedly different from today, with a plethora of dress shops and men’s stores.
Facing Discrimination and Embracing Opportunities
Growing up during Prohibition, Tusin’s family maintained a distance from illegal activities, with her father disapproving of moonshining. During her high school years, Jewish students, including Isabel, were barred from joining sororities and fraternities. “They never allowed us in there,” she revealed, reflecting on the exclusion she faced even in public school.
Despite these challenges, Isabel went on to pursue higher education at Marquette University in Milwaukee, initially studying dental hygiene. However, opportunities in that field were scarce, with dentists fearing competition from hygienists. Eventually, Isabel found a position in Ashland with a progressive dentist before shifting to a role as a stenographer for the federal government in Washington, D.C.
Career Shifts and Personal Life
Isabel’s career took her from Washington, D.C., to Detroit and Chicago, where she faced workplace harassment, a prevalent issue at the time. She later returned to Duluth, working at Oreck’s department store, where she quickly advanced to a supervisory role. It was during this period that she met her husband, and they soon married, moving to Chisholm, Minnesota, and later back to Superior.
Following her husband’s untimely death, Isabel secured a position at a college, setting up extension programs that allowed people to earn credits over weekends. Her dedication to staying active and informed contributed to her longevity. “Keeping busy,” she emphasized, was crucial to her well-being and vitality.
The rich tapestry of Isabel Tusin’s life, woven with personal triumphs and societal changes, serves as a testament to her resilience and adaptability over more than a century. Her story, shared during her centennial conversation, continues to inspire those who seek to understand the past through the eyes of those who lived it.
For suggestions on topics to cover on Morning Edition, please contact us at northern@wpr.org. This is Robin Washington in Superior for WPR News.
