Waukesha - Wisconsin's oldest resident, Florence Busch, died at age 112 years and 161 days Wednesday night at LindenGrove, the health care center where she's lived for the past seven years.

Robert Young, who keeps tabs on the world's "supercentenarians" - those 110 and older - for the California-based nonprofit Gerontology Research Group, said its records indicate she died 54 days short of the state record for oldest surviving person. The list had her ranked as the 18th oldest person in the world and ninth oldest in the United States.

Christine Brunner of West Bend, Busch's great-granddaughter, said her death was unexpected, even considering her age. Her daughter and two grandchildren were visiting with her when she died in her wheelchair.

"We expected it eventually, but not quite that fast," said Brunner, a West Bend funeral director. She said she does not know the exact cause of death, "but old age sounds pretty good to me." Busch outlived her husband, her son and his wife and two grandchildren, Brunner said.

In an interview for an August 2007 Journal Sentinel column, Busch, then 111, had vague memories of the first flight and the earliest television. She apologized for not being sociable because she was tired.

Young said Busch had held the oldest Wisconsinite title for three years. The second oldest person in the state, Charlessa Wiggins of West Allis, died last year at age 110, he said. The world's oldest person on record died Jan. 2 in Portugal at age 115.

"January is not good for the oldest people," Young said. "They tend to die in the winter months."

The Gerontology Research Group has estimated that the number of people reaching age 110 is in the 400 to 500 range worldwide.

Young said the group is unaware of any person living in Wisconsin now who is 110 years or older, and since the group does not track those who are younger, "the title (of oldest living Wisconsinite) is vacant," he said.

Anyone who knows of a person 110 or older in the state can contact Young at ryoung122@yahoo.com

Brunner said the funeral for Busch will be at 1 p.m. Monday at Wisconsin Memorial Park in Brookfield. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until the service.