OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A Nebraska woman who is believed by many to be the oldest living American has celebrated her 115th birthday.

The Omaha World-Herald reports that Thelma Sutcliffe marked her birthday quietly at the facility where she lives in Omaha.

Sutcliffe was born Oct. 1, 1906, in Benson, Nebraska (now part of Omaha). Her parents owned a farm. At age 17, she married Bill Sutcliffe, who worked for the Postal Service. He died in the early 1970s.

The Gerontology Research Group said Sutcliffe became the nation’s oldest living person on April 17 when Hester Ford died in North Carolina at age 115. The oldest person in the world is believed to be 118-year-old Kane Tanaka of Japan, who was born Jan. 2, 1903.