Local icons celebrate their 95th year

January 10, 2023 admin COMMUNITY 0

By Al Rabenold

Nine-and-a-half decades ago, two Montezuma icons made their debut — the new Montezuma School building was completed and Lois (Miller) Douglass was born.

Both appear to be in pretty good shape after 95 years although the school building did need tuck-pointing.

Lois began her formal school education at Searsboro.  As a freshman and sophomore, she was a member of Searsboro Mountaineers girls’ basketball team. 

THE 1942-43 SEARSBORO MOUNTAINEER girls’ basketball team are back row, from left to right:  Elaine Beaderstadt, Nesha Fudge, Shirley Stanley, Betty Michmershuizen, Betty Fudge, and Iris Stanley.  Front row:  Mary Lou Kline, Minnie Septer, Ruth Kamerer, Colleen Fudge, and that pretty young lady, on the front row far right is sophomore Lois (Miller) Douglass.

In the spring of 1943 Lois entered the “transfer portal” and finished her high school education at MHS. 

Unfortunately for both Lois and MHS, Bravette basketball would not resurface again until 1951.  Thus, Lois became a cheerleader for MHS – and she has continued in that role for the past 80 years. 

No one is prouder of our school than Lois.  She bleeds royal blue & white. Over the years Lois has worked for the Montezuma School as a cook, a secretary, and girls’ basketball chaperone, before retiring in 1993.

Please help Lois Douglass celebrate her 95th birthday on January 16 with a phone call, 641-623-5164 or a card, P.O. Box 36, Montezuma, IA 50171.

THE MONTEZUMA SCHOOL KITCHEN STAFF in the ‘60s from left to right, Mrs. Gregory, Mrs. McGriff, Mrs. Dee, Mrs. Ingram, and the birthday girl, Lois Douglass.