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 Barry said, “It was a very rewarding job. I really
enjoyed my job and I can’t imagine doing anything else. I will miss
it greatly.”
Barry said by driving the athletic teams, “I had an opportunity to
go to many sports events and even drive my son and granddaughters to
them [as they have been on teams].” She said she has enjoyed being
able to watch so many of the games.
Lisa Rohlfs, another bus driver over the years, said, "LulaBelle was
one of the best co-workers ever. She is always willing go above and
beyond. She is the one who talked me into driving the bus, trained
me and always was a voice of encouragement. Not much stood in the
way of her job. She loves the kids she drove to and from school
everyday. There have been many that were her 'kids'."
Rohlfs has many memories of Barry and said, "I remember when she
planned her hip replacement and I was her fulltime substitute. Was I
ready to take on the task, absolutely. So on my very first day, we
had a flood. Many roads were closed and I just kept on driving and
praying that I could get to all of the kids and get them to school."
Rohlfs said, "I made it without any mishaps. I of course called her
to let her know how it went and she said, 'I knew you would be just
fine'."
Rohlfs said, "As the weeks went on in her recovery, I would drive by
her house, as it was on the route and honk every day. One morning we
had a few extra minutes, so the kids and I decided to stop and tell
her hello. I honked as usual, but was honking in her drive. When she
came to the door, seeing the kids out the windows saying hi and
waving, I know her heart was full."
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Rohlfs said, "She called me later
and told me it made her day. It was always the kids that kept
her going. She loves all of them and likes to hear what is
happening in their lives."
Rohlfs said, "When I was a little girl, I lived down the road
from LulaBelle's sister Analina. Now that I know LulaBelle, my
heart is even fuller. Her sister was a kind, sweet, loving and
caring person just like LulaBelle. I feel that meeting her, my
life has come full circle. God placed me where I was needed and
I am truly grateful. LulaBelle is one in a million and no one
will ever replace her!"
LulaBelle has been the bus driver for at least two generations
of some area families who likely have many memories of her time
driving for the district.
On Thursday, May 25, a retirement party was held for Barry. May
she have many happy years of retirement.
[Angela Reiners]
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