Betty Olson celebrated her 100th birthday Friday, then led Kiester area folks Saturday in the parade for Kiester Days. She was the grand marshal.

Of the many events held during this busy weekend, the parade is always a favorite of community members, local school alumni and family members who return to Kiester for this yearly event. There were fireworks, bowling activities, athletic events and, of course, lots of tasty food during the weekend, which experienced near-perfect weather.

Olson led the parade in a horse-drawn buggy driven by local veterinarian Jack Petersen. This was a means of transportation Olson is familiar with, as she grew up on a small farm in Williams, Iowa. Her parents, Edward and Belle Anderson, worked their farm with horse-driven equipment but never owned a tractor, so in all the years she has lived on a farm and in a farming community, she had never even been on a tractor. This situation was remedied easily by local resident and friend Barry Kapplinger.

Following the parade, and just prior to the 100th birthday party held for Olson at the Kiester Community Center, Kapplinger stopped by her house and chauffeured her throughout the town, before dropping her off at the party where family and friends were anxiously awaiting her. Many residents waved and cheered Olson on, as she drove by, and more than 100 people stopped by the event to congratulate her.

When asked about her grand ride on the tractor, Olson said, “I’ve ridden in many horse-drawn vehicles, airplanes, rowboats and even steamboats, but this ride was very special to me, and it was a long time coming, too.”

Olson moved to Kiester many years ago and married Chester Johnson. Their household was busy with five children, Carroll, Donna, Jeanette, Dale and Velda, while trying to make a living for their family. After Chester passed away, Olson remarried Ivan Olson and they continued to live in Kiester, until he too passed away several years ago.

Olson has worked in a variety of jobs, since she graduated from high school in Forest City, Iowa. She initially wanted to attend college, but wasn’t able to afford to do so in those days.

“I’ve worked at lots of different jobs over the years, even after we had a family,” Olson said. “I used to work for the Courier-Sentinel newspaper for about 15 years, Banquet Foods in Wells, and even the local grocery store before I finally retired.”

Olson also says her health is well. “I feel real good, eat well and sleep well, too,” she said. “I’m a little slower than I used to be and a little bit forgetful, but overall, I’m just glad to be here.”

She has seen many changes over the years, but “life has been pretty steady in Kiester over the years,” she said. “I’ve seen a lot of the houses in Kiester demolished and new ones built in their place, even a new grocery store in town.”

Olson still remains very active within the community by attending her monthly Card Club, enjoying her Ladies Circle at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church and even going to the local library where she meets friends and then goes out for a cup of coffee later. And, yes, she still lives on her own and drives her own car.

“I don’t drive too far,” Olson said jokingly, “but I’m glad to still be getting around at 100.”

“This was a great weekend in Kiester,” she added. “I saw a lot of people I don’t usually see and I was very surprised to see some old friends who came to my party. It couldn’t have been a better day!”